Being hit, punched, and splattered with ketchup were some of the best memories I made in the first semester of my senior year.
Taking Lasallian Ministry was unknowingly one of the best experiences I would go through. Taught by religion teacher Mr. Carter Powers, students taking Lasallian Ministry learn more about faith and service, and embark on a mentoring mission at a nearby school, Lot Whitcomb Elementary.
It starts out like most other religion courses, discussing faith, spirituality, and one’s relationship with it. We started to think about service, how we serve others, and why we serve others. At the beginning of the semester, we developed our understanding of how we can — and will be — a mentor to our buddy, serving as an opportunity for Mr. Powers to make sure we were right for the task.
Lasallian Ministry is a one semester class that gives seniors a way to live out the big sibling oath they may take, being a role model for those who look up to them. Through this class I learned how to better serve those around me, and found more joy in doing so.
After Skyland Wonders — Lot Whitcomb’s counselor — briefed the class on the do’s and don’ts of being a mentor, the class journeyed to their campus for a tour and to make name tags. As we walked through the halls, kids stared in awe, and waved with a grin from ear to ear.
This brief visit was a peek into the months to come of joy — and sadness — that filled our Thursdays for the months to come.
The next week, we were assigned a buddy and got to meet them for the first time. Awkward is the easiest way to describe my experience. Small talk barely works on a fourth grader, so there was a lot of silence trying to start conversations — the last concern for my buddy.
The first awkward hour was one of many to come, but was also important to making our relationship grow.
I learned to be more patient when it comes to being a mentor. I waited for them to want to look up to me based on my actions.
My buddy’s classmates seemed more excited for me to be there than her, and they would flock to any Lasallian in sight. Having to barter with kids younger than 10 about who will hang out with them gets challenging when jealousy issues make any “no” devastating. Since we are assigned to one kid, we had to politely tell others that we can’t spend the short time we’re there with them, and they can be heartbroken.
Fourth grade emotional regulation skills are quite shaky, and any small inconvenience could lead to an outburst.
Having to comfort an upset eight year old was something I have only ever done a few times, and only with family members. So it was a little nerve wracking the first time I had to.
Despite the initial unrest, being able to see a kid’s mood completely turn around because of you is super impactful, and not much is comparable to the experience; the reward is worth way more than the cost.
Having to help two very enthusiastic people come to a peaceful conclusion when they start off not wanting to look in each other’s direction is really upsetting when they don’t want to help you resolve the argument. Being able to remain calm in times like these was something I wasn’t very good at to begin with, but I got a lot better throughout the semester.
Learning how to diffuse situations between elementary school kids doesn’t seem like that important of a skill, but using the techniques I’ve learned has helped me in many areas outside of the hour I am at Lot Whitcomb each week.
Not to mention, getting to meet and become friends with a class of fourth graders was surprisingly fun. Each kid is unique and made a lasting impression on me. I’m sad that I won’t get to see them anymore, because I know the fun I had playing with them at recess, or struggling to keep them on task in the classroom, is now a thing of the past.
Being asked to hit the griddy or do Dress to Impress poses in the lunchline seemed like a drag at first, but the giggles made me keep doing it week after week.
For how little time I spent with them, I will remember my Lot Whitcomb class forever.
Although going to Lot Whitcomb was something I expected to be fun, it soared past my expectations.
Lasallian Ministry was a class where I learned about myself more than anything else, and I will never forget that. I wish I could go back for another semester and do it all over again.
If you are willing to experience a few bad days, and some rowdy kids, Lasallian Ministry is one of the best classes one can take at La Salle for the lasting memories it will leave with you.
If you have the chance, I urge you to fit it into your schedule.
Lasallian Ministry has been my favorite religion class yet, and I’m sad it’s over.
