I’ll never forget my first steps in the halls of Benilde-St. Margaret’s Junior High. I was an awkward twelve-year-old, self-conscious and walking into unknown territory. I was flooded with emotions, most of all fear. Ready to turn right around and tell my parents I couldn’t do it, I quietly pushed my fears aside and continued to walk forward.

Recently, I read a piece by Donelle Poling, Associate Director of Youth in Theology and Ministry from the University of St. John’s, as she wrote about engaging kids in faith. She recalls the parable of Jesus and the wineskins:

So often we speak about the value of community at Benilde-St.Margaret’s and the importance of recognizing each individual. To know a student does not mean to know only their academic capability. Rather, to know a student includes the ability to recall multiple personal facts about that student as an individual. Additionally, research shows that:

Recently, on the way to my psychology class, I started to have flashbacks of 7^th and 8^th grade. Whether it was algebra with Mr. Hennen or 7^th grade biology with Mrs. Zahedi, I could look into their classrooms and picture myself sitting there. As I passed through the junior high and into the north building, I felt very humbled knowing I was walking the same halls I had six years ago.