Date for Senior Prom

Football players and cheerleaders from Calvary Chapel High School escort residents of Newport Subacute and Rehabilitation Center nursing home to annual Senior Prom. The Newport Subacute and Rehabilitation Center has given a whole new meaning to the words Senior Prom.

On Monday, several of the residents got dressed up in their ball gowns and suits and celebrated the nursing home’s annual Senior Prom. Each resident was escorted by one, or in some cases two, football players and cheerleaders from Calvary Chapel High School.

The prom was complete with a photo shoot, a live band, dancing, refreshments, prizes, and a prom king and queen -- voted on by residents, family members and staff. This year’s prom winners were 98-year-old Jennie Pildus an 83-year-old Tsodik Skorodonsky.

Anabel Lopez, director of activities for the healthcare facility, said the prom is a great way to lift the residents’ spirits and get them out of their rooms.

“Look at them. They’re so excited,” she said.

Brock and Deanna Snook, who are in charge of outreach ministries for the school, coordinated with Lopez to help organize the prom celebration.

Calvary Chapel football coach Lyle Lansdell said it’s an incredible opportunity for the students to spend time with older people, to hear their stories and learn from them. Though the seniors had a blast at the prom, Lansdell said he thinks it’s equally as exciting, if not more so, for the young athletes.

“There’s so many experiences in life that we miss sometimes because we go so fast,” he said. “These kids are gong to remember tonight long after high school football’s over.”

Lansdell said the school promotes various outreach activities throughout the year. All athletes are required to participate in some of them in order to play for the team because being an athlete is more than just playing the sport, it also involves building character and values and being a representative for Calvary Chapel High School at all times.

“I’m having a blast,” said 16-year-old Jim Cooper of Tustin. “This is actually my second year doing football outreach. I’ve done other ones, which have just been a blast.”

Cooper’s date, Anne Girard, said the music is her favorite part of the prom and it reminds her of dances she went to when she was younger.

“She keeps on saying she’s a bad dancer, but she’s not,” Cooper said as he tried to coax Girard out on the dance floor.

The prom king was lucky enough to have two young dates -- Leaanne Price, 16, of Laguna Hills and Ambar Lopez, 15, of Santa Ana.

“I thought it would be kind of fun to meet new people, to interact with older people,” Ambar said. “I’m having tons of fun.... I think it means a lot to them just for us to come and talk to them, for someone to listen to them.”20060128its1lyncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Ashley Wyrick, center, and Tiffany Schnitker, both 17, took Newport Subacute and Rehabilitation Center resident Bill O’Neil to the home’s Senior Prom.