Bridging the generation gap: Cosgriff 8th graders learn seniors' life stories

Intermountain Catholic

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Leo Waltz (center) reviews his biography, which was written by J.E. Cosgriff 8th-grader Robert Auer as part of the Mother Teresa project.

SALT LAKE CITY- Imagine 8th-grade students holding hands with elderly friends as they gather for a unique ceremony.

This was the scene at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School recently as the Mother Teresa project ended. For the project, the students forged friendships with a senior citizen in St. Ambrose Parish, and learned about history through the eyes of their elders. They met once or twice per month to gather information for a biography that the students wrote about the seniors.

As a result the students learned about cultures, careers and vocations, but also became aware of the challenges everyone faces as they grow older. They also learned core skills in writing, editing, mechanics and public speaking, and developed respect, understanding, and compassion for elderly, and the valuable place they hold in a family, workplace and community.

"The core of this project was to bring aging content in to the school experience," said Troy Anderson, from the University of Utah Department of Gerontology. "One of the goals was to erase the negative image of aging."

Anderson helped the students develop the Mother Teresa project with what he called "Creating intergenerational ties that bind" in which each 8th grade Cosgriff student spent time with a senior talking about the senior’s life experience.

The exercise also helped bring the parish and school closer together, said Betsy Hunt, Cosgriff principal.

The Mother Teresa project is part of the circle of life initiative, a schoolwide movement designed to unify communities from the youngest members of a school with the oldest members of the parish. Other parts of the initiative are the growGood Garden, the Utah State STAR reading program, and The Love of Arty Art history and literacy program.

The school staff helped the students create the biographies; Kathy May, teacher of writing and 8th grade language, was in charge of editing and directing the students’ writings.

"A project of this sort would not be possible without her expertise and willingness to devote countless hours of editing to help students create a masterpiece biography – a product they were very proud to present to their senior friend," Hunt said.

During the final ceremony, at which students presented the seniors with the biographies they had written, the students also had a chance to tell their friends what they had learned.

"The most important thing I learned from you is that I should always be a peaceful and honest person," Ashton Lee told Sonja McCormick. "What I most admire about you is your motivation and you always try your best."