An ongoing partnership between Methuen Public Schools and Methuen Village Assisted Living has brought out a new creative side in student and senior participants, inspiring a passion for new forms of storytelling.
For the past few months, the assisted-living community has brought in different art classes from Methuen schools to engage in arts-based programming with the residents, including painting with middle schoolers and poetry with fifth-graders. Recently, students became video directors and residents became stars as the Methuen High School’s Senior Seminar Class filmed interviews with residents and gained insight into the wisdom that the seniors had to offer.
Fine Arts teacher Bryan Wilson explained, “Students applied their newly acquired 3-point lighting skills to a real-world situation. They then interviewed each resident asking them questions about their youth, their life as Methuen residents, their experience in high school and their advice for kids today.”
Residents were excited to share their stories in a new way, as they had never been part of a full video production before.
Methuen Village resident Joyce Campagnone has served as a city councilor and School Committee member. She reflected on her experiences in local government, expressing how rewarding it has been to help people in need and how she loved seeing the collaboration between generations throughout the interview experience.
“It felt like the younger generation was truly interested in us,” she said. “They listened to our life stories and experiences, and that acknowledgment brings the whole community together. We found that we have so much in common, and there’s so much we can learn from each other. I hope this continues every year — one hand helping the other, just as it should be.”
Dora Uliano, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday, greatly enjoyed talking with the students and has fond memories of working with them.
“Once they started asking questions, it felt good to open up,” she recalled. “The kids were so wonderful.”
“The students were surprised how nice all the residents were and really made a connection with each person they interviewed,” Teacher Wilkins said. “This was definitely a way for not only the students to change their perception, but also for the residents to change their perception of today’s youth.”
“Every teacher who has brought their students into our community has commented on how incredible it is for them to see another side of their students,” shared Ashley Gonzalez, EnrichedLIFE director at Methuen Village. “Some of them may be struggling in class, but they are so compassionate and engaged with our residents. It has been such a wonderful experience for everyone involved.”
Methuen Village Executive Director Stephanie Hanley expressed how incredible it has been for the residents to collaborate with the students.
“Engaging in the arts and bonding with the local students has helped the residents to feel connected to the Greater Methuen community,” she expressed. “It’s amazing to see them share their stories while learning all about new art forms!”
The Methuen Village team is planning to debut the final videos at a special screening event later this spring in celebration of their resident movie stars.
Methuen Village resident Dora Uliano is interviewed by Methuen High seniors for their collaborative Senior Seminar video project. Courtesy photo
