Bridging gap between generations

About 60 students and senior citizens tried to narrow a perceived generation gap Monday night.\nThe Residence Halls Association and Volunteer Student Bureau sponsored a Caribbean-themed mixer with senior citizens at the Willkie Auditorium. Drinks, hors d'ouevres and dessert were provided, but the ultimate goal was interaction.\nIt was a chance to "build a rapport between generations," said senior Erin Keneally, Volunteer Student Bureau president.\nKeneally and senior Gunjan Sharma, RHA vice president of philanthropy, coordinated the event. They said they were afraid Willkie Auditorium would look like a middle school dance -- hushed and awkward -- and "ice-breakers" and "mixer" exercises would be needed to convince a group of students to interact with senior citizens from Meadowood Retirement Community.\nIn fact, planned activities were replaced by two hours of conversation.\nSeniors had a chance to meet and talk to conscientious students, Sharma said, and students learned from the seniors -- through shared interests and the seniors' stories and experiences.\nThe white Meadowood Retirement Community bus pulled up to the Willkie Auditorium promptly at 7 p.m.\nMonte Robinson, the driver and a resident of Unionville, Ind., said the 25-person bus he drives had two empty seats.\n"Hey guys, they're here," Sharma said, directing students to hold the doors and take coats.\n"What are you going to do with all these young people?" asked one Meadowood resident, as he walked throught the doors.\nAs they came in, seniors made nametags, writing on them one thing that is unique about themselves. Then the students and seniors found someone by reading name tags, introduced themselves and began to chat.\n"We have all years represented here, don't we?" Meadowood resident Winifred Wickes asked a student.\nIt took no time for the room to be abuzz with conversation.\n"I was surprised how many people just appreciated talking to students," said senior Victoria Redstone, RHA historian.\nBut it wasn't just the seniors that appreciated the conversation.\n"People our age tend not to appreciate the wisdom of people before us," said junior Joe Bissmeyer, Willkie community service director. But, he added, that wasn't a problem for these students.\nSharma said she thought the event was a success.\n"This is a nice, fun way to learn more about the holidays and learn more about Bloomington culture," Sharma said. "We're all part of a big Bloomington family."\nSophomore Jennie Woolf, RHA director of center stores, agreed. She said it was well worth RHA's support and hopes the event will continue.\nWhen the Meadowood bus drove away, with waves from students and seniors, some had plans to meet again. Meadowood residents Frances Young and Alvera Paskell said they left with plans for breakfast Saturday morning -- Keneally, Sharma and sophomore Katrina Walker will join them.