Noblesville’s Prairie Lakes held prom night for seniors
With the sound of saxophone in the air and corsages on their wrists, some very special seniors experienced prom and recaptured an amazing night they may have long since forgotten. Friday, May 12, Prairie Lakes Health Center, Noblesville, helped their residents live prom night all over again.
Memories, new and old, were alive and well this weekend.
I was honored to be invited to visit with the residents and share in this event. I also got to meet some amazing people, like Ima Beth Peacock, 94, who got to experience prom and a limousine ride for the first time. Peacock, who graduated in 1941, told me that she didn’t have a prom where she went to school. “They would have a nice dinner, and then they would take a trip,” she said. She was never afforded this experience until now.
Virginia Farmer, 96, said she missed her high school prom because her boyfriend had exams and was unable to attend. She too was able to re-capture the night she had missed so many years ago.
I had a very special conversation with Gina Schlotterbeck, who attended this prom with her mother, Jene Keith. Schlotterbeck told me that her mother was so very happy to be able to be part of this.
Like the other guests, Keith enjoyed the makeover, getting to wear a prom dress, riding in the limo and a very nice meal, which she was enjoying while we spoke. Schlotterbeck kept saying how grateful she was. It truly couldn’t have been said better. She told me that there were many people who came together to make this event as wonderful as it was.
Nadine Graham, Life Enrichment Director at Prairie Lakes Health Campus, said, “It takes a village.”
Graham told me that the dresses were donated by the girls in the Lawrence High School Honor Society. Jockish Florist donated 10 dozen carnations that were used to make the 
corsages for the event. The Noblesville football team, along with Coach Jason Simons, came to be stand in dates for these special seniors. The guys were joined by the girls of the Noblesville Key Club.
All these young people came dressed for prom and ready to be part of something special.
Too many times the news media tells us what is wrong in our world. Today, I am humbled to tell you a story of something very right. Good people, working together to do good things.
When I was speaking with Schlotterbeck, she told me her mother doesn’t remember things very well. Then she said something very profound. “Tomorrow she may not remember this, but today she is smiling. That is what counts,” Schlotterbeck said.
Pictured, from top to bottom:
Ima Beth Peacock, 94, enjoying her first prom.
Virginia Farmer, 96, Enjoying the prom she missed so many years ago.
Marguerite Schavtz, 100, is crowned queen of the prom and poses with the young men of the Noblesville football team.
Gilbert Apple, 97, is crowned king of the prom and poses with the girls of the Noblesville Key Club.
Christian Collier (left), Noblesville football team, escorts Jene Keith to the floor while Gregg Bacon plays saxophone and Virginia Farmer (center) enjoys the prom.
Christian Collier, 17, Noblesville football team, enjoying time with Jene Keith as she enjoys the prom she missed.
Reporter photos by Chris Thompson