Grad party at long-term care home gives new meaning to 'senior prom'

It was a prom to remember, and some in attendance had their memories jogged to a much different time.

A group of teenagers from Bruce County, Ont., held a seniors' prom in a long-term care home in Southampton, Ont., taking senior residents as their dates.

There were no promposals, only dancing, swapping stories and celebrating graduation with a classic 1950s hot dog lunch and ice cream floats.

"It was such a positive experience. I think we all enjoyed talking to the seniors so much," said Ava Cameron, a Grade 12 student at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin, Ont.

"We got to hear so many stories and just really see how much of an impact it had on them. They look forward to this day all year, so it was cool to be a part of," Cameron said.

When the "senior prom" first launched at the care home in 2016, there were 10 students. This time, 17 teens came out.

"It's good for both sides because the young people get to learn what's happened in the past and the seniors get to experience some of the new things that are happening," Eileen Wolfe, a chaplain at Southampton Care Centre said.

They brought back that spirit of youth again."- Joan Irving, resident at Southampton Care Centre

For Cameron, hearing stories from the senior she was paired up with was inspiring.

"It just really made me want to live my life to the fullest and have all these memories for when I'm older to pass down to my family and to the younger people that I get to talk to," she said.

Joan Irving has been living at the Southampton Care Centre for two years, and now serves as president of the residents' council.

"I can't speak enough about these students," Irving said. "When you're quite young, your time is precious. You've got so many things to attend to, but when they came here and mixed with us, and we felt young again, they brought back that spirit of youth again."

Many of the residents have grandchildren of their own that they don't always get to see, especially in a social activity like this, she said.

"The world needs more people like them," Irving said.

LISTEN: Senior prom sees youth and long-term care residents come together for a party to remember

It was a prom Grade 12 student Blake Lemont also enjoyed, noting that he hasn't spent a lot of time in a care homes.

"Our school has been putting this on for a long time now, so it's cool to just get a piece of history in that way, he said. "I actually came across a relative of mine, and it was pretty nice to catch up with her there and hear some stories."

Wolfe said she is still hearing residents talking about how this year may have been the best senior prom yet.

"They were just so thrilled to be accepted and recognized for who they are," she said. "I think sometimes you don't realize how vibrant their lives were, and this gives the students an opportunity to find that out."