Brianna Lertora Profile Story

Lauren Melaugh: The Shaping of a Leader

Brianna Lertora

When she first came to Stonehill as a freshman, Lauren Melaugh was nervous. She hadn’t planned on coming to Stonehill and wasn’t sure it was the right school for her. Now she’s involved in numerous clubs on campus, has been elected Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA) for the class of 2013, and holds a peer mentor position, offering guidance to incoming freshman who may be as nervous as she was.

“I first got involved in SGA and a lot of people who were involved in SGA were also peer mentors,” Melaugh explained. “Realizing how many great experiences people had encouraged me to apply.”

Melaugh joined the peer mentor team her freshman year, and has been a member ever since. As a peer mentor, Melaugh helps run the summer and fall orientation sessions for new students, which consists of playing name-games, and initiating activities to get students acclimated to the Stonehill community.

“Orientation seemed like a great thing to get involved in and give back to Stonehill,” Melaugh said. Who better to help new students feel comfortable at Stonehill than the woman who conquered her fears and is now so involved on the Stonehill campus?

Melaugh said the end of the summer orientation is her favorite part about being a peer mentor. “In 36 hours there’s a huge transition in (the new students’) outlook of Stonehill and their future. It’s a nice feeling that you were a part of that transition,” Melaugh said.

The confident, bubbly woman talking to me wasn’t always so sure of herself. “I was never planning on coming here so I had a lot of doubts about if this was the right place for me,” explained Melaugh. “Orientation definitely helped me feel more comfortable, but it wasn’t until I actually moved in and lived here that it really felt real.”

“A lot of the incoming students have questions about Stonehill, and want all these doubts and concerns taken care of before they come here,” explained Melaugh.

Chair of the Orientation Committee, Jim Hermelbracht, said the Peer Mentor program is important on campus because “it offers our new students a chance to connect to a returning student leader who has been trained to help students adjust to their new life at Stonehill.”

Before the summer orientation, the peer mentor team is trained in group dynamics and campus resources so they can help incoming freshmen make the transition from high school to college.

“Because of all these bonding experiences the team gets very close,” Melaugh said. “It’s definitely like a community because there’s a strong support system and we go through a lot of training in the spring, summer, and fall.”

Melaugh said all of that training has made her realize she is an important part of the team, and she has a lot to offer. “That idea makes you feel special and important and that’s definitely shaped my college experience and encouraged me to try new things and put myself out there,” said Melaugh.

“She has truly enjoyed and continues to enjoy and appreciate her Stonehill experience. Because of that, because she has invested her time and energies into Stonehill, both academically and socially, she truly sees all that Stonehill can offer a new student,” Hermelbracht said of Melaugh.

Melaugh said talking one-on-one to new students makes them feel more comfortable. She hopes to show them that “there’s someone that directly cares about them and wants them to have a good time.”

Johnny Joseph, a sophomore at Stonehill and one of Melaugh’s orientation students, considers Melaugh a role model.

“I wanted to be a peer mentor since my freshman orientation,” Joseph said. “I loved everything they did for us when I was the first-year student. Lauren wrote me a note saying that I should apply for the peer mentor program.” Joseph has since become a peer mentor and plans to continue the program until he graduates.

The peer mentor program partners students together for orientation.

“I think Lauren has the ability to work well with any student, and I think she plays a strong role in being a reliable partner,” Hermelbracht said with a smile. Randy Jose, a senior at Stonehill and Melaugh’s peer mentor partner, agrees.

“Lauren was one of the most easy-going people to work with. We have similar attitudes, just whatever happens, happens, and we make it work. Lauren was a great spirit to be around. When there was chaos, we worked well together,” Jose remembers.

Melaugh has definitely come a long way in her time as a peer mentor. Since starting college as a timid freshman, she has integrated herself with the Stonehill community and has risen to be an admired leader. Hermelbracht, who has known Melaugh since her first year on campus, can attest to that.

“Given my position,” Hermelbracht said, “I have the benefit of working with students from their first year to when they graduate Stonehill. I get to see students grow over the four years, and it’s reassuring to see students grow more into themselves, and that’s definitely something that Lauren has done.”

