2 minute read
Alisa Garcia
The Story Behind This Special Event
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BY ALISA GARCIA
In December, my Cherokee High School senior class discussed ideas for our HOSA-Future Health Professionals club service projects for the upcoming semester. We jokingly suggested a senior, senior prom, yet it was an idea that we all loved. Since Ms. A (healthcare science teacher and HOSA adviser Dianne Argonis-Basto) loved the idea as well, she helped us reach out to local senior centers. The Cherokee County Senior Center allowed us the opportunity to provide the prom at the center in Canton. Once the idea was run by them, it hit us how real this was, and we immediately started planning.
In early March, we decided on a ’50s-’60s theme to help the senior citizens reminisce on their high school prom, since they were likely high school seniors around that time. Using the funding from our school’s HOSA snack cart, and with the help of other clubs, we purchased decorations, goodie bags, supplies and paper products. The audio/visual class allowed us to borrow a microphone for our throwback trivia, ROTC let us use a speaker for music, the agriculture class helped make floral arrangements and the welding class helped make metal decor pieces. Additionally, many of us received gift cards from our jobs and local businesses. One classmate helped facilitate catering from Publix. And with some donations, we made a variety of baskets to raffle, and it was amazing seeing how supportive our community was of our prom.
The Friday before the event, we went to the senior center after school to set up. We set up the tables with floral pieces, a balloon arch, a photo booth that would be easily accessible for everyone, and planned the food and drink layout.
The hours leading up to the event were chaotic, but the outcome was beyond worth it. As the event began, everyone made their way to the dance floor area. The seniors, dressed in themed outfits and poodle skirts, loved the food and root beer floats, and our prize baskets and photo booth were a huge hit. A majority of prom attendees were able to go home from the event with prize baskets, along with a goodie bag and memories. The prom was very successful, and it was more perfect than what we imagined.
Alisa Garcia is a Cherokee High School graduate and former HOSA secretary. She runs an annual Christmas toy drive at Hasty Elementary.
