Caruso Catholic Center Reflection

During the week in Chicago, I grew closer to God, learned how to be a better leader, and learned to put others before myself, which is what helped me become a better person. Serving others that had situations worse than I could imagine was life changing. The idea I could make such a tremendous change in someone’s life while doing activities I enjoyed, opened my eyes to the potentials of serving. After the week ended and I returned home, I wanted to do more for the people around me who were less fortunate. Going into freshman year, I made the decision to volunteer at Urban Vision. I help kids who have newly immigrated to Akron and the United States find items at a holiday shop for their families and themselves. Many of these kids went directly to the necessity aisle, (i.e. toilet paper, laundry detergent, and soaps) to get these items for their families, even though there were plenty of toys for the kids themselves. These kids helped me realize I should be grateful for everything in life, from shelter over my head to the clothes on my

I wanted to do well in college. I didn't have to ride trains or worry about the violence, but more about reaching my goals. On the first day of class, the campus was full of people, all travelling in different ways all with the same ideal destination in place, class. Unsure of where to go or even the name of my building, I was lost. As I searched for my class, the campus seemed confusing and huge. I looked around with a nervous expression plastered on my face and I sat on a bench near my dorm. I felt defeated by life. I kept second guessing college entirely, when a familiar face appeared. It was a girl from my hall who I bonded with since we had the same class. She said “If you are lost, you can just walk with me” and we took off. Her small gesture made me on time for class and saved me from an emotional breakdown. As I look around campus today and notice people who seem lost, I offer them directions and even shortcuts on how to get there. The feeling of being lost and unsure brings failure to my heart. Doing small kind gestures for strangers could change their entire day, which brings me priceless joy.

Earning my undergraduate degree from Seattle University has opened a lot of doors and has expanded my ability to reflect on my life, my intellectual progress and my purpose to find direction. My persistence and determination to advance my education is to increase my knowledge, to become a successful leader and to enhance my contribution to society. In order for me to have a true academic rigor, I believe having the integrity of the Jesuit teaching could help me understand and guide me through the process. I have always found a personal and a professional sense of purpose from a Jesuit tradition.

Last May, I traveled with Alternative Breaks to New York for community service. During this service, I worked with Meals on Wheels who dedicate their time to provide food for the elderly of Manhattan. As I delivered the food to the seniors, I got a sense of fulfillment because I made them smile by providing them with food. Thus, I chose MDC’s Single Stop because I wanted to make a difference in my home campus by providing and assuring nourishment to those that do not have it just like I did in New York. As my first two years of college comes to an end, I wanted to leave a mark of my own here at home at Miami Dade College North Campus. During the month of September, I decided to partner up with a few of my peers to serve at MDC’s Single Stop.

I failed a chemistry class, even with tutoring, meetings with the teachers, and at home tutoring from my roommate who was attending EWU as a Biology/Chemistry major. The disaster of that course, diminished my thinly restored confidence and I fled. I took up an opportunity to become an expat and live in Lebanon. The first summer I was there, I witnessed the war between Palestine and Israel, only a country away. The impact my experiences changed how I viewed privilege and what I had taken for granted back home. I felt ashamed at what I had so readily given up in self-pity and comparatively meager issues. Thus, after teaching English for a year and traveling, the profound realization of how imperative my education was towards helping the world become a better place sank in. I wanted to go farther than I ever had but this time I was going to do it right. My life became an awareness of the worlds pain, its need, and my insuppressible desire to solve it. I moved back to Chewelah after nearly a year and a half in Lebanon, and with a wholly renewed

The Franciscan values are instilled to my thoughts and actions, and will surely be represented in my future career as an art educator. One of the greatest impacts on how I view creation was an environmental science course I took the spring semester of my freshman year. It showed me the importance keeping the earth, my home, clean for future generations. It showed me the power of my voice to speak on behalf of creatures who cannot. Many of my recycling choices and diet choices were altered in a positive way because of that course.

