Who says prom is only for high school students? On Thursday, May 18, the West Warwick Senior Center will bring Senior Prom to senior citizens. The event, sponsored by The West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

This prom will have all the grandeur of the high school prom, minus the grand expenses.

“There will be absolutely no cost to the seniors,” said West View Public Information Officer, Janice Caianiello, “This is going to be a really fun event, we haven’t even finished coming up with all of the ideas yet.”

“The room will be decorated with flowers, and the musical entertainment will be provided by Moonlighter’s Big Band, who will be playing tunes from the ’50s,” said Caianiello, “It is just going to be such a nice event.”

Ladies in attendance can expect to receive beautiful corsages, added Caianiello, and men may receive boutonnieres. There will be punch, and unlike high school proms, beer and wine will be available. Coventry culinary students will cater the buffet.

“We will have a professional photographer, so each senior will have the opportunity to take home a lovely professional photograph of themselves.” said Caianiello, “Coventry cosmetology students will be painting the nails of all the ladies, so everyone will look just beautiful."

West View adopted the senior center last fall, and on the second Thursday of each month they celebrate with a “Birthday Luncheon.” Seniors enjoy a free lunch and share a large birthday cake, and one lucky senior who has a birthday within that month takes home a gift bag.

“This has been really successful, and it’s very lovely for the community, it makes them happy, so it makes West View happy,” said Caianiello, “Considering the success of these luncheons, and the fact that many of the seniors may not have attended their prom, we came up with the idea to put on a Senior Prom as something special for them.”

Caianello said she expects about 100 guests, and appearances by West Warwick Representative Patricia Serpa, and former West Warwick Sen. Stephen Alves. Anyone interested in attending should make reservations by calling the West Warwick Senior Center, at 822-4450.

“We’re really looking forward to this, it’s going to be first class,” said Caianiello.