GrandFriends on Fashion Catwalk at Atria Facility
The teenagers who are members of Huntington High School's GrandFriends club are sold on the notion that senior citizens are meant to be cherished, not ignored. These students work hard throughout the year to pull-off a set of events designed to show seasoned adults they are valued and still have a lot to offer the younger set.
A group of six GrandFriend "angels" headed down the fashion catwalk during a recent show at the Atria senior and assisted living facility on Beverly Road in Huntington Station.
The Huntington teenagers were paired with senior citizen partners during the show, which was attended by many Atria residents. The models were spinning and twirling and reveling in the moment as they took turns showing off their designs.
Huntington seniors Lauren Boyce, Gaby Bonilla and Naima d'Ennery Dejoie, juniors Honor Corbly and Brianne Bennett and freshman Megan Boyce made the trip to Atria for the show, along with faculty advisors Suzi Biagi and Camille DeCanio. Months of planning for the event assured everything went smoothly.
The GrandFriends are frequent guests at the Atria. Club members stopped during the holiday season for a round of caroling, offering up good cheer to residents and brightening more than one day.
"It was so much fun and it feels so good to bring smiles to so many faces," Ms. Bennett said. "Our modeling partners were so excited to be on stage modeling with us as their escorts. The residents know us now and are always so happy to see us."