Academic Service Learning
Our visit to Sunrise Assisted Living could not have come at a better time. Within the last four years, I have come to terms with the mortality of the elders in my life. My parents are in their mid-fifties; with every phone call or visit, my mother complains that she can't read things without her glasses, and my father mentions his developing arthritis. I have vivid memories of my grandparents' graceful statures. They now walk hunched over walking canes. My great aunts' and uncles' true ages are more evident every time I see them. My great-grandmother, Big Mama, died two years ago at the age of 87, falling prey to diabetes.In spite of my elders' physical diminishment, I have always found their alertness and activism remarkable. My father has always been physically active; playing baseball or softball - and now golf - every opportunity he can. He is extremely involved at his church; just last week he drove the youth group and their chaperones to a weekend retreat. My mother - a teacher - hangs out with her friends, goes dancing, and also is extremely involved as a trustee at her church. My grandparents, and great aunts and uncles maintain active social lives in their communities and their churches. Big Mama - the m
Although the experience at Sunrise was gratifying, it also was distressing. Last week, however, I spoke with my younger cousin who lives near Granddad, and she reported that he is getting around and about, and recovering well. I'm not sure how much the intergenerational newsletter will enhance my academic experience. My parents were so fortunate to have met so many elders who took them under their wing, and extended their love to my brother and me. Like Edna said to me, "I couldn't do it. Because I am a believer in service learning, I plan to involve my own students in community service. Those experiences do serve a purpose. What I learned from my experience at Sunrise is just how fragile the human experience can be; so many of those elders seemed so lonely. Knowing that the body tends to heal slower the older we get, I was stressing myself out about his recovery. At Eastern, I tutor local students through the America Reads program. As a student at State, I mentored black youth in my local community, educating them on African and African American history, spending one-on-one time with the girls, and making myself available to them and their families. I do intend to teach secondary language arts as I work towards a master's degree. He demanded that my aunt take him to the community high school football game. They need us to spread some positive energy to them; to do what we can to make the remainder of their lives happier. He never could stand sitting around for too long.
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Acceptance Essays
