On Saturday, more than 300 local senior citizens waltzed and jived their afternoon away at the 10th annual GW Senior Prom in the Charles E. Smith Center.
Hosted by the Office of Government and Community Relations, the event featured food, dancing and performances by King James & the Serfs of Swing and GW Ballroom. A mix of gold, blue and silver tablecloths and musical centerpieces, as well as sounds from Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Al Green and a photo booth, captured this year’s theme, “Dancing Through the Decades,” which was selected in commemoration of GW’s Foggy Bottom centennial celebration.
Senior citizens from local retirement communities and senior service centers, including St. Mary’s Court, Iona Senior Services and Vinson Hall Retirement Community, dined on lasagna, mixed vegetables and salad, and received gift bags with magnets to commemorate the afternoon. They also received a surprise visit from D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.
Although it was his first time attending the GW Senior Prom, Stan Kelly from Northwest won the coveted Senior Prom king title. Carolyn Plater of Sibley Plaza Senior Center was named prom queen.
Mr. Kelly learned about the event at his Banneker Ballroom Dance Club and showed off his moves on the dance floor.
“I had no idea I’d win. I was so shocked,” he said. “It was a wonderful event. Everybody was so friendly, and everyone was dancing. The food was delicious. What was there not to like?”
Local senior Annie B. Williams attended the prom with six of her friends. This year was her fifth time at the prom and she said she plans to keep coming back.
“It was beautiful. We enjoyed it,” she said. “We hate that we had to leave!”
Darnell Cadette, presidential administrative fellow in the Office of Government and Community Relations, said more than 100 volunteers helped make the event possible.
“After weeks of planning, calling senior centers across the district and recruiting volunteers, it was great to see the event come together,” he said. “This event touches D.C. residents from across the city, and exemplifies GW's commitment to being both in and of D.C.”