Tricepts Productions

"When I was six months old, my parents sent me to China where I lived with my grandmother... for six years... My parents had to live in the U.S... People say the first few years of a child's life [are] the most influential... Well, through the first six years of my life, my grandmother influenced me for the rest of my life."
-- Ruby Choi, a 10th grader at Midwood High School, Brooklyn
"At the age of 17, [my grandmother] got married to my grandfather and has been married for 46 years. My grandfather is an Italian-American just like my grandmother... Loving a grandmother like [mine] is easy because she makes it that way. She is always there with a shoulder to cry on and a voice to comfort. With her around, I always feel safe."
-- Jacklyn Stringham, a 2nd grader at P.S. 63 in Queens
As the school year was coming to an end in spring 2001, "Giving Honor to Our Elders" was the theme of a remarkable, daylong celebration of the talent and creativity of New York City's public school students as they paid homage to their elders through essays, dance, plays, poetry, art, and song. The host for the event, the Joseph Papp Public Theater in Manhattan, overflowed with students, their proud elders, their families and their friends. "Giving Honor to our Elders" was part of the Citywide Arts Initiative program, sponsored by the United Way of New York City in partnership with community-based organizations and elementary, middle and high schools in four of New York's five boroughs (Staten Island chose not to participate). The project director, Danny Morris of United Way, explained that the spark for the theme of aging was the recent book, Elder Grace: The Nobility of Aging by Chester Higgins Jr. (New York City: Bulfinch Press/Little brown 2000) and the accompanying New York Historical Society photography exhibition. (See "Divine Works in Progress: The Elder Grace of Chester Higgins Jr.," Aging Today, January-February 2001.)

A highlight of the day at the Public Theater was the presentation of awards to winners of the "Elder in My Life" essay contest. The awards were presented by elders from the community and from a panel of older judges. Each borough honored four top winners who received $200 and a medal. The judges also awarded three citywide honors: $1000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third.

THE MANUAL

For schools and community organizations wanting to replicate the "Elder in My Life" essay contest, organizers from the United Way of New York City share the following information learned from their elder celebration.

To increase the quantity and quality of student participation, teachers must be directly involved. Working through school superintendents is not enough.

To have the material incorporated into classroom curricula, organizers must meet with teachers. The program offers an opportunity to expand students' communication and writing skills.

Give teachers ample lead time.

To order the "Elder Grace Teacher Resource Manual" and related materials, contact the New York Historical Society Education Department, 2 West 77th St., New York, NY 10024-5194; (212) 873-3400; Web: www.nyhistory.org.