Ella Fletcher ‘27
Staff Writer
As I sank into an armchair surrounded by the anticipatory chatter of twenty-nine of my peers, the Campion living room seemed cozier than usual. If you were to ask me then, I might have attributed the mystical sense of belonging to the ripening of the holiday season. Perhaps the evening air was filled with extraordinary cheer due to the first snowfall just outside the window or the annual tree lighting that would happen later that evening. Now, I recognize that feeling as something more enduring – the beginning of a journey rooted in community, friendship, and the intersection of faith and justice. Becoming a Spring Break Immersion Program (SBIP) leader holds great significance in my life because it has allowed me to dedicate myself to others while developing a deeper understanding of how systemic injustices affect communities I had previously only understood from a distance.
This experience reinforced my belief that empathy and meeting the needs of others are central to leadership abilities. I was able to support others in questioning their own assumptions, just as I had been challenged to do. The Spring Break Immersion Program not only shaped me as a leader, but also a listener, committed to fostering community and continually challenging my own preconceptions. During our time at the Romero Center, we attended different service sites each day, including elementary schools, adult day care centers, and food kitchens. One afternoon while at a local nonprofit after school program, we discussed the educational disparities prevalent in Camden. I learned that pre-school and kindergarten are not mandatory in the state of New Jersey. As a result, children not sent to schooling are left behind early on, without enough staffing to provide individualized assistance. In fact, the graduation rate of Camden High School is approximately 63% – and a large portion of the senior class reads at an eighth grade level.
As I engaged with the Camden students, I immersed myself in a flourishing community – despite prevalent inequities: Today’s highlights were spending time with the young children, especially Amia, Aubree, and Maria. I was inspired by the dedication Miss AJ puts into each of her students. She upholds the dignity of others through careful attention and a dedication to growth. After sharing this journal entry with my participants during nightly reflection, I was challenged to consider how I could embody the same principles I saw in the Camden community. The SBIP program taught me the importance of solidarity and vulnerability in leadership. This fulfilling experience proved that meaningful engagement requires an openness to dismantle preconceived notions and an intentional effort to build understanding in their place.
More powerful than a testimony is lived experience. And so, I invite you to sign up for the Spring Break Immersion Program by Monday, Nov. 9. Solidarity, spirituality, and mutuality are core values of SBIP. Rather than setting out to “make a difference,” students set out, in the words of Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., to “wonder how people are doing.” SBIP is open to students of all class years and faith backgrounds! The Co-Chairs of SBIP are Ella Fletcher, Julia Gillespie, and Julia Weir. Please email SpringBreak@g.holycross.edu with any questions and find more information on the Office of the College Chaplain’s Ignite page.
Copy edited by Lilly Baumfeld ‘27
Featured image courtesy of Ella Fletcher ’27
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