Seniors Helping Seniors
Students roll up sleeves to help refurbish homes

If you take 1,700 high school seniors working side-by-side with scrapers, paint brushes and cans of paint in their hands - what do you get? A bit of magic and ear-to-ear smiles from some Senior Citizens. 

Seniors from Dobie, Memorial, Pasadena, Sam Rayburn and South Houston high schools partnered with Rebuilding Together Houston to refurbish 33 homes around Pasadena as part of the "Seniors Helping Seniors" initiative. 

At Pearl Piehl's house in north Pasadena, more than 40 Pasadena High School students were busy scraping, painting and transforming the exterior of her home. It was a sight that touched Piehl's heart. 

"I live by myself and don't have anyone to help me," Piehl said. "I appreciate this so much because I've never had anyone do anything like this for me before." 

In northeast Pasadena, an army of students from Memorial High School rolled up their sleeves and were busy painting, mowing and landscaping Delores Schoneman's home. 

"This was somewhat of a surprise to me and what they've done is really nice," she said. "It's really nice and the kids are happy to do it and they get a chance to learn." 

Many of the schools worked on the homes for a week, utilizing students and teachers from agriculture and trades classes to complete the necessary carpentry work leading up to the scheduled workday. The five high schools had between 20 and 40 students working at each of the different sites. 

Dobie High School participant Hugo Mora said he felt proud to be part of the project. 

"Some of us have more than enough," he said. "This is a way to give back to older people who can't do these things for themselves." 

South Houston High School's David Devora said that he feels that the program should be expanded even more so that other students may experience the value of community service. 

"It would be great if everyone in the high schools could be a part of this so they can see that life is about more than just them," Devora said. "We can leave our community better than it was because we have helped." 

Project volunteer and district curriculum specialist Debi Krampen praised the work ethic of the students, including the group from Sam Rayburn she shared duties with. 

"These kids just dove right in to this project, rolled up their sleeves and got to work," she said. "The lessons they have learned in this one day will last them a lifetime." 

In addition to some of the senior citizens having their houses refurbished, the cosmetology class at Pasadena High School provided complimentary hairstyling appointments for seniors while students were working on their houses. 

"This is very special to me, it makes me feel good," said Doris Karcher. "When you look good you feel better about yourself." 

Pasadena ISD and Rebuilding Together Houston have been planning the "Seniors Helping Seniors" event for several months. Rebuilding Together Houston is a non-profit community outreach organization that provides no cost home modifications and repairs to low income, elderly and disabled Houston area homeowners, making homes safer, more accessible, and more energy efficient.

"The schools have planted the seed that community service is an important part of life," said Robert E. Conklin, executive director of Rebuilding Together Houston. "These students have done an excellent job."