Sunrise Mountain High School honor students dance the bunny hop with residents of The Forum at Desert Harbor at a hopping 16th annual “Senior” Prom with music by the Route 66 Trio.

Bill Battis, a resident of The Forum at Desert Harbor, dances with a Sunrise Mountain High School honor student at a “Garden Party” themed 16th annual “Senior” Prom. Youthful seniors of all ages whirled across the dance floor to the music of the Route 66 Trio.

Sunrise Mountain High School’s National Honor Society students host a “Garden Party” themed 16th annual “Senior” Prom for residents of The Forum at Desert Harbor, including seated from left, Mavis Hamilton, Jeanne Brunsvold, Shirley Santas, and standing, Katie Baskett.

Nearly 100 students enrolled in the Sunrise Mountain High School’s National Honor Society hosted the 16th annual “Senior” Prom for residents of The Forum at Desert Harbor, 8885 W. Thunderbird Road.

The Peoria high school students created a “Garden Party” themed prom by decorating The Forum Center with hanging paper lanterns, and candlelit tables with floral centerpieces. Student photographers staged commemorative “Senior” Prom photos in front of a backdrop featuring a tree in a field of marigolds. A photo framing team adorned the portraits with colorful silk flowers as prom party favors.

This was the “Sweet 16” year that math teacher, Sheila Raleigh, sponsored the multi-generational “Senior” Prom that she launched in February 2002. Chaperoned by National Honor Society sponsors Tom Gilsdorf, Erin Walton and Sheila Raleigh, the pairing of honor students with the seniors often blossoms into memories as they step out on the dance floor together.

Youthful seniors of all ages danced the night away to the swinging sounds of the Route 66 Trio, composed of guitarist Angelo Valente and drummer Jim Golini, both residents of Sun City, and keyboardist Larry Crinklaw.

The class act continued with the crowning of this year’s reigning 2017 prom king and queen, Carl Flister and Burney Donges. A retired sixth-grade science teacher, Donges, found the right chemistry with Flister when the royal couple met ten years ago on the “Love Boat” while sailing the Mexican Riviera.

Also gracing the 16th annual affair was another Forum couple that previously ruled as 2016 prom king and queen, Bill and Lorraine Battis.

The Forum at Desert Harbor is owned and operated by Five Star Senior Living, a division of Five Star Quality Care, Inc. Visit www.theforumatdesertharbor.com.