07/24/2023
Here is the next essay written by one of our High School Bigs!
For the last several years, Concept Z- Home & Property has designated a scholarship specifically for a graduating Senior Big. They are asked to write an essay about their experience, and every year, we are thrilled with the responses we receive. It shows just how much spending time with a child can be so rewarding for our Bigs as well as the Little.
Bellow is Ella Hubert's story:
"At the beginning of my Junior year, I was unaware of the impact that Big Brothers Big Sisters would have on my perspective of the world and how I acted towards others. From the point of filling out all the paperwork to meeting with my match for the first time, I had all sorts of feelings like not feeling prepared or ready for this mentorship, all stemming from insecurities of my own. From the beginning of my time with my Little, I recognized parts of me in her that allowed me to relate with her in ways I was unable to with my peers. Seeing her struggle to be comfortable being taller than other girls, and even most boys, as well as being unable to relate to
others her age due to an advanced maturity level, were all too familiar for me. These similarities were a bridge between us both that became the building blocks of the relationship and friendship
that she and I share today. During the beginning of the first year, we spent most mornings with her sister and another Big playing an assortment of games, as well as building the relationship
and comfortability between each other. Eventually we would spend more time one on one as the end of her elementary years came to a close and the daunting task of transitioning to junior high
loomed in her near future. Throughout the summer, we were graciously given the opportunity to have a site-based plus match which allowed for our friendship to grow more than it had
throughout the school year as we were able to participate in new things together. I was also able to teach her how to cast, reel in, and kiss a fish while enjoying the sun and opportunities to fish
in a private pond catching fish on every cast. I loved providing my Little and her sister with great memories and new skills that they may have not had access to previously. This school year started off stronger than the previous year and the site based plus match
provided us with more memories and therefore more trust for each other then before. We continued to learn powerful tools from one another, especially throughout the middle of the year. My Little experienced a rough patch with some friends at school and I was reminded, all too well, of my experiences in junior high. This allowed me to console and support her through this difficult time while also reflecting on how I had made it through this time in my life, only a couple years prior. The lessons I learned during those developmental years helped shape who I am as a person, friend, and daughter today; I learned resilience and how to get back up and brush off the dirt, thanks to a strong mentor I had. It is vital to have at least one other person who will be there to pull you back up and I was proud to do this for my Little. Overall, this mentorship and friendship that my Little and I have built has impacted my
life more than I ever thought it would. It is going to be difficult to leave and we are not able to see each other on a regular basis. Our pair could not have worked out better for either of us and I
am beyond grateful for what this program has allowed us to experience. We both grew so much over the past two years, both physically and emotionally, continually learning to keep our
shoulders back and head held high, even if we are the tallest in the room."
