Meet 12th Grade CSL Representative: SAM JESNER

I joined CSL for the first time in middle school while I was very involved in GEDCO’s CARES. I joined CSL again this year for the same reasons I did all those years ago: community service is important for everyone. The world is not perfect, but I do think that one of the great ways to improve it is to be involved in things that you love, especially when you can help benefit someone else.

Currently I am the head tutor for the Roland Park Public Elementary/Middle tutoring program. This program was created to work with at-risk boys to improve their grades and provide a trouble-free place for them to go after school. Since I joined the program last fall, it has expanded to work with girls. I love supporting my kids, and I love when they say that if they work hard they know they can get good grades. I love helping them achieve their goals. I love collecting college pennants for our college wall and finding out which colleges the kids hope to attend, and then helping them realize they could actually go there. Most of my middle schoolers graduate in two years and you bet I will be back to see it.

I am also a leader of Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls is such a different experience from tutoring because I do not directly connect with the people I am helping. I love art and I love art as a way for humans to connect. I feel service is another way to connect and bringing those two together makes Empty Bowls my favorite event of the year. Not only is working for hours on the pottery wheel really enjoyable, but getting to make tablecloths with the little schoolers and making advisory bowls with the upper schoolers bring our community together. And all to help Our Daily Bread, which is an amazing soup kitchen.