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Media Advisory—A REAL Senior Prom April 20 at St. Catherine Labouré Manor
By Michael Corby Fri, April 20, 2012 9:36 am EDT
Senior residents at St. Catherine Labouré Manor get to participate in a literal Senior Prom, arranged by students from Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Kent Campus. Media are invited to chaperone the event.
Residents of St. Catherine Labouré Manor are going to the prom tonight.
The event takes place Friday April 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the Riverside residential nursing facility. Prom-goers will be given royal treatment with a Roaring Twenties theme that includes ball gowns and tuxes, refreshments, a DJ spinning tunes especially selected from the 1920s for dancing and listening. There will even be the crowning of a Prom King and Prom Queen.
Senior Prom is an annual Service Learning project arranged by students at Florida State College's Kent Campus. According to Student Learning Specialist Elise Horowitz, the Senior Prom project started about five years ago as an Student Government Association special project. It has since become a collaboration between Professor Michelle Moses’ Developmental Psychology courses and SGA. In the recent past, the effort has evolved into more of a mission to become a meaningful connection between FSCJ students and St. Catherine's residents. The students from Moses’ classes who sign up to be a part of the project understand that they are making a semester-long commitment to the facility. They volunteer on an individual basis prior to the prom so that they can become familiar with the residents and staff. This way, on prom night, no one is a stranger.
Senior Prom itself is an opportunity for residents, and a few of their few guests or family members, to enjoy the typical prom experience (minus teenage angst, peer pressure, etc.). In total, about 25 students assist with prom, including the long-range planning up to decorating the day of the event. Professor Moses and Horowitz attend as well as about 25 Kent Campus students.
"It really is a wonderful event," said Horowitz.. "It has led to many great side stories… we’ve had several students overcome their 'fear' of nursing homes; it’s served as confirmation of career choices (like nursing), and last year we had an incredible student volunteer who was offered a paid position at St. Catherine’s after she finished volunteering. I think our students really get a lot out of the event. "
The event is open to residents of St. Catherine Labouré Manor, their guests and student volunteers from Kent Campus.
The media are invited to attend the event. Representatives from St. Vincent's Health Care, St. Catherine's and FSCJ will be available for interviews.
Senior Prom 2012
April 20, from 6-8 p.m.
St. Catherine Labouré Manor
1750 Stockton St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Media inquiries: Email michael.corby@fscj.edu or call cell 904-608-0415