First Lady Laura Bush honors students’ work with Medicare

FORT SMITH — First Lady Laura Bush visited St. Boniface School in Fort Smith May 2 to commend the sixth-grade class for using their computer skills to help more than 200 senior citizens enroll in the new federal prescription drug plan.
Joining her for the quick stop in Arkansas was U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.
When her motorcade pulled up to the school, she was greeted by the entire student body, waving flags and standing by a large green banner bearing the words, “Welcome Mrs. Bush and Secretary Spellings.”
In a roundtable discussion chaired by principal Karen Hollenbeck, all 14 students in the class had the opportunity to share information about their social justice project with Mrs. Bush and Spellings.
Last December, Debra Geels, St. Boniface School’s nurse, first suggested the project to sixth-grade teacher Jane Corbett after seeing how difficult it was for her husband’s grandmother to select a prescription benefit plan under Medicare’s Part D. After discussing their ideas with Hollenbeck and Father Jon McDougal, St. Boniface pastor, the pair approached Debbie Whitlock, a licensed practical nurse at the Fort Smith Area Agency on Aging.
“I was hesitant at the beginning because they were sixth graders but when we came over I thought, ’Oh, my gosh. They can teach me things on the computer.’ They’re an excellent group of kids, very respectful, and we’ve been pleased to work with them,” Whitlock told the first lady during the discussion.
The Area Agency on Aging teamed with the sixth-grade students, holding sessions twice a month at St. Boniface School beginning in January. After agency counselors helped seniors to select which benefit plan best met their needs, the seniors met with sixth-grade students who helped them to enroll on the Medicare Web site.
On Feb. 1, during National Catholic Schools Week, the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Mobile Education Center visited the school to host a seminar for senior citizens. That day, sixth graders helped 100 seniors enroll.
The school received national attention after writing a letter to President George Bush about their program. In late April, the school received notice that the first lady wanted to honor their service with a personal visit.
“When Mrs. Corbett was doing a unit in the sixth grade religion class on social justice and she talked to them about how people who have talents and skills need to utilize those to help people who may need their help, we took on this project as a culminating activity with no idea that it would actually grow to this. We felt very fortunate,” Hollenbeck told the first lady.
The first lady’s visit was used as a reminder that the deadline to enroll in the prescription drug program is near.
“We actually heard about how terrific this was before letters even got to us,” Mrs. Bush said at a press conference. “We wanted to come here to let people know that it’s not as hard as they might think. We want to encourage young people to help their parents and grandparents enroll by the May 15 deadline.
“This is a great program where St. Boniface School is helping their parish members and anyone else in the community on Monday mornings.”
Following the discussion, Mrs. Bush observed sixth graders Hannah Baker, Mayra Duenas and Ethan Falleur help seniors Helen Bradney, Linda Shockley and Yoshiko Poole enroll using the Internet.
Shockley praised the students and personnel at St. Boniface School for their community service.
“I learned about this program from my friend’s granddaughter, second grade-teacher Audra Hall,” she told Arkansas Catholic. “I had put enrolling off and off because it’s complicated, but this wonderful community helped me. I’m not Catholic but believe you me, I could be. I would like to attend the Sunday evening Mass with Audra sometime.”
During the discussion, Falleur told the first lady that seniors who were confused about the program were really “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“They can go to a local library where they have a computer and get someone to help them,” he said. “There should be no problem because it’s self-explanatory.”
Mrs. Bush told students, “I’ll bet the seniors are really happy to be making new friends with sixth graders. You all have a skill that a lot of seniors don’t have. You can get on the Internet. You can run the computer.”
Geels, the school nurse, said the students have “surpassed every expectation.”
“They did really well with the seniors, who were really appreciative of the children’s help,” she said.
After observing the sixth graders help seniors enroll in the Medicare program, Mrs. Bush held a press conference in the library, where she said, “This is a great program where a Catholic school is helping seniors.”
Also in attendance were Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee and Vernell Bowen, Catholic schools superintendent.