Gym Rats…
We all know a gym rat, someone who seemingly cannot get enough time in the gym. They love shooting ball, or lifting waits, or doing anything active. At Love City we seem to have two of these gym rats: Sebastian and Santana. Some of you may have heard Sebastian’s story before, but he has a twin sister Santana who is also on our team.
Young Sebastian and Santana with some art they made at Open Gym…
Last Sunday when the first big wave of snow came in, we went ahead and called school off for Monday. With the forecast and the freezing conditions, we already suspected that most schools would be out for the entire week. But coming off of a two week holiday break, the last thing we wanted was for our students to lose momentum with another week off. There was work to be done. Neighbors and students picked up our shovels and began moving snow and throwing salt. With a little help from a skid steer we were able to get the entire parking lot and all of our walkways cleared off and salted. After speaking with our educators to see who would be able to make it in, we went ahead and called school open for the next day. With all of our students being within such a close radius, we were easily able to arrange to give rides to anyone whose cars were snowed in.
Sebastian and Santana grew up coming to the gym everyday after school. Sebastian loved playing ball and Santana loved the drama that comes with a gym full of kids. As Shawn will tell you, Santana was four foot nothing and would be ready to throw hands with anybody. As Sebastian was just trying to get some shots up, Shawn would be pulling Santana off a kid twice her size, cussing up a storm the whole way as she was getting kicked out of open gym.
Santana Playing with Students at Recess
Sebastian and Santana always stood out to Shawn who knew their mother very well. Their mom had a heart of gold, taking in any family or child in a time of need, treating them as her own. She believed in Jesus, but told us she would never step foot in a church building. As Shawn got to know their family better, their mother continued battling illness. She eventually passed away when the twins were in high school. As they both dealt with this loss in their own ways, they stopped coming to open gym.
A few years ago Sebastian reached out to us about working at Love City. Since that time he has helped Fry Fish, lawn care, maintenance, cleaning, and anything that we needed help with. Not long ago, Santana reached out about getting a job with Love City. In the process of talking with her, Shawn was struck when she told him “I’m not the same little girl that used to come to open gym and cause problems”. She wanted to help. A naturally hard worker, Santana came in strong, learning how to fill in at reception, ensure the cleanliness of the school building, and facilitate recess.
Now if you were to walk into Mighty Oak during recess time, you would see Sebastian and Santana in the gym together, the same place they were nine years ago, but now in vastly different roles. Now they are the ones helping students social and emotional skills to deal with problems, the ones teaching the proper form for a jump shot, and the ones making sure every student that walks into that gym feels loved. They are the gym rats that have been coming to that gym for nine years. A testament to the power that Love has to change a community one generation at a time.
Ethan
School Snack List!!!
If you are looking for a way to support Mighty Oak Academy and our mission of quality community based education, please consider helping us provide our students with nutritious snacks from our Amazon Wish List, you can order here.
Merriment New Hours!!!
With more time than ever of our doors being open, we hope to see you stop by Merriment. Now open Tuesday through Friday from 11-6 and Saturday 11-4!!!
Fish Fry Open!!!
The Fish Fry is back open!! Come get your fix of fish or churched up tots. Look forward to seeing you for a nice warm meal.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.