editor's note: Scott Birkinshaw is a senior at North Medford High School. For his senior project, which is required for graduation, he has written a series of stories on other senior projects.

About the student:

When first introduced, Klarissa Osborn, a South Medford High School senior, seems quiet and reserved. But her activities suggest that appearances can be deceiving .

"I am kind of quiet around people that I don't know that well, but I am much more outgoing when I'm comfy," she says.

Klarissa works as a food server at the Rogue Valley Manor and in her free time is extremely involved at the Rogue Valley Christian Church, where her father, Larry Osborn, is the youth minister. She sings for the youth group there and also volunteers every Sunday to help with the church's coffee stand. Her hobbies, in addition to singing, include reading, writing and dancing.

In August, Klarissa plans to attend Ozark Christian College in Missouri, where she plans to major in the musical arts.

What's the project?

Klarissa designed, planned and set up a Valentine's Day dance at her church for senior citizens called, "Swing and Sway the Senior Way." The idea for the name was given to Klarissa by a resident at the Rogue Valley Manor.

She began planning the dance in November and, with the help of her project mentor, Laura Horton, received many donations from businesses in the community.

"She really helped me a lot with getting donations," she says of Horton, who is a real estate agent.

The main donations she used as door prizes for the dance were gift certificates from Red Robin and pies from Marie Callender's. Food For Less also sponsored refreshments for the dance.

Klarissa promoted the dance, but as Valentine's Day approached, she grew concerned.

"I asked in my ads for the people to RSVP, but I only got three calls," she recalls.

But the planning and work paid off when 37 seniors turned out and danced the late afternoon and early evening away.

"It was from 4 to 8," says Klarissa. "I knew they did not want to be out too late."

Klarissa was relieved by the turnout and says the experience was a success. "I was really excited on how it turned out," she said.

Why choose this?

Klarissa says the inspiration for her project came from her interaction with residents at the Manor.

"I really like the elderly," she says. "That's why I work there in the first place."

Klarissa says she feels that community support for seniors is important, especially from youths.

"A lot of seniors believe that teens don't listen to them or take their advice," she says. "I did it to show that there are teens that care."

How did this project make a difference?

Klarissa says as more and more baby boomers reach retirement age, there should be affordable opportunities for them to go out and have a good time.

"I wanted to give these people a place to relax and listen to music on Valentine's Day," Klarissa says.