When it came to glitz and glamour, Saturday's Senior Citizen Ball in Harriman Hall may not exactly have measured up to the high school prom.
But when it came to fun for 40 seniors long past their senior years in high school, Saturday's ball was the best show in town.
With food, music, dancing and entertainment for all ages, the Phi Eta Sigma honor society held its third-annual Senior Citizen Ball this weekend. Phi Eta Sigma ran the event with the Community Action Corps for the senior citizens from the Gloria Parks Community Center.
Rachelle Ricotta, vice president of Phi Eta Sigma and a senior urban public policy and sociology major, said all the senior citizens who attended the event were members of the University Heights community.
"We have done this kind of senior citizen prom before, but we wanted to do something bigger and better this year," said Ricotta.
This year, Banchetti's Restaurant provided a buffet dinner, while the centerpieces and plasticware were donated. Phi Eta Sigma members made the party favors.
Kelly Damon, president of Phi Eta Sigma and a senior math major, said although this was the event's third year, this was the first time his group collaborated with the Community Action Corps.
The event, which was free for all senior citizens, also had a raffle and free CDs for those who attended.
"We want to see if they would possibly be interested in doing a dance auction, where they would each get different numbers and win a dance with a fellow senior citizen or a member of Phi Eta Sigma or Community Action Corps," said Damon.
Also for the third year, the senior citizen's ball was rich with entertainment, with three different vocal groups - the Mixed Nuts, Royal Pitches and the Gospel Choir - performing.
For the students involved, however, the event was about much more than the food or the music.
"It's really nice to see everyone dressed up in the cold weather," said Kristin Piatko, a senior fine art and english major. "It's nice to be able to put a smile on people's faces."
"It's nice to get together with good friends and bring happiness into the community," said Amanda Lohiser, a junior communication major.
According to Jennie O'Keefe, a participating senior citizen, the event was a great way to meet fellow seniors in the community.
"I came because I was invited," said O'Keefe. "I didn't know people who were coming, but I know them now that they are here."
"We decided to make it a larger event and to try and build a linkage between the university and the community," said Ricotta. "This is definitely a good event to do that."
Diane Barnes, another senior citizen, echoed the sentiments of O'Keefe and Ricotta.
"I wanted to be part of this event and join this nice occasion," she said. "It is nice to get to mingle with other people sometimes."
According to Damon, the event was not just about throwing the prom for the seniors, but also interacting with them.
"I think it is great that we get to socialize with the senior citizens and get to know them," said Damon.
About 40 to 45 senior citizens attended the ball, which was run by about 20 to 25 volunteers.
The event's turnout, which was its biggest in three years, was a sign of encouragement for both Phi Eta Sigma and the CAC that the Senior Citizen's Ball will continue for many years to come.
"As long as people want to be involved, and the seniors keep coming out, we will continue on with this tradition as it is fun for us and even more fun for them," said Lohiser.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
