Every year, Salesianum seniors participate in a group internship. In the words of our school’s Service Director, Mr. Freebery, the opportunity is “a perfect time to live Jesus.” 

This event happens once a school year, at the start of the new year or the final stretch of the first semester. While seniors are absent from school during the last two weeks, students and teachers are hard at work to cap off the first semester. The seniors are very busy serving as temporary interns at local schools, food and clothing banks, charities, mental institutions and a host of other organizations that help those in need. Some of these organizations were also sponsored beneficiaries for SalsThon.

Senior Chethan Konathala talked to me about his time spent at Warner Elementary: “My group had the opportunity to get to know some really great kids at Warner.  Despite their diverse backgrounds, they were very eager to listen and learn from our experiences across our nearly four years at Salesianum.  The ironic thing is that we all ended up learning from them.  It was a humbling experience that made us appreciate what we have as Salesian gentlemen.  I look forward to other opportunities to help my community long after my time at Sallies”.

This year there are a total of 36 groups, with each having about five members. Some group members may excel more than others in certain areas, making teamwork a key factor to accomplish the job at hand. The goal of working outside of school is to embed the pillars of Salesianum, allow seniors to apply their collective knowledge from school, and practice being a Salesian. Each student roots themself in service, and therefore the city of Wilmington’s community is a better place. The young men have journeyed throughout most of high school, so now the brothers implement what they have learned at Salesianum to many other people and causes. 

Colin Merridick reflected about his work at St Anthony’s School saying “This has been an amazing experience with my fellow classmates, and a great tradition of Salesianum. The kids of St. Anthony have given me a renewed perspective on education, and how every person has a different strategy to learn. I’ve been enlightened to truly “be who I am, and be that well” for the children. Underclassmen should look forward to this, and apply yourselves in the workplace you end up in”.

Senior Service Projects: