Seniors, Senior Citizens Share Prom Experience

CLEVELAND -- This is the time of year when countless high school student sport tuxes and beautiful gowns for their proms.

In this week's Successful Aging, find out how some high school seniors and senior citizens are sharing a prom dance.

At the senior-to-senior prom, student from Shaw High School's career based intervention class showed residents at the AM McGregor home how to keep their groove.

For Clara Fort, 101, that's never been a problem.

"I never miss a party they have here," Fort said. "I go. I'm called the go-go person here I never miss the party I'm right there."

Joe Jenkins, a senior at Shaw, hopes he will have Fort's energy when he's a senior citizen.

"When we get old, we'll probably do something like this with the young people and see what kind of new style they have."

WEWS said this is the students' way of giving back to the East Cleveland neighborhood.

The kids, too, get something out of it.

"Students learn to make conversations and relate to somebody in a wheelchair, move around, have eye contact, these are all interviewing skills, work skills or the workplace," said Sue Maier, a teacher.

There was even a former Shaw student among the senior citizen group.

"Well, I think it's a privilege to be able to be a part of it as a former Shaw graduate," said Vince Patti, 83.

Patti was chosen as the prom's princess.

"It's been a wonderful life for me," she said. "It's been full and to have something like this is really terrific."

In the meantime, Fort is sharing beauty secrets.

"I will be 102 July 10th. The only reason I've kept my youth, 'you've noticed my skin?' That's Ponds (skin cream)."