By By RANDI K. PICKLEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles High School students donned Hawaiian print shirts and grass skirts Saturday and had plenty of colorful "leis" on hand to place around the neck of each senior resident in the traditional Hawaiian greeting.
For the past five years, Sue Rinehart has been the advisor to members of the Niles High School Student Council. During that time, the council members have hosted an annual event to honor the residents of the Brentwood Assisted Living Center.
Originally held at the high school and called the "Senior Prom," the party is now held at Brentwood and is called the "Spring Fling," according to Rinehart.
Approximately 20 students were in attendance this year, talking and dancing with residents, playing games, and snacking on cookies and punch.
Everyone got a chance to hear their favorite songs. Those from the 40s brought couples to the dance floor with student, residents, and employees pairing up, followed by participation numbers like the "YMCA" or the "Macarena," which involved group choreography.
Chris Seeley, who came to Brentwood six months ago as activity director, was pleased that the students mixed with the residents so well. Both generations seemed to delight in sharing the familiar kinds of activities. Students taught residents the steps to the latest social dances and seniors taught them some classic games, such as dominoes.
Rinehart said, "This is a great social interaction time for the kids. Last year they played bingo with the residents. This year it was dominoes. She stressed that it is good for the youth to learn some of the classic games common to all generations.
Seeley said, "It's nice to see kids in this age group interact with seniors. Everyone is having a good time."
Then she added," The seniors are enjoying watching the students try to polka."
The next big event for Brentwood's inhabitants will be a "unique" fashion show that, according to , "is guaranteed for a good laugh."
That's because all the outfits will be worn as a parody of the usual style show "haute cotoure". Some of the outfits include a "seersucker" combo that sports penny lollipops attached to the clothing, and a "sack dress". literally, with a 14 carat necklace. Carat, however, will be spelled "carrot".
Seeley said, however, she won't reveal the "piece de resistance" for the show. According to her, you'll just have to come and see it on May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Brentwood.