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The Age Wave Expo, which was held on May 3rd, 2003 at College of the Canyons, provided a chance for individuals of all ages to learn about resources available to them in the Santa Clarita Valley. A bit of playing occurred too, from a Tai Chi demonstration to Line Dancers to an intergenerational art exhibit showcasing the works of budding preschool, college, and senior artists. Local businesses provided free door prizes for attendees.

Students in Dr. Patty Robinson's Sociology of Aging class (Sociology 233) have spent this semester taking the oral histories of seniors in the Santa Clarita Valley. The expo provided a forum for exhibiting the posters they developed as tributes to the seniors' lives.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to grow older now. To think that someday some 19 year-old girl might look at me in the same way as I look at Tessie or any of the other senior citizens that I know…amazes me. I can’t wait to experience my life ten years from now then twenty and thirty and so on. I can only hope that programs like this one [Oral History Project] continue to grow in schools all over the world. Not only in colleges but in high schools as well. I feel that younger generations should be more educated on the aging process so that it can help eliminate stereotypes and prejudices towards the elderly population in our society. Overall, this [project] was a positive experience that I would recommend to everyone.”

Sociology 233 students and their senior partners.

“I am glad to have had the chance to interview Bert, because if I wouldn’t have done so, I wouldn’t be able to say this much about her. Speaking to her has given me a positive outlook on aging and now I no longer fear aging. Instead, I look forward to getting older and experiencing all the rewards that come along with it. Like many other seniors, Bert has a story to tell. Society needs to open up to our elderly and give them a chance to speak out. The stories our seniors want to share aren’t just interesting and exciting, but they’re priceless. If we take the time to listen to them our lives as well as theirs would be so much more rewarding.”

The setup committee.

“I am at a loss for words to describe how this oral history has affected my life. The lectures, the text, the assignments, and exams were status quo for a college class. The oral history and service-learning project, however, catapulted me into a new relationship and a new way of “being.” It has changed my life and how I will proceed as I head into the future. The “meat” of Sociology 233 gave me the foundation for my personal views on the aging process. The oral history gave me the guts to live and act on the knowledge.“

The registration table.

“These past few months I have learned more about the aging process than most people of my generation. Like some other COC students, I have been working on an influential oral history project. This experience has completely changed my outlook on the entire aging process. Prior to a few months ago, I dreaded growing older. Now I am looking forward to this time with curiosity instead of trepidation. I have treasured each moment I have spent talking with Helen more than I can put into words. She really holds a special place in my heart.”

A very small portion of the life history posters at
the Age Wave Expo.

“I am beyond words for my feelings towards this project. I originally took this class for my 12 units but then it grew on me. I just recently lost my grandfather who was on of my best friends. My family is extremely close and we always have been and he was the glue that held all of us together. This [class] has made me appreciate the process of aging a lot more.”

Students proudly displaying their posters in class before the Expo.

“My attitude of the aging process has changed in that I feel better about it. I don't fit into the social box of the time frame that we have studied in class. I married later, and had my children later. I’ll be older when my children leave home. This makes me different in society…I have been touched by Clementine…by her history and [by her] culture. It’s been an honor to spend time with her. She inspires me to live my best life, and to be strong and clear while aging.”

Leslie Rival and his life history poster.

“Interviewing Angie was a great learning experience for me. It was amazing to see the many similarities that her life and my own life seem to have. I feel very thankful to have interviewed Angie, not just because we have so much in common, but…to see how content she seems with her life so far. I feel that from listening to her describe her life, that she has enjoyed every aspect of it. To many, her life might not seem that exciting, and in many aspects, it seems quite ordinary. She never made millions, or toured across the country in a jazz band, but she lives out every part of her life like it is all special, none better than the other, just different. She never waited for her parts of her life to begin or to end. She just made the most what God threw at her, and because of that her life is great and magnificent as is well overdue for having records kept of it.”

Dr. Robinson's student and his tribute to Earl Yantis.

