Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Senior Living Community

Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Senior Living Community

As the fall 2025 semester came to a close, Kendall Gragert, associate director of Sam Houston State University’s Elliott T. Bowers Honors College, and the 2025-2026 cohort of Sam Houston Honors Scholars partnered with the Sundale Senior Living Facility to facilitate meaningful and holiday-themed events for the residents.

Honors scholars recently gathered to spend an afternoon with Sundale residents for some festive rounds of bingo.

“I loved watching the scholars meaningfully engage with the residents. They were not just there to play games – they were really making an effort to enjoy the experience with the residents, listen to their stories, and laugh with them. It was such a reciprocal exchange,” Gragert said of the experience.

The students set up snacks and hosted rounds of bingo. Gingerbread decorating tables were available, as well, which the students enjoyed and participated in, even getting to taste some of their efforts. Bingo winners could choose from a variety of door prizes gifted by the Honors College.

Charli Mele, one of the participating honors scholars, reflected that the residents were all happy to see the students, and was reminded how everyone needs someone to show they care. Mele’s participation in the events at Sundale reaffirmed her belief that she should always remember to visit her elders.

Racquel Nickson, another participating scholar, excitedly shared how the experience was positive for everyone involved.

“I loved it! Getting to play bingo with the residents was so wonderful,” Nickson said. “It’s always nice to interact with people who have much more life experience than you. I think we all learned something from one another.”

The bingo event was the second project the scholars took on this fall. Earlier in the season, they gathered with Sundale to paint pumpkins and help host a fall festival for the residents.

“When we were there for the fall festival, there was a fire drill during the event Gragert said. “Watching the students take initiative to help the residents get to safety made me really proud – they were going above and beyond without being asked to do so and making sure the residents got to the designated area safely.”

This event also provided an opportunity for the scholars to learn about the residents’ interests, what type of event the residents wanted and what sorts of gifts they would enjoy. This led to bingo being a tailored event for the residents with presents they specifically requested.

Community engagement and building relationships with the Huntsville community has always been a value reflected by students at SHSU. The scholars look forward to potential future collaborations with Sundale and other community collaborations.