Contrary to popular belief, it’s not hard to be a hero in your own hometown. Not if you’re Tonya Terry, that is.

Tonya Terry, WSFA news anchor, came home to Troy Friday to speak at Mayfest 2015, an event of Older Americans Month, hosted by the South Central Alabama Development Commission Area Agency on Aging. About 800 senior adults from Pike and adjoining counties gathered at the Sportsplex for a day of fun, fellowship, informational opportunities and inspiration.

Much of the inspiration came from Terry who spoke with an open heart about the influence that senior adults have had and continue to have on her life.

Terry said, as a young child, she learned to be respectful of others through the actions of the senior adults in her life.

“Times may have changed but we must never stop being respectful of one another,” she said. “Even when we don’t believe the same things or live in the same neighborhood or go to the same churches or have other things in common, we must be respectful of other human beings.”

Terry said the things that are seen on television and in the movies or heard on the radio or in the music sometimes devalue human relationships.

“But today’s younger generations do love and appreciate our older Americans. They just don’t always know how to express those feelings,” she said.

Terry said her grandfather, Charlie Terry, age 96, has always been a strong and steady influence in her life and in his own quiet way.

“And, it was not just what he said that influenced me,” she said. “I watched what he did. I watched how he lived, how he spoke to people, how he treated people. My granddaddy is good person. The best way to raise children is not to tell them what to do and how to act, it’s to show them. There are no better examples of how to live our lives than our grandparents.”

Terry said she was happy to be back in Troy and the response that she received from the hundreds of senior adults was a blessing.

“They seemed genuinely happy to see me,” she said. “Their smiles and their hugs were so special. It was not even late in the day and I’d already had a good day, thanks to them. “Our seniors are the salt of the earth. They are such sweet people. They have lived long enough to be wise and are still young enough to enjoy and appreciate life. I love and appreciate all of our older Americans.”

Mayfest was a fulfilled day that included the recognition of elected officials and the senior centers and managers.

Entertainment was by the Troy Nutrition Center Senior Choir, the American Legion Dancers and a special rendition of the National Anthem by Shelia Jackson.

The senior adults participated in a hat contest and a talent show.

Jeanne Barnes, Pike County EMA director, presented an informative talk on weather preparedness.

Shelia Deveridge, Troy Nutrition Center director, said senior adults from Pike, Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Lowndes and Macon counties participated in the 2015 Mayfest.

“We are fortunate to have the Sportsplex where we can host Mayfest each year,” Deveridge said. “We enjoy having seniors from other counties come to Troy for a day of fellowship. Mayfest was very successful again this year. We all had a wonderful time and will begin now looking forward to Mayfest 2016.”