Carterville High School continued its tradition of spreading love on Valentine’s Day by hosting the annual Senior Citizen Luncheon. This banquet gives students the opportunity to help the community by providing services throughout the day for the guests that attend. Many clubs throughout the high school are involved in preparing for the event including Student Council, Art Club, Interact Club, and Spanish World Language Club, as well as performances from the Band and Choir.
This luncheon is an event students look forward to all year, including junior Addy Horn. Horn said, “I feel like the valentines banquet is a very nice way to give back to our elders! Student council does a phenomenal job of always having the banquet nicely organized and it is something I look forward to helping with every year!”
Extensive preparation was crucial in the weeks leading up to the Valentine’s Day Luncheon causing several students to step up throughout the planning process. To ensure a Valentine’s Day atmosphere, students were tasked with making decorations, preparing a schedule, and training to serve the senior citizens with the utmost respect.
The day itself consisted of several events to entertain the visitors during the banquet. When the senior citizens arrived, they were greeted with friendly escorts to assist them in making their way to the photo area.
Junior Kenadi Compton explains one of her favorite parts was “being able to greet and see all the smiles of all the people coming in and realizing CHS STUCO as a whole made so many people’s days.”
The visitors were then given the opportunity to take a picture and receive a polaroid to remember their heartwarming experience. Once they captured the moment with a picture, they were welcomed into the Bleyer Auditorium for a performance from the Jazz Band and Choir. These groups arranged a variety of songs for the senior citizens to enjoy before their lunch provided by Carterville High School.
As guests are ushered into the cafeteria, students begin to take orders and serve a variety of drinks, food, and desserts. While the food was being prepared, the senior citizens had the opportunity to entertain themselves with the decorations gathered across the tables. This includes Valentine’s Day cards, homemade by students, and even bingo cards to be played at the end of the ceremony.
This tradition at Carterville High School is appreciated by not only the senior citizens, but the students as they are given the opportunity to further connect with the community. Senior Myra Anderson, Student Council President, expresses her feelings on the event stating, “The Valentine’s Day banquet is such a special event because we get to experience leadership within our community and connecting with different generations of people. It was incredible to interact with the senior citizens, getting to hear their stories and to make connections with them!”
The Carterville High School Valentine’s Day Luncheon proved to be a heartwarming celebration of kindness within the community. As this year’s season of love comes to an end, it is important to continue the tradition, as it serves as a reminder of the positivity that comes from connecting with each other.
