Santa Clara seniors and teens came together for a special event on March 15. “Rock ‘n Roll Diner,” an inter-generational sock hop, gave the senior citizens of the city and chance to show the Youth Commission how to cut a rug.
Ryan Winter came dressed to impress in a leather jacket, white t-shirt and cuffed jeans. The Buchser Middle School student quickly asked a senior to dance and the two rocked around the clock to Elvis.
Throughout the afternoon, tunes were played from all eras and sock hoppers participated in various icebreaker games as they snacked on popcorn and drank coffee and punch. Additionally, the Teen Center sold ice cream sundaes and root beer floats for $1 to keep with the 50s theme.
“[The Youth Commission] wanted to try to bridge the generation gap and maybe help get rid of some of the stereotypes that older people have about younger people and younger people have about older people,” said Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Herb who added that the event was marketed through the City’s Facebook page, at the Community Recreation Center and the Santa Clara Senior Center.
“The youth don’t know how to dance [like their counterparts], but the seniors know – anything from doing the cha cha and swing dancing to everything else,” she continued. “It’s just amazing and I love to watch them.”