Tyler Turnbull

Reporting and News Writing

May 3, 2012

Profile Story

            Mike Cronin is currently a freshman at Stonehill College. He is an English major, and he grew up in Beverly Massachusetts, going to high school at Saint John’s Preparatory school. What’s interesting about Mike Cronin is that he’s about a year older than most other current freshman at Stonehill. Upon graduating high school, Mike applied to a number of colleges, was accepted to Stonehill, and came here in the Fall of 2010 as a part of the graduating class of 2014. Mike came to Stonehill and stayed on campus for about a month, before making the decision that college was slightly too much and he moved back home for personal reasons. Since then, Mike returned to Stonehill College at the start of the 2011 academic year, again as a freshman. I decided to ask Mike about what that process was like for him, and the difficulties of coming back after a brief hiatus of College life.

            The first question I asked him was whether or not it was difficult to bring himself back to living on campus at the start of this academic year. “Yes it was. I had experiences of living on my own before, with a roommate. But then I had to utilize those skills again to meet new people and get myself out there more because I would be living in a hall where everyone was one year older than me, or at least a class year older than me, with already established friendships.” Mike replied. Mike came back to Stonehill with a difficult situation. He was going to be living with people his age, who had already gone through a year of education at Stonehill. This would mean, as he points out, that he would have to start interacting with people who have already established groups of friends. The challenge of coming back was a difficult one, but making the decision to leave and come back in the first place was also a trial. The second question I asked Mike was when did he decide to come back to Stonehill? “After I left, I knew I would come back and live on campus, but it took a matter of time because there were other priorities that I needed to attend to.” he answered. His situation was an interesting one. There was no question in his mind that he would be returning for his education, however he was free to do so on his own time. I then asked him if he thought there were many others at Stonehill that went through a similar situation. “I’ve been told that a lot of students do a similar thing, where they take time off as well, to tend to other things. People have been telling me that college isn’t like high school where you have to go for all four years at the same time. It can be spaced out.” He replied. Learning that what he was doing wasn’t so abnormal was somewhat comforting to Mike, and he would take on college when he was ready. So Mike was back home after a few weeks at school, and he would live on campus again when he was ready. He came back for the start of the next academic year and has been living on campus ever since. But one question I had for him was what did he do during his time away from campus? “I was commuting to Stonehill, I took 3 classes. During that time I also worked at a preschool as a volunteer. And during the summer I worked as a camp counselor at the same place, with 9-10 year olds as a full time employee.” He said. Mike did continue to study at Stonehill, taking only 3 classes as a commuter. He also volunteered, and worked during the summer. Leaving campus to take 3 classes as a commuter did not mean that Mike was going to be taking it easy; he had a busy life during his time away from campus.

My next question was about his return to school at the beginning of this year. I asked him if Stonehill made it easy for him to come back or if he had to go through the application process again. He told me, “I had to do the roommate questionnaire again, but other than that I was still considered a student even though I only stayed for about a week. So I didn’t have to register or apply like I did the previous year.” Mikes transition back to living on campus was easy enough for him in terms of paperwork. He was still in the Stonehill system as a student, and he simply had to fill out a questionnaire when he was ready to come back to live on campus again. Stonehill was helpful in making this process an easy one for him. I asked Mike if he had a lot of support with each decision he made from the beginning of last year to the start of this one. He answered, “Yes I did. Father Cregan was very supportive, I talked to him. I had great support from the health and wellness center in adjusting to college life.” The departments that Mike had to talk to about his decisions were all very helpful to him, which he appreciated. This made the process easier for Mike and he was guided back to Stonehill to live on campus with ease. My last question was asking if this process has changed his perspective on being in school this year and if it changed his thoughts about college. “It really changed it. I thought it was like high school, where it would be very rigid and not flexible. What I learned is that college is all about learning at your pace and the school allows you to do that. I have 3 extra courses that I got last year from commuting, and in high school you wouldn’t have been able to do that” Mike said. Mike’s thoughts about college changed with his break from living on campus and coming back to it. He’s learned that college is more about one’s goals and that they can be accomplished on their own time. There is no set schedule that is downright necessary for him to stick to, and he can still do great things by doing things on his own time, and he’s shown that he’s certainly doing just that.

Kelsey Shannahan Interview- Mary Lee Mahony

Torn ACL: Not Serendipity, but Certainly not the End

EASTON, Ma. - The weather was unseasonably warm on this winter day at the WB Mason Stadium. The Stonehill women’s lacrosse team was finishing up practice when Kelsey Shannahan, a powerhouse midfielder, had the ball in her stick. As she charged toward the goal, she didn’t think that just one minor change in direction would affect the reason of her season. An instant shock of pain surged throughout her knee as she hit the ground. This was every athlete’s nightmare, and two days before their season opener, she was living it.

