Recording seniors' achievements
Marlborough students put elders' stories to paper as part of project

Metrowest Daily News
May 2002

Alli Tahmoush
NEWS CORRESPONDENT

MARLBOROUGH - Marlborough High School freshman helped bridge the generation gap yesterday morning at the New Horizons assisted living facility.

More than 15 of Barbara Lamacchia's freshman honors English students participated in a biography writing project that was started two years ago.

``I got the idea from a friend of mine a few years ago and we've been doing
it ever since. It's been very successful,'' said Lamacchia.

During personal interviews last March, students had the opportunity to ask the senior residents specific questions about their lives. After gathering the necessary information students returned to school to write biographies of the men and women they had interviewed.

``They were very thorough with their questioning. They also asked thought-provoking questions such as, `What changes have you seen in your life?' I was very impressed,'' said Eleanor Marshall, a Marlborough resident since 1935 and current New Horizons member.

Participants both young and old said they enjoyed the chance to collaborate
with each other to create a lasting memory.

``The process was wonderfully enriching. I'm going to put this in my scrapbook and save it for my three granddaughters. I'll be able to tell them how I was adopted as a grandmother,'' said Ann Dansrol of Sudbury.

Although brief, and lacking some specific details, residents were pleased with the biographies the students gave them.

``I think this was a really good idea, and I'm reading it with pleasure,'' said Arlene Brooks, 77, originally of Hudson.

The author of her biography, Karen Mattes, 14, was also enjoyed the assignment.

``Being able to interview Mrs. Brooks about her life was a wonderful experience, it gave me a new perspective on life and made me think about what I'm doing with my life that was different than hers,'' she said.

Joseph Testa of New Horizons and Jo Berte, a Marlborough freshman, even found they had something in common.

``After talking to Jo, I thought his name sounded familiar so I asked my sister and it turns out she had worked with Jo's great-grandmother at a shoe factory,'' said Testa.

Interviewing seniors was a chance for the students to get a first-hand account of the history they hear about in school.

``It was a good learning experience, and I liked hearing about what history was like especially during the Depression,'' said Amanda Bulger of her interview with New Horizons resident Marshall. ``I think my paper turned out really well.''

Addressing the room of senior citizens and high schoolers, New Horizons director of Resident Services Ginger Ryan thanked the students.

``This project gave us great pride and brought back some good memories. We all really enjoyed it. Thank you for coming,'' said Ryan.

After the presentation of biographies was over, both students and residents agreed they hoped to stay in touch.