SHARON, Pa. — Students from Penn State Shenango’s occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs volunteered and participated in the Shenango Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s in September at Buhl Park.
As part of the event, caregivers and others directly affected by Alzheimer’s spoke to attendees about their experiences and stressed the importance of research and awareness. Additionally, the event featured a Promise Garden, a regular experience at events organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, where participants hold colored flowers to signify their connection with the disease.
Blue flowers represent someone currently living with Alzheimer’s, yellow flowers recognize caregivers, purple flowers indicate someone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s, and orange flowers symbolize general support for the cause.
Shenango students assisted the event organizers with various tasks throughout the morning, including event set up, course signage, and on-stage announcements. According to Jennifer Jewell, teaching professor in Penn State Shenango's PTA program, the critical component of the student’s volunteer experience was more than just the physical aspects of assisting with the Walk.
“This learning experience included the opportunity for the students to demonstrate their respective profession's core values through their efforts,” said Jewell, who stressed the importance of events like this for students to practice effective communication and advocacy for causes that could affect their future patients — a sentiment shared by the students.
“Hearing the speeches given by those affected, interacting with families and caregivers, and advocating all helped me understand just how hard living with and caring for those affected by the disease can really be," said student Ryan Kurtz.
According to Jewell, Penn State Shenango students have participated in the Shenango Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s as volunteers for more than 10 years and believes that experiential learning opportunities like this are important for a student’s development.
“This was a wonderful experience,” said Katelyn Johnson, a student in Shenango’s PTA program. “I am honored that I was able to help spread awareness for Alzheimer’s research."
The 2025 Shenango Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s saw more than 200 participants and raised roughly $35,000, according to organizers.