A Colourful Connection at John Rennie High School
by Dan Mullins
“Take the big, big brush, and I’ll invite you to paint the whole canvas a colour,” said Beverly Landry. After offering a few more pointers, she exclaimed “On your marks, get set, go!”
Thus began a fun, heartwarming, and creative event as seniors from the City of Pointe Claire’s Senior Centre and John Rennie High School students from the Grade 7 Academic Plus program came together at the high school for a painting workshop guided by Rennie’s Community Animator, Ms. Landry.
Though the seniors and students are geographically close, the age groups do not always have much opportunity to interact. This intergenerational event and others of its kind address that fact, giving students and seniors an opportunity to participate in fun and educational activities together. More than just a simple painting activity, this particular event was a small celebration of community, shared experiences, and new friendships.
Organized by Ms. Landry, in collaboration with Assistant Manager Nikisha Jaglal of the City of Pointe Claire, the event integrated educational and social experiences for students and seniors alike. Ms. Landry’s expertise and enthusiasm provided a warm and welcoming tone for the afternoon’s events.
Participants included seniors, who brought with them decades of life experience, and students, who were eager to learn and interact outside their usual social circles. “Our seniors love to work with the students. Especially when the students come and speak with them. It’s different from their regular age groups, and the energy the kids bring is amazing,” Ms. Jaglal remarked.
The sentiments were echoed by participants like Dolores McKenzie, a senior who enjoyed the intergenerational aspect of the workshop. “We got comfortable with our insecurities and our skill level. We helped each other and encouraged each other. It was very sweet,” she said.
The workshop focussed not only on painting, but also on making connections. The students attending would normally have been in class with Andrea Sayfy, a Science teacher at John Rennie, who was also in attendance. “It’s nice to see the students so energized and interacting with the community,” she said.
The success of the workshop was evident in the beautiful canvases, but also the visible joy of the participants. It underscored the potential of community programs to build understanding and companionship between the generations.
CFER Student Brandon Chung also participated in the activity, with CFER teacher Sonya Vann, who Ms. Landry jokingly describes as her “partner in crime in everything we do.” When the event was finished, Mr. Chung said to his new senior friend Margaret Holt, “I hope our friendship grows as beautiful and nice as these flowers and last as long as this painting,” and presented her with his painting. Clearly quite moved, she wrote the words on the back of the painting, which he signed.
“It gives you an idea that the children today… they’re happy! They’re okay! We’re going to be alright,” said Jennifer More, sitting beside her painting neighbour Maddie Lindsay.
Another JRHS Intergenerational initiative was covered by CTV News, find it in our Press Review section here!
