Only on 10: 97-year-old RI woman to attend her first prom

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — A 97-year-old woman from Rhode Island will break out her dancing shoes and head to her very first prom.

Helen Danis, of West Warwick, has experienced a lot since the 1920s, but prom isn’t one of them.

“I couldn’t keep up with the kids,” said Danis. “I didn’t really fit in. We were in the middle of a depression and money was scarce.”

Julie Huddon, of Warwick, is Danis’ granddaughter. Her mission is to make her grandmother’s dreams come true while she’s still here.

“We’ve been doing a lot of things that she has said she wanted to do,” said Huddon. “She sat on Santa’s lap for the first time in December. I never know about her she’s full of surprises.”

To keep the trend going, Huddon created a “Promposal.”

“I got a crown for her and wrote her a note, asking her to be my date to prom,” said Huddon. “She’s mentioned a couple times about not being able to go to her prom.”

Huddon posted the video of her grandmother’s reaction on Facebook.

It’s priceless.

“As soon as I gave it to her, she loved it,” said Huddon.

A few months ago, Huddon asked the principal of Pilgrim High School if it was OK if she and her grandmother attended the prom together at the “Rhodes on the Pawtuxet”

Huddon said he was nothing but supportive, adding that her son, Evan, also attends school there.

“I feel blessed that I can share some of her memories,” said Huddon. “I’ll always remember this night.”

Huddon went the extra mile and bought an orchid dress for her grandmother. She was excited to show it off to NBC 10.

“It’s a nice dress, a long dress,” said Danis. “She says, 'You’re going to a prom,' so here I am.”

A trolley will pick the pair up and bring them to the prom on Friday evening.

Danis said she plans to wear her crown proudly, her dress loudly, but comfortable shoes for dancing.

“Well, if they know how to do the ‘Hully Gully,’ I’ll do it again,” she said.