Senior Capstone Reflection

During my time at Gilmour Academy, I have been fortunate enough to experience various service opportunities, each of which has contributed to my growth in compassion, humility, and understanding. The St. André Bessette Service and Justice Program, a cornerstone of my service experiences, has been an obligation and an experience that has changed how I view the world and those who inhabit it. It has given me the structure, guidance, and resources to engage in meaningful service and has shaped my understanding of justice over charity. One of the experiences that made a big impression on me was volunteering for Bellefaire’s Homeless and Missing Youth Organization. I spent hours sorting through closets of clothes, hygiene items, and necessities to distribute to needy youth. It is an easy job, in one sense—sifting through donations—but one that opened my eyes to what living the charism of Option for the Poor truly looks like. Each item in my hands was someone’s hope for comfort and dignity. That our work provided warmth for one teenager or gave another a sense of consideration at times of crisis, we each have a task and a sense of sacred purpose. This was no charity—it was justice. In this act of giving, I was not donating goods so much as restoring worth and normalcy to those with so little. Similarly, planning a coat drive and distributing winter necessities such as coats, gloves, and hats directly to families was another turning point. Charity tends to stop at donating, while justice demands entering another’s world, even for an instant, so you can see what they need and endure. It’s one thing to give someone a bag of donations, but it's quite another to gaze into someone’s eyes while giving them a coat and see instantly that your existence is as valuable as what you’re providing. That’s something I can never forget. I had opportunities to serve in smaller, still significant ways—baking cookies for children, creating hygiene kits during fall break, and clearing snow for elderly neighbors. With each one, I learned a new thing about compassion. Baking cookies, something I love to do, was an opportunity to bring smiles to kids who might not receive treats often. Clearing snow taught me that hard work in freezing temperatures can be an act of love. Creating hygiene kits taught me something as basic as soap or toothpaste can give someone back dignity. These were not glamorous acts, yet they were profoundly human. In each, I saw glimpses of Hospitality, Zeal, and, once again, the Option for the Poor—charisms reminding us our service is not about checking an obligation but creating a world where every human is treated with respect and care.
The most significant lesson in this is the distinction between charity and justice. Justice provokes us to ask why individuals are in need and encourages us to become part of an overarching solution. Gilmour’s service program isn’t content for us to “do good”—it requires us to critically and empathetically consider the systems and narratives behind the service, such as the lack of affordable housing or the impact of systemic poverty. That’s an empowering distinction, one that I’ll be taking long after graduation. If I had to pick one experience that stood out, it would be Bellefaire. It was not because it was the toughest or emotional but because it was where I saw justice in practice. Watching how our system helped aid staff to support easier and how distribution became smoother helped remind me that even the work behind the scenes is essential. It helped me learn that service isn’t necessarily about being in the limelight but humility and consistency. As St. André Bessette said, “My only objective is to serve God in the most humble tasks.” That quote says exactly what has come to be my belief in life: that even tiny actions, done out of love, can be sacred. This program has not only instilled in me an increased passion for justice but also an increased compassion for those who are vulnerable. I’ve learned that listening, showing up, and caring—without judgment—is the foundation for creating a more just society. And that every act of kindness is never wasted. Looking forward, service is something that, despite its mandate in my life, I do not have to do but instead choose to do. Because I have witnessed firsthand what an incredibly potent force putting others ahead can be, I now see that justice begins at the level of daily choices and actions. It's about how we treat our peers, advocate for change, and use our privilege to uplift others. Every decision can perpetuate or challenge injustice, and we can make a difference in these small, daily actions.

helping organize and clean the facilities, as well as print and handout resources. 

Organizing for Bellefaire’s Homeless and Missing Youth Organization was a deeply meaningful experience for me. One of my main responsibilities was organizing closets and supplies, ensuring that clothing, hygiene products, and essential items were easily accessible to those in need. I helped sort donations, set up an organized system, and made sure everything was ready for distribution.

Shoveling snow for my neighborhood for four hours at a time was both a rewarding way to earn service hours and a humbling experience. I took on the task not just to meet a requirement but to genuinely help those who couldn’t manage it themselves, like elderly neighbors or busy families. Bundled up against the cold, I worked hard to clear driveways and sidewalks, knowing my efforts were making a tangible difference. The experience taught me the value of perseverance, especially when the snow was heavy and the work felt endless. Seeing the smiles and hearing the words of thanks from neighbors made it all worthwhile. It showed me how meaningful small acts of service can be and strengthened my sense of responsibility to my community.

This fall break, I decided to make hygiene kits for troubled teens, and it was an enriching experience. I gathered supplies like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and sanitary products, ensuring each kit would be comprehensive and valuable. I felt a sense of community discussing the importance of mental health and kindness. By the end of the day, I had a stack of bright, cheerful kits ready to be donated to local shelters. Knowing that my small effort could bring a smile to someone’s face made all the work worthwhile.

I had the opportunity to contribute to a coat drive aimed at helping those less fortunate in our community. My responsibilities included organizing and unpacking boxes filled with donated items, sorting through a variety of clothing to ensure everything was in good condition and appropriately categorized. I also actively participated in distributing essential items such as hats, gloves, sweatshirts, and coats directly to individuals and families in need. This experience was incredibly rewarding as it allowed me to see firsthand the positive impact that small acts of kindness can have on people's lives. It also reinforced the importance of coming together as a community to support and uplift one another during difficult times.

I spent the day baking cookies that were given out to kids at a drop off point and I really enjoy baking so it was something I enjoy and something for a good cause all in one.

The experience i had was baking the cookies and packaging them it was really fun and felt good to be doing something good. 

The experience I had volunteering at the food bank was something that changed my outlook. I thought to myself how lucky I am to always have food on the table. I felt so good the rest of the day after that I felt like I helped the community. I felt connected with myself and society. Overall it was a great experience.