Gwinnett Woman, 91, to Attend Her 18th Prom

Submitted by Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Division

Maria D’Antonio will be attending her 18th prom on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Bethesda Park Senior Center in Lawrenceville. The event is hosted by Gwinnett County Senior Services.

D’Antonio didn’t have a date 73 years ago during her senior year in high school and still remains independent.

“If you go without a man, it doesn’t matter. Now you don’t even need a partner since you can line dance,” smiles D’Antonio.

At the age of 91, D’Antonio mentions the difference with today’s prom and her own, “There was no limo, we all pitched in for gas – a quarter a piece,” she said. “Some things never change – boys on one side and the girls on the other. It is always the girls coaxing the boys to dance.”

Gwinnett County Senior Services has hosted their senior prom for 17 years and Maria D’Antonio has never missed one. She loves to dance and can’t imagine life without music or dancing.

D’Antonio has always been independent and has explored Europe and the United States by herself despite society’s disapproval in the 1940’s of a young lady traveling alone. Her advice to young folks is to travel and see how other people live, “Enjoy your life. There is so much to see,” she said.

Gwinnett County Senior Services operate four senior activity centers located in Lawrenceville, Buford, Norcross, and Snellville. The centers offer a safe environment for the older population to gather, socialize, and enjoy a well-balanced nutritional meal. Activities at the centers include exercise and nutrition classes, musical entertainment, games, and health presentations. For more information on how to become a participant, you may visit www.gwinnettseniorservices.com or call 678-377-4150.