Honor Roll Created for Knoxville Seniors

KNOXVILLE -- Being a senior citizen isn't what it used to be. Just ask Cal Knoke, who has volunteered over 5,000 hours with Habitat for Humanity since becoming a senior citizen. Ask John Smartt, who is still participating in local 5K races at the age of 93.

Ask Marilyn Wing, Joan Frey, and Beverly Schwind, who have all become published authors in their senior years. All five are past recipients of Covenant Health awards to honor active seniors.

"It speaks to the change in the way we view seniors, on the whole," said Covenant Health Vice President of Senior Services Stan Boling. "It's obvious that turning 65 doesn't have to mean retiring from life. It can even be a new beginning."

With that in mind, Covenant Platinum is continuing its legacy of calling attention to active seniors with the new Covenant Senior Honors program. Similar to the Covenant Platinum Awards of the past, honorees will be nominated by an essay and then invited to attend a special event in celebration of their achievements.

"This will be an honor roll," said Boling. "We want to take note of the people who are leading the way to a better quality of life for seniors everywhere."

While movie stars and professional singers are going strong after age 65, it's easy to forget that seniors in East Tennessee are going strong, too, many times quietly and unnoticed. Covenant Health hopes to change that, shining the spotlight on active seniors and encouraging future generations to strive for a better quality of life.

Nominations will be accepted through July 15, 2012, and a red carpet gala is being planned for August to honor the seniors on the list. The first list will include 200 names, and a smaller number of honorees will be added every two years.

Nominators are encouraged to write an essay of at least two paragraphs about a noteworthy senior. The essay can be submitted with an entry form, available at covenanthealth.com/seniorhonors or by calling 865-541-4500.

Published May 17, 2012