New Milford High School Students Hosted Senior Citizen Prom

New Milford High School's music honors society, Tri-M, held their annual Senior Citizen Prom last week. Tri-M and the NMHS Choral Ensemble spent all year fundraising for this special night which has become one of the community’s most anticipated events.

This year art teacher Lauren Betinni and the Art Honors Society joined forces with Tri-M and the Choral Ensemble in helping prepare for the event. During the event the Choral Ensemble sang a mix of songs, from Dionne Warwick to Neil Diamond, all of which ended in a round of clapping and cheering.

The idea for the Senior Citizen Prom first came to life four years go when music teacher Jane Swarctz and the Music Honors Society talked about creating a community service event. With the help of the Student Council, the first Senior Citizen Prom was a hit. That night four years ago was also very memorable for more reasons than one.

“The very first year we crowned the king and queen, the queen was in a wheel chair,” said Swarctz. “When it was announced that she won, two boys from Tri-M wheeled her on to the dance floor and danced with her, one holding her hands and the other boy holding the wheel chair. There was not a dry eye in the room. Since then we’ve done this event every year.”

Each year the prom grows larger than ever before. Nineteen different restaurants donated a variety of food and 15 businesses from around the New Milford-Oradell area donated gifts to raffle off to the guests.  This year, the Art Honor Society pitched in making beautiful centerpieces for each table, and senior Felicia Trinidad spent time at the Senior Center teaching the attendees line dances especially for the event. The senior citizens loved the event, and it was evident how much of a great time they had as they spent the entire time dancing with NMHS students. 

“I love this event because the students of New Milford High School are just delightful,” said one senior citizen to Swarctz.