NHS Hosts Senior Senior Prom

The word “senior” took on dual meaning for those in attendance at Kensington Court in Tinton Falls on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Sponsored by senior-members of the Russell G. Ranney National Honor Society, those living at the Kensington Court Assisted Living Home were treated to a “senior senior prom.”

Over 70 senior citizens spent their afternoon chatting, laughing and dancing with members of Ranney’s Class of 2011, 25 cadets from Fort Monmouth Academy and four students from Colts Neck High School’s ROTC. “It was joyous to see interaction between the two generations as they shared in dance and conversation,” said NHS advisor and Fine Arts Chair Kate Greenberg.

Because they had spent two weeks prior to the event taking early-morning dance lessons with Middle School teacher Stacy Goto, 12th grade Ranney students like Manu Sharma (Colts Neck) and Charlotte Fleming (Rumson) were more than ready to kick up their heels with elder citizens at Kensington Court. While gracefully gliding around the dance floor, attendees were provided with big-band era musical entertainment from the “Nocturnes,” led by Jeff Shields, whose daughter Holly is a Ranney alumna from the Class of 2007. As is tradition, a Prom King and Queen were also crowned during the event.

Now the National Honor Society’s fourth year hosting “senior senior proms,” Ranney School students expanded this year’s community outreach to involve not just one, but two, assisted living communities. The group will also host a prom at Applewood Estates in Freehold on April 2nd from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. An overall joyful and heartwarming experience, this multi-generational exchange between adolescent and elderly not only reminds seniors of being young, but also helps students to appreciate the many contributions of older members throughout the community. “This time together is a dynamic lesson on so many levels, as well as a generous act of kindness,” said Greenberg.

Thank you to all the students who worked so hard to make the event such a big success.



To sign up for Ranney School RSS News Feeds, please click here, or for more information please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.