DOWAGIAC — On Thursday afternoon, Dowagiac Union High School students ran the show as they hosted a senior citizen luncheon in the foyer of the high school’s newly renovated gym.

Andy Kruger’s culinary class prepared a meal of chicken dumpling soup with a side salad and a dessert for free for senior citizens.

The luncheon, a longtime event at Dowagiac, gives students a chance to connect with the senior citizens of their community.

“The students like it,” Kruger said. “They know that senior citizens are to be respected. The senior citizens have done a lot of things that these students haven’t even begun to think about.”

Prior to the luncheon, students signed up for an array of jobs. They acted as servers, door greeters, plate makers and helped refill water cups. 

Despite a snow day on Monday, the class was able to cook the soup and put everything together on Wednesday.

Kruger’s class will host another senior citizen luncheon in the spring.