Dennis Borbon hits the dance floor at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Dennis Borbon hits the dance floor at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior prom crowns king and queen

In brainstorming options, the concept of putting on a prom turned some heads

Local seniors showed up in bow ties and dresses for the first Senior Prom put on by Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai on Friday.

Life Enrichment Director Carrie Nelson said the Kenai and Soldotna Aspen Creek locations alternate hosting larger events for their communities. In brainstorming options, the concept of putting on a prom turned some heads.

“Since they’re seniors, we wanted to do a senior prom,” Nelson said.

To give residents a “day of glam,” professional makeup artist Paige Ramos and hair stylists River Kitchens and Rachel Gauthier were brought in.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Aspen Creek’s main dining space was filled with seniors and guests around 6 p.m. They sat for dinner and then milled about as a DJ played tracks by Elvis and Village People. In an activity room, casino-themed games were played with novelty poker chips — takes on roulette and blackjack.

All day Friday, votes were cast by residents to choose Aspen Creek’s first Senior Prom king and queen. The honors went to Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft — bestowed with crowns and trophies.

The two sat for photos by friends and Aspen Creek staff, light reflecting off Ashcraft’s glittery dress. After the crowd dispersed, they said they were surprised to have been voted royalty.

“I can’t believe this,” Borbon said.

“It’s amazing,” Ashcraft said.

For more information about Aspen Creek Senior Living, visit facebook.com/AspenCreekSeniorLiving.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Aspen Creek Senior Living staff join residents on the dance floor at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Aspen Creek Senior Living staff join residents on the dance floor at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King Dennis Borbon is crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King Dennis Borbon is crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom Queen Lorraine Ashcraft is crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom Queen Lorraine Ashcraft is crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King and Queen Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft are crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King and Queen Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft are crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom Queen Lorraine Ashcraft sits for a photo with Life Enrichment Director Carrie Nelson at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom Queen Lorraine Ashcraft sits for a photo with Life Enrichment Director Carrie Nelson at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King and Queen Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft are crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior Prom King and Queen Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft are crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education funding bill unexpectedly advances again, nears House floor vote amid affordability concerns

HB 69 clears Finance Committee at first hearing as minority says discussions there are not worthwhile.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai accepts federal grant for police vests

The funds entirely cover the purchase of three ballistic vests this fiscal year.

Soldotna High School student Ethan Anding asks a question during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
District discusses $17M deficit at community meeting

More than 100 people gathered in the KCHS auditorium.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Man found dead near Kasilof roadway on Tuesday

He was found off Pollard Loop Road near Reindeer Lane in the Kasilof area.

Fire Marshal Jeremy Hamilton gives a tour to students during Job Shadow Day at Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Roddy Craig/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai students try on careers for Job Shadow Day

Roughly 100 students from Kenai Central High School scattered to more than 30 businesses to get a feel for the workforce.

A 2015 Ford Explorer that was stolen from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce before crashing into a tree near Wells Fargo Bank is loaded onto a tow truck in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Car stolen, crashed in Kenai

The car was reportedly taken from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, talks with supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Oct. 12, 2024, at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
‘This is no town hall. This is propaganda’; Begich takes heat at 1st virtual constituent forum

Congressman set to deliver his first joint address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday.

Protesters stand with signs in support of federal employees, federal lands and the U.S. Constitution stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna protesters call for Congress to oppose executive overreach

The local display was part of a “No Kings on President’s Day” effort orchestrated by the online 50501 movement.

Syverine Bentz, coastal training program coordinator for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, displays a board of ideas during a Local Solutions meeting focused on salmon at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
In search of salmon solutions

Cook Inletkeeper hosts meeting to develop community project to help salmon.

Most Read