Generation gap?
It was nowhere to be seen Thursday as the young and the young at heart partied together at Ansonia High School.
The Human Relations Clubs of Ansonia and Derby middle and high schools hosted an intergenerational “beach bash” with members of Ansonia’s Doyle Senior Center and the Derby Senior Center. The schedule included a cookout, dancing, games, and lively conversation.
More than 30 students — including eight from Shelton Youth-to-Youth Program and several from the Ansonia clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley — were on hand.
They hosted 110 senior citizen guests.
The high school cafeteria was decorated in bright colors — including paper palm trees — to depict the beach bash theme.
Sand pails filled with mini-beach balls, rubber ducks, and fans served as table centerpieces.
Shelton High school senior Sarah Henckel shared lunch with Selina Scott of Ansonia.
“It’s a great way to connect the generations,” said Sarah, who hopes to become a social worker.
Scott said it was the first time she had attended such an event. She enjoyed herself.
“You have to make the effort and try (things like) this,” Scott said.
Derby Senior Center member Charlotte Ritter said she always loves the programs with the high school students.
“The kids are spontaneous and they want to stay friends with us,” she said. “They’re very attentive to us.”
A lot of organizing went into the event, club members said.
Ansonia High School sophomore Kelly Zarka, intergenerational coordinator, and classmate Katherine Wojcik, club vice president, said they had been “texting each other after hours” to plan the party.
Wojcik said it was fun to plan, “but a little stressful.”
Derby High School freshman Alyssa Meneo learned how to dance the Lindy, thanks to Derby Senior Center member Bill Joyce.
“He taught me a lot,” she said. “I never danced like that before.”
Joyce said he hoped the teens learned something about the older generation.
“It’s good for us to understand them, and for them to understand us,” he said. “They have to be exceptional kids to give up their free time and do this.”
Francesca Almonte, daughter of Derby High School Human Relations club advisor Deborah Almonte, choreographed dance moves to teach both generations.
“Our seniors just love the kids so much. Both groups gain from each other,” Derby Senior Center Sarah Muoio said.
Nick Collicelli, who founded the Human Relations Club at Ansonia High School in 2007, said holding intergenerational programs is “mutually beneficial to both groups.”
He also said there are plans to have students from Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden get involved in the human relations clubs.
