Poly Prep’s dynamic Service Learning Teams (SLTs) offer students an avenue beyond the classroom walls to invest in local communities and explore their interests, all while developing meaningful leadership skills. Inspired by her love for her grandmother and the desire to address ageism and strengthen emotional intelligence, one SLT, Glamour Gals, led by Upper School student Stevie Ziffer ’27 focused on building intergenerational connections.

Throughout the fall, students volunteered at a local community senior center and discovered that bringing joy to others can, in turn, deepen their own sense of fulfillment. By highlighting the power of curiosity, kindness, and emotional intelligence, the Glamour Gals SLT worked to bridge generational divides, learned about ways to combat ageism, and foster empathy that they will carry into all areas of their lives.

By Stevie Ziffer ’27

I first learned about Service Learning Teams (SLTs) at Poly towards the end of my Grade 9 year. I found the chance to help people and take on a leadership role to be so exciting; I was ecstatic. The following year, I looked into different issues, including food inequality and the harsh living conditions that some people endured. When thinking about all the different service opportunities, I found one about building intergenerational connections. It stood out to me as something distinct that hadn’t been done in other SLTs to date. I have the most inspiring grandmother and my bond with her is so incredibly special to me. The thought that not everyone my age has this kind of connection, or even worse, that older people like my grandmother experience discrimination because of their age, was extremely upsetting to me. 

I learned in psychology class that a huge factor in combating prejudices and building connections is developing one’s emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is part of who we are as people. It’s the ability to understand our emotions, recognize the feelings of others, and use that awareness to act with empathy. It’s what helps motivate us, find our morals, and treat people with compassion. 

I felt passionate about building a program that highlighted both the value of emotional intelligence and combated ageism. I began planning and meeting with [Director of Service Learning and History Teacher] Mr. [Elijah] Sivin in the spring of 2025 to launch the SLT this fall. Further preparation included designing no less than 10 lesson plans that focused on ageism and emotional intelligence. I later used those lesson plans to lead informative educational sessions with the SLT. When the school year started, Glamour Gals advisor and Upper School Science faculty, Mrs. [Eman] Elhenawy and Mr. Sivin, were beyond helpful in getting the program started. They inquired with assisted living facilities and senior centers, met with me, and supported me throughout the process. 

After months of planning, I finally hosted my first SLT meeting, and I was excited to see that around 15 people had signed up. Truthfully, I also felt scared, like I knew nothing, but it went great! Everyone who joined the SLT was so engaged. I felt hopeful that it was going to succeed and that people would leave with a newfound perspective.

The Glamour Gals SLT began service work at the Fort Hamilton Senior Recreation Center, where we painted older adults’ nails, played bingo with them, and spent a lot of time simply having conversations. At first, I thought we were the ones providing services for them, benefitting only those we worked with, but I soon realized how much we received in return. 

Many people would come to the center just because we were visiting, and they would encourage their friends at the center to join in. It was meaningful to see that our visits mattered to them as much as they mattered to me. I remember one of the seniors once told me how she had been one of only four women in her college who studied math and science. She spent her whole life working, achieving incredible things for over 50 years. She gained an immense sense of wisdom and purpose. Hearing her story, as well as the life experiences of others, was so empowering for me. Their successes, their overall openness and kindness, helped remind me why intergenerational connections are so important.

People at the center often told us that our group reminded them of their grandchildren. We all enjoyed spending time with one another, sharing stories and memories. It was great to put down our phones and just be completely present. All of my peers in the SLT seemed to find genuine joy in these moments. It became clear that this service, and community service in general, isn’t simply about doing something for someone else, but that it also creates connections that uplift everyone involved.

At the end of the SLT this semester, everyone created final projects that showcased what we had learned. Participants’ posters, reflections, and presentations highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence, the harm of ageism, and the joy found in talking to the seniors. Seeing how deeply everyone engaged with these ideas made me realize just how meaningful our work had been. In a way, it was like sharing my relationship with my grandmother, seeing how special the connections formed in the SLT had been.

Throughout this experience with Glamour Gals, I began to understand that making others happy actually strengthens your own happiness. Prejudices, including ageism, only limit us. On the other hand, building emotional intelligence and putting it into action can be incredibly powerful in all aspects of life. This experience has taught me that empathy, curiosity, and kindness can bridge any generational divide. I hope that everyone who participated in the SLT carries these lessons forward and does their best to produce happiness in one another.