“The overall benefits of this oral history project are too many to describe. I personally felt that I made a great friend and gained an amazing understanding of what it’s like to get older…if you are active and happy, the word “ retirement” doesn’t exist. In hearing all of Mary’s struggles and triumphs, I find it hard not to appreciate life and all that life has to offer. Mary says, to live a full life is to be aware of each day. Read, learn, think, and learn something new everyday no matter what age you. Thanks, Mary, for helping me to understand that aging is simply a number. When I’m 80, I want to be just like you!”

Pat Palmer and his wife, Angie, both participated in the
life history project. Pat takes a moment out to admire his poster. Below is student Stephanie holding her tribute to Angie's life.

“This oral history project has benefited me in many ways. It has taught me many important lessons. Judy has shown me how different her life was when she was a kid and how much harder her family had to work to survive. I realize now how thankful I am for all of the conveniences that I have today. I also learned how important education is for everyone and me. Because of Judy, I have decided to finish my education before I make any other commitments. Also, with Judy’s relationship and advice, I have learned many lessons from her. I know now that I should prepare for my future and not [to] take one day at a time…[and] to have fun and enjoy life. Judy is really an amazing person and is a true example of someone who has aged successfully. She is my idol and a wonderful friend.”

“Overall, I found this interview process very beneficial to me. I never grew up with an elderly person in my life. My grandmother died when I was three and I felt really deprived of having someone like that in my life. So I never learned or was even ever exposed to an elderly person. Norb really gave me a good insight about teaching, which is something that has always been in the back of my mind as a possible career choice. With his experience and advice, I realized that teaching is what I want to do.”

Clememtine Irions and her poster.

Sorry, photo temporarily unavailable.

“I admit that I was very apprehensive about this [project] but I got a lot out of it. But ultimately and most importantly, the last thing I expected to get out this project was a friend. I really feel that we bonded and created something. We’ve gone out to lunch on two occasions and I call him up now and then to see how he is doing. This was really a good experience for me and I have gotten something out of this [project].”

Some students interviewed their grandparents and other senior relatives who reside in the Santa Clarita Valley. Eloisa Flores and Luis Tinoco were some of the Santa Clarita seniors who had students in Dr. Robinson's class. Two students proudly display their tributes to their relatives.

My senior partner has “taught me the importance of love, devotion, and the value of family. Almost every experience she has told me has had to do with her family, and it just goes to show that they are the center of a happy life. With this project, I had the opportunity for someone to open up to me and describe her life, and her views on our world today, but most importantly, I made a friend.”

“This oral history project will always be memorable to me. Meeting Dorothy and getting to know her has been an amazing experience. With her help, I have gained so much insight on life. She has taught me many lessons and given me so much advice without even knowing it. She has taught me that it is important to just live life and enjoy every moment …she has taught me the value of love and devotion [by] the way she stuck by her husband throughout his illness [and] the value of family. I truly enjoyed getting to know Dorothy. She has taught me so much about seniors in that they are amazing people who have experienced a whole life and who have so many important things to tell. My attitude of the aging process has changed because I realize that life changes. It comes and goes so quickly, and it is just so important to enjoy every moment. I understand more that seniors need communication and deserve more attention and respect. Although this project is over, I hope that Dorothy and I can continue to stay in contact. I would also like to keep volunteering at the senior center because I feel that it really helps our community and most of all, our seniors. This way, I can continue to meet lovely people like Dorothy, and I can also continue to learn about life.”

Sociology students man a table at the expo.

