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Students Bring Joy to Atria Residents with a “Senior Prom”
Our students brought a dream of theirs to reality for residents of the Atria Senior Living in Great Neck.
After planning with their peers at school and discussing their ideas with Andrew Upbin, Engage Life Director at Atria, the “Senior Prom” became one of the school’s favorite extracurricular activities, held off-campus this spring.
Students from two active extracurricular clubs –the Glamourgals and Project Impact, along with the Performing Arts Program, joined forces to make the event unforgettable for all in attendance. Their dedication was evident in every aspect of the event, from decorating the activities room to serving refreshments and dancing with residents. They even crowned two residents as the Prom Queen and King, a testament to their unwavering commitment to making the event a success.
Three of the students involved in the Prom took time out of their busy schedules to chat with Eileen Symmons ’82, ’86, who serves as the Director of Communications at St. Mary’s. President and Founder of the Glamourgals Club, Chloe Brojan ’25, was one of the organizers who worked with faculty member Mrs. Linda Lipani, Club Moderator, to present the idea to the Atria. When asked if there was something special that resonated with her during the event, Chloe shared, “It was heartwarming to see a new side of my friends and even people I usually just pass by in the hallways as they interacted with the seniors. I loved witnessing everyone’s compassion and knowing that we made a difference during the event. Seeing the seniors’ faces light up when we danced with them or spoke to them made the night truly unforgettable.” She continued with, “My hope for the seniors at Atria Cutter Mill is that they left feeling loved and cared for by St. Mary’s students. I also want them to know that they made our night just as memorable as we made theirs.”
If it came to participating in this type of event in the future, Gabriella Palma ’27, who is a member of the Project Impact Club, enthusiastically shared, “I would love to because it was so incredible for many reasons. Seeing the smiles on the residents’ faces was amazing! They appeared to be having a fantastic time dancing to the music and chatting with all the other participants. It is also great to be able to connect with the residents and learn more about their stories. This type of event would probably not be one that the residents expected, but it was one that gave them the opportunity to feel young again. I hope the ‘Senior Prom’ had as much of a positive impact on them as it did on me, and I’d be so excited to do it again!”
Steven Fortune ’26, who joined the effort from the Performing Arts Program, brought his dancing skills along with a smile to the event. “The absolute glee from the seniors resonated with me. It was so heartwarming to see them dancing and socializing. The grins on their faces created a vibrant atmosphere. I can still see their faces, and I wish the best for them. Being there this year has motivated me to be sure that I will join the effort again next year.”
The students also shared their thoughts on how Jesus would feel about their interaction with the senior citizens. Their answers reflected not only their personal growth but also their faith journeys as students of St. Mary’s. “One of the many things He preached about was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. I think that Jesus appreciates that we took the time to connect with the seniors in such a fun way and is joyful to see His teachings are still being followed today,” said Steven. Chloe added, “I know that Jesus would be proud of our students representing what St. Mary’s prides themselves on, which is Omnia ad Jesum per Mariam (Everything to Jesus through Mary). Knowing that our student body was able to embody Mary’s ‘yes’ by participating in God’s plan of love and grace makes me believe that Jesus would be thrilled about our visit.”
It was a delight to receive feedback from Mr. Upbin at the Atria, who was happy to report that “The residents were very excited when they learned about the Prom. They looked forward to dancing and talking with the students, sharing any wisdom they could pass on to them. When the day came, our residents showed up with their dancing shoes on and had a fantastic time! We are looking forward to holding more meetings in the fall and then hosting a winter formal.”
We are grateful to the Atria for welcoming St. Mary’s to their facility and to the seniors who were joyfully receptive to the collaboration. A special thank you to all who helped make this event such an incredible success, adding joy to the lives of the residents at Atria Cutter Mill. We can certainly take pride in these young people. Their empathy and compassion towards the seniors at the Atria is truly heartwarming and something we should all strive to emulate. Let us pray for their continued understanding of life’s precious moments and the treasure that our elderly are in this world.
St. Mary's High School
Located in Manhasset, NY, St. Mary's College Preparatory High School is a private Catholic school for grades 9th-12th. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, Catholic intellectual tradition, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.