Nancy Kastman-Scott is the 18th recipient of the Leadership in Aging Award, presented by the Johnson  County Commission on Aging in September. The award recognizes individuals in the community for outstanding contributions that enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families through dedication and vision.

Kastman-Scott, 85, is a retired educator who has taught English at the high school and college levels. She was nominated by students from her creative writing classes, which she has conducted for 20 years with students from all over the county, at no charge.

Her class participants include residents of many parts of the county, some who have been in her classes as "charter members" for many years. Some are published authors who attribute their success to her assistance. She encourages the composition of autobiography, poetry, and book reviews—all helping to keep the students' synapses functioning highly. A book of her students' best writing is published every year.

Kastman-Scott has lived most of her life in Johnson County. She graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural High School in 1944 and the University of Kansas in 1949 with a degree in English. After marriage, the birth of five children, and a divorce, she taught at Center High School in Kansas City, Mo., then at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. It was at UMKC that she began focusing on helping senior adults creatively write their life stories. She also taught at Johnson County Community College. Until recently, she taught creative writing at several retirement homes.

In nomination, one of her students wrote, "We love, honor, respect, and hope that our own lives can be modeled after her free gift of great value to us who benefit from her ideal of life."

Kastman-Scott was chosen for the award because of her teaching skills and the gift she brings to the generations who benefit from the communication of life reminiscences by parents and grandparents. The value of life review is noted by many gerontologists as one of the most important tasks performed by older adults.

Kastman-Scott's classes foster the gifts of strength, courage, and wisdom, which these senior students embody in sharing their life memories and the emotional influence of their journey. One member told her he had never been happier than since he began learning to write and speak aloud about his life.

Leadership is about creating a way for people to make something extraordinary happen. Kastman-Scott is an extraordinary person who represents the best in healthy aging and the gifts that older adults bring to society.