WASHINGTON, Mo., May 16, 2008

Giving New Meaning To "Senior" Prom

High Schoolers Learn A Thing Or Two By Inviting Senior Citizens To Prom

  • Prom King Charlie Frazier didn't go to his own prom back in the day, but he didn't have any trouble wooing ladies at this senior prom.

    Prom King Charlie Frazier didn't go to his own prom back in the day, but he didn't have any trouble wooing ladies at this senior prom.  (CBS)

(CBS)  They'd been looking forward to this for months. Both the seniors and the senior citizens.

For years, the kids from Washington High School in Washington, Mo., have been inviting the senior citizens from the community to join them at prom, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports.

Meghan Woods couldn't imagine prom any other way.

"I love it! I did it last year and it was so fun," Megan said.

And she's not just saying that?

"No, I actually love it, like this is what I look forward to every year," she said.

And at prom, she was pretty aggressive about getting onto the dance floor. "Sir, next dance would you be up to dance with me?" she asked.

Normally, the high school girls ask the senior gentlemen to dance.

And, of course, vice-versa.

They come from nursing homes, assisted-living centers - even neighboring towns.

Seventy-year-old Reba Wittenborn left her husband home to teach the boys a thing or two about dancing.

"They just go back and forth and you got to show them who's boss, push them around a little bit," Wittenborn said.

She said it is much more fun than her prom ever was.

Others, like Prom King Charlie Frazier never even got to go to their prom.

"I probably didn't even have a suit I could wear or anything like that, and while I couldn't do it that many years ago, this is … oh gosh, with what I'm doing now you can't top that."

"Do you ladies know that I drive a red mustang?" Frazier asked a group of young ladies.

"Oooh," they swooned. "Do you? Oh man."

Together they laughed and partied until the wee hour of … 9:30 p.m.

When you see young and old mixing like this, you realize how much we normally segregate ourselves by age - and how much we're missing out on.


© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment
by geophysgal May 19, 2008 4:53 PM EDT
I think this is just super great. If the news media would start focusing on regular Americans, rather than manipulting the public mind with regards to politics, there would be much more good things happening.
Way to go for Assignment America.
-- Fizz --
Reply to this comment
by jamestowncbs May 19, 2008 6:07 AM EDT
I think Mike Huckabee''s comments regards to Obama at that speech was un necessary
I have a problem with that. I am not a democrat and have criticized all the candidates. That comment was low at the NRA meeting and the people there listening aught to be ashamed allowing him to speak in that fashion. I think a punch in the face would be appropriate for that comment another sellout non republican posing as stupid as can be similar to Mitt Romneys candidacy. John McCain is playing the media on the issues. What would you do? Sorry, we all aught to be ashamed of ourselves allowing Non Republicans to lead the country in this fashion. No attacks because the first ones were induced. The Economy????????????????????????????????????????? Maybe Obama would be the best of the three candidates regardless of the past Horse manure we have heard from all the non relevant radio show productions. all links at www.jamestowncalif.com Mike Huckabee that comment was a horrible as you appearing on the Leno Show during the Writers Strike. Thanks to you and the other sell outs in your party, the Republican Party is Over with this personnel
Reply to this comment
by xxtemp May 17, 2008 11:06 PM EDT
Friendly suggestion:

"vice versa" not "vice-a versa"
Reply to this comment
by reneelopez1 May 17, 2008 1:08 AM EDT
This was a truely touching story. When there is so much bad news it is nice to hear what people can do, when they reach out to others.
Reply to this comment
by tromero2 May 17, 2008 12:35 AM EDT
I loved this story! What a wonderful thing these young kids are learning by sharing the Prom experience. It''s nice to hear about teens doing great things.
Reply to this comment

Exclusive Webshow

Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective. Watch Now

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
  • The Fall Of The Berlin Wall The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

    Looking Back at the Wall that Once Divided Germany On the 20th Anniversary of Its Collapse

  • Patricia Clarkson Patricia Clarkson

    Television and Film Actress, Yale School of Drama Graduate and Academy Award Nominee

  • Day in Pictures Day in Pictures

    A Glimpse at the Day's News as Seen Through a Camera Lens

  • Andre Agassi Andre Agassi

    Former Top-Seeded Tennis Star, Gossip Column Favorite and Philanthropist

  • Yankees Victory Parade Yankees Victory Parade

    The Yankees Celebrate Their 27th World Series Championship with a Ticker-Tape Parade Up Broadway

  • Orlando Office Shooting Orlando Office Shooting

    A Gunman Opens Fire at the Offices of an Engineering Firm Where He Once Worked

Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: