matched October 11, 2020
Big Sister Johanna saw the value of mentoring in 2013, when she became a Big as a freshman at Liberty High School. The experience made an impression on her and when she found herself with extra time during the pandemic, she chose to give back once again—this time as a Big in our community-based program. We sat down with Jo to learn more about her journey and decision to return to as a Big Sister.
What motivated you to first become a Big Sister in High School?
Initially we were required to get a certain amount of community service hours, but I also really liked working with children. I’ve always enjoyed babysitting, which I’ve done on and off with different families since I was 13. I think when I was high school I recognized the importance of giving where you can and helping people in an interactive way. Being there for someone and getting to know them on a personal level was important to me, and it’s still really important to me.
What kinds of things did you do with your Little, Mayaleez, while you were a High School Big?
We would sometimes work on homework because she was struggling with math at that time. Some weeks we would spend doing all homework; some weeks we did no homework.
Her interests evolved throughout those three and a half years. Initially she was really into arts and crafts. By our last year, she was really into basketball, so she wanted me to watch her practice.
Is there a special memory that you have with Mayaleez?
Almost every week in high school, my Little would give me drawings she’d made. It’s hard to put into words, but there’s this sense of fulfillment and joy – the realization that you belong. And that was really special, to receive her art and know that there was something intrinsically significant about just being there for someone.
They talk about where you get your energy in Psychology and I think the program facilitated a really big energy source for me as a high schooler. It can be attributed to helping people and feeling confident that you are doing a good thing–and getting this bigger world view than maybe what you’re used to. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and I think Big Brothers Big Sisters really embodies that idea of being a part of something much, much bigger than just you or even just your match.
So, after you graduated from high school, you attended college locally and studied music. What made you recently want to get rematched as a community-based Big Sister?
It was during the pandemic. Once I settled on a major, that stressor was eliminated. Things opened up and I had time. I think for anyone in the arts, it’s really important to do something in addition to that. As musicians, there’s a tendency to become consumed by what we’re doing. Because of the nature of working on pieces or playing in an ensemble, you’re always thinking “What am I doing wrong? How do I sound? How do I improve?” So, it’s really important to step away sometimes and do something that has nothing to do with music–to do something that hopefully helps other people, improves the community in some way, and contributes in a way that’s meaningful. Because I had such a good experience in high school, this seemed like a clear next step.
You were matched with your new Little Sister, Mikayla, last fall. What have you been up to?
The pandemic definitely influenced the progression of things. We went to the pumpkin patch at the very end of October, we baked sugar cookies at the mentoring center a couple of months ago, we’ve gotten ice cream, and we went to a farm. Right now we’re working on getting everyone’s schedules to align. Middle schoolers are very different than elementary schoolers; they’re a lot busier.
Do you have particular things in common or is there anything you’re planning to do with Mikayla this Summer?
She wants to go to Sky Zone so badly and that was the one thing that was absolutely non-negotiable with the pandemic. We also have tickets to the zoo. I think she’s still finding out what she likes and doesn’t like. She kind of has a hand in everything. She does volleyball, she really likes animals and she likes playing in band.
Would you have any advice for anyone who was thinking about becoming a Big Brother or Sister?
I think if you’re considering it, it’s definitely indicative of interest. It’s so good to just step outside of yourself and your personal life. It’s kind of therapeutic to not think about yourself and focus on something that is meaningful and hopefully will positively impact someone else . If you’re thinking about it, try it. It’s a program that I feel confident working with and it’s been a great experience.
