scholarship essay on elders

A Little Act of Service Makes an Elder’s Day

Right now, in theaters everywhere, senior tickets are at least 2 dollars cheaper. This is true in almost every ticket buying event. Senior citizens are well taken care of. Everyone tries to help them out as much as possible. However, it is not always easy to know what they need. Even in my family, my grandparents resist getting help. Helping the elderly doesn’t require much. We first need to find out what they need. After that it is often a little act of service that makes their day. Senior citizens deserve all the help and love that we can give them.

scholarship award winner quote

I live in a very tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone else. We all strive to help those around us, especially those who are older. My family often visits one of our neighbors who is over ninety years old. She is a very stubborn lady and will rarely admit to us what she needs help with. My family and I are always pushing her to let us help. One day she was delivering notes to other families and she tripped and fell. She had completely broken her wrist. After we had heard this, we rushed over and found a lot of things that we could do to help her. To help people out, you first need to know what they need. I always try to find out what I can do for the elderly. Getting my friends and family members to ask the elderly about what they need is a big first step we should all take.

The second important step is actually going through with what they need help with. A lot of people think that talking and listening is all seniors need. While these are very important, actually helping them requires action. After my neighbor had broken her wrist, she couldn’t mow her lawn or do any of her yard work. I had the opportunity to mow and take care of her grass. She was constantly giving us cookies and baked goods to show her gratitude for us. It was cool to see how such a little action can make a person so grateful. I also had the chance of bringing my friend along to help with the yard care. He thought it was super cool to serve people who couldn’t always help themselves. I know that he has helped other elderly people since, because of my example. I try to be the best example of taking action and helping elderly people.

Senior citizens are often the nicest and most sincere people around. They have lived their lives and have a lot of advice for us. Taking time to help and get to know them is very important to me, and should be for all of us. It may only be a little act of service that they need. But all of these little acts add up to make their lives and our lives happier. Watching out for the elderly is one of the greatest things we can do.

By Andrew Wadley, scholarship award winner

UCA’s most recent Scholarship Essay Contest for High School Juniors and Seniors officially ended on November 30, 2020.  While the theme has always been to explore ways to make a more caring world, our most recent Essay Contest specifically asked how they would make a more caring world in one of four categories  – Children – Animals – Reforestation – Elderly.  The winning essays have been posted and awards distributed. 

Because there were so many impressive essays submitted from across the U.S., we decided to share many of these students’ inspiring caring actions with you in this publication. Through their essays, the students provide a refreshing insight into their minds and hearts, offering an in depth view of our world that we often overlook. They take us on a journey rich in knowledge, personal experience and creative solutions.  It is our hope you will feel as informed and inspired as we do. We are proud to present to you the writings, thoughts and dreams for a more caring future through these articles.