            Kelsey Shannahan picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time in the fourth grade. While she was a multitalented athlete, there was something about this sport that stuck. Everything about the game was just so appealing to her. The sheer power and intensity she felt with the stick in her hands and the ball in her pocket matched no other feeling. Shannahan became so fixated on improving her game so that one day she could play at a collegiate level.

In high school, Shannahan was a superstar for the Morris Catholic High School. In 2009 she was named Offensive Player of the Year and was a three-time All-County selection. The college coaches who saw this New Jersey native play were willing to do anything to have her on their program. Lucky enough for Coach Kathryn Lambert, Shannahan committed to Stonehill College in the fall of 2009. During her freshman year, Shannahan’s statistics were off the charts. With thirty eight-points, fifty-eight ground balls, and forty-one caused turnovers, Shannahan was arguably one of the best midfielders in Division II.

Like any athlete, Shannahan had overcome her fair share of injuries throughout her life. Shannahan has dealt with broken bones and sprained ankles. The only difference is that a broken bone mends back together and a sprain swells down quickly. That day at practice, Shannahan encountered something far worse than a broken bone or some kind of sprain. Instead, she tore her ACL, which is something that every athlete fears. Unlike almost every other injury in sports, an ACL tear cannot heal on its own.

“Right when it happened I didn't even think of the ACL. I kept telling myself I broke or sprained something in my knee because I didn't even want to think about the other possibility.” Shannahan scheduled a doctor’s appointment a few days after the incident, and prayed that it wasn’t as serious as she thought.

“We all were optimistic. We kept telling ourselves she would be fine because the truth is, we need her on the field,” says sophomore defender Lauren Bonagura. Shannahan’s teammates stood by her side, and like Bonagura, prayed that this injury would be an easy fix. This type of team plays for national championships and graduates All-Americans. Not having Shannahan on the field threatened this prospect, and the team hoped that this essential player would be ready to play during the regular season. 

Unfortunately, the results were that she had torn her ACL. She is scheduled for surgery on May 31^st, using the patella tendon for the repair. This type is not only the longest recovery, but also the most painful method. Shannahan was told that this was her only option if she ever wanted to play again. Yet, having this surgery wasn’t her main concern. The fact that this all-star athlete had to watch from the sidelines really took an emotional toll on her.

            “It so disappointing to work so hard for something through the offseason and have it slip through your finger tips. I never thought it could happen to me.” In the beginning, Shannahan could not swallow the fact that her season was over before it even started. Though, she quickly realized that this attitude would not take back what happened that day at practice. One way she motivated herself was by researching athletes who also tore their ACL’s in their college careers. The one Shannahan related to the most was Robert Griffin III, a football star for Baylor University. Griffin started as a freshman and was a major asset to the team, but his career was put on hold when he too tore his ACL. This exceptional athlete not only came back strong, he went on to win the Heisman Trophy. This story not only reassures Shannahan, but motivates her for what is left to come in her career.  

            “No one doubts that Kelsey will come back and have an incredible junior year. She is the type of athlete that I truly believe can bounce back from anything,” says junior defender Jessica Guisti. Shannahan’s teammates admire her strength during this difficult process. Instead of sulking on the sidelines, she has become the team’s biggest cheerleader. She also has grown a deeper appreciation for the game and a better understanding of the sport. As a freshman, she would play throughout the game’s duration; therefore she never had the opportunity to watch from a different perspective. This new setting has allowed her to not only dissect the game, but to also think about what she needs to improve upon when she comes back from her injury.

            This young woman isn’t trying to rationalize her situation. She truly believes that while this time in her life has been difficult, it has changed her perspective completely. This injury has reminded Shannahan just how much she needs lacrosse in her life. A lot of athletes take their skills for granted and do not realize that without them, a significant part of their life would be missing. As for now, this resilient and gifted athlete will not only cheer for sidelines, but also envision the successes she will inevitably have her junior and senior season.

Cassandra Therriault (On and off the Field)

Cassandra Therriault

Profile Story

On and Off the Field

It’s a Saturday on a crisp fall day. Football season is at its height and the stadium is starting to fill with energetic fans. As the players take the field the crowd roars. Not only is the field filled with talented athletes but scholars as well. Not only are the coaches creating men within the confines of these goal posts but potential graduates of Dean College. 

