On June 3, Chris Jenner had the chance to enjoy her senior prom. She was joined by more than 50 of her peers - and they were just a wee bit older than typical prom-goers. Jenner participated in a senior prom for members of the Columbia and Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Centers. It was held in the pavilion at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St.
"I never had a prom in high school," Jenner said. "It's so exciting to be here. I danced a little, but I have also really been enjoying watching everybody dance. Everyone is having a great time."
Cindi Hammons, manager of the Columbia Senior Center and supervisor of the Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center, said her co-worker came up with the idea for the prom last year. "I was talking to the manager of the Lancaster center, and she said, 'Wouldn't it be fun to have a prom?'" Hammons recalled of her conversation with Ginny Lassiter. They reached out to organizations connected to the Community Action Partnership senior centers for help. Food was donated by Aetna, Hospice for All Seasons, UnitedHealthcare, Masonic Villages, Aurora Home Care, Comfort Keepers, Capital Blue Cross and Highmark. Flowers for boutonnieres were donated by Royer's Flowers & Gifts. Ooh La La Consignment in Lancaster and Janice Armstrong donated formal dresses, and H&M at Tanger Outlets provided dress pants for the men. Prom attendees were invited to visit the senior center and pick out outfits, Hammons said, adding, "They had so much fun dressing up." Susquehanna National Heritage Area donated the use of the venue.
The prom began with coffee and doughnuts, followed by dancing to music from DJ Matt Cleveland and a crowning of a prom king and queen from each of the centers. The Columbia Senior Center prom king was Chuck Zimmerman, and the queen was Diane Zane. Quincy Baker was crowned king and Rhonda Stoy was named queen for the Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center. The prom concluded with a sit-down luncheon.
"I thought this sounded like it was going to be really fun, and it has been really fun," Zimmerman said. "I've enjoyed the music and dancing and talking to all of the people here."
As Hammons observed the crowds on the dance floor, she said the event exceeded her expectations. "So many people were really excited to come to this because they had never been to a prom before," she remarked. "And for those who did go to their prom, this has been a nice opportunity to relive those fun memories."
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