On March 24, the Magna Senior Living Center threw a special masquerade prom for its residents, with special help from a local eighth-grade math class at Brockbank STEM Junior High. The event was a “service-learning project” that incorporated community service into education and applied both math and civic standards into a fun activity with a real-world impact. 

As a part of the math curriculum, students were challenged to use their understanding of mathematics to organize an event for Magna’s older adults. The class was given a $500 budget to make the most of. 

Magna Senior Living Center manager Amanda Anderson believes in the importance of getting younger generations involved in their communities, so when the school reached out to her, she was thrilled to give students and older adults an exciting opportunity. “It’s so great to see the multigenerational community come together,” she said. “The students get to see the great work that we do for our seniors, and they get to be a part of that.” 

  Students put their math skills to the test by measuring decorations and creating scale drawings to plan their decorating process. They organized refreshments, selected music and designed invitations and posters while carefully managing their budget. Managers from the center visited the classroom to help students know how to plan an enjoyable event for the older adults. When the preparations were finished, they had $6 remaining. 

“There was a lot to consider,” said eighth-grade student Ricardo Fuentes. “We did a lot of teamwork. We made the tables look good, bought masks and necklaces, and made sure these seniors could have a good time.” 

Students arrived an hour before the dance to set up and stayed until the end to mingle, dance, assist and have fun with the older adults. They gave the women handcrafted paper roses and joined them in classic dances such as the hokey-pokey. 

“It was a great opportunity to help people, make connections and just have fun,” Fuentes said. “The elderly deserve to stay happy, and I’m glad I could help do something to make them smile.” 

Another student, Mateo Marcos-Ramirez, saw it as a personal opportunity to show older adults that they are more valued than they know. “When I lost my grandma, I wished I could’ve spent more time with her while I had the chance,” he said. “I want the seniors to know that times like these are precious, and that nothing can stop them from keeping on celebrating and feeling like themselves.” 

This is the first time Brockbank students have volunteered at Salt Lake County senior centers, and according to Anderson, it won’t be the last. She looks forward to working with students more often in the future to plan similar events. “This is the plan moving forward,” she said. “This is going to be a great partnership.” 

The 16 senior centers in Salt Lake County are always looking for volunteers to help organize and participate in enrichment events such as these. Salt Lake County residents who want to help enrich the lives of older adults can apply to volunteer at their local senior centers.