The entire community of Stanton, KY, got involved in the festivities of Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s fourth annual prom.
“We partied all night long,” Courtney Willoughby, activities director at Stanton, told McKnight’s.“We danced, we sang, we had food and just had fun.”
About 60 of the 80 residents at the nursing home came to this year’s prom, which was held July 25.
Volunteers began decorating the facility’s therapy room, where the dance was being held, a week in advance. Cheerleaders from the local high school arrived in the morning to do hair and makeup and help the residents get dressed in their formalwear. Bleachers were set up out front for the 80 family members who attended to watch residents walk the red carpet while an MC introduced each attendee and played music.
Willoughby said that having community members come out to celebrate the residents makes them feel young again.
After strutting their stuff on the red carpet, residents immediately had their picture taken in a photobooth before the party began.
The night’s theme was “Under the Sea,” complete with a blue backdrop, streamers, painted fish and other sea creatures lining the walls.
To end the night, attendees crowned the prom king and queen, Cecil Short and Sarah Willoughby. It cost a quarter to vote and the funds went back into the facility’s Christmas fund. The community raises money all year in order to buy the gifts on the residents’ wish lists.
Although prom night was last month, Short still wears his crown every day.
“He doesn’t leave his room without it,” Willoughby said. “He’s so proud of his accomplishment.”
