WAUKESHA – “Big for a Day,” a program organized by the service learning coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, Julia Bennker, paired college students with children affiliated with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Milwaukee (BBBS). Together they took to the alleys – bowling alleys, that is – on November 15.
Bennker worked with Carrie Gruel of BBBS, and each institution pitched in half of the funding, the university’s coming from UW-Waukesha student groups Activities Coordinating Team (ACT) and Circle K and from the Student Services department. Bennker already is planning future events with BBBS.
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the group filled the AMF Bowling Center – Waukesha Lanes and used the lanes to develop friendships that could get the ball rolling toward a future with community service for the college students and college aspirations for the children.
The “Bigs” and “Littles” enjoyed pizza and played video games together, too. Both sizes found the experience rewarding.
“We had a blast. It was awesome,” one youngster summarily responded.
Twenty college students and two UW-Waukesha staff members participated. Their comments similarly reflected the value they received: “I felt amazing about the experience. I have been so blessed to have the life that I have, and I want to give back a little something to the community. The kids are the future, and they need to have role models. I enjoyed being one today.”
UW-Waukesha students who participated in the Big day were:
Brookfield: Michael Coleman, Andris Devine, Matt Jameson, Jeff Matthias
Burlington: Paul Cruikshank
Eagle: Deborah Skidmore
Hartland: Dustin Grenier
Milwaukee: Monica Harris
New Berlin: Josh Mann, Erin Ward
Pewaukee: Rosemary Hetrick, Alexander Kartanos
Waterford: Gabriel Meier
Watertown: Abby Craig
Waukesha: CJ Cleppe, Rachel Hoffmann, Tony Johnson, Martin Schmidt
Wauwatosa: September Olson
Wind Lake: Brittany Buffalo
Becki Jump, North Prairie, from the Student Services department joined Bennker as staff for the afternoon outing.
UW-Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore University of Wisconsin Colleges campuses. For information about programs, admission, or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at (262) 521-5200 or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu.
|
