Betty Baines recounted her incredible experience as a student during World War II to Pepperdine students at the “Senior Prom an even that brings two generations together.
On Friday, March 27, the university welcomed approximately 70 senior citizens like Betty and more than 30 student volunteers to Drescher Dining Hall, where they danced, conversed and had a pleasant dinner.
I wouldn’t miss this for the world said senior citizen Beverly Goznell. I think the students are just amazing to give us their time and [to be] so friendly.”
The brassy sound of 1940s jazz filled the Old-Hollywood themed room and photos of familiar celebrity faces such as Lucille Ball and Audrey Hepburn were placed at every table. Many of the attendees were impressed with the quality of the dinner which included several kinds of gourmet pasta salads and bread.
“My high school prom was more of a buffet said Pepperdine senior Julie Zaharias. So even the fact that this is a sit down dinner is very fancy.”
As students and seniors shared dinner together it was clear that everyone was enjoying each other’s company. The sound of conversation and laughter almost drowned out Frank Sinatra’s voice. There were plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained including a Polaroid camera portrait corner complete with feather boas and top hats and a “Guess that Hollywood Star” contest.
“It’s really fun to just have the students be able to interact with the senior citizens so easily and to see the conversations grow throughout the evening said senior Jessica Ernest, special events coordinator for the Volunteer Center. It’s really great because we miss out on their demographic and there’s so much that we can share between our generations. That’s the great part of tonight.”
Students at the event felt a mutual enthusiasm with their much older counterparts.
“I love to volunteer with people who are retired said freshman Kelsey Fitzgerald. It’s so fun to see their perspectives. I enjoy learning from them.”
Many of the senior citizens present at this year’s “Senior Prom” were so impressed with the past events that they have continued to come back to Pepperdine over and over again. “I’ve been coming here for maybe 10 years Baines said. It’s just fun. We enjoy talking to the students and hearing what they want to do with their lives.”
However the most anticipated activity of the evening was the dancing. Nearly everyone in attendance had either heard about or witnessed the many dance floor anecdotes of past “Senior Proms and they were all eager to be a part of it.
I don’t have a date with me tonight said freshman Joelle Takahashi. But I’m hoping to find one on the dance floor.”
Senior citizens continued to mingle with students as they recalled how dancing has changed since their own senior proms.
“We call [our kind of dancing] together dancing said Baines with a chuckle. Not [like today] where you take your girl on the floor and she goes one way and you go the other way. I have to laugh at the young people. They don’t cuddle up when they’re dancing whereas when you’re ‘together dancing’ you can get a little cuddly.”
Despite differences in preferred dance styles prom goers of all ages paired up for the final dances to the blissful songs of old Hollywood. As the evening began to wind down it was clear to many that it had been a successful night.
“[My favorite part of the evening] is all the enthusiasm of all the students said 85-year-old Jay Furgeson. [They’re] such wonderful hosts and hostesses.”
For many students the “Senior Prom” was both a rewarding and an enjoyable way to get involved in volunteering at Pepperdine. “If you have so much which we all do since we’re at Pepperdine then why not reach out and help other people and give back [instead of] just taking?” Fitzgerald said. “It’s our motto – ‘Freely ye received freely give’. We’re [so] lucky.”
“Senior Prom” left its participants eagerly looking forward to next year and excited to spread the word about this exceptional event.
“I definitely want to do it again. I want to try to get more people involved said Fitzgerald. Anyone who enjoys meeting new people and talking to them should do it.”