Maplewood seniors get experience with helping Greek community
The residents of Maplewood of Mount Pleasant assisted living facility showed one can never be too old for prom Friday evening.
The Central Michigan University chapters of Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Kappa hosted a Senior Prom at the facility, 1945 Churchill Blvd., to entertain and socialize with residents of the nursing home.
Fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and residents dressed up for the event and mingled at tables set up throughout the main room. Attendees danced to classic and modern hits before residents elected two of their peers as king and queen of the night.
Maplewood residents Marie Krenski and Jack Anson were voted as king and queen and crowned by Homecoming Gold Ambassador and Clarkston senior Meredith Clark. After receiving the crown, Anson kissed his 99-year-old queen on the cheek.
“On behalf of the nursing home, I’d like to thank the sorority and the fraternity for putting this event together because this truly is community service,” Anson said.
Residents Doris Himebaugh and Lucile Moor said they were flattered by the fraternity brothers after they escorted them from their rooms and presented them roses.
“The boys were very nice,” Himebaugh said. “They brought us out to the table and seated us and acted very gentlemanly.”
Both Moor and Himebaugh said CMU students’ continued involvement with the nursing home is appreciated by the residents.
“We always enjoy the students’ company,” Moor said. “They’re always very polite with us and helpful if someone needs assistance.”
Riverview sophomore Dan Milligan, a current pledge of Beta Theta Pi, said he helped plan the event to give back to the Mount Pleasant community and interact with the senior citizens.
“It’s a great way to show that Greek Life is here for Mount Pleasant and CMU as a whole,” Milligan said.
Sigma Kappa member Kali Walther, a Howell senior, said the event was rewarding for members of the sorority to host.Walther said the sorority used to host a senior prom in years past and decided to bring the event back.
“We usually come here every Thursday night to play bingo with the residents, but we thought the prom would be a fun idea to bring back,” Walther said. “It’s always fun for everyone to get dressed up and socialize.”
