The Catskill Chronicle

 Barbi Neumann (back) is the Program Leader / Unit Director for the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Boys and Girls Club. Nine of the club’s members served as wait staff, and acted as hosts and hostesses for the 4th Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Prom. From left the youngsters are: Timothy Wilber, Hariel Mangual, Sebastian McElrath, Denise Duman, Naeelah Shakelford, Raquel Egeland, Ashley Campbell, Ellenrose Duffy and Justin Moore.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (May 16, 2011) – Just a little over a week ago, there was a hoe-down of sorts at the Monticello Firehouse. For the fourth year in a row, Monticello Seniors and their friends were guests of honor at the Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Prom.

This year’s event was a Rock & Rodeo prom with entertainment by Elvis’ Lost Brother, Eric Bressi and catering by Craig Duffy of Geri’s Catskill Cafe in Neversink.

The list of sponsors grows every year according to Kathy Kreiter, one of the event coordinators. The Senior Prom is put on by a committee of approximately 14, seven adults and seven children from the Robert J. Kaiser Boys and Girls Club.

Barbi Neuman, Program Leader/Unit Director for the Robert J. Kaiser Boys and Girls Club said “The concept is to bring the generations together, bridge the gap, communicate … This is a good way for (the young people) to give back and pay if forward. One kid actually gave up a softball game to be here today.” 

According to Kreiter, the committee “meets once a month, then once a week as the event gets closer.”

As Elvis’ Lost Brother entertained, the attendees were served a meal of rolls and salad, baked beans, barbecued chicken and more, topped off with a scrumptious dessert. The young people attended to the senior’s like seasoned wait staff.

Later, The King and Queen were crowned with Myrna Krauss and Peter Kreiter (photo left) bringing home the honors for the seniors, and Raquel Egeland and Timothy Wilber (photo below) carrying the night for the youngsters as Crown Princess and Prince. 

And this year, New York City even had a presence. Poon Watchara-Amphaiwan, a professional portrait photographer who does editorial and commercial work for Forbes, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, Smart Money and others was there to document the event.

“I  love photographing events and I love to come to events like this to volunteer,” said Poon.

The New York City resident and Thailand native found out about the Monticello event by researching it online. “A couple of years ago, I saw one in a high school and I’ve always wanted to photograph a senior prom.”

Here are some additional photos from the event. To see more, click the link at the bottom of this story.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 4th Annual Monticello Intergenerational Prom, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.