A Prom Show For Masonicare Brings Back Memories

By Kendra Bobowick

Phrases jumped from the murmuring voices cushioning the room: “A beautiful dress, beautiful,” “Look at her dress,” “I remember …”

One by one, or on a young man’s arm, Newtown High School National Honors Society’s young women and a handful of men in dress jackets and ties made elegant strides across a conference room floor for a prom fashion show at Masonicare at Newtown Tuesday afternoon.

With a microphone in hand, honors society member Quinlan Mitchell instructed the Masonicare residents, “Pick a dress you like.” As he spoke, the ladies’ names came through the speakers, and heads turned to the doorway. Waiting her turn, Rachel Fisher smoothed the front of her red dress and looked into the room. Behind her, a line of young women wore a rainbow of green taffeta, pink lace, and pale blue satin colors in the hallway. Her long, red hair falling against an ink black dress, Alanna Gilbert hooked her arm with Chris Procaccini as the pair waited to stride through the room. As the students waiting in the hallway dwindled and all the dresses were modeled for the residents, Quinlan waited for a quiet moments. Soon the crowd would vote for a queen.

“For the winners’ circle, the lucky ladies are 13 … 7 … 11.” With their numbers clutched in nervous fingers, three young women stepped apart from the line. Each taking a few steps, then turning enough to swirl their skirts, residents clapped approval again. They liked number seven the best — the sash and crown went to Anneke Lujan this year.

Pinching fabric and lifting their hems to avoid tripping in high heals, the young women slowly sifted out of the room, and the gentlemen with them, Adam Buccino, Austin Halo, and Chris Procaccini, followed as the brief afternoon treat for Masonicare residents ended.

The moment did not end for the residents, however. Recreation therapist Lynn D’Angelo said simply, “It brings back memories.” Resident Shirley Charash spoke about her days modeling designer dress clothes. “I modeled their coats and skirts, then we would have a drink in between,” she laughed. From across the room as Ms D’Angelo spoke with another residents, she repeated, “You had your prom at the Ritz and met your husband there! You have a prom dress in your closet!” She admitted minutes later that the reminiscing would last. ‘They’ll keep going now.”