Fitzgerald ‘senior’ prom returns to the dance floor

WARREN — Ed Malaga was “a dancin’ man.”

On the late afternoon of April 24, he boogied onto the dance floor to the Bee Gees’ disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” during the Fitzgerald High School “senior” prom.

Malaga was among many senior citizens from the community who attended the formal dance, organized by the school’s 12th grade seniors.

Under the direction of teachers and senior co-class advisors Jennifer Crotty and Brian Michael, several students planned a three-hour event that included dinner, a pudding bar, dancing and a brief skit from the Drama Club’s “Alice in Wonderland” performance held May 2-4.

Held in the cafeteria, attendees heard a quick musical set from the jazz band, and a photo booth for candid shots was set up. Helping to set the vibe was disc jockey Laura Luchtman, owner of L Sharp Productions, who played music from Johnny Cash, ABBA, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the Rolling Stones.

The school’s 12th graders were paired up with local senior citizens for the dance while some students brought their own grandparents. The “senior” prom started at the school many years ago at no cost to residents. It became a spring tradition until the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the first year since 2019 for the event. It was brought back on a smaller scale than in the past, and Michael said the school will continue to build on “the momentum” to bring the senior prom back to what it was.

“Everyone is grateful we’re finally bringing it back,” Michael said. “I hope the students get an experience they might not get every day. They’re interacting with a stranger, using communication skills and learning to put their phone down for three hours.”

“It’s nice to see the community come back together without social distancing to have fun and relax,” Crotty said.

Michael said the students were required to learn at least one fact about their senior counterpart and to “make sure they have fun.” They also received community service hours.

Kathy McLaughlin, 72, hadn’t gone to the prom in high school, so this was her first official prom.

“It was very good. I’m loving it very much,” she said. “They did a really good job.”

Carole Lobeck, 79, has close ties to Fitzgerald High School. She graduated from the school in 1963 and her two daughters also are alumni.

“We didn’t have such a nice cafeteria like this,” said Lobeck, who remembers attending football and basketball games with friends when she was a student.

The afternoon gave senior Shakyra Maddix and her grandmother Debra Hoerres, 61, a chance to catch up.

“It’s been nice. We’ve had a lot of good conversations,” Maddix said, adding Hoerres shared stories with her about her high school days.

At another table, 12th grade student Shon’Tavious Chavez mingled with several seniors, including Angelia Porter, 70, and Clemmie Swoope, 78.

“So far it’s good. The music is fine,” said Swoope, who attended some of the previous proms. “I’m glad it’s back. The kids are really nice and polite.”

“The young men and women are very helpful and polite,” Porter agreed.

Chavez said the event wasn’t so much about the students, but more about the seniors.

“I want them to have a fun time and memories,” Chavez said.

While most of the students were seniors, a few juniors also attended to learn how to help plan for next year’s event. Adriyane Orum was one of the 11th graders who helped pair up the seniors, set up the event and take photos.

“It’s pretty cool and kind of fun,” she said.