Some seniors came alone and some came with dates but all seemed to enjoy the music, conversation, food, music and dancing at the second annual Senior Prom hosted by the city of Ceres on Thursday evening.
Judging by the larger size of those who attended, the Ceres Community Center event will be a mainstay of recreation offerings as long as the city is willing to host it. Approximately 75 signed up while last year about 30 seniors came dressed to the nines. City of Ceres Recreation Coordinator Crystel Aguilar said some seniors called for dinner reservations after the deadline passed but they were invited to attend the dance.
John and Nancy Hendry, who moved to Ceres from Hayward for a quieter pace of life eight years ago, attended last year’s prom and liked it so much they returned.
“We like to be involved in things where we live,” said John Hendry, a Bay area retiree.
“I’ve come for bingo and my AAUW branch has rented rooms and had activities here,” explained Nancy. “John played guitar one year for the Christmas party.”
But do they dance? John hesitated a brief moment to answer and replied yes, after which Nancy said: “John’s getting ready to have a knee replacement at the end of the next month so he warned me on the way in that he shouldn’t be doing too much dancing too much today – but yes, we do dance.”
After enjoying a meal consisting of tri-tip, rice, and salad served along with a cake provided by AT&T, seniors like Lorenzo Cumbie and good friend Susan Simpson “cut a rug” on the dance floor.
Simpson and Cumbie came to Ceres from the Bay Area at about the same time (2010) on two different trajectories. She had been widowed in 1987 and met Cumbie who settled in Ceres to care for his aging mother after his dad died.
It was apparent the two, who met at a class offered by the city for seniors, enjoy dancing very much.
“I’m a dancing fool but I can’t keep up with him because he is really, really into it,” she admitted.
Dancing went on for hours to tunes played by a DJ that included “There Goes my Baby” by the Drifters, “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire, “My Girl” by the Temptations, “Wild Thing” by the Troggs, the O’Jays’ “Love Train, and Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas.
Single senior Nancy Shamgochian came to the event and enjoyed letting loose on the dance floor, relishing in what she termed her third chapter in life – retirement. After spending 54 years in the classroom as a teacher, she said she now wants to enjoy life at her pace.
Preferring to be called Sham, she said she was surprised to find activities in her own town and decided to get involved.
“You have to keep moving in life.”
The prom was made possible by a number of volunteers who thought it would be fun to serve the seniors.
“A lot of our staff wanted to work today because it’s a cute event,” said Aguilar.
The city will be offering other events for seniors, including:
• Karaoke & Brunch sessions held Fridays, Oct. 24, Jan. 23, 2026 and Feb. 27, 2006, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Seniors must pre-register by calling the city at 209-538-5628 or in-person at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street or online at www.ceres.ca.us The event, for those aged 55 or older and limited to 30 participants, is held prior to senior lunch sessions.
• A free Senior Halloween Costume Party on Friday, Oct. 31 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The event is for those aged 60 or older. Seniors are asked to wear a costume or Halloween themed outfit. Registration ends Oct. 6. To RSVP visit www.ceres.ca.us or in-person at the Ceres Community Center. For more information call 209-538-5648.
