Todd Ary, a teacher at Heineman Middle School, invited Sun City residents to sit down with students and discuss how things were different or similar when they were beginning their teen years.
Ary said, “We needed 10-12 men or women for a two-day interview commitment to a new project at Heineman Middle School.”
Among the Sun City residents who generously shared their unique experiences were Jill McCarron, Todd Kate, Esther Skeggs, Alex Schank, Adrianne Kaplan, Kenn Ellis, Ken Such, Duane Fontana, Bob Olesen, and Nedra Reeves.
Ary noted, “The students were diligently preparing for the interviews, honing their skills in eye contact, handshakes, and asking questions. They were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Sun City residents, whom they had only known as numbers until then.”
Sun City residents arrived at the school at 7 a.m., looking forward to interacting with the students. They were greeted by the District Volunteer Coordinator, Eileen Delahanty. In the school library, where the interviews were held, coffee, donuts, and other refreshments were waiting to sustain them until lunch.
Kane said, “I agreed to participate because I’ve had such positive experiences being a volunteer track coach at Hunltey High School (HHS). It’s wonderful to be around various young students, which differs from being around young relatives. I gain from every encounter while knowing I am helping them, too.”
Students, sometimes alone or in groups of two or three, arrived at the library, found their volunteer, and started asking questions.
McCarron particularly enjoyed the question about the influence of music on culture.
“I was in high school in the early 1970s when music had a profound cultural impact. The students’ questions about technological advancements since my youth also sparked an interesting discussion,” she said.
Kaplan, “The most interesting question was, ‘What advice would you give to young people today based on your life experiences?’ It had the most interesting discussion. Many students responded and asked more questions about this experience. My initial response was if you have trouble and need further information on a subject, do not be afraid or shy to ask questions. If you are worried that someone will laugh at you, let them. Others could feel the same way, and the responses would be for everyone who did not understand. I also shared my personal experience of being bullied in school and my granddaughter. This discussion caught the attention of the kids interviewing me, and I am sure I helped at least one of the students.”
Olesen said, “My favorite question was if you could go back to any decade, which would it be and why? The answer was that I only wanted to return if I could regain my current knowledge. The answer would be in the 60s because that was my teen years. I could have been a better student and athlete and, most importantly, had better luck with the young ladies. All the young men I talked to liked that one.”
Once the residents got comfortable with the expectations and talking with the students, they relaxed and followed their intuition.
Ellis said, “Following the script was good; however, once I allowed them to ask me any question and got their permission to ask them my questions, the sessions became way more personal on both sides. By personal, I mean we both started leaning closer across the table, showing interest in what the other was saying. We spoke much louder; smiles and laughter were contagious, and we agreed that this experience was much different than we assumed. We realized we shared a strong bond after the second day and each last session. We parted happy, smiling, and as friends.”
Skeggs said, “I think it was better when there was more interaction between the students and me, versus just me answering questions. Some of the students were more willing to do that. Some seemed more willing to do that on the second day. The most interesting discussion with the students was about the lack of opportunity for women and minorities in the fifties and sixties. I mentioned when I started working at a large corporation in the late sixties, there was only one woman in management and no minorities. That seemed to surprise them.”
At the end of the second day, residents left the library enthusiastically sharing their experiences. Then something happened that stopped the Sun City residents dead in their tracks. The students were having lunch in the room across, and then applause started. Not sure initially what it was for, Sun City residents stopped and looked around as the applause grew louder, accompanied by screams of appreciation.
Ary, “That spontaneous applause was a great way to end those two days. It looked cool from my angle watching you all walk out to the cheering.”
Ary hopes to continue bringing Sun City residents to meet with students.
“I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to bridge the gap between young HMS 8th grade students and residents from Del Webb,” Ary said. “This interview project allowed students to build on their interviewing skills while learning from primary sources about certain aspects of history. I’m excited to continue this partnership, with these amazing volunteers, for years to come.”
