Antwain “AJ” Johnson is a sophomore in Notre Dame’s Class of 2025.

There’s not much offered at Notre Dame that AJ is not involved in. Although he was recently sidelined due to injury, AJ has been playing on the ND Football team for two years as a Guard/Nose Guard. His teammates report that they love playing with him because of his positivity, enthusiasm, and pride for the school’s tradition.

Despite the long hours and grueling practices, AJ has continued to stay on track with his academics. His hard work is paying off with excellent Quarter 1 grades, and his teachers commend his engagement and effort in the classroom. Dr. Sean Gleason ‘03, Latin teacher and a current Shepherds mentor, wrote about AJ: “He is a true asset in class–he’s attentive, interested, dedicated, and a natural leader in the classroom. AJ can always be counted on to volunteer to decline a noun or conjugate a verb on the board, as well as help keep his classmates focused and on task.”

In addition to this, AJ represents the Class of 2025 as a member of the Student Government Association. In SGA, AJ works collaboratively with students and administrators to promote positive change in the school community. So far this year, AJ has helped to organize a pep rally, service projects such as breast cancer fundraising, and food donation drives.

One of the qualities we like to see as educators is students pushing the limits of their comfort zone. Since entering Notre Dame, AJ found yet another avenue to explore: Drama and Theatre. This hasn’t been easy- AJ is an active member of the football team which happens to practice at the same time as Theatre. He has managed his time nicely in order to afford himself the opportunity for both extracurriculars. Theatre Department director, Casey LaMonaca, writes, “…His positive attitude and work ethic make him a great role model for his peers…[he is] well-liked and respected by the students and adults alike.” AJ starred in the role of “Sandy” in the production The Man Who Came to Dinner which received rave reviews from the local community. With his natural talent and stage-worthy charisma, AJ is excited for the next production, Once Upon A Mattress, coming in Spring 2023.

AJ’s commitment, dedication, and perseverance to his future is truly inspiring. His mother,

Melissa Singleton, was asked how she felt about AJ’s development since entering the Shepherds/Notre Dame community. She wrote, “ I’m proud of everything- his growth in leadership, his perseverance and determination to go above and beyond, his charm and genuine spirit…I’m proud to be his mom.” When AJ was asked about what motivates him, he responded “It was always my dream to come here [ND], and Shepherds afforded me the opportunity. I know that I am supported by my mentor, Adam Novak, my family, and the school, so I will always be proud of how hard I am trying to succeed.”

Dear Shepherds Friends,

Have you noticed how the season for thanks-giving gives way to the season of giving? Both are completely relevant to our work at Shepherds.

You’ve heard from us many times in the past how much we recognize and appreciate the time, treasure, and talents that constitute the contributions made by mentors, sponsors, donors, and all those, including our dedicated staff and Board members, who contribute to the growth and success of our students each year.

On the second theme – Giving: Note, this letter is not another ask for donations or a request of your time but rather to provide some additional information and insight to the gift of “opportunity” that your generosity and work support for our students.

Shepherds styles its mission on “closing the opportunity gap for our students” – primarily the educational gaps but also the social, intellectual, experiential and cultural opportunity gaps. In this newsletter, you’ll read about what that means in terms of the events and activities our Shepherds team have organized including many in concert with individual and groups of Shepherds mentors.

Planning, organizing and running these activities and events are how we put into practice the support provided by our mentors, donors and sponsors and is an important part of how we fulfill the mission we’ve all signed up for.

Opportunities abound, we just need to make them available and act upon them.
That’s another way of saying, “Changing Lives… One Student at a Time.”

Dear Shepherds Friends,

We’re off and running in the new school year and all systems point to “GO.”

First, thank you to all the mentors and family members for making the effort this past month to show up and participate in our partner school Kick-Off events with your students. We know it’s not often easy to get a teenager away from their books and computers on a weekday evening, but over 90% of you were able to do so with nearly 100 people attending each of the Kick-Off events.

At each of our partner school Kick-Offs, the energy, enthusiasm and the optimism was palpable. This was particularly true among the 19 new student/family/mentor relationships we inaugurated this year. See below article for photos and highlights.

Concurrent with the Kick-Off events we have rolled right into student workshops, college prep activities and student-mentor get togethers. As I have mentioned in last month’s letter, we intend to focus more of our time and resources on supporting our mentors by providing optional events, like October 28th’s pre-Halloween Corn Maze, school lunch dates, and ideas for student-mentor activities. Our Shepherds website has an updated list of fun and maybe even educational and cultural activities for mentor and students to check out.

As we approach the season of thanksgiving and gift giving, I’d like to encourage mentors to undertake a community service project or projects with their students over the next two months. Remember we’re advocating for “community engagement” this year and what better way to initiate those connections than to start now. One project that has worked well in the past with mentors and students has been helping out at the Exchange Club of New Canaan Christmas Tree Sale. Click here for more details.

Bigger picture… as the days get shorter and the days turn to weeks and months, I encourage all of us including staff and Board to jump in and make the best of the beautiful fall weather and catch up on the fun we put on hold for nearly two years.

Tempus fugit!…Carpe Diem!

Dan

…and comes back a changed young man. Under the auspices of the Order of Malta, Dannylo joined the Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, the week of August -16 for a week of service. This annual pilgrimage of youth from around the world provided a life changing experience in service, spiritual growth, and fellowship. Danylo’s trip was sponsored by one of Shepherds founders and many time mentors, Hope Carter.

When asked about his experience, Danylo said it was a bit overwhelming at first, he only knew one other person but slowly met lots of other welcoming students from all over the world. Dannylo described the week as eye opening. He was often struck by the many young people who came for healing, many who had serious struggles, yet they had a sense of humor, and great hope.

Dannylo was moved by their joyful attitudes even in the face of difficulty. Dannylo also described his own spiritual experience during the evening Rosary. He was asked to carry the statue of Mary on to the stage where he looked out at the thousands of people gathered with candles and chanting the words of the Rosary; it was a powerful moment.