By Jason Scheer
The Leadership Council, made up of about 20 high school students, hosted its annual Intergenerational Celebration on Thursday, June 2.
Students served up coffee and snacks for the seniors. Members of the High School Jazz Choir and Flute Ensemble performed to a thrilled audience and, for the first time ever, the event was themed, Hawaiian style.
Palm trees, streamers and coconut centerpieces dotted the community room of the senior center. Stephanie Udell, a member of the leadership council, gave hula lessons to interested seniors.
Santi Wong, co-chair of the council, said the event was a fun way to help bridge the gap between Baldwin's seniors and youth.
"It's a great thing to do for the seniors," she said, "parties keep people happy."
Of course, in addition to fun, there is educational value in the celebration.
I've learned a lot about the seniors and how they were as little kids," Wong said. "Some of the gentlemen have talked to me about the Vietnam [conflict] and the Korean war, what it was like living then and their experiences in different countries.
"...From the ladies, I've learned a lot about Baldwin's [history]. Many used to work at the high school. The whole program is a learning experience."
Wong encouraged other students to participate in community-service events like the Intergenerational Celebration.
"I'd say your missing a big part of community service and being able to reach out to the people of your community," she said of those who choose not to participate. "The community doesn't consist of just high school kids, the community is made up of adults, senior citizens and young kids."
Barbara Riess, the staff coordinator of the event, said that the Intergenerational Celebration is something that benefits both the kids and senior citizens.
"It gives the kids a chance to see something from the seniors' perspective and gives the seniors a chance to see things from the kids' perspectives," she said. "The kids love it, the seniors love it. It's a day to show the seniors in town that there is hope in the young people. And there is, these are great kids."
She added, "for the seniors, when they look on the news and read the newspaper they tend to see only negative. I think it's important that they see there are incredibly good young people out there and I think they should take some pride in the fact that the kids came from this town."
Senior Center president Nancy Bongorno heeded that message.
"I think we are very fortunate to be sitting here with these wonderful young people," she said.
Comments about this story? JScheer@ liherald.com or 569-4000 ext. 282.
