The Lenovo ThinkCentre M92z All-In-One computer integrates the monitor with the central unit, resulting in a smaller PC footprint and less cable clutter. It packs the full performance of a traditional desktop into a slick 23-inch display. The ThinkCentre M92z comes with an Intel® Core processor, Windows 7, minimum 2 GB memory, minimum 320 GB harddrive, and a DVD-CD combo drive. Lenovo also offers a variety of other quality notebook and desktop computer systems. Special pricing is available for schools. For more info, visit www.lenovo.com/k-12

Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes by Susan V. Bosak has won 11 national awards including an International Reading Association Children's Choice, a Teachers' Choice, and the Pinnacle Award for Best Gift Book. The Listen to a Life Contest theme of time and dreams across a lifetime is inspired by this bestseller. 15 top illustrators each offer a gorgeously illustrated page in a poetic, multilayered story about life's hopes and dreams. A great book to share in the classroom – from elementary to high school – Dream is also a popular milestone gift book for children, teens, and adults. Find out more about Dream

Message from Educator and
Legacy Project Chair Susan V. Bosak

"I am going to be honest," writes 13-year-old Nathan Rtishchev of New Jersey. "I hate going to my grandparents' apartment. There are no computers and the TV has three channels. It smells of cabbages. My grandparents barely speak English and struggle to remember their past. Or do they?" By the end of his interview with his 92-year-old grandfather Aaron Rtishchev, Nathan discovered a new understanding of how his courageous Jewish grandfather left oppression in Soviet Russia to start a new life for his family in America.

Across the country in California, 16-year-old Rachael Van Duyn chose to "listen" to her 101-year-old great-grandfather Adolph Van Duyn. "Even though he may not walk, see, or hear the best anymore, his mind is very sharp. Interviewing him for this project was a pure joy!" writes Rachael. Adolph's farming life in South Dakota without electricity or modern plumbing wasn't easy. "Sure we had running water," he explained, "You just had to run after it!" He and his wife were married for an amazing 74 years.

This contest changes lives – the lives of those just starting their life journey, and the lives of those who have been on the journey for many years. We can learn many things when we listen, and we all appreciate it when someone truly listens to us. Maybe Nathan and Rachael aren't among the "official winners," but they certainly "won" something. Every single person who invests the time to participate in the Listen to a Life Contest wins something.

We received thousands of entries from coast to coast. This is the 13th year for the Legacy Project's annual Listen to a Life Contest. For the contest, a young person 8-18 years interviews an older adult 50 years or over about their life experiences – their dreams and goals, obstacles they overcame, pivotal moments, how they found hope – and submits a 300-word essay.

Our youngest entrant this year was 9 years old, our oldest 101 years old. Generations learning from each other, learning with each other. And you know what? I believe this kind of meaningful intergenerational engagement can change the world. That's why the Legacy Project will be launching a new global intergenerational initiative soon.

But back to this year's Listen to a Life Contest. We have some wonderful people to thank – because without them this contest wouldn't be possible. First, a warm thank you to the teachers and parents who encourage and support young people in entering this contest. A grateful thank you to our long-time partner Generations United in Washington, DC, who helps get the word out to young and old, and organizations big and small, across the country. And a HUGE appreciative thank you to our corporate sponsors who provide such great prizes. Lenovo has been with us from the start, providing a ThinkCentre computer as the Grand Prize. Frame USA gives us beautiful frames for the award certificates featuring each winning essay. And Expressions of Time is a new sponsor this year, providing a beautiful keepsake timepiece for all our winners.

The last thank you, with a BIG smiley face (in keeping with the happy and sad faces he scribbles on entries as he's judging them, along with stars and asterisks, and red, blue, and yellow pen colors) is to our lead judge Jim Barry. Every year for more than I can count now, he meticulously and respectfully goes over each entry, using both his head and his heart. The judging process is as thorough and meticulous as it is in large measure because of his efforts. He will always have both my appreciation and admiration.

The next Listen to a Life Contest starts on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 8, 2013. In the meantime, click below to find out this year's Grand Prize Timeless Award winner and the ten national runner-up Legacy Award winners. The Legacy Award winners are presented in no particular order, other than an interesting sequence. Enjoy the stories – and thank you again to all the thousands of intergenerational teams who enter for giving me such delightful reading every year!

With warm wishes,

Susan V. Bosak
Chair, Legacy Project


Read the 2012-2013 Listen to a Life Contest Winners

Find out How to Enter the next contest