By Michael E. McRae
President & CEO, St. Ann’s Community
February 14, 2020

Fred Astaire once said, “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.”

The seniors from Bishop Kearney High School did exactly that – when they orchestrated the Senior to Senior Ball, a special dance to honor the Elders at St. Ann’s Community.

This year is sweeter because it’s Valentine’s Day.

It’s a treat to see the students waiting to escort an Elder to the auditorium. It’s quite a formal affair. The moment you come off the elevator, each Elder is accompanied by one of the students to Bishop Kearney Auditorium on the ground floor of St. Ann’s Home. When they enter the auditorium, everyone receives a carnation. Music fills the room, and people begin to dance.

Fifty Elders and twenty-seven Bishop Kearney National Honor Society Seniors attended the dance. Every year, the students organize a fundraiser to buy flowers.  The event, which has been going on for 25 years, encourages students to stay connected and serve those who supported us. I met Lilianna Hanning, President of the BKHS National Honor Society, she said she enjoyed spending time here because so many community service projects focus on material needs but not the social needs of our community. The students and Elders danced, socialized, and connected.

Thank you to all of the Bishop Kearney High School Seniors and principal, Bill Geraci, and our Life Enrichment team at St. Ann’s Community for working together to bring this special experience to our Elders.

Click on the gallery below to see more photos from this event.