Ridgewood luncheon recognizes importance of seniors in community

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·3 min read

WEST LAFAYETTE − Giving back to a certain segment of the population that has always been supportive of the district was the reason for a special luncheon recently at Ridgewood High School.

Brynn Waters takes drink orders for a table of senior citizens at a recent luncheon to honor the elders of the community at Ridgewood High School. About 120 senior citizens attended with 21 student council members helping to serve.
Brynn Waters takes drink orders for a table of senior citizens at a recent luncheon to honor the elders of the community at Ridgewood High School. About 120 senior citizens attended with 21 student council members helping to serve.

Students served and interacted with senior citizens from the community at the annual event. It was the first time it's been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were about 120 seniors in attendance with 21 members of the Ridgewood Student Council assisting, said student council adviser Rebecca Wells.

"Our senior citizens in the community are such great supporters of our kids, we want to make sure we're doing something to give back to them and show our appreciation for everything they do to support us," Wells said. "It's really a district wide effort."

The event was supported by student fundraisers and donations from local businesses. Students made table decorations and door prizes, including sleds made of candy and snowmen heads from tealights. The after-school program culinary club made reindeer chow (also know as puppy chow or muddy buddies) for each attendee to take home. The seniors' meals included turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, roll, fruit, cookie and a beverage.

"I think it just shows how in this small community there is so much generosity and support and it goes both ways," Wells said.

Senior Class President Aliyah Beitzel addresses about 120 senior citizens in attendance for annual luncheon honoring elders in the community at Ridgewood High School. Students made door prizes and table centerpieces and helped to serve meals and drinks.
Senior Class President Aliyah Beitzel addresses about 120 senior citizens in attendance for annual luncheon honoring elders in the community at Ridgewood High School. Students made door prizes and table centerpieces and helped to serve meals and drinks.

Senior Class President Aliyah Beitzel, also a member of student council, helped with the luncheon when it was last held when she was a freshman.

"As a student council, obviously, it's nice to reach out to the students and help with things inside the school, but opening the doors to the community outside of school, maybe family members or just people who live in the community, is nice too," Beitzel said. "It's something student council always looks forward to. It's not, 'oh, we have to do this.' It's always nice. We like to dress up in holiday colors and serving the people who served us in the past."

Marsha Ridenour said she attends the luncheon every year and particularly likes the performance by the drama club.

"Too often elderly people aren't recognized and this is a wonderful way to show appreciation," she said.

Kathy Reid and Andrew Clantz in a scene from "The Ghost of Christmas Present" at Ridgewood High School. A special presentation of the play and "Last Stop Til Christmas" was part of the annual senior citizen luncheon held recently at the school. Reid has helped in the past with spring musical auditions and is a member of the Coshocton Footlight Players.

Along with the meal, attendees viewed a special presentation of the drama department's two winter short plays, "Last Stop Til Christmas" and "The Ghost of Christmas Present." The latter featured Kathy Reid as Ma. She has helped with spring musical auditions at Ridgewood in the past and has acted and directed with the Coshocton Footlight Players.

"The kids are here because they want to do this. We've both learned a lot from each other," Reid said.

She had never attended the luncheon before.

"It's really nice to blend the ages and let them experience these folks, who probably haven't had kids in high school for quite sometime," Reid said. "The kids have another chance to interact with somebody who is a bit older and seen a little more of the world. I think it's great for everybody."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Ridgewood luncheon recognizes importance of seniors in community