Jean Niedzwiadek (Churchville) and Charlotte Ashley (Bergen) sang along with ukulele player Kay Dodds (Hilton) as he serenaded guests at the Sweden Senior Center recently. The event was part of a Hawaiian luau put on by New Visions students through BOCES 2.

Although it was cold outside, students in the New Visions program at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES recently brought a "taste" of Hawaii, and a little sunshine, to the Sweden Senior Center last month.

Students Amber Wakley (Brockport H.S.) and Angela Persia (Holley H.S.) coordinated a Hawaiian luau as part of a community outreach project. Activities included baking lessons, dancing and "aloha" bingo.

More than 70 senior citizens attended, and most came dressed up Hawaiian style. "We never imagined it was going to be so big," said Angela. "It was really a lot of fun. The highlight of the evening was bingo," she said. Winners of the game yelled out "aloha" instead of "bingo." The students gave away gift certificates, which were donated by area merchants, and coconuts and pineapples as prizes.

Students in the New Visions program are college-bound seniors exploring in-depth the career of their choice while earning high school and college credit. Their program includes community service along with actual career experience.