Ms. Erin Etchegary’s Grade 5 Goulds Elementary class helped Seniors Advocate Susan Walsh launch a new provincial contest to celebrate senior’s month earlier this month. In the back, from left, are Alexander Burgess, Alyssa Vincent, Laci Clarke, Hannah Kennedy, Isabella Callahan, Seniors Advocate Susan Walsh, Kurtis Fitzgerald, Parker Galway, Elliot Putt, Nathan Chubbs, Lennon Barbour, Preston Milley, Chase Boland, and Kane Snow. In front, from left, are Kiera Lynch, Marissa Lee, Benjamin Madden, Ethan Raymond, and Seniors Advocate representative Gabrielle Dupont. Missing from photo are Ireland Raymond and Lily Perry. Goulds Elementary photo
By Mark Squibb
Ms. Erin Etchegary’s Grade 5 Gould’s Elementary class had a special visitor earlier this month — Senior’s Advocate Susan Walsh.
Walsh was in the Goulds to launch the Seniors’ Month Growing Bolder - Young Eyes on Bold Lives Art Contest, with a little help from students, who shared stories with Walsh of grandparents who still farm, garden, or drive them to school each morning.
Through the contest, the Seniors Advocate Office (SAO) is inviting students from across the province to submit drawings that illustrate something they love or admire about their grandparents – or another older adult.
“The whole point of this campaign is to address ageism,” said Walsh. “And in order to do that, we have to start with the younger people.”
Ageism, said Walsh, is a prejudice, a negative view of people of certain ages. Walsh said that while young people can be victims of ageism, the overwhelming majority of victims are seniors.
“The World Health Organization tells us that one in every two people are ageist,” said Walsh, who said that seniors are sometimes not offered programs and services because of their age.
Applications opened Tuesday, May 20. Students can enter the contest by visiting www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca. All students who enter will also have a chance to win a prize through random draws.
The launch of the art contest coincided with the launch of the SAO’s 2025 Growing Bolder social media campaign. Seniors are encouraged to submit a photo and application showcasing how they are choosing to Grow Bolder to the SAO for a chance to be featured on the organization’s social media platforms.
Walsh said that campaigns such as this are especially important in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has one of the oldest populations across the country.
She said that seniors interested in getting more involved in the community ought to reach out to see if there are local seniors groups in their area or contact Seniors NL.
June, meanwhile, is recognized as Seniors Month across the country.
