Senior Citizens
Enjoy 2008 Senior Prom

Sonny Hornbuckle enjoys a dance with his niece Leigh Ann Hornbuckle
during the "2008 Senior Prom"                                 Photo by Dwight Hayes

Early Bennefield (L) and Margie Dunn (R) were voted King and Queen of the "2008 Senior Prom"

April 19, 2008
Senior students from the Arab High School Health Occupations Education class dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos on Friday to honor local senior citizens with a "Senior Prom".

According to HOE teacher Margie Wooten, this is the tenth year for the prom.  Wooten said the prom was an idea born when one of the classes found out that many of the area senior citizens had never had a prom.  Wooten said that students are required to interview senior citizens about their health as part of their class.  Ten years ago some of the students discovered that many never had a prom, especially during the World War II and the Korean War.  Students came up with an idea to hold an annual prom to honor their sacrifice.

Wooten said the event has grown each year.  This year's theme was taken from the Marty Robbins classic, "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation".  Participants wore pink carnations.  A prom king and queen was elected by the senior citizen group.  This year the honors went to Mr. Early Bennefield and Mrs. Margie Dunn.

The Arab Chamber of Commerce has joined the HOE class to assist with decorations and serving.  Food and refreshments  for the event was provided by BancorpSouth.             Click for a prom photo essay ...