“At first to try and write a life history of Angie seems somewhat difficult. She was never in the Holocaust or Depression, she doesn’t have funny anecdotes about either World War and she was never related to anyone famous or rich, but the life that she has led and continues to live is amazing and great. Here is a woman that had to leave school when she way very young, in order to help her parents out, who’s son had a drug problem that he had to work through, and yet who never allowed herself to become the victim of anything. To me this defines a great woman…the benefits from meeting Angie and being able to interview her are great. She has taught me a lot about living my life, by telling me about her own.” Because of this interview, “no matter what path I take in life, I want to embrace it and never look back at what could have been. I also want to live every state in my life to the fullest…I have learned how important it is to enjoy life instead of just working hard so you can enjoy life later. Angie has taught me a lot and I consider it a privilege to know her and to have shared her life.”

Intergenerational Service-Learning
Regional Conference, May 2003
Santa Clarita, CA

“Helen repeatedly reminds me of what in life is really important, and that many thinks we tend to dwell on won’t matter in twenty years. Furthermore, Helen has taught me to be who I am, and not to try and be the person I think other people want me to be. Helen has probably motivated me and blindly supported me more than any person has.”

“Through this project, I have learned that the most important thing is to live your life to its fullest. Even when I’m 90, I probably won’t have a life story as detailed and interesting as Leslie’s, [but] I will still have a life story. I suppose I was just lucky that I met someone, who, in my mind, is famous in his own right for everything he has accomplished. I used to worry about growing old, but through talking with such a vibrant 90 year-old man, I now look at growing older in a whole new way. Leslie has made me realize that what I used to think were though times in my life, have been nothing compared to what he has survived. I want to be sure that when I am Leslie’s age, I can look back on my life and know that I did my best and know that my family is proud of me. Who ever said that your friends have to be your age? I think that if more people my age took the time to visit senior centers or other senior facilities, they would be amazed at the life long friends they would meet.”

“When the project first started, I had thought that I was going to be interviewing a person that had all of these amazing stories that would change the whole way I look at life. I thought that I would hear tales about how this person saved two of his war buddies while bombs were going off all around him. Or about a woman who spent her entire life fight for the right of all of the women in the United States. Maybe even some doctor who created a cure for a disease that saved lives around the entire world. Although Helen was none of these things, she was something much better. She was herself. From Helen I learned that you do not have to have a heroic life or do something that was thought could be done. The only thing that a person must do in their life is to be happy for that is the key to living a great life. She also taught me to enjoy and appreciate what I am and have and not spend all of my time wanting to be somebody else.”

“I was very pleased to find out that I had been lucky enough to get to interview someone with whom I feel I share so may of the same perspective on life. In fact, now, it is hard for me to remember if these perspectives have always been my own, or if I have adopted them through talking to Melba. At this point, I don’t’ think it matters. The important thing is that I have had the chance to get them. Talking to each other is so important and I see it dying. People have become so seclude…Not only can you learn so much from talking to other, but hopefully you will be fortunate enough to share some of your own wisdom and teach someone else something as well. When the meaning of life is such a reoccurring theme, I see no better way to bring your own life meaning than sharing yourself with others. Oral tradition is the anti-aging medicine that will make you live forever.”

I’m certainly glad that I’ve had the opportunity to do this interview along with taking the course on aging. It has really been an enlightening experience for me and has also reaffirmed my God-given desire, and, that is to work with and advocate for seniors to rebuild their value in our society.”

“I have never taken a class that caused you to reflect not only on the life history of someone else…but it also gave me the chance to open my eyes to my life and see where I am in comparison to the person I reflected on.” In other words, “what steps I’ve taken already in life, what steps I need to take to become current in my life’s cycle, and, what steps I need to take to try to ‘age successfully,’ according to society’s standards."

“As I listened to my interview with Earl, I did some thinking of my own. I thought to myself, what an opportunity this has been to interview this man. He has taught me as much as I could have imagined in such a short period of time. I only hope I can work half as hard, and love my future wife with all the conviction that he does.”

“It as been a truly life altering experience being hot pink with Helen these past few months. Not only has this “project” partially transformed my personality and life goals but [it has also] helped me to further understand our culture’s view of elderly people. This was made most evident to me when I take [her] out places, but mostly with other people’s different reactions to finding out I love spending time with Helen.”