Huntington High School Grandfriends Throws Senior-Senior Prom

HUNTINGTON, NY--Huntington High School's Grandfriends Club recently threw a senior-senior prom in the school's cafeteria which was attended by 135 local senior citizens, the school district announced.

The prom was "aloha"-themed, and many of the prom-goers dressed for the occasion. Hawaiian delicacies lined the menu and senior citizens enjoyed a night of music, dancing, dinner and conversation.

Alexis Aviles, Angelica Hernandez and Ashlyn Case share the title of club president. Suzi Biagi and Camille DeCanio are the club’s faculty advisors.

The club, which has dozens of members, spent months planning the event. It kicked off with the club meeting the seniors at the high school's entrance, where they were then escorted to the Hawaiian-themed cafeteria. The event lasted for several hours.

Chas Forte, a junior at the high school, served as the event's musician. Cassidy Casabona, a sophomore student, performed and taught prom-goers and fellow students an authentic Hawaiian dance.

“It was good to know that all of the hard work of everyone in the club paid off, watching the seniors dance and enjoy the night,” Hernandez said.

The prom dance crowned Donald Clarke as the king and Lois Bratton as the queen. They celebrated with a quick stint on the dance-floor.

“Seeing our students strive to make sure everyone was having a good time was something very special," Biagi said.

For the club's seniors, the event marked their final senior-senior prom. Many of them had volunteered throughout their entire high school career.

“I’m so thankful to have been a part of Grandfriends,” Case said. “The senior-senior prom is always so memorable for all of us. Not only is it a lot of fun, but we walk away knowing we brightened someone else’s day, too. Though I’m sad that this was my final year, I’m confident that Grandfriends has a bright future ahead."

Grandfriends participates in intergenerational events each year, prioritizing the senior citizen community. The group raises money through after-school bake sales. Any local businesses that wish to get involved can contact Biagi at sbiagi@hufsd.edu.