Seniors take walk ‘Down Memory Lane’ at Friday’s prom

Maricopa’s first ever Senior Prom took local senior citizens “Down Memory Lane” Friday night at Maricopa High School.
 
As they arrived, guests were escorted down the red carpet by a Maricopa High School Link Club students and then to their tables. Each lady received a wrist corsage made by Carol Young.

Following a reception of fruit, cheese and drinks, the buffet-style main course was served. Chicken, a pasta entrée, potatoes and vegetables, with a dessert following, were all catered by the Maricopa High School Culinary Art/Skills USA students under the direction of their instructor Rex Sherry.

Lining the walls were memorabilia from various graduation years. Tables were decorated with graduation caps filled with more memorabilia made by Peggy Chapados and Carol Young, including questions like:  “Do you remember green stamps?  What did the S & H stand for?”

Maricopa mayor Anthony Smith opened the evening’s entertainment with words of welcome, followed by a moving tribute to all veterans by Jeff Starkley.

Ron Estes and Sharon Buda were crowned Prom King and Queen. The royal couple began the dancing to music donated by KoKo Entertainment, with other guests joining them on the dance floor.

Later, the “Nutty Professor,” Jack Mullins, gave out a few graduation certificates before the dancing continued to music from the 1940s through the 1980s. 

“The music was from our ‘era,’ but even our high school servers and escorts were moving to it,” said Marge Kavanagh, treasurer of the Maricopa Seniors, Inc. “The evening was great fun thanks to all who participated. So many never got to go to their senior prom because of the war or for financial reasons, so now they could.”

Cotton Blossom Flower Shop donated flowers, and the Maricopa High School photography students took photos of the guests. Graphic arts students from the high school created posters and tickets for the event.

All profits from this Senior Prom will be used for the Pendant for Life.

The prom’s sponsor, Maricopa Seniors, Inc., is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2009. Its mission is to provide programs that will help create a safe and healthy environment for seniors in Maricopa and surrounding areas, to create a business base for seniors to receive discounts on products and services and to provide an online resource directory. All fundraising efforts work toward these causes.

The group’s goal is to generate funding to provide amenities and services that will be utilized in a future Senior Center in Maricopa. Current programs and projects include:  the Infinity Card, Pendant for Life, the Maricopa Home, Garden and Business Expo and a Health and Wellness Series. 

Photos courtesy of Cindy Price lilypstudio.com