Photo Essay: Connecting with Seniors Helps Valley Students Learn American History

 

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Mrs. Miller’s 8th grade class arrived at Royal Oaks for the first time on a Thursday morning.

They went inside and listened to a presentation given by Kendra Eberhart, Royal Oaks’ CEO. The eighth graders were attentive, and well behaved, and as soon as they were allowed to ask questions it was clear that they were also quite interested. There were so many things they wanted to know. Do the residents ever commit suicide?, one student asked. Can they leave if they want to? How big are the rooms? Do they ever kick people out? Can other people live in an apartment after somebody dies there?, asked another. Do people ever check out, asked one, or do they just pass away? Do people have a way to call for help from their rooms? How much does it cost to live here? What is a non-profit organization? Why do you have to be 62 to move in?

After the presentation, they mingled with a group of Royal Oaks residents, who are participating in this oral history project. Each small group of students went off to find their resident, and get to know them a bit. Stories started flowing. James F. Sargent, visiting for the day, remarked, “Those kids are going to have to assert themselves a bit to ask their questions! It’s going to be hard to get a word in!”

 

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All photos by Eliza Gregory

 

To learn more about how ASU is engaged with the community, please visit ASU in the Community’s Program Database which connects you to a wide variety of specific ASU outreach efforts.