Shelby Co. senior citizens dress their best for 3rd annual ‘Senior Prom’
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Dressed to the nines and ready to eat, drink and get down on the dance floor! Hundreds of people over the age of 60 put on their finest attire Monday night to attend the third annual “Senior Prom” hosted by the Shelby County Government.
The event is designed to create community and connect seniors who like to get out and have fun. It’s also about staying fit: keeping the mind, body, and soul in good shape as you age.
And Shelby County seniors really showed out for this year’s Senior Prom.
Glam shots on the red carpet welcomed attendees as they entered The Kent.
This is the second time Sheila and Ronald Towns have put on their dancing shoes for Senior Prom, and they told Action News 5 they love everything about the occasion.
“The food,” Sheila replied when asked what she enjoys. Ronald followed up with, “the food, and the music, and a little dancing!”
This was Evelyn Jones-Talley’s first Senior Prom, and she said it was awesome.
”The camaraderie. The fact that people my age are able to do what we can do,” she said. “We’re dancing. We’re laughing, eating, it’s a good time!”
Stan “The Bell Ringer” Bell handled DJ duty, and the “Gary Goin Group” brought the house down. Getting out on the dance floor and staying active in their golden years are part of the Senior Prom goal.
“We’re here to continue to advance the cause of Shelby Cares,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris told the crowd, “and Shelby Cares promotes healthy living!”
Shelby Cares is a community-wide collaboration between the Shelby County Office of Innovation and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine.
Data shows Shelby County seniors are eagerly buying into the program.
“This is our biggest Senior Prom yet,” said Shelby County Director of Innovation Danielle Inez. “We had over 600 seniors RSVP this year, that’s double last year’s RSVPs.”
Mary Simmons attended her 11th-grade prom but missed her 12th-grade prom. She said this prom was better than both!
“You’re surrounded, meeting people,” said Simmons. “I see a lot of my church members here, it’s outstanding! I’m having a lot of fun for a 76-year-old lady. Fun, fun, fun!”
The Senior Prom even crowned a King and Queen, although all the attendees were treated like royalty.
”Just keep on praising and trust the Lord,” said Sheila Towns, “And if you’re retired, come on down. It’s great. I look forward to it every year.”
Healthy food was served, and the drinks were non-alcoholic “mocktails.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Shelby Cares, click here.
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