PHS students to host dance for the young at heart

The Puyallup High School Key Club is in the midst of preparations for the annual Starry Night Dance for local senior citizens.

Jessica Anderson, the club’s advisor, says the dance has a young-at-heart theme, and all adults age 50 and older are invited.

“The seniors really enjoy it,” she said. “A lot of them will come just to listen to the music. I encourage the students to ask them to dance, since they are of the generation that they won’t dance unless they’re asked. We go over proper etiquette at the meeting before. (Attendees) love talking to the students to see what their goals and plans are. They’ll tell about their experiences at PHS.”

The dance also features live music from the Puyallup High School jazz band.

“We deck out the commons with balloons, stars, and we always make it pretty,” said Morigan Hooper, Key Club president.

A cake walk, trivia, a way to honor veterans in attendance, and other activities are also in the works for the Feb. 5 event, Key Club activities coordinator Amy Krantz said.

“(Senior citizens) love to talk and tell their stories from when they went (to Puyallup High),” Hooper said. “It’s a very happening environment when they’re recalling their experiences. They really see we’re giving back to the community.”

For the club’s historian, Abraham Lee, who will also be playing in the jazz band in addition to planning the event, the event has always been one of his favorite venues to play with the band.

“My favorite part is the jazz music,” he said. “Instead of us just playing like normal, they come just to be a part of the music.”

The Starry Night Dance is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the PHS commons, with no RSVP required.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 11:54 AM with the headline "PHS students to host dance for the young at heart."