Jim and Pat Sigley share a slow dance together. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

BELPRE — On Thursday, the Belpre Senior Center hosted its second annual Senior Prom with the help of Waterview Pointe, Amedisys Hospice, and staff members of Texas Roadhouse.

Abbie Holdren, the Activities Coordinator at the center, said the planning committee took two months to organize the event, and they had the opportunity to expand the prom and make it more exciting than last year.

“We went a little more out with decorations. We did not have a DJ last year,” said Holdren. “The community came through and purchased a lot of our decorations, so there hasn’t been a lot of cost in it.”

This year’s theme was “Enchanted Forest,” complete with corsages and boutonnieres, a fairy-themed spread of desserts with edible butterflies, and photo booth props.

Center Manager Bonnie McGowan said the first Senior Prom received a lot of attention on social media from community members, which warmed the hearts of the employees and incentivised them to host the event again this year.

The Belpre Senior Center provided props for the guests to take photos with during Thursday’s Senior Prom. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

“Last year, we videotaped them all coming in on their little prom walk, and we posted it on our Facebook page. There were over 50,000 people that saw it. Everyone loved what they were doing, how much fun they were having,” said McGowan. “We just have a soft spot here because they are all of our family.”

One change from last year’s Senior Prom was the inclusion of a ballot to vote for Prom King and Queen. Last year’s Senior Prom Queen, 99-year-old Betty Hutchinson, said she enjoyed the prom both years.

“Last year, I danced with about 16 guys. There’s more people dressed up this year,” she said Thursday.”I think our president and vice president have done a wonderful job.”

“Last time, Betty won, and she just cried like she won Miss America,” said McGowan. “Everybody is just so happy.”

This year, Hutchinson and 2024 Senior Prom King Troxil Trembly crowned Marsha and Jerald Blagg as the 2025 Senior Prom King and Queen in a ceremony in front of all of the guests. The Blaggs have been married for 53 years, and they frequently come to events at the Belpre Senior Center because of the welcoming atmosphere.

The theme of this year’s prom at the Belpre Senior Center was “Enchanted Forest.” (Photo by Matty Lamp)

“We’ve been coming here for a long time, and we’ve made a lot of good friends. It’s just a lot of fun,” said Marsha Blagg. “Bonnie and Abbie are just so great, and Carol, our cook, does the decorations a lot of the time…we’re lucky to have such a wonderful, wonderful group.”

Some of the staff from Texas Roadhouse in Parkersburg made an appearance to volunteer at the Senior Prom. Layken Skinner, Local Store Marketer for Texas Roadhouse, said she enjoys collaborating with the Belpre Senior Center and interacting with the seniors.

“We’ve built a partnership over time, and we continue to do donations here. We come in and work here with the seniors. I know a lot of them by name at this point,” said Skinner. “They’re amazing people. And the ladies that run this place are absolutely amazing as well. They welcomed us here for a lot of opportunities.”

Along with providing donations and food for the event, several male Texas Roadhouse staff members came to be dance partners for some of the guests. They came dressed in suits and boutonnieres, and they took no time getting everyone out on the dance floor.

“They had heard about it because they had played volleyball with us, and we mentioned that we’d have a lot of ladies sitting because our ratio of women to men is a little high,” said McGowan. “It was just so sweet. They were just pulling them right out of the chairs for them to come up and dance.”

Carol Lewis dances with Texas Roadhouse Servers, from left to right, Owen Shomo, Ryan Blair and Divin Gaines. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

“This is a perfect crowd of boys. They love what they do, and they would not be here if they didn’t want to,” said Skinner.

The Senior Prom was as enjoyable for the senior guests as for the Texas Roadhouse staff members.

“I think we’re just there to have a good time and put smiles on people’s faces,” said server Divin Gaines.

Skinner and all of the staff members say that they are excited to come back for next year’s Senior Prom.

The Belpre Senior Center hosts events regularly for seniors in the community, and attendance stays high. According to Holdren, the center sees between 50 and 70 seniors on a typical lunch day. McGowan said events like the Senior Prom gives seniors a social outlet and helps them stay connected.

Guests at Belpre Senior Prom dance together before the Prom King and Queen winners are announced. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

“Belpre is an aging community, and these people need things to do and places to go,” said McGowan. “They need friendships, and they need to be here with each other instead of doing nothing.”

McGowan and Holdren want to continue the Belpre Senior Prom as a yearly tradition, and they are grateful that they are seeing even more sponsorship and support from local organizations as the event grows.

“Some of our seniors didn’t have a senior prom or didn’t go to their senior prom,” said Holdren. “They got to relieve being young again, and it’s been fun to see them all out there dancing.”

Matty Lamp can be reached at intern@newsandsentinel.com

The 2025 Senior Center Prom King and Queen Jerald and Marsha Blagg share a kiss in a vintage car at Thursday’s Belpre Senior Center prom. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

The 2025 Belpre Senior Prom King and Queen Jerald and Marsha Blagg pose together for a picture in a vintage car. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

The 2024 Senior Prom Queen Betty Hutchinson crowns Marsha Blagg as 2025 Senior Prom Queen. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

The 2024 Senior Prom King Troxil Trembly crowns Jerald Blagg as 2025 Senior Prom King. (Photo by Matty Lamp)

Waterview Pointe Admissions Marketing Director Kyla Smith, left, and Activities Coordinator Abbie Holdren announce 2025 Senior Prom King and Queen. (Photo by Matty Lamp)