By Bethany Zorn
The Livingston High School (LHS) Key Club received a “HALO Shout Out” from Nickelodeon last month for their work with Livingston’s Intergenerational Prom event.
Ricardo Hurtado, teen actor and singer from the Nickelodeon show “School of Rock,” helped deliver the shout out in a video. Hurtado recognized the LHS Key Club’s work to “bring different generations together on the dance floor.”
Hurtado said, “You guys are so inspiring.”
Nickelodeon, Key Club International’s partner, features kids and their families who “HALO” (Help And Lead Others) in various acts of kindness and who work to make the world a better place. HALO describes their cause as “Ordinary kids doing extraordinary things – that’s the HALO Movement!”
LHS Key Club advisors, Giovanna McCorkell and Michael Ladolcetta admired all of their students’ hard work.
“Mike and I are extremely happy to have the hard work of our students recognized on a platform like Nickelodeon,” said McCorkell. “We are so proud of our students and know that they will serve as positive role models for other children.”
The Intergenerational Prom is an annual event that the LHS Key Club holds for senior citizens to enjoy a free night of socializing, dinner and dancing. Students mingle with seniors, attend to their needs as hosts and hostesses, and join them for some dancing, making the night special and enjoyable for all in attendance.
This past Intergenerational Prom was particularly special, marking the 30 th anniversary of the event. Guests could admire the colorful “Happy 30 th Birthday” decorations that filled the room while they enjoyed dinner, dessert and door prizes provided by local sponsors.
One of the night’s highlights is the annual crowning of a prom King and Queen. One senior, along with one student, are chosen and share a memorable dance together.
This year’s prom king is student David Lin and prom queen is Ruth Ross, a Livingston resident and navy veteran.
LHS Key Club is a student-led organization that serves the community of Livingston, as well as nearby communities. Its mission is to make caring a way of life and help those in need. The organization fosters leadership through a commitment to service.
Along with the Intergenerational Prom, the Key Club hosts several events throughout the year including a Black Friday fundraiser and the “ Kiwanis Karnival.”

McCorkell explained that some of the club’s recent focal points have been eliminating hunger in N.J and fundraising for the elimination of maternal and neonatel tetanus in third world countries. They have worked closely with other Key Clubs in N.J., as well as the Kiwanis organization, whom McCorkell attributes to “playing an integral part in helping the club reach their goals.
“Key Club is an amazing student-led organization and we encourage all students interested in serving others to join in middle school with the Builders Club and in high school with the Key Club,” said McCorkell. “We would like to thank Kiwanis, the community of Livingston, and the administration at Livingston for always supporting us as an organization.”
For more information on the LHS Key Club, visit http://lhskeyclubb.weebly.com, and for
more on Nickelodeon’s HALO project visit www.wehalo.com.