May 9, 2007

BMR Student Council Hosts “Senior Citizen Prom” 

BLACKSTONE… “It makes a difference for them and for us.   We get to learn from each other and get to know about each other” said Josh W. Gonya, BMR high school student council president in summing up the annual “senior citizen prom” that the BMR student council hosted on Friday, May 4 in the high school cafeteria.  

The award-winning “Chargers Jazz Band” under the direction of Russell Arnold offered selections while the participants attending the prom enjoyed a buffet prepared and served by the student council members.   Afterwards, dancing to the selections of a disc jockey  lead up to the official highlight of the evening, the “crowning” of a prom king and queen.   This year’s royalty were Joseph Bourget as prom king and the queen was Aline Tellstone.  That may be what is supposed to be the highlight, but according to junior class member Hannah Moriggi “I just loved the whole evening.   It may make them (the senior citizens) feel young, but it makes me feel helpful – like I’m giving back to our community.”

If encouraging a sense of civic engagement through volunteerism is a goal of the event, it seems to be working.   According to faculty co-advisor Elizabeth T. Gomes, the senior citizen prom is “a BMR Student Council favorite event, year after year” Gomes said.   Christine Carpenter, the other faculty member who co-advises the Student Council added “Student Council is more than just meetings.   It is putting lofty ideas into actual practice, into action.   The (senior citizen) prom is a great way for that to happen and the kids love it.”

“The high school is not an island in the communities we serve” said Richard A. Porter, BMR high school principal “our students are your neighbors, your relatives, your friends.   They are the tellers at your bank.   The clerks and cashiers at your supermarket.   The waitress or waiter at your favorite restaurant.   As an educator and administrator and parent myself, I am proud of what our students contribute to the quality of life in Blackstone and Millville.   As each class graduates, these young men and women go on to enrich society as a whole” Porter said.   “Hopefully, they learn about giving back to their community from their time at BMR.   I think they really do” Porter added.

The BMR Student Council is made up of students from each of the four classes at the high school.   Representatives are elected by homeroom and then officers are selected from the group.   Current officers for the 2006-2007 year beside Gonya as president are Samantha Pine, a senior is vice president, and Emily Morin, a junior is secretary.   The local student council is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils and actively participates on the state and national levels.

Blackstone-Millville Regional High School was established in 1970.   It consists of students from the towns of Blackstone and Millville, is located at 175 Lincoln Street in Blackstone, Massachusetts and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.