Formerly known as the senior citizens dance, the gala is a cherished tradition that many alumni, like Barbara Lovell and Bonnie Hann, look forward to every year.

“I love to dance; that’s my thing,” Hann said of her favorite activity — moving and grooving to the sound of the Altoona Area High School’s advanced jazz ensemble as they performed classics like “Twist and Shout,” a Top Notes’ song made famous by The Beatles, and “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” a Big Joe Turner song made famous by Bill Haley & His Comets.

They also did the “Bunny Hop” dance, which was featured on “The Ray Anthony Show” in 1953.

Lovell said she was a band member in school and attended with her friend, Barbara Caracciolo, to support the students. Her son-in-law, Larry Detwiler, is the director of the high school’s jazz band, she said.

Tony Sawinski of Cresson shows Altoona Area High School senior Lanie Wilt photos of his great-grandchildren. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“I love the kids and all my grandkids went here, and when they were here, I was at all of the dances with them,” Lovell said. “It’s important for the kids to know that the seniors are with them and we’ll try to do everything we can for them.”

Caracciolo, who attended last year’s dance with Lovell but is still new to the area, said she enjoyed dancing at the event.

“That’s what we like,” Caracciolo said. “We’re old timers and we like to dance, too. It gets us out for exercise.”

Before the advanced jazz ensemble began playing, Lovell and Caracciolo enjoyed time with Ron Hoover and his fiancee, Virginia Clemence, whom they met at a dance club.

Together, Hoover and Clemence have been attending the event for about five years.

Altoona Area High School student council members dance with their guests. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“I like to watch the kids who are here,” Clemence said.

“They put a lot of effort into it, and they’re very congenial and helpful,” Hoover added.

For sophomore Nick Boose, who plays percussion in the jazz band, the event was a way to express gratitude for seniors in the community.

Boose said the band’s members have been practicing for weeks to learn a bunch of the swing-style classics they performed.

“I feel very honored to do this,” Boose said. “I’m really glad to be here.”

Thom and Sarah Geishauser of Altoona share stories with student council members (from left) Miley Naugle, 17, Serenity Hogans, 17, and Lauren Callens, 18. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Juniors Jayde Reeves and Rylee Bush said they enjoyed getting to speak with attendees and hear their stories.

“It’s insane to hear the different stories and how things have changed,” Bush said, adding student council members spent their entire afternoon after school Friday preparing for the event.

Bush, who participated in the event for the first time this year, said Reeves was the reason she got involved in the council and that she enjoyed the experience of mingling with seniors.

Reeves said she’s been participating in the event since her freshman year and enjoys speaking with the attendees.

“They’re all very sweet and welcoming,” Reeves said of the seniors. “It’s just a good thing to be at and at the end of the day, it makes you feel great.”

Guest Gail Lykens of Williamsburg checks out the refreshment offerings. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Jessica Hogan, one of the student council’s four advisers, said she attended the event as a teenager and feels that she has “come full circle” after getting the next generation of students excited about attending.

“Last year, the students said this was the best event we had done as a student council. They really, really enjoyed this,” Hogan said, noting the tradition began back in the 1980s.

Attendees, young and old alike, were able to enjoy complimentary refreshments that were either made by the high school’s family and consumer science students or ordered through the school’s cafeteria department, using the funding students raised throughout the school year in the school store, Hogan said, adding she loves putting the event together.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

Freshman A’Kiya Reeves, 15, serves a cup of coffee to Golden Years Gala attendee Nevin Price of Altoona at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse on Friday evening. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski