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Jesuit Journeys
Fall 1999
Jesuit leads students toward self-awareness
By Fr. Terry Brennan, SJ
Will Hand was a star volleyball player when he joined Marquette High School's Somos Amigos project. Highly competitive and seeking to play at a good Division I university, his game was what mattered most to him.
All that changed during his 1998 journey to the Dominican Republic where the people and their lifestyle touched Will's heart.
"The strongest force in their lives is nature, not media or corporate-based competition," he said shortly after returning. "Their simple lifestyle allows them to honestly appreciate [such gifts as] a perfect pineapple, a beautiful day, and a strong sense of family."
As a senior this past year, Will's Marquette High team won the state championship. Will maintained his desire to win and excel; however, his focus changed, and he declined several scholarships, choosing instead a university with no volleyball team where he could pursue a broader range of interests outside the world of athletics.
Such transformations are not uncommon. Another student, Tony Machi, said after his experience: "I hold a new perspective, and I approach every day a little different because of [my] experience."
I've been privileged for four consecutive years to be a chaperone for 10 Marquette High students embarking on our annual Somos Amigos journey. From the two students I've mentioned here, you can see why I call it a privilege.
Each year has been physically challenging because of the heat, the bugs, and dietary changes. We temporarily lack many of the basic comforts we are accustomed to - electricity, running water and a common language. However, each year the mingling of the American and Dominican cultures enriches me. We bring youthfulness, good will, energy, financial resources, and lofty intentions. The people reciprocate with their kindness, generosity, faith, and genuineness.Will Hand was a star volleyball player when he joined Marquette High School's Somos Amigos project. Highly competitive and seeking to play at a good Division I university, his game was what mattered most to him.
All that changed during his 1998 journey to the Dominican Republic where the people and their lifestyle touched Will's heart."The strongest force in their lives is nature, not media or corporate-based competition," he said shortly after returning. "Their simple lifestyle allows them to honestly appreciate [such gifts as] a perfect pineapple, a beautiful day, and a strong sense of family."
As a senior this past year, Will's Marquette High team won the state championship. Will maintained his desire to win and excel; however, his focus changed, and he declined several scholarships, choosing instead a university with no volleyball team where he could pursue a broader range of interests outside the world of athletics.
Such transformations are not uncommon. Another student, Tony Machi, said after his experience: "I hold a new perspective, and I approach every day a little different because of [my] experience."
I've been privileged for four consecutive years to be a chaperone for 10 Marquette High students embarking on our annual Somos Amigos journey. From the two students I've mentioned here, you can see why I call it a privilege.
Each year has been physically challenging because of the heat, the bugs, and dietary changes. We temporarily lack many of the basic comforts we are accustomed to - electricity, running water and a common language. However, each year the mingling of the American and Dominican cultures enriches me. We bring youthfulness, good will, energy, financial resources, and lofty intentions. The people reciprocate with their kindness, generosity, faith, and genuineness.
Fr. Terry Brennan, SJ and fellow Marquette High teacher Beth White are project chaperones.
I have been a witness to the personal growth in many students as they reflect on their experienced, has been consistently at the root of this growth. High school, by its nature, helps shape young lives. But many students feel Somos Amigos changed them in the brief weeks the program travels to a place that is foreign outwardly and inwardly.
I feel that God has blessed our groups immensely by keeping us safe in difficult conditions , by enabling us to keep going in tough circumstances, and by gracing us with people who bring out the best we have to give.
Over and over I find myself speaking of Somos Amigos in homilies, classes letters and conversations. So powerful has this experience been that I have gratefully chosen to remain at Marquette High longer in order to continue to share in this marvelous avenue for God's graces.
To contact Fr. Brennan, or for more information about Somos Amigos, write:Marquette University High School
3401 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Telephone: 414-937-7220
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