HUNTINGTON BEACH : Oral History Plan Would Use Elderly

School officials have applied for a $150,000 state grant that would allow Huntington Beach High School students to participate along with senior citizens in an intergenerational oral history and computer tutorial program.

The seniors would give students in 11th-grade American history classes an oral account of their lives and times.

In exchange, high school students would pass on their expertise on computers and technology to seniors who would attend classes on campus, probably three days a week, officials said.

There also are plans for the seniors to use the television production studio at the school to preserve the oral histories.

School officials say they expect to start the program in January if it is approved by the state Department of Education.

School nurse Carol Kanode, who assisted in the writing of the grant, said the program will give students “knowledge of how other generations have coped with their frustrations and successes.”

“Many of the students don’t have grandparents or even both parents. Past generations have a lot of knowledge to pass on,” Kanode said.

It also is hoped that the verbal reminiscences also “will make textbooks come alive for students,” said Pam Hostetler, school improvement coordinator.

If the school wins the grant, it would be matched 10% for the first year, 20% for the second year and 30% for the third year by FHP Inc., Rodgers Seniors’ Center and the Huntington Beach High School bingo program, officials said.