Sophomore Service is a very influential way for sophomores to give back to the community. Over the past years, the Class of 2023 was not able to do service because of the pandemic and only some homerooms from the Class of 2024 were allowed to go. A sophomore named Andrew Mish ‘26 chose to share his reflection on the service he did this year and how it affected him.
“I was in one of the first service groups to go on the project. I did not see the Campus Ministry email telling me I was going until 2 days before. When they told me I would be going on service I was confused about what it even was. I always heard sophomores talking about it when I was a freshman but didn’t know what actually happens while on service. I thought ‘a day where I go and do easy stuff instead of school work, sign me up!’ I didn’t expect the trip to have such a meaningful impact on myself. Once we got to the building where we would be helping, I was tasked with counting the number of people who came in. I like to think of myself as a very outgoing person but I didn’t know anyone here and it made me a little nervous. As the people started to come in and get their food, they all had the same expression. They were so happy, I was confused. How can you be so happy when you don’t have that much? That’s when I realized, none of these people had many things or a lot of money. These people were filled with joy because they were receiving a free meal, and they had no worries about the next meal because they had this one. They were grateful, beyond grateful. I watched 321 people walk in and receive a meal with a grateful smile on their faces. I feel like I said ‘you’re welcome’ a million times but each time I did I could only think of how I never had to worry about my next meal like these people. At the end of the day, I felt as though this experience was the most eye-opening experience I have ever been a part of. I went home trying to act like everyone one of those people receiving food, live every day to the fullest, and seek the good in everything.”
Mish shared his meaningful experience with his community. Many other students of the Class of 2026 have been on this trip and all share different emotions and experiences on how God opened their eyes. These experiences reflect our motto “One in Christ” and how God works in mysterious ways.
