By Valerie Franchi, Contributing Writer
Southborough – Fay School in Southborough hosted an intergenerational event April 26 intended to bring students and local seniors together to learn from each other.
Eleven senior ladies visited the school to participate in a lecture on music history and a music lesson with music teacher Stephen Buck, followed by a song rehearsal and mini-concert with Fay’s Upper School Chamber Singers in grades 7-9.
“Their energy is fantastic,” Buck said about the senior guests, many of whom had experience singing with church and local choir groups. “The students responded really well. It was great opportunity for students and guests to interact.”
The event was the third in a series of events bringing the seniors to the school through the Southborough Senior Center. According to Program Coordinator Erin Sullivan, about 30 guests attended the first program which featured a lecture on the history of the Fay School’s collection of presidential letters. The second included a roundtable discussion with ninth-graders about how news has influenced history, in coordination with the students’ study of modern American history. Sullivan said they hope to continue the program next year.
“We have a lot of international kids,” she noted. “It is great for them to meet people from the local community.”
The senior guests seemed to really enjoy their visit.
“It is such a joy to see the young people,” said Marjory Carpenter of Hudson. “It is a good experience for both of us.”
“Interacting with students is a very positive thing for the community,” said Donna McDaniel of Southborough. “They can feel like they are part of the community, not just on an island.”