By IRENE HASKINS of the Columbia Daily Tribune
Spring was in the air, music bridged the generation gap, and the joint was really jumpin’ at the annual Seniors for Seniors Prom.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Hickman High School senior class combined to hold their popular seniors prom April 24 at Hickman Commons, an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the many contributions of RSVP volunteers. The intergenerational get-together was attended by 99 prom goers who braved the rainy weather to come out for dining and dancing.

Under the direction of Hickman senior Jami Thornsberry, students set up the room, ordered flowers, pinned corsages, served food and hit the dance floor. RSVP staff members Cynthia Jobe and Virginia Nettleton, along with advisory council members John McClure, Dean Larrick and Marc Lammy, greeted guests, and Mary Laffey, Leigh Nutter and Cindy Whaley served them. What’s a prom without pictures, and that’s where Carol Virkler and Brent Lowenberg stepped in, acting as photographers for the evening’s festivities.

Kewpie booster emeritus Charley Blackmore provided a mix of tunes from yesterday to today, from "New York, New York" to "Roll Out the Barrel." Retired but not tired, RSVPers tripping the light fantastic included Mark and Patricia Brumbach, Vicky Calvin, Joe Cady, Kenneth Spry, Alice Moon, Don and Goldie Avery, Cindy and Ed Curtis, Jane McQuitty, Gene Perry, Janice Stober, Norma Jean Baldwin and Jack and Lois Provin. Among the Kewpies learning and teaching a few new moves were Austin Perry, Lauren Fichter, Ellen Beverly, Andrew Hillard, Grace Shih, Hillary Nichols, Meghana Srinath, Nila Manandhar and Lauren Hofman. The Bunny Hop and Hokey Pokey were big hits, drawing almost everyone out to the floor, including Lois Shelton and Ilene Drennan of the Boone County Council on Aging.

The volunteers were treated to the sounds of Elly Greenwood as Hickman music students, under the direction of Robin Steinhaus, performed selections from their recent musical, "Leader of the Pack." After the prom, nobody went home, instead attending Hickman’s concert featuring the wind ensemble and orchestra and choral groups from both Hickman and Rock Bridge high schools, plus selections from Carl Orff’s "Carmina Burana."

After the ball was over, the young hosts cleaned up and took leftover food to a local shelter.

Seniors from several generations having fun and celebrating service together … is that a winning combination or what?