A prom to remember: Lemmon nursing home residents crowned prom king and queen

LEMMON, S.D. (KFYR) – A few generations ago, it wasn’t uncommon for teenagers to drop out of school after eighth grade. Many had to help on the farm or fight in the war.

Missing out on high school meant they also missed out on many of the high school experiences kids today take for granted.

The good news: In one small South Dakota town, teenagers are making sure everyone has a chance to experience prom.

This was Tom Baumeister’s first prom experience. And what a memorable prom it was; the 89-year-old was crowned prom king at the Five Counties Nursing home.

“Yes, I was,” Baumeister said.

His friend, 93-year-old Evelyn Bierman, was crowned queen.

“Shocked, I guess. I don’t know how else to say it,” she said.

It was a pretty big surprise to them both.

“I had no idea,” admitted Bierman. “They did want to fix my hair. That was the only hint I had that something might be cooking, but I thought they probably just wanted a picture.”

There were pictures, but Bierman thinks the photos of the teens are more impressive than the photos of her.

“Their gowns were fabulous,” she said. “It was just wonderful to see them go by. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Bierman’s excitement—and the excitement of all the residents—was the highlight of the prom for sophomore Allyson Kilzer.

“They kept saying how beautiful we looked, and it just made me blush. It was awesome,” said Kilzer.

Bierman couldn’t agree more.

“It was fabulous. I enjoyed every bit of it,” said Bierman.

All of it was captured in photos that will help Queen Evelyn and King Tom remember this prom forever.

Bierman said she did attend one prom when she was in high school, in 1949. But she can’t remember if a prom king and queen were crowned.