Service Program Capstone Reflection

Recalling the past four years of my experience at Gilmour Academy, there is no doubt in my mind that the drive and qualities of service, devotion, humility, and most importantly, love have all been cultivated in a noticeable and distinguished way. Service itself, if we let it, possesses the ability to transcend conventional and regional boundaries extending itself, and in turn us, to the will and aid of all those who desire or “need” it. By faith, we are not only called to aid others, to share in their burdens, and to offer a sense of comfort, security, and assistance, but through our efforts, we also uphold the values of compassion and kindness that are essential to our shared humanity. In essence, by embodying these given principles, we not only leave an unforgettable impact on the lives of those we serve, but also, at times, our own lives, cultivating the very notion of what it means to “serve.” In a practical sense, by serving others we serve ourselves and our shared desire to cultivate a better more hospitable world. 

Throughout my time at Gilmour, I was fortunate enough to experience this sense of service by participating in a series of different activities, trips, and experiences all in an effort to become a more engaged global citizen. Each experience of their own provided a valuable lesson on justice, empathy, and the growing desire to break down preconceived barriers to help those in need. One experience, for example, involved partaking in a beach cleanup alongside my football teammates in Bay Village during the summer. This experience gave me a direct view of what it means to exemplify the characteristics of charity. In essence, it brought forward a genuine sense of community and responsibility towards our environment. Additionally, looking at another specific event, I was able to serve as a student ambassador during Gilmour’s Open House event. This experience allowed me to not only serve incoming students but also embody the Holy Cross outcome of hospitality to a few families that I wouldn't have known otherwise. 

Finally, the experience that I believe had the most impact on my personal life, however, would have to be the 3-day Zoom session I completed during my sophomore year with NEOCH (The Northeast Ohio Coalition For the Homeless). Not only was I able to explore the ins and outs of a non-profit company such as NEOCH and the way they conduct themselves throughout Northeast Ohio, but through this experience, I was able to gain hands-on insight into some of the root causes of homelessness plaguing our local communities. In short, It opened my eyes to the harsh realities that at times fill our cities, yet it's through our best efforts, humility, and love of others within our society to, at the very least, attempt to cultivate a more just and loving society. 

By specifically living out Gilmour’s Charism of Divine Providence, my service experiences were able to demonstrate love and care for the community as well as, at times, our environment around us. Throughout my time at Gilmour, not only through my service experiences but through meeting people face-to-face, I was able to cultivate an inspired passion for justice and compassion for the vulnerable. My willingness to repeat these service experiences, and all the opportunities I was blessed to be a part of, embodies what Gilmour Academy's mission truly extends itself to be. 

By viewing the concept of our connected world more closely, and taking a look at my extracurriculars, my football teammates and I were able to help out beyond the confines of Figgie Field. As a common tradition, when new students move into the Gilmour Academy Dorms, our team is tasked with assisting them by helping as they move in. Not only do we move boxes towards what will be their future homes at GA, but by actively helping like this, my teammates as well as myself were able to actively demonstrate how we care about our community and made even the new students feel like they “Belong.” In truly recalling the past four years of my experience at Gilmour Academy, I am more than confident that the values of service, humility, and love have been instilled in me in an unforgettable way. Service, when we have the courage to partake in it, exceeds boundaries and connects us to those in need.

Throughout the course of two hours, my football teammates and I participated in cleaning up a beach located in Bay Village. Throughout this Service Day activity, I not only we not only grew closer as a team, but were able to help the Cleveland community in an active way, promoting a true sense of culture by actively taking action to better the things around me/us.

I arrived at the performing arts center around 11:30 and waited with a number of other students to show around and give tours to families attending the open house. Throughout the tour I would talk about the different clubs and activities Gilmour has to offer as well as the academic goals the school wishes to have its students achieve throughout the time they are here. I ended the tour by heading to the Athletic Center and showing my tour group to the coaches/staff. 

Throughout the course of 2 hours, I assisted Mr. DeCrane and others in welcoming the incoming freshman class. In addition to directing traffic, working with others, and supporting clubs such as Vector, I also assisted in setting up games and activities in the field house for the incoming students to partake in. 

Throughout this experience, I along with roughly 7 other students met with Fr. John after convo to participate in a funeral ceremony held at Gilmour Academy. Not only did my group and I attend the mass with the family of the woman who passed away, but we were responsible for transporting the coffin from Gilmour Academy to Knollwood Cemetery Association, a short drive down the road. We offered prayers as well as our condolences for the family, and worked with Fr. John to provide a comforting and welcoming atmosphere.

Over the course of 2 hours, I was able to provide a family with a tour of Gilmour Academy's campus as well as answer any questions they had regarding the school. 

Throughout the morning of January 24, I took part in assisting the 4th graders through their retreat in the chapel. Not only did we play games such as Jenga and do arts and crafts, but helped to further expand the belief of Christ within the minds of these children.  

Throughout the course of a day, many of my friends, teammates, and I signed up to assist in the Baker Mayfield football camp. Not only was it a great opportunity to experience, but I truly was able to help and assist in making the camp run smoothly and providing a great time for those attending it. Beginning the day I was tasked with helping direct those attending the camp to where they needed to sign in. After this was completed, my strength + conditioning coach "Coach Ross," had told some of my fellow volunteers and I that we should go on the field and assist in the group rotations which were going on. After this and being assigned to my main group with a fellow friend, we proceed to eat lunch and begin the process of setting up fields on which the kids of the camp were meant to play football on. With these games eventually wrapping up, my team had won our league's "Super Bowl," which not only was surprisingly fun to watch but fun to coach as well.  After a few more words from Baker Mayfield, a couple of games played by the counselors by the kids, and finally the award ceremony, the camp had been completed. With this, it was our job to help assist in cleaning up the field/surrounding area once all the other children had left. 

Over the course of an hour, my friends and I participated in stacking the chairs as well as the tables in the area of the A.C. lunchroom.