Maggie Leatherman
College Compostion and Research
Narration Essay
September 6, 2016
Leadership to Friendship
Leadership: the power or ability to lead other people. Leadership class is a class dedicated to serving our school. In the class, we have “Monday duties” which include: hanging the “Stall Weeklys,” taking out the trash, updating the activities for the outdoor sign, and assisting with the mentally handicapped students at Verelle Peniston State School. Personally, visiting the students at Verelle Peniston is the most rewarding part of the class. A visit with the Verelle Peniston students started as just another 40-minute class period, but ended with new friendships, learning life lessons, and an open heart.
Dom- On my first visit to Verelle Peniston I met Dom; he is the most interactive student at Verelle. When I talked with Dom, I learned about him; he goes on cruises, likes cheese pizza, and bowls in the Special Olympics. The day of the Special Olympics bowling tournament, I came across Dom and his mother after he competed, and he gave me a hug and told me he won his division. Dom’s hugs are unique; he embraced me in a soft touch and it seemed as if I could feel the love radiating off him. After I talked with him and his mom, I said my goodbyes and he had tears in his eyes. He looked at his mom and said, “She’s my friend, I don’t want her to go.” Dom never shows hatred. Kindness is a quality he has unknowingly helped me develop.
Hailey- Hailey is sweet, petite, and quiet-- making her an unforgettable girl. Although she has these special qualities, she does not speak. When I visit with Hailey, I try and talk the entire time. She enjoys company and has taken a liking to my stories I tell her, or so it seems that way. She never responds but instead looks at me with admiration and places her dainty hands on my arm. Working with Hailey is sometimes difficult; when I’m with her, she expects it to be “play time.” However, if she is supposed to be working on a specific task, it is not “play time” and I sit with her until she completes her job. She sorts shapes, locates her brush, and folds washcloths. Although jobs like this seem like simple tasks, these are everyday obstacles for the students at Verelle. Watching her do a job by herself is difficult when I know I can help speed up her progress, but I know she is trying her best. Working with Hailey teaches me patience.
Levi- When the Leadership class took its annual trip to a local pumpkin patch, each leadership student was paired up with a partner from Verelle. My partner was Levi. Levi can speak, but he usually repeats a single word over and over. At the pumpkin patch, his designated word was “punkin,” so I showed him the pumpkins in deep tubs. As I placed his hands on some of the pumpkins, he was a little cautious and overwhelmed at first. However, he soon began to laugh and jump up and down saying “punkin” even more than before. Working with Levi is frustrating because trying to communicate with him beyond his one word seems impossible; because of this, Levi, along with Hailey, taught me patience.
Chris- Every spring the Leadership class hosts a “Challenge Day” with events using hula-hoops, beach balls, and baseballs. For the challenge day, I paired up with Chris who is in a wheelchair and has virtually no way of communicating. However, Chris screams when no one expects it and only says one phrase over and over: “Shall we go?” Throughout the day, I wheeled him around the gym so he could be a part of the games. He has the ability to only use one arm, so he would simply reach out and grab what was close. Often, he gripped parts of my body. Chris taught me to have respect for the parents of the kids at Verelle.
Haley- Haley is the definition of a wild child, a go-getter. She has a spontaneous personality and wants to try and do all the activities she can. At times, I think she races herself to see how fast she can go; she is always moving at top speed. The “Challenge Day” came and another Leadership student and I were paired with Haley. When she gets off the bus, she usually charges full speed ahead; however, that day she acted unusual. I didn’t recognize Haley. She clung to her instructor's side and looked frightened of us. Haley did not want to play any of her favorite games. She sat quietly on the sidelines glued to her teacher. I brought some of the games to her, but she seemed to think I was forcing her to participate. This was not the Haley I was familiar with. Her instructor informed me that Haley’s medication had been changed the day before. The once reckless child sat in front of me on the sidelines of her favorite activities, a dazed expression on her face. It was hard to believe the sudden change and realize how big of a role medication plays in her life. Haley made me realize how quickly a situation can change.
Leadership class has made me become a better leader who understands how to have the power to lead by developing the qualities the students at Verelle taught me. While visiting the Verelle Peniston students, I had every intention of helping the students; I didn’t expect to learn from them as well. Dom showed me how to live without hatred at the same time Levi and Hailey taught me patience. The day I worked with Chris I came home and was physically and mentally exhausted. Chris taught me to have respect for his parents and understand the strength they must have. Watching Hailey made me realize how unexpectedly and quickly a situation can change. A 40-minute class period resulted in friendships with these students, learning valuable life lessons, and an even bigger heart.
