A cherished tradition of music, dancing and community spirit among different generations will once again live on as a regular event as the Altoona Area High School Student Council prepares for the return of its senior citizens dance.
The dance was an annual event before the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the school attempted to resurrect it in November 2022, the event wasn't as well attended as prior years, student council adviser Jess Hogan said, adding they're hoping for a crowd of 200 people or more to show up this year.
The free event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the AAHS Fieldhouse, where a group of about 30 students will put up maroon and white decorations after school and greet older members of the community for an evening of celebration and camaraderie.
Baby boomers - people born from 1946-64 - and all others are encouraged to attend and enjoy complimentary refreshments, in addition to dancing and live waltz and polka music performed by the school's jazz band.
Hogan said teachers are making a variety of finger sandwiches, cookies and cupcakes, which will be available with refreshments served by students, including coffee, water, tea and fruit punch.
Student Council President Dawn Dempsey said the intergenerational event is "a lovely opportunity" for students to engage with the attendees, who are encouraged to dress for a nice evening out.
Junior Stayley Drenning said she hopes to see the attendees dressed up in prom attire "because I think that's just a very fun part of dances," she said.
Like Drenning, sophomores Camille Krug and Julian Pringle, said they can't wait to be part of the event for the first time. Krug said the idea of seeing senior citizens experience a prom-like dance again is "really cool."
"Obviously once you leave high school you don't really get to do prom or anything again, and I think it will be fun to see them have that same excitement that high schoolers get when they're at prom," she said.
Pringle said he agreed to volunteer for the event because he enjoys helping others and wants to interact with the older generations.
"In a modern society that we have today, I think bringing back that old society and new society at the same time is a great thing," Pringle said.
Senior Alyssa Chestney, the student council's secretary, said her great-grandparents were continuous attendees at the dance in previous years, and they "loved every minute" of it. For her, she's thrilled to be part of the event's continuing legacy.
"I feel that it's a great opportunity for students and the community to get to know one another and be surrounded by lots of joined wisdom from multiple generations," Chestney said. "Student council strives to give back to others and continue a strong legacy for those who built the foundation for us."
Community Relations Director Paula Foreman said attendees from previous years have said how much fun they had at the dance while interacting with young people. The feedback she has received from students showed they enjoy the events as well.
"This event is our students' way of expressing gratitude to the seniors in our community while fostering connections across generations," Foreman said.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.