It was a night of celebration for grandparents of Northern Lehigh National Junior Honor Society students and senior citizens of the community as the annual senior prom was held. The middle school honor society began the project as a service event 12 years ago.

To become a member of the National Junior Honor Society students must maintain a 90 percent average for both seventh and eighth grade. They must be involved in both school and community activities.The proms began as the brainchild of then-Principal Robert Mack who thought it would be a good idea and we've been doing it ever since, said Jason Graver, one of the three advisers. The other two are Rick Eckhart and Sue Bowser with lots of volunteer help.Students hold a pumpkin roll sale in November to pay the cost. This year over 600 rolls were sold, a record. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. This year's theme was "A Little Bit of Country" with a red, white and blue decorating theme with balloons and tableware in those colors. Sunflowers brightened the atmosphere.A get-acquainted game was for one side of the room to have pictures of country singers and the opposite side to have papers with names. The two groups were to find the picture or name that matched another person's paper.Guests were to fill out a game sheet that asked questions, such as did you attend Slatington High School and are you related to an honor society candidate.The eighth-graders do all the work from cooking and decorating to serving. The service was excellent with a student waiter keeping watch to see if anything was needed and then to clear tables.Dinner was prepared by the students.In the lobby pictures were taken and placed in Little Bit of Country folders. They were free or for a donation.Volunteer Dawn Kemery said the evening was sold out with 180 guests and there was a waiting list.She said it has been her third year helping and has been a pleasure.It is wonderful the thing these three advisers do, she said.Cowboy hats carried out the theme with one girl seen wearing cowboy boots. There were even a few pairs of overalls on the guest list. From comments heard people enjoyed the exceptionally casual dress code for the evening.The Rev. Haab in his prayer thanked God for "the chance we have to share for this senior prom."An announcer said they hoped the guests had an enjoyable dinner and he asked for around of applause for adviser Sue Bowser, who helped with the meal."Our kids did an exceptional job," Graver said.