Although it has been a long time since I went to the food bank as a freshman, I remember it being a great experience. In many ways, the trip helped me to visualize the great need for food items in Cleveland. The number of boxes that we compiled showed me that we were truly making a difference. I also remember a volunteer speaking to our group during a break where he expressed his gratitude for our continued help, which greatly sped up the process for himself and others who visited regularly. It also brought me closer to those in my advisory and established a friendship with some people I still talk to today. Overall, it was a great experience and a simple and rewarding way to help those in need. 

All participants involved in the Arizona Immersion experience over spring break were required to attend one-hour classes on Monday mornings before school. In these sessions, we learned about what the term "immersion" means and why we aren't necessarily going on just a service trip. The classes we had prior to the trip allowed us to meet the people we were going to be spending time with and also exposed us to what the area we were traveling to do would be like. The classes we had following the trip taught us what to do with the experiences we had gained from our travels and how we could continue to learn from them moving forward. During the last class, we were tasked with creating a presentation that highlighted one moment from the trip and creating a plan in which we could grow in solidarity from that encounter. Overall, I feel that without these classes, the meaning of this immersion trip would be much different for me. 

From March 12th to 18th 2023, I participated in the immersion trip to Goodyear, Arizona. This was a very special time for me because I got to meet new people from school and hopefully create meaningful relationships that will continue throughout the rest of my time at Gilmour. For most of the trip, we spent the mornings and afternoons with students at Saint John Vianney School in Goodyear. I spent most of my time with the preschoolers, where I really seemed to connect and have fun with them. The time we spent at Andre House and St. Mary's food bank was also very valuable and showed me that there is power in the small things that we can all do by ourselves. Lastly, I especially enjoyed the hikes we went on and the sites, mountains, and views we saw together, considering the fact that it's not something that you would always see in Ohio. While I miss the Arizona sun, I also miss the friends I made and the people I met along the way. 

On October 30th, I gave one family and child a tour of Gilmour's campus as they begin their high school admissions process. We went to places like the Middle School, classroom building, and even the Tudor House. The tour concluded in the Athletic Center where there were drinks and food and where they could also speak with teachers and coaches based on their interests. 

I met with other Gilmour students to speak with students and families at Gesu's high school night on October 5th. We discussed why Gilmour would be a good fit for them and what they should consider when making their high school decision. It was definitely interesting to return back to my former grade school. 

Along with other freshmen, I walked down to the greenhouse gardens at the Lower School during Community Block and volunteered for one hour for a third week. During this time, I met Mrs. Sanders and helped to prepare the gardens for the fall season. We also helped to create compost to harvest new plants and vegetables and picked out new vegetables to set aside, adding to the collection we made in weeks one and two.

Along with other freshmen, I walked down to the greenhouse gardens at the Lower School during Community Block and volunteered for one hour for a second week. During this time, I met Mrs. Sanders and helped to weed and water the various beds within the gardens. We also helped to create compost to harvest new plants and vegetables and picked out new vegetables to set aside, adding to the collection we made in week one.

Along with other freshmen, I walked down to the greenhouse gardens at the Lower School during Community Block and volunteered for one hour. During this time, I met Mrs. Sanders and helped to weed and water the various beds within the gardens. We also helped to create compost to harvest new plants and vegetables and picked out new vegetables to set aside.