The life of a student can be extremely hectic; but what happens when the life of a student revolves around both their academics and a sport. Being a student athlete can often be described as a balancing act. Life, sport, and academics all tie at first for predominance in these student’s lives.  One player that has mastered the juggling act, Christopher Puzzo, is one of Dean College’s receivers on the football team. Originally from Lowell, Massachusetts, Christopher Puzzo came to Dean College to earn a degree in Criminal Justice and continue to play football.

When Puzzo attended Greater Lowell Technical High School in Lowell, Massachusetts he was not only captain of the Gryphons but held excellent academic standing as well. Puzzo also won multiple awards for his outstanding abilities on the field including: Booster Club Award, Homecoming MVP, Thanksgiving Day Game MVP, Season MVP, and CAC Conference All-star. Puzzo began playing at the age of eight years old. At this time parents normally signed their boys up for the local Pop-Warner league as a way to let the kids burn off some energy. This was different for Puzzo, even at a young age the passion for the game was there, and the fight to win was as high as ever.  “My most memorable moment in all of the time I’ve been playing football was right at the beginning. My team and I went undefeated the first season that I had ever played. It was incredible!” said Puzzo.

Along with the perks of playing your favorite sport throughout your college experience there are many aspects that are at the top of all the student athletes agendas. Their degree! “Each student athlete must have at least a 2.0 grade point average. Skipping practice is not allowed and attendance in your classes is obviously highly recommended,” said Puzzo. Like most students Puzzo takes five registered courses on Dean’s campus. His days begin at with a six a.m. “wake up” practice and classes following directly after. All student athletes are required to attend study hall at least three nights a week. This is not only for the students benefit but also for the coaches to keep and eye on the work that should be done.

            Each day poses a hurtle to be jumped, “Some of the difficulties of being a student athlete are having to try to manage your time accordingly. It is all very time consuming. You also feeling that you have to be best all the time,” said Puzzo. These difficulties are well worth it when it comes to Saturday afternoon and the crowd is cheering for each and every one of the athletes on the field.

            “I love everything about football: the physical part the mental, just having to go to war with your team every single Sunday or Saturday, and I choose criminal justice because I want to be able to make a difference within my community.” Puzzo. Puzzo’s passion on the field and in the academic books has proved to be more than beneficial in the past. The future looks bright for this young man. While balancing his love of the game and his future in criminal justice, Puzzo also manages to find time for extra curricular activates, like playing the ukulele. Not matter what Puzzo can be found out on the field with his fellow teammates playing his heart out.  “When it comes to game day I put my left shoe then my right one and I always listen to the same songs before a game!” said Puzzo laughing, “Hopefully one day that gets me to the Dallas Cowboys!” With hard work and dedication, this student athlete might get his wish.

Graduating Senior Leaves Stonehill Full of HOPE_Aaron Routses

It was December 2009 when Rachel Norberg, a sophomore at Stonehill College, first made the decision to spend her spring break away from her family and friends to enlist in a week of service with the Stonehill College HOPE program. In a time that is normally reserved for vacations, parties and lying in the sun, Rachel spent the week-long service trip in Florida repairing houses for families in need.

            Today, Norberg sits in her dorm room browsing the internet for non-profit job opportunities for after graduation. Now a senior, Norberg has participated in the HOPE program three years in a row. Her dedication to social action has earned her recognition from college administrators and students alike as playing a key role in the social action initiative at Stonehill College.   

            HOPE is a national and international service program run by Stonehill College. Every year, Stonehill brings HOPE volunteers to areas in need to provide service for local organizations and families. “The HOPE acronym stands for Honoring our neighbor, Organizing for justice, Practicing peace and Encountering God,” said, William Keough a junior at Stonehill who had recently joined the HOPE program. Joseph Miller, a campus minister for HOPE, gives his outlook for the future of the HOPE program. “I see the beginning of a longer commitment to justice and service for all those who participate; not something that’s done and then only lives on in someone’s resume. It’s my hope that through combining service, group bonding, and reflection we awaken a desire for such a commitment in those that choose to participate in the HOPE program.”

            Norberg’s involvement in the HOPE program began in the spring break of her sophomore year. She and 50 other students were flown to Florida to renovate houses and clean out a warehouse that would become a consignment store for families in need.

