Senior citizens not only watched but participated in the performances at the 9th annual Moonlight Serenade on Tuesday.
The high school’s Dance Connection team grabbed some people from their tables at the event — held in the Schenectady High School cafeteria — while they were doing a swing number.
“This is great,” a slightly out-of-breath Shirley Lee said afterward. The 76-year-old Lee, who was one of about 180 attending the event, said it’s wonderful to see the seniors and children interacting.
Pearl Albrechtsen, 73, said she used to be a school teacher and enjoys meeting new people at the event, which is free for the city’s senior citizens.
“It’s a good thing to see young people. The world is going to be OK,” she said.
In addition to the dance numbers, there were also performances by Schenectady piano students and the Schenectady High School Jazz Ensemble and various solos and duets by Schenectady vocal students.
The Blue Roses Theatre cast of “The Fantasticks” performed a scene from the upcoming show.
“The entertainment is excellent,” said 81-year-old Clyde LaCerais.
Also, culinary students from the Career Center at Steinmetz cooked and served the meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and some green beans. Eleventh-grader Kimberly Morales said she is grateful for the experience. “I want to be a cook and own my own restaurant one day.”Board of Education President Maxine Brisport offered some welcoming remarks, thanking the seniors for their continued support.
The event costs about $900 for food and necessary supplies, according to district spokeswoman Karen Corona.
Brisport said the district is using its own facilities and is not relying on an outside caterer but using the Steinmetz students. “This is a good way to see what they will have to do,” she said.
“I can’t think of a better way to showcase what the school is doing to the seniors in the community,” she added. “We need to collaborate more between our seniors and our schools. They have a lot of time. They’re great volunteers.”
State Comptroller’s Office spokeswoman Nicole Hanks said she could not comment on specific programs but said that municipal law authorizes local school districts to establish, maintain and operate programs for the “aging.”
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