A group of students from Freehold Township High School helped organize a prom for 100 local senior citizens. Watch video
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - When Janet Fallon thinks back to her high school prom, two of the first things she remembers are that she attended the prom with her future husband of 50 years - former Old Bridge Mayor Gil Fallon - and that her friend inexplicably wore the same fluffy dress as she did.
That was in 1954, the same year that Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio, that "From Here to Eternity" won the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture and that Brown v. Board of Education was decided.
On May 10, Fallon and approximately 100 other local senior citizens had a second chance at enjoying a prom when a group of students from Freehold Township High School's peer leadership program helped organize a senior citizen prom, themed "A Night In Paris", at the Freehold Senior Center.
"I think this is fabulous that they did this, it's a very nice time," said Fallon, adding she noticed right away a difference between proms in 2016 and proms in the 1950's. "I noticed when I went to my prom that the guys didn't dance, you had to drag them up there. But these guys? They're dancing like mad!"
The prom also reminded Howell resident Patti Walker of what her prom at Freehold Regional High School was like in 1960 and how much the Freehold area has changed since then.
"This area was very rural back then, it's a lot more commercialized and built up now. The cars we had were also a lot different, they were snazzier. Those cars are still around, but now they're 'classic' cars. You'll never be able to put that era, the 50's and 60's, away," said Walker, 73. "I think it's wonderful that the high school seniors and our senior center gets together to do this. I think we have such a good communication between the young seniors and old seniors. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because the younger seniors are so interested in making this fun for us."
Manalapan resident Lenny Marzigliano said he still remembers his 1964 prom.
"I went with my girlfriend, it was a memorable night that I'll never forget," said Marzigliano, 73. He said attending this year's prom was special because he knows that one day the students would be in the same position as their senior citizen counterparts.
"The best part of this event is being with the young people, it's a great time. And one day, they're going to through the same things we're going through right now," said Marzigliano, adding there was something else he enjoyed about this year's prom. "The girl I'm with tonight didn't go to her high school prom, so I'm her first prom date ever, which is fun!"
Sue McGough, the superintendent of the Freehold Township's Recreation Department and Senior Center, said this was the 12th year of the event, which was initially held in the high school's cafeteria and moved to the senior center after it "really took off."
"Each year the peer leaders from the senior class pick a theme and then both groups get together to help organize the dance. The high school seniors will serve dinner to the senior citizens and then they all dance and mingle together," McGough said.
"When it first started, it was very 'prom-ish', where they did things like select a king and queen of the prom," she said. "But now it's really more of a celebration, to celebrate the kids at the end of their school year and a celebration for our seniors, many of whom have grandchildren who will end up being peer leaders. This is just an extra special night for them."
For many of the high school seniors, the event was a great opportunity to learn from, and show appreciation to, an older generation.
"This event's really, really cool because we basically get to mix together two different worlds, our high school seniors and the senior citizens. So it's kind of cool to see both of those worlds mix, have a great time and do it out on the dance floor," said Jake Kennis, 18, of Freehold Township. "I love getting to mingle and talk with the senior citizens, because they have so many stories to tell because they've had so many experiences throughout their lifetime."
Many of the seniors did not dance to every song, however there were certain songs that packed the dance floor.
"When some of the older songs start playing, you'll see that there's a spark. The people at the tables will get up to dance, and whenever a line dance comes on, they're right up at the front teaching us what to do," said Harlie Kneler, 18, of Freehold Township. "We had a senior citizen prom committee and they came over here during the day and helped set this up to make this night possible. I love seeing all the senior citizens all come together and just have a good time. They don't have any cares right now."
Fallon said she enjoyed spending the night dancing with the high school seniors and said she would give them one piece of advice as they head into the rest of their lives.
"Just have fun," she said. "That's the secret."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.