She was reluctant to leave her close circle of friends, but her anxieties were quickly diminished when she became closer to the other students serving in HOPE. “I didn’t do the trip on my freshman year because none of my friends were going and I was afraid I would be alone,” Norberg said. “I regretted that decision after the kids who went came back and I heard about how much fun they had. I’m happy I went alone the next year because it made me come out of my shell and meet new people,” Norberg said.

By her junior year, Norberg had made the transition into a leadership position for the group’s trip to New Orleans, LA. In addition to helping rebuild local areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Rachel’s duties were now extended to organizing pre and post departure meetings, planning team-building exercises and communicating with local contacts for work assignments.

            Her first year as HOPE leader was an overall success with the renovation of several homes and moments of reflection and spiritual growth for all of those who were involved. However, the New Orleans trip was slightly derailed when new volunteers were caught in possession of alcohol on the famous Bourbon Street, Norberg wasted no time in resolving the issue by calling the volunteer community together and addressing the infraction as a learning experience rather than a stain on the program’s flawless reputation.  Her actions made sure that the infraction would not distract the HOPE team from achieving their goals.

            The third and final HOPE trip was a bittersweet experience for Norberg. Reclaiming her position as HOPE leader, she, along with 19 other students, embarked on the 17-hour drive to Cosby Tennessee.  The HOPE team spent the week repairing the home of a family who had been stricken by multiple tragedies including untimely death of a mother and a child who had sustained severe injuries from an animal attack.

            Although it was a positive experience for Norberg, she recounts leaving the program with sadness. “Tennessee was by far my favorite HOPE experience,” Norberg said “The intimacy that comes with being in charge of a smaller group allowed us to really come together and bond as a group. That’s important when you’re dealing with such an emotional issue like the one we had here.”

            Upon her return from Tennessee, it was apparent that Norberg had played a key role in promoting the importance of social action throughout her college career. She had been involved in three HOPE trips, two of which, she had taken on leadership roles. During these trips, Rachel exhibited all aspects of the HOPE mission by honoring neighbors, practicing peace and encouraging the encounters of God.

            “I would never have given up what I gained by participating in the HOPE program,” Rachel said. “I never thought that leaving the country to party would be a good place for me. I’m not sure whether or not I will be able to have another experience like this. I do know, however, that my time with HOPE has reshaped the way I see the world around me and will impact of how I live my life in the future.”

            Norberg’s advice for younger students considering giving their time to service is to go for it and let nothing hold you back.

The Running Exchange Reaches out to Africa

Sam Spencer
Feature Story
    Imagine a little boy in Kenya running through his village as fast as he can. His face radiates of joy and pure excitement. This boy does not have much in life, but he just received a new pair of shoes from the Running Exchange. Not a bad day for the little boy.
    The Running Exchange, a nonprofit program founded by Tim Johnson, a junior at Stonehill College, collects new and used shoes and donates them to those most in need.
    Johnson will take anyone’s shoes, whether they are brand new running shoes, casual walking shoes, or shoes that have holes in them. He donates running shoes in decent condition to Kenya, and recycles shoes that are too worn down for use. He sends casual shoes that are good condition, but not suitable for strenuous activity to various charities throughout the United States.
   It was this hoarding instinct that initially compelled Johnson to start The Running Exchange. After Johnson’s freshman year, his roommate had a pair of running shoes that he wanted to get rid of. Johnson took them without a plan.
    By chance, he met Greg Snell, a missionary priest from Indiana who trains priests in Naivishi, Kenya. Snell is affiliated with The First Congregational Church of Thomaston, Johnson’s church. Now he knew what he wanted to do with his roommate’s shoes.
    Johnson emailed Snell, and asked him if he could distribute a large donation of running shoes to people in need. Snell was more than willing to help, and happens to be good friends with Paul Tergat, one of the greatest Kenya distance runners of all time. Snell agreed to send Johnson’s shoes to the Paul Tergat Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya.
    So far, The Running Exchange has donated over 60 pairs of running shoes to small villages in Kenya through the Paul Tergat Foundation. Johnson plans on sending 60 to 70 pairs every semester. He is on the track and field team at Stonehill, and reaches out to his teammates, friends, and relatives to donate. He has even set up a Facebook page and made business cards for the Running Exchange.
    Those close to Johnson agree that he does a great job reaching out. “Tim has really used his resources well. His work with SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise), Twitter, Facebook, and other running groups has allowed him to do the most good possible,” said Lizzie LaRegina, Johnson’s girlfriend.
    “As a runner, I go through four to five pairs of running shoes a year. When I am done with them, they sit in my closet. When I heard Tim started the Running Exchange, I brought 10 pairs back to school with me after winter break,” said Sean Hanlon, one of Johnson’s close friends and fellow teammate.
    “It would be cool if it could be my job some day,” said Johnson. He wants the Running Exchange to have a presence at marathon and road race finish lines, encouraging athletes to donate their shoes on the spot in exchange for cheap flip flops that they can wear in the meantime.
    Johnson keeps an open mind when considering the Running Exchange’s future. He plans on visiting Kenya to see for himself what else he can do to help. He understands that there are far greater needs in Africa than having running shoes, and hopes to gain a greater knowledge of those needs and how he can satisfy them through his nonprofit work.

