Jerry Waugh has led an interesting life by any measure: He fought in World War II, played Kansas University basketball and helped coach Wilt Chamberlain a few years after that.

Now his story is the subject of an unusual new biography, written by fourth-graders at Schwegler School.

“These young people may know more about me than my own grandchildren do,” Waugh said Monday after a presentation at Schwegler. “This program requires young people to explore.”

Waugh was one of 14 Lawrence senior citizens to participate in the project, which partnered students from Kansas University and Schwegler. The students interviewed their subjects, then wrote and illustrated the biographies. The biographies were unveiled Monday during classes at the elementary school, 2201 Ousdahl Road.

Donita Massengill, a KU assistant professor of teaching and leadership, said the project was designed to help the elementary students learn a number of skills.

“It’s a very meaningful writing project for them,” Massengill said. “Hopefully, it will improve their writing skills, interviewing skills, listening skills and note-taking skills.”

But it also provided a little bonding time between Lawrence’s oldest and youngest generations.

“The lives of the retired citizens are very rich and diverse, which offer great depth and dimension to the stories that are written,” Massengill said. “Additionally, the senior citizens get pleasure from having their life story valued, and they feel they can contribute to young people’s lives by telling about their past.”

Students said they enjoyed the project.

Buck Newsom, Lawrence, left, reaches to shake hands with Schwegler School fourth-grader Caleb Hoffman, right. Hoffman helped write a biography about Newsom and read it at school Monday. A 12-week project teamed Kansas University students with fourth-graders to write biographies on several Lawrence seniors. At center is Kali Yount, a KU junior from Overland Park, who was on the biography team with Newsom and a few other students.

“The part I liked was learning how people used to live, a long time ago,” said Sarah Tah, a student in Lori-Kay Rabiola’s class.

Waugh agreed.

Audio clips from Donita Massengill

“It’s a great opportunity for young people to find out about the different people who live in their community,” he said. “It may give the young people ideas about what they want to do with their lives.”