Millstone Township residents (l-r) Jasmine Ragoowansi, Sophia Cerri, Isabella Cerri, Samantha Otten and Henna Ragoowansi helped to instruct younger Girl Scouts in making decorations and favors for an upcoming senior citizens prom. The prom was initially scheduled for the fall of 2012, but superstorm Sandy pushed the event to March. The theme of the prom will now be “Fall into Spring.” MILLSTONE — A local teenager is organizing a special prom where the playlist will likely feature Frank Sinatra rather than Beyonce. Start spreading the news, the first Millstone senior citizen prom is scheduled to be held at the Millstone Township Fire Company hall, Stagecoach Road, from 2-5 p.m. March 23.
The prom host and organizer, Isabella Cerri, 17, plans to let the good times roll for senior citizens. Isabella is also a senior — at Allentown High School. She decided to organize a prom for her Gold Award project as an Ambassador Girl Scout, primarily because she enjoys getting involved with her favorite population, senior citizens.
Isabella has been devoting a great deal of time and energy planning the prom. She had to reschedule the event because superstorm Sandy in late October caused power outages and complications that forced her to postpone the original prom date in November.
Now she is welcoming volunteers to join in making the prom a “beautiful” event that she would like to see become an annual affair. Area restaurant owners who would like to contribute food for the prom may contact Isabella at 908-415-5282 or at [email protected].
The prom will offer a fun-filled afternoon of music, dancing and a meal. Most important, the prom is a social outlet for seniors, according to Isabella.
“As a Girl Scout, I participated in many community service projects over the years and the group that holds a special place in my heart are senior citizens,” she said. “When I learned about the issue of isolation in the elderly and how it can lead to prescription drug addiction and alcohol dependence, I decided to investigate what opportunities for socializing exist for seniors in my community. My project adviser, Sally Maloney, suggested that a senior citizen prom might be a nice event to offer the seniors.”
Margaret Patterson, who is the president of the Millstone Senior Center, lent a helping hand by providing Isabella with the names of seniors who could be invited to the prom. Any senior who lives in Millstone — not just those who attend programs at the senior center — is welcome to attend the prom.
Patterson said the prospect of attending a prom has caused a steady buzz at the senior center.
“I think the seniors are excited about the prom,” she said. “The prom is a great way to get the seniors to mingle, to sit and talk, and to listen to music. … The seniors were upset when it was cancelled (due to Sandy) and they kept asking if I heard about a new date. They want to reserve the date and make sure to come.”
Although Sandy posed a temporary hurdle to her plans, Isabella wanted to work harder to have a successful prom because it became obvious the seniors were looking forward to the prom.
“When Sandy hit it was very hard for my family since we had no power for 12 days,” Isabella said. “I realized I would have to cancel the prom (in November) and that so many seniors in town would be disappointed, as well as all the volunteers who had helped me. I assured everyone that I would reschedule it for the spring.”
Isabella’s mother, Patti, said she is proud of her daughter because of her efforts and concern in helping to improve the quality of life for seniors.
“We are so proud of all the hard work Isabella has put into the senior citizen prom for her Gold Award project,” Cerri said. “She worked so hard. I know the senior citizens in Millstone will really enjoy this event.”
Isabella said she has recruited National Honor Society members and fellow Girl Scouts to assist her with tasks such as photography, videography, food service, and decorating and setting up the hall.
Isabella held bake sales, including one at the Millstone Performing Arts Center Battle of the Bands in August, and another at Millstone Day in September. Then she held craft days during which younger Girl Scouts created decorations and favors for the prom.
During the craft days, several members of Isabella’s chapter of the National Honor Society worked with the younger girls making decorations and favors after Isabella demonstrated what needed to be done.
“This portion of the project was to demonstrate Isabella’s leadership delegation skills,” her mom explained.
Isabella said she appreciates the effort of everyone who has lent a hand. Specifically, Isabella said she wanted to thank the Girl Scout troops, members of the National Honor Society, the Millstone Township Fire Company, the Millstone Recreation Department, her project advisers Diana Kohlhepp and Sally Maloney, and all the volunteers involved in the bake sales.