Intergenerational prom on tap
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

BRIANNA FISCHER/Special to The Acorn READY TO SWING- The Oak Park High School Jazz Band rehearses to play at a "senior" prom for Oak Park couples and singles over 55. The dinner dance will be on Feb. 13.

Oak Park High School students are busy planning a prom, but not for themselves.

Students for a Cure, a high school service club, is inviting Oak Park couples and singles age 55 and older to attend a "senior" prom from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Wed., Feb. 13 at the high school Pavilion. The Valentine's Daythemed evening will include dinner, dancing and prizes donated by local merchants.

Entertainment is being donated by the group Time of Your Life in Westlake Village and the Oak Park High School Jazz Band.

There's no charge for the dinner dance, but a voluntary donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be accepted.

"We have cool activities planned- a dancing contest, photographs, live music," said Students for a Cure vice president Meghan Toomayan, 16. "It's going to be a lot of fun and it's for a good cause."

"This 'senior prom' is such a great idea because a lot of times, especially in our community since there are a lot of young people, seniors are overlooked," said club member Arielle Spinner, 16. "We're trying to connect generations."

The idea for the prom came from Students for a Cure founder and president Brianna Fischer, 16, who participated in a similar event when she lived in Livingston, N.J. prior to moving to Oak Park. Livingston High School students have hosted an intergenerational prom for nearly two decades.

Students for a Cure was established in 2005 by Brianna and her brother, Danny, 18, in honor of their cousin, Benjamin Brook, who lives in Agoura Hills. Benjamin was diagnosed with diabetes nearly five years ago at the age of 6 and shortly after with celiac disease as well. Danny and Brianna wanted to do something to help their cousin so they formed Students for a Cure to support organizations that provide aid to children with diseases.

Benjamin is honored that a club was formed with him in mind, said the boy's mother, Gila Brook.

The Brook family supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation because every cent raised goes to research, not to administrative or other costs, Brook said. "Most people think diabetes affects mostly older adults, not children, but plenty of kids have it," Gila Brook said.

The club has 40 active members who meet every other week. In the three years the club has been in existence members have raised more than $900 for diabetes research through the Tour de Cure, a 32-mile bike-a-thon; collected toys, games and books for the pediatric unit at Tarzana Hospital; served as docents for the Wellness Community's annual Holiday Homes Tour; and provided moral support to a Moorpark teen battling brain cancer. The students hope to make the Senior Prom an annual event.

The club is seeking additional donations of decorations, prizes and food for the prom. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information about the prom or the club, call (818) 991-5250.

Editor's note: Danny and Brianna Fischer are the son and daugher of Acorn reporter Sophia Fischer.