Though I lived at home, I got a job to be financially independent, started school at the College of DuPage and worked tirelessly to get all A's. Frankly speaking, before attending the College Of DuPage, I never would read the readings assigned, study for tests or even ask for help. This made it very hard for me to get good grades. With the privilege of having a fresh start, I went to supplemental study sessions, met with my professors, and frequently visited the writing and tutoring center. Upon completion of my first semester, I was awarded Academic Honors, received a 4.0, invited into two honors societies and invited to apply for the Fulbright Scholars Study abroad program from the Department of State. Once I showed my parents my grades, my dad said, "I forgive you". Those three words were more rewarding than anything. Being able to see how working hard has opened up so many windows of opportunities and how I was able to change my mindset and outlook on life, made it more clear than ever on the importance of education. From there, I decided to challenge myself even more this

While I have been blessed with many opportunities that helped me grow by pushing me to new limits, my volunteer work at South McKeel Academy through National Honor Society is my most memorable. The way I was brought upon this experience was not with the average vote. One morning I showed up to the 7 A.M. meeting ready to hear about how all

During this even I learned that without organizations like Give 365 the community wouldn’t function in the way it does. This organization gives children in the community a safe place to spend their time. In class we have learned that getting involved in campus is very important, the event I attended did just that it got me involved, I met new people, and I gave back to the community. This event relates to my “why” because my parents have always encouraged me to be a better person and strive to succeed in life, attending the Community Plunge helped me do just that. Attending the Community Plunge was not out of the ordinary for me I love volunteering and getting the satisfaction of helping others. Outside of class I have been involved in many service projects at home including; mission trips, attending food drives, and volunteering at homeless shelters. Being involved in Community Plunge and volunteering at Give 365 will greatly impact my college experience because of these events I will continue to volunteer on campus and in the community. I will use what I learned in the future by continuing to volunteer and encourage others to as

Of the many reasons a Jesuit education appeals to me, the most predominant reason is rooted in my belief that an education based on character formation and living meaningfully will guide my intellectual and personal growth during college. Throughout my life, many experiences that I have endured have shaped my character and constructed my personal goals and academic interests for my potential attendance at Boston College.

My freshmen year at Loyola, during spring break I went to East St Louis, Illinois for an Alternate Break Immersion trip. The key focus of this trip is the immersion aspect, this was not just a service trip, and it focused on building community and solidarity. While in East St Louis, I worked at Catholic Day Care, which is a predominantly black catholic day care that is centered on the low income housing of East St. Louis. I was tasked with aiding the preschool teachers and helping the kids learn how to use the computer and play educational computer games. In the afternoons, I went to the local community center and helped with the afterschool program. This included helping them with their homework or even just playing board games with them, building community. This school year I am a STARS, Students Together Reaching for Success, mentor. The STARS mentorship program is for students of color and first generational college students, specifically serving freshman. I have four mentees who I mentor throughout the school year, working on anything from academics to identity development. I am a resource that they can utilize off and on campus. STARS mentors also compile different committees and facilitate monthly gatherings for all 63 mentees. These usually center on different social justice initiatives, development of the person. I worked on the retreat committee where we facilitated a retreat for 50 STARS mentees and mentors, as well as working on a gathering that focused on professional development in future planning and

Jesuit teaches their students to be respectful, and also makes them participate in many activities helping those in need. For example, activities such as the Thanksgiving drive, community service activities, and the mission drive, are all events that put the less fortunate before Jesuit students. One of my most memorable experiences at Jesuit is when I went to deliver food baskets, to the less fortunate, for the Thanksgiving drive. Delivering the baskets was an amazing experience and made me thankful for the many things I am blessed with. Jesuit also encouraged me to join a parish CYO group in which we do voluntary work serving others. Jesuit goes the extra mile in order to transform its students into respectful young

Experiences in service offer more opportunities to be taught than for your deeds to make an impact. These experiences have established and strengthened the fundamental moral principles that I live my life by. Throughout my education, they have been challenged and developed by academics, missions, and cultural experiences. Education can only carry one so far if it’s lessons are not implemented in service to this world. Through fostering a love of people and the world, I have found that learning sparks curiosity, curiosity kindles exploration, exploration illuminates discovery, and discovery ignites

always been putting my religion first, especially in my education at school. One teacher that I will always remember is my seventh grade religion teacher, Mrs. Romano. Every single class Mrs. Romano drilled into our minds the four cardinal virtues; Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude! To be totally

A Catholic education is important to excel in both our academic and spiritual lives. St. Eugene helps students achieve their individual academic goals as well as bringing us closer to our faith. There are three aspects of a Catholic education: knowledge, faith and service. All of these are encouraged at St. Eugene School.