Photo by Mike Lamb Hill Street Place residents Mary DeAustin, left and Lucille Gabriel talk with Lynd Eighth grade students during a game of Blank Slate. The students are, left to right, Brynn Stelter, Jerzy Johnson and Rowan Luebke.

MARSHALL — Lynd School students Brynn Stelter, Jerzy Johnson and Rowan Luebke were all smiles while sharing conversations with Hill Street Place residents Mary DeAustin and Lucille Gabriel. They were also in the middle of good board game called Blank Slate.

“I think it’s really fun to come out here and play games with these girls,” Stelter said while giggling. She was referring to the Hill Street Place residents who were also laughing.

When asked who was winning, the Lynd School eighth graders said in unison “they are,” while pointing to DeAustin and Gabriel.

“You know what, I never played that before,” DeAustin said of the Blank Slate board game.

A group of Lynd students visited the Hill Street Place residents on Wednesday with their SEL (social, emotional, learning program) teacher, Kathy Orthaus. Orthaus said the program helps the students with social skills, how to resolve conflicts and deal with bullying. It’s also about being kind and participating in community activities.

“I think it’s fun to watch them, because so many children have never played board games. They are used to playing games on their telephone. But they never played board games until coming here,” Orthaus said. “Not only do they get to interact with our senior citizens, but they’re learning from them how to play board games and vice versa. I think our senior citizens are learning about our young people and we sometimes hear so much negative feelings about teenagers, but this is a way too that they can see that they are great kids.”

Gabriel appreciated the visit from the students.

“Some of us don’t get to see our grandchildren,” she said.

Sheila Chavarria was playing with a couple other residents and students at nearby table.

“It’s fun. (I) love playing games with them. Love meeting new people,” she said.