SENIOR CITIZEN LUNCHEON

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has created many challenges in the world in which we live and forged a new era for handling everyday activities. Many activities and events around the world have been cancelled in an attempt to help stop the spread. A beloved tradition at Prosper ISD was on the verge of cancellation, but district officials and program directors put their heads together to create a solution in which it could live on… COVID safe in this new era!

Prosper’s annual Senior Citizen Holiday Luncheon is a treasured tradition for many in our Prosper community. Traditionally attended by well more than 100 guests in recent years, the concerted effort of many Prosper High School programs includes the PHS culinary department who cooks and serves, PHS Fine Arts department who entertains, PHS Floral Design department who decorates and the National Honor Society who helps to greet and seat the guests. The luncheon allows the Senior Citizen population of Prosper ISD to see what students are learning while providing an opportunity for district students to serve their community. The new era that COVID-19 has ushered in brought heightened concerns regarding the luncheon with the Senior Citizen population being a part of the highest at-risk category for COVID-19 complications. PHS Culinary Department Chefs, Cris Goodman and Brett Claypoole, put their heads together and created a way for the beloved tradition to continue.

This year’s event was held on Wednesday, December 2nd at the Children’s Health Stadium at Prosper ISD. While COVID and then the weather posed several obstacles to continuing the tradition, the students and staff of Prosper High School were undaunted in their commitment and made sure that the event could still take place for the Senior Citizens in our community. Many of these community members use this annual event as an opportunity to visit with friends they don’t see throughout the year.

This year’s luncheon featured curbside pickup of a holiday meal, ornament gifts created by the Prosper High School Fashion Design Department, Succulents grown and packaged by the Prosper High School Horticulture Department, and a musical line-up for entertainment provided by the Prosper High School Choir. Despite the change of circumstances, the luncheon still provided gifts and meals to 100 community Senior Citizens. Chef Goodman was determined to “make sure that this event could continue amidst COVID. We started planning early this summer. It truly was a team effort.”

Attendee Charlotte Larson along with her husband Alan and Mother, Wylna Putman, came out to enjoy the annual celebration. Afterwards she was thankful that “although we missed seeing and visiting with our friends, the kiddos did a fabulous job checking us in, greeting us with gifts, taking our meal orders and following through with a seamless drive-through experience.” The hope for all is that next year’s luncheon will again be in-person to allow all attendees to enjoy the food, fun, festivities, and fellowship.