A tradition spanning well over 40 years, invites senior citizens into the school to share an afternoon with students.

The Senior Dinner is an event organized by members of the Student Council at Bondurant-Farrar High School, that encourages interaction between senior citizens and students.  Though the exact year the dinner started has not yet been confirmed, the tradition spans back to well before 1971.  Kris Whalen, now retired, took over as Student Council advisor in the fall of 1985 and served 19 years hosting the event until she retired in the spring of 2004.  “I made some wonderful friendships as a result of those dinners,” says Whalen.  “It is an important social event for the senior citizens of the community.”

This year’s Student Council co-advisors, Patti Davis and Brad Hamilton, along with the students, opened up the doors on Wednesday, November 10th to approximately 50 senior citizens.  Visitors included retired community members, Bondurant-Farrar graduates, and residents of Courtyard Estates, an assisted care facility in Bondurant.  Senior citizens enjoyed a meal provided by the food service department and served to guests by the students.  Entertainment was provided before and after dinner, this included performances by the high school choir and speech teams.

While the dinner is a great opportunity to invite community seniors into the school for fellowship, it’s also an opportunity for the students whom host the event to learn life lessons.  “It teaches us the importance of giving back to our community and how much fun we have while doing it,” says Mackenzie Clayton, Student Council Secretary.  Students enjoy the chance to interact with and serve the seniors.  Abbey Burris, Student Council Treasurer says, “We realize how much this event means to senior citizens.  They love the little things like the dinner and it can make their day!”