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 Winners
Named in Older American Photo Contest by Administration on Aging
May 23, 2005 – Winners of the 2005 Older Americans
Month National Photo & Essay Contest were announced today and the top
winner was Shari Augins of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with “Focus on Senior
Citizens Center.” Winners are being honored tonight in Washington D.C.
by the Administration on Aging as part of "Older American Month."
(See winning photos
below news story.)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
and Administration on Aging (AoA) announced the winners as part of
“Older American Month,” which is designated by the President. The
contest was developed to use pictures as a medium to enhance the image
of older Americans to all generations, according to the AoA, which
administered the project..
Senior citizens from across the nation submitted
photographs and brief essays through their local senior center
representatives illustrating the 2005 Older Americans Month Theme
“Celebrate Long-Term Living!”
The 2005 Older Americans Month National Photo
Contest winners are:
First Place:
Shari Augins, Focus on Senior Citizens Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Second Place:
Jerrie Ahrens, Monticello Senior Center, Monticello, MN
Third Place:
Erva Gene DeAragon, St. Francis Senior Center, St. Francis, KS
Honorable Mention:
Joan S. Miller, The Hyde Park Friendship Center, Hyde Park, NY
Honorable Mention:
Carolyn Hemphill, Geraldine Senior Center, Geraldine, AL
“We are pleased to honor today the winners of this year’s photo and
essay contest,” said HHS Assistant Secretary on Aging Josefina G.
Carbonell. “We encourage all Americans to highlight and promote the
value of our country’s elderly.”
AoA established this national program in
partnership with the Employee Benefit Research Institute and its
American Savings Education Council, and the National Institute of Senior
Centers, a program of the National Council on the Aging the Employee
Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
“EBRI is proud to have participated in this year’s
Older Americans Month event,” said Dallas Salisbury, president and CEO
of EBRI. “With or without a prize, every photo and essay is a winner
because it shows the spirit and creativity of America’s older citizens.
EBRI congratulates all of the participants in the Administration on
Aging National Photo & Essay Contest.”
An awards ceremony to honor the contest winners
will be hosted by Senators Gordon H. Smith and Herbert Kohl on Monday,
May 23, 2005, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Dirksen Senate Office, Room
106.
The AoA is a Federal agency dedicated to policy
development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and
community-based services to older persons and their caregivers through
the national aging network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal
organizations, service providers and volunteers.
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2005 Older Americans
Month National Photography Contest
2005
Winners and Honrable Mentions
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Mack Wilson, age 68,
worked as a landscaper and handyman until he had
a stroke over eight years ago. No longer able to
work full-time, he eagerly joined the Foster
Grandparent program in 1998 because he “loves
kids.” He shows that love by volunteering in a
kindergarten class at Holt Elementary School for
at least four hours every day.
The children listen in rapt attention as he
reads them a story. They laugh and talk with
him, completely ignoring the fact that he walks
hesitatingly, using the cane that rests beside
his chair. He is “Mr. Mack,” an integral part of
the classroom. They worry about him when he is
not there. In the six and one-half years Mr.
Mack has been a Foster Grandparent, he has
volunteered for over 4800 hours, earning him a
Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s
Volunteer Service Award Program.
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Shari Augins,
age, 66 |
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Focus on Senior Citizens
Center, Tuscaloosa, AL |
May I introduce you
to Laura Sharer, who will turn 100 years old on
May 23, 2005. In April of this year, she is
pictured having some “bubbly” fun with children
at Pinewood Elementary School. This photo is the
epitome of enjoyable long-term living. She is
fun to be around and so many people have admired
and been inspired by Laura’s zest for life.
She regularly
participates in trips, cards, dinners, and other
events at the Monticello Senior Center. Just in
the past year she has had to rely on a walker,
otherwise she enjoys very good health. Laura
lives with her daughter here in Monticello,
Minnesota and is actively involved with her
treasured grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
and great-great-grandchildren. We are so proud
of Laura and certainly “Celebrate Long-Term
Living” because of her.
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Jerrie Ahrens,
age 77 |
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Monticello Senior
Center, Monticello, MN |
Exceptional energy
is portrayed in this photo. Short Ken, tall Art,
and medium Bob are three of twelve volunteers,
preparing out Senior Citizen’s Center for a
cosmetic facial. Visualize, these seventy
year-old citizens, climbing ladders to scrape
paint, caulk cracks, and tape plastic over
windows and doors.
The workbench is
the concrete driveway at the Center. Ken and Art
were asked, “Why do you volunteer so much time
to community projects?” Ken replied, “I like
working and shop talk with friends. Involvement
keeps me physically and mentally healthy.” Art
said, “It is important for me to give my service
back to this community that has supported me and
my business during my working years. I also
thrive on local interaction with other happy
volunteers.” Tall Art, “Careful, you old duffer,
that’s a ladder you’re standing on!” Short Ken,
“Yeow! Short legs require additions now and
then!”
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Erva Gene DeAragon,
76 |
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St. Francis Senior
Center, St. Francis, KS |
If only hands could
talk, but since they can’t, let me tell you
about Captain John M. Miller, a distinguished
pilot who is celebrating his 100th year. Where
does one begin? An aviator for more than 80
years, as a young man he barnstormed across the
county and delivered mail by plane for the U.S.
Post Office.
During World War
II, he served his country as an experimental
test pilot. His long flying career continued
with United and Eastern Airlines. And what did
he do with his spare time? He piloted the
continent. Last, but not least, I would like to
say for the many thousands of passengers whom he
safely delivered to their destinations—thank
you.
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Joan S. Miller,
73 |
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The Hyde Park Friendship
Center, Hyde Park, NY |
This is Ollie
MacBaily, 100 years old. She rides the bus to
the center two days a week. She attends here for
every service. She goes to a nursing home to
help make popcorn and visit the residents. She
has helped hold the election for forty-plus
years. She still lives by herself.
She exercises
every day. She lays in bed and touches her feet
to the head of the bed 100 times before she gets
up each morning. She says she use to do that 300
times, but now just does 100 times. She is a
very positive person who enjoys life and enjoys
being with people. She comes to the center with
make-up and jewelry, always dresses well. She
loves coming to the center, especially the days
we sing.
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Carolyn Hemphill,
64 |
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Geraldine Senior Center,
Geraldine, AL |
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