Senior-Senior Prom

A 12th-grade sociology class studying issues related to the elderly sought greater understanding of the problems facing this population by visiting adult day care centers, senior citizen centers, and nursing homes. During weekly visits, they played cards, exchanged stories, and witnessed first hand the concerns of senior citizens in today's society.

Realizing that senior citizens experienced feelings of isolation and neglect, the students decided to plan an event to address this problem. The students hoped to dispel the stereotypes held by each group ? that teenagers are self-centered and even dangerous, and the elderly are irritable and out of touch.

Members of the senior class decided to celebrate the end of their senior year by hosting a Senior-Senior Prom. Students and the senior citizens teamed up and planned the event together. They chose a theme, researched music and dances, canvassed stores and community members for donations of prizes, purchased ingredients aligned with dietary restrictions, and collaborated with the Culinary Arts Department to make refreshments. They also arrange for transportation and researched the building's handicapped accessibility, making necessary adjustments. In the final stages of the project they hired a band, sent invitations, and decorated the high school gymnasium.

The event was the culmination of the class' yearlong personal study of the aging and elderly in today's world and a celebration of the new friendships cultivated through weekly visits. A band played music from the senior citizens' era, and a queen and her senior court were chosen and crowned during the evening's festivities. Teens and elders laughed and shared stories. As they examined the myths and realities about the elderly, students learned to care for others, be compassionate, and appreciate elders as friends.

Adapted from "Community Lessons: Integrating Service-Learning Into K-12 Curriculum," 2001, Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts Service Alliance, and Learn and Serve America. Used with permission of Massachusetts Department of Education, www.doe.mass.edu/csl, (781) 338-3000.