A Prom for the Young and the Young-at-Heart

The Somers senior citizen residents and students from service and volunteer group "S.A.V.E." celebrated their eighth annual Senior Prom at the on Friday night.

Guests young and old dressed in lavish hats, bet on the ponies and delighted in the festivities of the "Kentucky Derby" themed event with dancing, great conversations and refreshments.

"I am delighted this event gets better every year," said Pauline Yarnes.  "I love the kids, their energy and it is just so wonderful that the younger generation has taken time to be with us."

Yarnes was not the only person who appreciated that the kids were there.

"The kids need to know that older people, such as us, are not really old 'fogeys,' we also like to dance, listen to music and have fun, too," said Joan Sizer. "The younger people have a special place in my heart because they are our nation's future."

S.A.V.E. is a community service program made up of Mabelle B. Avery Middle School students who are extremely active all year long at the , where they prepare and serve holiday meals and adopt children from the Network for Domestic Abuse at Christmas. 

The program's participants remember the veterans by collecting games, puzzles and books to make cards and letters for Veteran's Day and Valentine's Day.

Most recently, S.A.V.E. volunteers participated in their annual "Random Acts of Kindness Week," by making and posting signs throughout the school asking students to engage in acts of kindness towards others.

"It is truly a wonderful club to be part of, and I'm proud of our students enthusiastic participation and hard work," said S.A.V.E.'s teacher and advisor, Karyn O'Donnell.