It was a graduation dance to remember, and some attendees had their memories at a very different moment.
A group of Bruce County teenagers, Ontario, celebrated a graduation dance of older people in a long -term care home in Southampton, Ontario, taking major residents as their appointments.
There were no promposal, just dance, exchange stories and celebrate graduation with a classic Hot Dog lunch of the 1950s and ice cream floats.
“It was such a positive experience. I think we all enjoy speaking with older adults,” said Av Cameron, a 12th grade student at the Senior school of the Saugeen district in Port Elgin, Ontario.
“We got to listen to so many stories and we really see how much impact they had on them. They expect this day throughout the year, so it was great to be a part,” Cameron said.
When the “graduation dance” was first launched in The Care Home in 2016, there were 10 students. This time, 17 teenagers came out.
“It is good for both parties because young people learn what happened in the past and the elderly experience some of the new things that are happening,” said Eileen Wolfe, a chaplain of the Southampton Care Center.
They brought back that spirit of youth again. “– Joan Irving, resident in the Southampton Care Center
For Cameron, listening to stories from the senior who was paired was inspiring.
“I really wanted to live my life to the fullest and have all these memories for when I am old to spend my family and the youngest people I can talk to,” he said.
Joan Irving has been living in the Southampton Care Center for two years, and now serves as president of the Council of Residents.
“I can’t talk enough about these students,” Irving said. “When you are quite young, your time is beautiful. You have many things to attend, but when they came here and mixed with us, and we felt young again, they brought that spirit of youth again.”
Many of the residents have their own grandchildren who cannot always see, especially in a social activity like this, he said.
“The world needs more people like them,” Irving said.
Listen: Senior promises young people and long -term care residents come together for a party to remember
Take in the afternoon8:17Senior’s graduation dance arrives at the Senior’s house
A group of 12th grade students at the Senior school of the Saugeen district in Port Elgin took their party to a long -term attention home. The chaplain of the Southampton Care Center, Eileen Wolfe, shares how she joined and two students, Blake Lamont and Av Cameron, reflect on the experience.
He was a graduation student of Prom grade 12, Blake Lemont also enjoyed, noting that he has not spent much time in a home.
“Our school has been putting this for a long time, so it’s great to get a piece of history that way, he said.” I actually met a relative of mine, and it was quite pleasant to update it with her and listen to some stories. “
Wolfe said he still listens to residents to talk about how this year may have been the best graduation dance so far.
“They were so excited to be accepted and recognized for who they are,” he said. “I think sometimes you don’t realize how vibrant were their lives, and this gives students the opportunity to discover that.”
