film together, documenting the seniors’ life stories. Many of the residents who participated don’t have family visiting them frequently, so they truly appreciated their time with the students. “My kids don’t get to come much because they work all the time,” says JoAnn True, 79. “I’ve been involved in everything the children [in Better Together] have done, from day one. They’re just wonderful kids,” says JoAnn True, 79. “People complain about children today, but these kids are so polite, so respectful. They’re just amazing children. … We want them back all the time.” To illustrate the impact that the students have, Tami says there’s one resident who has dementia and doesn’t remember anything, but as soon as she sees one of the students, she recognizes her and calls her by name. Nate Polk, a 7th grader at Temple Chai religious school, says, “It was nice because the seniors had the option to come and enjoy the activities that we hosted at the same time they got to bond with us. … Everybody seemed to know how much they were affecting the lives of these seniors.” Paul Lopez, a film student at the University of Advanced Technology, worked with the students on the film, teaching them everything from lighting to editing. Every student was assigned a task on the film, so they all had a sense of ownership. “I tell the kids, ‘You have the last opportunity to get memories and stories from these seniors. You’re going to interview them and put them on film, so that the next generation after you can hear their stories and their memories and their experiences.’ And they understand how important it is to really talk to them and learn from them,” Tami says. During the final session, Faith Rosky, a 7th grader at Sonoran Trails Middle School and Chabad Hebrew School, interviewed 12 seniors with cameras rolling for the film. She asked questions prepared by a team of students about where they were born, their lives as teenagers, their first jobs, what they think of today’s younger generation, their pets and children, if they’re married or widowed and more. “It was so much fun. It was one of the most amazing experiences,” says Faith. “There were so many interesting questions, but I think the one that really stuck out to
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