This prom was one for the books, and many attendees found themselves reminiscing about days gone by.
A group of high school students from Bruce County, Ont., organized a seniors’ prom at a long-term care home in Southampton, Ont., inviting senior residents as their dates.
No promposals were needed, just dancing, sharing stories, and celebrating graduation with a traditional 1950s hot dog lunch and ice cream floats.
“It was such a positive experience. I think we all enjoyed talking to the seniors so much,” said Ava Cameron, a Grade 12 student at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin, Ont.
“We got to hear so many stories and just really see how much of an impact it had on them. They look forward to this day all year, so it was cool to be a part of,” Cameron said.
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Grade 12 student Ava Cameron says hearing stories from her Senior Prom senior was inspiring and makes her want to live life to the fullest. (Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
When the “senior prom” started at the care home in 2016, only 10 students participated. This time around, there were 17 teens involved.
“It’s good for both sides because the young people get to learn what’s happened in the past and the seniors get to experience some of the new things that are happening,” Eileen Wolfe, a chaplain at Southampton Care Centre said.
They brought back that spirit of youth again.”- Joan Irving, resident at Southampton Care Centre
For Cameron, listening to stories from her senior partner was truly motivating.
“It just really made me want to live my life to the fullest and have all these memories for when I’m older to pass down to my family and to the younger people that I get to talk to,” she said.
Joan Irving has been living at Southampton Care Centre for two years and currently serves as president of the residents’ council.
“I can’t speak enough about these students,” Irving said. “When you’re quite young, your time is precious. You’ve got so many things to attend to but when they came here and mixed with us we felt young again; they brought back that spirit of youth.”
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Blake Lemont (right), a Grade 12 student at Saugeen District Senior School describes Senior Prom as a ‘super fun experience.’ (Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
Many residents have grandchildren they don’t often get to see especially during social activities like this one she mentioned.
“The world needs more people like them,” Irving said.
LISTEN: Senior prom sees youth and long-term care residents come together for a party they’ll remember
Afternoon Drive8:17Senior prom hits the senior’s home
A group of grade 12 students at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin took their prom into a long-term care home. Southampton Care Centre chaplain Eileen Wolfe shares how it came together while two students Blake Lamont and Ava Cameron reflect on their experience.
It was also an enjoyable evening for Grade 12 student Blake Lemont who pointed out he hasn’t spent much time in care homes before now.
“Our school has been putting this on for quite some time now so it’s cool just getting that piece of history,” he noted. “I actually ran into a relative there which was nice catching up with her while hearing some great stories.”![]()
Joan Irving president of the residents’ council at Southampton Care Centre says we need more caring individuals like those youths who visited during Senior Prom. (Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
Wolfe mentioned she’s still hearing residents say how this year might have been their best senior prom yet.
“They were just so thrilled to be accepted and recognized for who they are,” she stated. “I think sometimes you don’t realize how vibrant their lives were until you see it firsthand; this gives students an opportunity to discover that.”
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