The Gentle Giant Will Never be Shot Down- By Liza Duchesneau

     

Click on this to watch Gabe explain how he fell down three flights of stairs!

     You would never guess the history behind the ‘gentle giant’ of Stonehill College. Victor Gabriel Ochoa Diaz, or Gabe as he more widely known, is, according to his girlfriend Amanda Reynolds,  “the most interesting, and compassionate and definitely softhearted person you’ll ever meet.” Reynolds also describes Gabe as a “jungle man,” since he is 18 years old yet looks 25. Gabe’s best friend Jayson Odom said that a passerby might just see him as “a bulky guy,” but behind all Gabe’s muscle and bulk, there lies a kindhearted gentleman with a surprising past.

     Growing up in Yonkers, New York, where, according to an online source, the crime rate is 48 percent higher than the national average, Gabe’s childhood was not exactly easy—or safe. Last year, while coming home from a birthday celebration one late night, Gabe was caught in the middle of a very violent gang war. He remembers waking up four days later in the ICU of the hospital, stitched and bandaged on his left shoulder and abdomen. Gabe had tried to hide behind two cars, but caught in midst of gunfire, the bullets got him anyway. He vaguely remembers the initial hit: “just lying on the ground, not knowing what was happening, just slowing like, it was strange, everything just kind of faded out and you lose your sense of place,” he said.

     Looking back on the experience now, Gabe can still see the shooter’s face. It was an unknown man, a complete stranger, who created this horrible memory for Gabe that will last the rest of his life. This shooting was one of seven times Gabe has almost died. Another time, Reynolds says, was when Gabe tried to protect his friend from getting stabbed. “He was trying to save a life. He did save someone’s life because that person did not get stabbed and he did.” The other five times include falling down a three story stair-well and getting hit by an ambulance, to name a couple. Reynolds says that her boyfriend is a “pain in the ass” because of all the crazy situations he finds himself in. He recovered fully from the bullet wounds, and fortunately from all of his other near-death experiences. He always seems to make it through—not only make it through, but keep a smile on his face.

     Gabe explains that uses music to get him through difficult times and overcome obstacles in his life. He finds a beat in everything, bopping to nature’s tunes, like waterfalls and chirping birds as he walks through the Stonehill campus. He plays four different instruments and is the main vocalist in his hometown band “Sideways Street Kings.” Gabe even plans to incorporate music into his career when he graduates from Stonehill in 2015. As a biology pre-med and music major he hopes to someday open a private practice, which will also serve as a musical therapy center for children. Gabe’s dedication to school and music helped create a positive image for his little brother, Joshua.     

     Gabe wants nothing more than to make sure his little brother succeeds. He took one the responsibility of making sure Joshua was raised with a good role model. With a mentally deficient and deaf mother, Gabe was on his own as a kid, and had to figure life out practically on his own. His father was absent all his life, and even though his grandparents lived next-door, they could not fulfill the role of parents. Gabe wanted to make things easier for his now 10-year-old brother. He explains the pride he takes in helping raise his brother, “I got to step into those father shoes,” he said, “I love that little boy, my little brother.” Gabe tries to look at the glass half full, thinking of his absentee father as an example of how not to parent.

     Gabe, as upbeat as he is, still struggles with life’s difficulties sometimes. When things get really hard, he just sticks to his lifetime motto: ‘keep calm, carry on, and keep on keepin’ on’. He remembers this philosophy when the obstacles in his life seem too much to bear. Even the obstacles themselves prevent Gabe from getting down though; he just thinks of how much worse everything could be, like when he got shot, and it helps him realize then that he can conquer anything.