New Haven Independent

Valentin joined a dozen residents of Casa Otoñal, an elderly home in the Hill known for fanatical dominoes-playing and frequent dance parties.

Students at Betsy Ross come here all the time. Sometimes they sing. Sometimes they translate poems into Spanish. Most often, they break out in dance.

“Today was the quietest one,” said Betsy Ross Artistic Director Sylvia Petriccione, who leads the field trips. Maybe a little too quiet for Anna Lopez (pictured, at left), whose job it is to light up seniors’ lives at la Casa. “The children behave and we, we go wild!” she said. Does she dance? “Ha! You haven’t seen nothing! Come back some other time — we get crazy!” She said, grabbing Petriccione for an impromptu dance.

One student, seventh-grader Jenice Zayas, rushed over to capture the moment on film. Along with some other students, she’s making a documentary about the school’s trips to la Casa. “I love video and I would love to be a director one day,” she said.

Others helped patiently as their partners weaved the paper through the mat. “It’s good for my hands,” said Carmen (at right in picture).

Her partner, though a bit overwhelmed by the high-speed Spanish chatter, had a good time, too. “I knew a little Spanish so I could understand some words,” said sixth-grader Gwendelyn Kovaleski.

“It keeps my mind sharp,” said Victor Rafael Micolao (pictured, left). He walked over to say hello to recently anointed Casa Queen, Milagros Soler, who hangs out in the activity room every day. “I feel comfortable here. It’s more tranquil. The days pass more peacefully here, eh?” she said, asking Micolao. He nodded, “Yes they do.”