Denver Catholic

B2 APRIL 9-22, 2016 | DENVER CATHOLIC Seniors Move-In Special Call today at 303-964-3804 to learn more about how you can save $500. Restrictions apply. Our faith-based, welcoming environment includes: • Independent Living • Assisted Living • On-Site Physician Clinic • Daily Mass • Secure Memory Care Unit • Adult Day Programs Out with the cold in with the 2835 W. 32nd Avenue Denver, Colorado 80211 303-964-3804 CHILivingCommunities.org W hat better way to bridge the gap between generations than by raising the roof together? It was an evening of fun, food and dancing at Mullen High School March 19 at the 23rd annual Senior Citizen Prom. Close to 300 senior citizens and 120 stu- dent volunteers turned up for the event, which is hosted each year by Mullen High School. The Senior Citizen Prom has a gained a reputation with students for being Mullen High's biggest and most fun ser- vice event. "This event is usually the most volun- teered event by our students," said Ami Zach, Marketing and Communications coordinator at Mullen High School. "They absolutely love it." Started in 1993, the idea for the Senior Citizen Prom dates back to post-World War II era in the United States. Dave Bell, director of big band "That Great Little Band," along his wife, Chris, discovered in speaking with senior citizens that many of them had missed out on their senior prom in high school because of the draft during World War II. The Bells planned and executed the fi rst Senior Citizen Prom in 1993, and the tradition has con- tinued since. Though Dave Bell has since passed away, Chris continues to attend the event each year and "That Great Little Band" still performs at the prom today. Charles and Helen Onofrio, parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver, have been attending the Senior Citizen Prom for six years, and they enjoy themselves every year. The student volunteers are what bring them the most joy, they said. "What we enjoy most is the enthusiasm and welcoming spirit of all the students," Helen Onofrio said. "The student volun- teers seem to enjoy themselves as much as the seniors do." Onofrio said that each guest is greeted at the door by a student who escorts them to their table. Each table has a student assigned to it who serves snacks and bev- erages throughout the evening. Another part of the students' role is to make sure everybody is having a good time. "When they notice a guest who is not dancing, they ask him or her to dance," Onofrio said. The students send the seniors o€ with a prayer and rousing tunnel at the end of the evening, she said. Overall, the Senior Citizen Prom is a night of service for the seniors in atten- dance, a way for the current generation to show their appreciation for generations past. "We are thankful to all who made us feel so welcome and important," Ono frio said. Senior Citizen Prom a bridge of fun between generations Mullen High hosts annual event for WWII-era seniors who couldn't attend prom in high school BY AARON LAMBERT 303-715-3138 | aaron.lambert@archden.org www.twitter.com/AaronLmbrt

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