Many attendees of a recent packed prom in the St. Louis area might have been seniors, but none of them were high school students. The “Senior Prom” put on by the University of Missouri–St. Louis Student Athlete Advisory Committee earlier this month at Brentmoor Retirement Community in University City, Mo., included residents from the center and about 30 UMSL Tritons athletes.

According to Harry Harris, coordinator of academics for the Department of Athletics, the event dovetails with the Tritons’ commitment to the NCAA’s Community Engagement programming.

“These programs are designed as a way for the Department of Athletics to reach out to areas of our surrounding community and connect them with our athletes,” Harris said. “Both groups then learn about each other.”

UMSL campus photographer August Jennewein stopped by to capture a few moments of the athletes and Brentmoor residents enjoying the prom.

Brian Wade (left) a freshman on the men’s golf team, chats with Marilyn Morcom as Lena Dworkin shares a story with Kevin Smith, a freshman on the UMSL baseball team.

Leroy Sachs (left) and Justin Hyun, a senior on the men’s golf team, share a laugh.

Gathering for an impromptu photo are (from left) Jordan Boyce, a freshman on the women’s basketball team; Lenora Sacher; Brooke Barckzewski, a junior on the women’s soccer team; Jessica Ploss, a sophomore on the volleyball team; Laura Hurlburt, a sophomore on the women’s soccer team, Hannah Kaloupek, a sophomore on the women’s soccer team; and Cassie McFadden, a sophomore on the women’s soccer team.

Tommie Lee De Armas leads a conga line with volleyball players Haley Brightwell, a junior, and Jessica Ploss, a sophomore, falling in step as Gertrude Heller (left) looks on.

Haley Brightwell talks with Frank Bishop.

UMSL athletes (from left) Laura Hurlbut (soccer), Lindsay Meyer (volleyball) and Cassie McFadden (women’s soccer) join Bea and George Lamb, who were celebrating 67 years of marriage.

Bernice “Sis” Mange interviews D.J. Bednar, a freshman on the men’s soccer team.

Lena Dworkin, 97, poses with UMSL athletes (from left) Brian Wade (men’s golf), Kelly McGovern (women’s basketball), Kelly Kunkel (women’s basketball) and Kevin Smith (baseball).

The student athletes gather for a group photo, joined by Lenora Sacher (standing) and Mildred Pearl (sitting, left) and Lena Dworkin (sitting, right).