Claudia Rector credits her grandmother, Beth Sirles, with motivating her to be kind, generous and adventurous as she embarks on her senior year of high school. Teens have a lot to gain from close relationships with their grandparents.
Getting outside and embracing challenges have been hallmarks of the relationship between Claudia Rector and her grandmother, Beth Sirles.
School is about to start, and I'm thinking about what it means to be a senior.
Wearing the label "senior" makes you think about who you are and the kind of role you serve. Whether you're graduating high school or nearing your 80s, you serve as a role model to those younger than you.
To me, the senior in my life who has inspired me the most is my Oma. Growing up spending time with her every Thursday was by far the highlight of the week. Not just because she is my Oma, but because of how enjoyable she is to be around. Like any grandparent, she spoiled me with French toast for dinner and watching our favorite movies-"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Fantasia," and "Mary Poppins," over and over.
Her kindness spreads further than just the bowls of Cream of Wheat she makes for me late at night, it also reflects in her talents of quilt making. From Halloween costumes to quilts of my favorite movies, she always took the time to not only learn my interests but also to make something special for me as a reflection of her love.
As I grow older, she is no longer just someone I can have fun with, but someone I can talk with about serious issues. When she came to visit recently, we decided to watch the classic movie "The Sound of Music."
Afterward, I asked her about the first time that she saw it. She told me a story about taking the bus alone at 13 in her hometown. I was surprised she had gone by herself, but she explained how she saw a homeless woman and invited her to come along. As she described to me how they ended up sharing popcorn together, I was reminded of just how kind and generous of a person my Oma is, and how her natural compassion has inspired me to be the same way.
What makes my Oma even cooler is her love for adventure. Hiking in Patagonia, riding horses in Iceland, and kayaking in Mexico are just a few of the adventures we've shared together thanks to her organization.
Over the years, my Oma has stayed fit while looking for more trips for us to go on together. On our most recent trip to Mexico, we talked about the various adventures we've been on and the ones we want to do in the future. Every time we talk about this, my Oma expresses to me how grateful she is to be able to do these trips with me, and how she can't wait to figure out what our next one will be. Her sense of adventure sparks in me a sense of happiness and excitement because instead of lamenting on getting older, my Oma takes advantage of the opportunities she has now to spend time with me, demonstrating to me how to truly live in the moment.
Now I'm thinking ahead to my senior year of high school. I want to behave in a way that makes my Oma proud. I want to use her compassion for others as inspiration to be kind to those around me, especially underclassmen who may be looking up to me. Not only that, I want to fully enjoy my last year of high school by doing what my Oma does: looking ahead and planning the next fun adventure.
The advice I want to give to anyone considered a senior in their community is to live up to that responsibility. Use the title of "senior" to encourage others positively. It could mean volunteering your time to help those less fortunate than you or just speaking to youth about your experiences and the wisdom you've gathered along the way.
Claudia Rector is a senior at Anchorage West High Class of 2026. She is also the daughter of Senior Voice Alaska editor Paola Banchero.
