TOWN OF TONAWANDA — More than 100 Kenmore East High School students and 75 senior citizens from the Tonawanda Senior Citizens Center hit the dance floor in traditional garb from the 1940s and danced the night away during a recent intergenerational dance.
Swinging tunes filled the school’s gym, providing the backdrop for the 14th annual event. Each year the dance brings together students and seniors from distinctly different generations. The event was hosted by the Kenmore East National Honors Society.
“It was a great time. It is wonderful to see young students interact and have fun with members of the greatest generation,” said Kenmore East National Honor Society adviser Susan Grabenstatter, who organized the event along with fellow adviser Karen Machniak. “This is also an opportunity for adults in our area to spend time with civic-minded students who care deeply about our community.”
The night began with a big band sound provided by the Kenmore East Jazz Band under the direction of director Phil Aguglia. Afdterward a disc jockey played some contemporary music more in line with what the students have on their iPods. One senior even taught a group of students how to line dance.
“It is nice to see our seniors having a positive interaction with teens. Most of our students have grandparents their age and it was great to share a wholesome and family friendly event with them,” Grabenstatter said.
Young adults dressed in clothing from the height of the swing era of the 1940s and the event served as a “living history lesson” for students, many of whom heard stories from seniors during a break in the dancing when students provided homemade desserts.
“We owe a lot to this generation. Our freedoms and way of life depended on their service to our nation and they delivered in a big way. This intergenerational dance was just one small gesture to thank them for their service and to let them know how appreciated they are,” Grabenstatter said.
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March 13, 2010
KEN-TON: Dance brings young and old together
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