Each spring, a handful of RSVP volunteers come together at James Madison Memorial High School to take part in a very special Oral History Project.  Year after year, JMM teacher Robin Staley hosts volunteers to be part of her history lesson for the day.  For several, participating in this project has turned into a commitment that has spanned the decades.  " Last year I walked around among the oral interview groups, getting a little misty-eyed about perhaps not seeing some of these people again," said Robin.  "We are reaching that point in terms of their ages. A few of these people...have been coming in for me for 20 years, so I feel pretty attached to them."  

     The volunteers, who are all in their 80s, 90s, or even 100 years old, spend the entire school day participating in small group interviews with nearly 100 students in total, on what their lives were like during the Great Depression and WWII.  The students then compile a written documentation of the oral history.  Robin mails out a copy of the reports to each of the participating volunteers for them to keep and share with their family.  In turn, it's hoped that the students will continue to share and discuss the history they have learned through the volunteers' stories.

Volunteers who participated in the annual Oral History Project at James Madison Memorial High School on May 5, 2017.   Standing: Myron Anderson*, Fannie Hicklin, Marilyn Celeschi, William Payne* and Robin Staley (JMM teacher).  Sitting: Fred Leidel*, Permela Lee DeSpain*, Mary Kraak*   ( *RSVP Volunteer)  RSVP Volunteer Not Pictured: Robert Coffin

     Talking with Robin and the students, it's clear they are excited to have the opportunity to hear about history from someone who lived it, versus learning out of a textbook.  This year, we were especially lucky to have Emma Wathen, an advance production student from the Department of Communication Arts at UW-Madison, volunteer her time and talents recording this year's Oral History Project interviews.  Emma rotated from group to group and captured segments of each of the volunteers' stories.  She is in the process of compiling a very special video that will not only be shared with our volunteers and their families, but also future history classes and community members. 

     DeForest Middle School also hosts an annual history project.  RSVP volunteers visited the school in May and shared their life experiences with the students.  The project focuses on perseverance and overcoming life's obstacles.  The middle school students interviewed the volunteers and then completed a PowerPoint presentation to share with them when they're invited back the following week.  It was great to once again witness the appreciation these students had for hearing history through senior community members. 

     Today's students clearly understand what a treasure it is to have these individuals volunteer their time and share their stories with them.  As Andy Rooney once put it, "The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person."

     Volunteers are needed to serve in many capacities within the Intergenerational Program.  If you are interested in volunteering with children, or for more information about any of RSVP's Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities, please contact Andrea Beaster at 608-441-7894 or email at [email protected] .