ST. ALBANS CITY — A unique storytelling initiative is bringing together local high school students and seniors at the Franklin County Senior Center. Students from BFA-St. Albans recently engaged in a project designed to explore life-changing decisions through interviews with senior community members.
During a creative writing class led by Susan Palmer, sixteen students visited the senior center to conduct interviews based on a central question: “What decision changed the course of your life?” This question prompted rich discussions, revealing pivotal moments such as marriage, relocation, and career changes. One participant, Craig Volatile-Wood, shared, “If we hadn’t moved back to Vermont from San Diego, I don’t think any of the rest would have happened.”
Interviews Foster Connections Across Generations
The students paired up with seniors, utilizing a quick questionnaire to match interests and personalities. This approach allowed for meaningful exchanges; for instance, senior Pauline Smith, a retired nurse with fifty years of experience, was interviewed by student Aaliah Marsh, who is considering a career in nursing after graduation. Smith enthusiastically endorsed the profession, stating, “I can’t say a bad thing about it. I’ll preach nursing as a good career to anyone.”
Throughout the interviews, students took handwritten notes as seniors recounted stories of pivotal career moves, technological changes, and family dynamics. The project aims not only to preserve these narratives but also to promote empathy and understanding between generations.
In the coming weeks, students will transform their interviews into first-person narratives, with all stories compiled into a hardcover book to be presented to the senior center in December 2023. Additionally, a student photographer is capturing portraits of the seniors, and students are writing poems reflecting on their experiences.
Developing Skills Through Storytelling
Palmer emphasized the educational value of this project, stating, “We ultimately want students to gain empathy through connection, asking meaningful questions and writing.” To prepare, students practiced their interview techniques by studying open-ended and follow-up questions, as well as watching instructional videos from NBC News.
Junior Chloey Boomhower expressed her enthusiasm for the writing aspect of the project, mentioning her previous assignment of writing a 1,000-word story. “I love writing,” she noted, indicating a passion that extends beyond the classroom.
This collaborative effort not only enriches the students’ educational experience but also honors the life stories of the participating seniors, creating a lasting legacy for both generations. The storytelling project at the Franklin County Senior Center stands as a testament to the power of shared narratives and intergenerational connections.
