DALLAS TWP. — Gloria Smith tried to stay in her room at The Village at Greenbriar as long as possible before joining her brother, Bill, and friends at the Senior Prom.
The 89-year-old was a little uncomfortable with the outfit her daughter picked out for her to wear to the personal care home’s annual event.
“She told me I had to dress up,” Smith said. “It was a prom.”
It was a good thing she did venture out to the party because she was elected this year’s Prom Queen.
Ninety-one-year-old Angelo Magli had no qualms about attending the party.
The World War II veteran was surprised when he was named Prom King.
Lynn Marie Young, activities director at The Village at Greenbriar in Dallas, said the Senior Prom is a highly anticipated annual event among residents.
Nearly 50 of the 71 residents attended the hour and a half long party. Many residents wore their fine attire, including Smith’s black pantsuit.
Staff helped male residents pin on boutonnieres while female residents received corsages, Young said.
Residents were treated to a variety of hors d’oeuvres that included chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, fresh fruit and even a white chocolate fountain.
Musicians Kat and Tom Kovaleski kept residents and staff entertained with a medley of songs from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
Some residents were seen tapping their fingers and mouthing the words to their favorite tunes, such as “Side by Side,” once performed by Pasty Cline and “All of Me,” previously performed by Frank Sinatra.
Kat and Tom even danced a few numbers, including jitterbugging to the theme song from the television show, “American Bandstand.”
In the days leading up to the prom, residents cast their votes for Prom King and Queen, Young said.
Resident Florence Sherwood was not surprised when Smith and Magli’s names were read.
“They are good characters,” Sherwood said about her neighbors.
Smith and Magli were all smiles as they carefully made their way to the front of the room to accept their crowns.
Musicians Kat and Tom Kovaleski sang Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” as the couple faced their peers.
“I never thought I would be Prom Queen,” Smith said afterward.
Magli said he voted for someone else for Prom King.
“This crown is too big for my head,” he said, laughing.
When asked what was he going to do with his crown, Magli answered, “I’m going to put it in my room.”
Last year, residents Benjamin Franklin and Marguerite Lipski were the Senior Prom King and Queen.
Franklin, who was in attendance Thursday, noted the staff “always put on a nice show.”
“There is a great group of people here,” Franklin said.