Copeland Oaks hosted a graduation party for outgoing Trojan seniors. The celebration marked the end of a year-long English project for Sebring students that incorporated writing, interviewing, reporting and interpersonal communication skills. (Submitted photo)

SEBRING – Sebring teacher Nicole Mathias had a special assignment for her senior English students this year.

Students were challenged to participate in a “Senior to Senior” experience with local senior citizens. What began as an assignment to strengthen students’ interview and reporting skills, ended up establishing meaningful and lasting relationships with the residents of Copeland Oaks, a senior living facility in Sebring.

Each month senior Trojans visited the senior citizens at Copeland Oaks to complete a special writing assignment, usually consisting of an interview component and a follow-up report. The assignments were guided by monthly themes such as a Valentine’s Day party and, most recently, a graduation party for residents to celebrate the Trojan seniors.