Reading Builds Bonds Between Generations

Friendship Elementary first-grader Nikita Beck concentrated on the words in her book, "If You Take a Mouse to School," as she read aloud on Tuesday.

She carefully pronounced each word to classroom volunteer Janice Smith, who would occasionally help Nikita with a tough word here or there, but who mostly just gave the girl an encouraging audience.

"There you go. You keep practicing," Smith told Nikita once she finished.

And with that, the next student in Phyllis Hildebrand's class walked to the back of the room to sit down and read with Smith.

That pattern continued until every student had his or her one-on-one time.

At age 97, Smith is about nine decades older than the first-graders. Every Tuesday morning, she gets a ride to the Glen Rock, Pa.-based school and listens to students read a book to her.

"The kids just love it," Hildebrand said.

And the feeling is mutual, Smith and other seniors said.

In 1995, Smith and a few other seniors began volunteering at the Southern York County school by having students read aloud to them, a program that is done in similar fashion around York County, Pa. schools.

The idea, Southern officials said, is that students may feel less pressured and more comfortable reading to a grandmotherly-type.

The pressure-free reading is particularly important in an era of testing students ad nauseam. It's especially beneficial, Hildebrand said, for students to have someone "non-judgmental" listening to them read while at the same time getting extra reading practice.

Volunteers at Friendship have changed since the program began and now include Smith, Catherine Benshoof, 85, Nelva Ackman, 85, and the youngest of the group, Marie Peek, 83. Each has an assigned classroom.

Peek said her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren are spread throughout the country, so volunteering with young students helps.

"It fills in a void. It makes you feel needed," Peek said.

"I think that's the right expression -- needed," Benshoof added.

The women said the students are like grandchildren to them, and they marvel as the students improve their reading skills throughout the year.

"I love all of them," Ackman said.