After a summer break that seemed too short, the once-lonely halls of Jesuit filled up once again with the nervous faces of incoming freshman and the smiling faces of returning students as they caught up with old friends. Many of the students in all grades started off the year right by donating to the “Commit! Literacy Supply Drive,” reaffirming their
Commitment to Social Justice. Before long, the boxes and floor were overflowing, with journals, white boards, and books. On Wednesday, August 17, the Jesuit students participated in the annual “Vos Parate” Literacy Supply Drive to help prepare students in elementary schools across Dallas for their own school years.
Every year, Jesuit invites students and Jesuit families to donate the requested items to the supply drive, items including erasable marker boards, composition books, literacy journals, and Writing Process folders. This year, Jesuit had an incredible turnout, with plenty of supplies donated for the DISD Schools. Some of the schools that benefit from Jesuit’s generous contributions include Nathan Adams Elementary, Obadiah Knight Elementary, and Joe May Elementary.
Matthew Androvett ’18 commented on the supply drive, saying “It felt great to start my year off by donating to schools and children in need. Service is a big part of my life, and I was glad to know that my donations will help younger students to get the education that they need to succeed.”
Another contributor to the drive, David Seagram ’17, noted that “I was glad to help the other kids get an education. I know how blessed I am to be a student at a great school like Jesuit with so many great supplies at my fingertips, and I hope that these supplies will help those younger kids progress in their knowledge of many subjects.” Not only will the donations contribute to the knowledge of reading, writing, and math, but they also include journals and other tools to assist in the teaching and learning of the Spanish language. While the supplies that are being donated are not as technologically advanced as the iPads that are issued to every Jesuit student, the supplies will be put to great use in the hands of capable teachers who will lead their students towards greater opportunities through education.
Mr. Riemer, who headed the operation at Jesuit, commented that “It appears to have been successful. The next step is to sort everything, count it, and then the Seniors will take it to their service sites on Wednesday.” Certainly those Seniors who bring the supplies to their service sites will benefit from being able to see the gratefulness in the teachers’ faces when they receive their donations.
Although the “Commit! Literacy Supply Drive” received many generous donations on Vos Parate day, the school is still accepting donations through this Friday, August 26. Donations will be collected in homeroom or designated locations around Jesuit. Please help your community’s bright young minds, and Commit to the Literacy Supply Drive.