College Compostion and Research
Narration Essay
September 6, 2016
Leadership to Friendship
Leadership: the power or ability to lead other people. Leadership class is a class dedicated to serving our school. In the class, we have “Monday duties” which include: hanging the “Stall Weeklys,” taking out the trash, updating the activities for the outdoor sign, and assisting with the mentally handicapped students at Verelle Peniston State School. Personally, visiting the students at Verelle Peniston is the most rewarding part of the class. A visit with the Verelle Peniston students started as just another 40-minute class period, but ended with new friendships, learning life lessons, and an open heart.
Dom- On my first visit to Verelle Peniston I met Dom; he is the most interactive student at Verelle. When I talked with Dom, I learned about him; he goes on cruises, likes cheese pizza, and bowls in the Special Olympics. The day of the Special Olympics bowling tournament, I came across Dom and his mother after he competed, and he gave me a hug and told me he won his division. Dom’s hugs are unique; he embraced me in a soft touch and it seemed as if I could feel the love radiating off him. After I talked with him and his mom, I said my goodbyes and he had tears in his eyes. He looked at his mom and said, “She’s my friend, I don’t want her to go.” Dom never shows hatred. Kindness is a quality he has unknowingly helped me develop.
Hailey- Hailey is sweet, petite, and quiet-- making her an unforgettable girl. Although she has these special qualities, she does not speak. When I visit with Hailey, I try and talk the entire time. She enjoys company and has taken a liking to my stories I tell her, or so it seems that way. She never responds but instead looks at me with admiration and places her dainty hands on my arm. Working with Hailey is sometimes difficult; when I’m with her, she expects it to be “play time.” However, if she is supposed to be working on a specific task, it is not “play time” and I sit with her until she completes her job. She sorts shapes, locates her brush, and folds washcloths. Although jobs like this seem like simple tasks, these are everyday obstacles for the students at Verelle. Watching her do a job by herself is difficult when I know I can help speed up her progress, but I know she is trying her best. Working with Hailey teaches me patience.
Levi- When the Leadership class took its annual trip to a local pumpkin patch, each leadership student was paired up with a partner from Verelle. My partner was Levi. Levi can speak, but he usually repeats a single word over and over. At the pumpkin patch, his designated word was “punkin,” so I showed him the pumpkins in deep tubs. As I placed his hands on some of the pumpkins, he was a little cautious and overwhelmed at first. However, he soon began to laugh and jump up and down saying “punkin” even more than before. Working with Levi is frustrating because trying to communicate with him beyond his one word seems impossible; because of this, Levi, along with Hailey, taught me patience.
Chris- Every spring the Leadership class hosts a “Challenge Day” with events using hula-hoops, beach balls, and baseballs. For the challenge day, I paired up with Chris who is in a wheelchair and has virtually no way of communicating. However, Chris screams when no one expects it and only says one phrase over and over: “Shall we go?” Throughout the day, I wheeled him around the gym so he could be a part of the games. He has the ability to only use one arm, so he would simply reach out and grab what was close. Often, he gripped parts of my body. Chris taught me to have respect for the parents of the kids at Verelle.
Haley- Haley is the definition of a wild child, a go-getter. She has a spontaneous personality and wants to try and do all the activities she can. At times, I think she races herself to see how fast she can go; she is always moving at top speed. The “Challenge Day” came and another Leadership student and I were paired with Haley. When she gets off the bus, she usually charges full speed ahead; however, that day she acted unusual. I didn’t recognize Haley. She clung to her instructor's side and looked frightened of us. Haley did not want to play any of her favorite games. She sat quietly on the sidelines glued to her teacher. I brought some of the games to her, but she seemed to think I was forcing her to participate. This was not the Haley I was familiar with. Her instructor informed me that Haley’s medication had been changed the day before. The once reckless child sat in front of me on the sidelines of her favorite activities, a dazed expression on her face. It was hard to believe the sudden change and realize how big of a role medication plays in her life. Haley made me realize how quickly a situation can change.
Leadership class has made me become a better leader who understands how to have the power to lead by developing the qualities the students at Verelle taught me. While visiting the Verelle Peniston students, I had every intention of helping the students; I didn’t expect to learn from them as well. Dom showed me how to live without hatred at the same time Levi and Hailey taught me patience. The day I worked with Chris I came home and was physically and mentally exhausted. Chris taught me to have respect for his parents and understand the strength they must have. Watching Hailey made me realize how unexpectedly and quickly a situation can change. A 40-minute class period resulted in friendships with these students, learning valuable life lessons, and an even bigger heart.