By Chance

              Joining Jumpstart was something that just kind of happened—I needed an internship opportunity for the Washington Mentorship Program, and as I came across Stacia’s table at the involvement fair at Eagle Summit, I realized that this might be the kind of volunteering I would want to do with my freshman year in college.  Her eagerness, the smile on her face wide and bright, was enough to sell me into working in preschool classrooms two times a week, especially when the program itself is held on my own beliefs of the importance of childhood reading, and the fact that it overall sounded like it could be a really fun experience.  I applied to be a Corps member just weeks later, and never realized how much of an impact I would make on the adorable children at Cedar Tree, but also, what a lasting impression being a part of Jumpstart would mold onto myself.  Each time I enter the classroom, small children scamper over to me and the other Corps members, waving their tiny arms excitedly, and I cannot help but mirror their own smiles.  Every session has become increasingly more enjoyable, as well as rewarding, as I watch the vocabulary, imagination, and enthusiasm spurt out of the children’s mouth, their skills constantly expanding.

            I am a writer myself, and have always had a love of books and the millions of words that one can use to express themselves—but I wasn’t always up to par with my classmates.  At the age of five, my twin sister and I, whom were very premature babies, were unable to thread the letters together of our own names, and were suggested into doing an extra year of preschool to compensate.  I was once a few steps behind, but am happy to have been able to catch up with my peers, and I closely hold this same wish by my heart for the children we have developed bonds with at Jumpstart.

              I find myself having more and more fun each time I arrive in the colorful classroom in Anacostia, enjoying the company of the children and their amusing anecdotes [“Today I went to the metro and then my mom got my fish and then the storm came and then we went back in my house and then my dog licked me and my T.V. wasn’t working and then I oh my gosh you’re hair is so pretty what are those words on your shirt I wanna be a superhero—“], as well as bonding with the other members of my team, whom I have developed close relationships with.  Being a part of Jumpstart is something that has not only managed to surprise me in many aspects, but will also be a time in my life that I will never forget.  It has made me realize the importance of early childhood education and communication, and I will definitely carry this over into other components of my life. 

           

Kelly McNamara

Corps member
Team Determination