This weekend I went to the Jelly Belly Factory in Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.
You're probably wondering why I would spend my Saturday two hours away sampling 50 different flavors of bean-shaped processed sugar, so allow me to explain.
I work at Oakton Elementary School off the South Blvd. El stop for the Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc., an Evanston subsidiary of the America Reads program. According to its Web site, Y.O.U. is "a social service agency that provides guidance, support and advocacy for Evanston youth." Saturday's excursion to jelly bean Mecca was a Y.O.U. field trip for the Oakton third-, fourth- and fifth-graders who attend the after-school program.
When I first interviewed with my site coordinator for the job, she was serious about me committing to the job because in the past work-study students have grown weary of the children and quit. Many of the Oakton kids come from broken homes and have experienced hardships that most kids their age don't have to worry about. As a result, many of them have major behavioral issues - they often fight, curse, refuse to work and lash out at authority figures. One time a fourth-grader got mad at me and tried to spear me with the legs of a chair.
But then days like Saturday at the Jelly Belly Factory remind me that they are just kids. They giggle when they give me a jelly bean saying it's popcorn-flavored, and then laugh hysterically when my face contorts in disgust as I realize the flavor is really rotten egg. The kids love spending time with us counselors, and likewise, most of the time it is an absolute joy to be with them. As cliché as it sounds, there really is something about a child's laughter that makes you feel good inside.
The DAILY encourages you to share your thoughts on this story. Please help us keep the discussion lively, but civil. Comments that are abusive to others, off-topic or vulgar, or comments that misrepresent someone's identity, will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to delete any comments in violation or to close comment threads on articles.
Nick,
Your column was inspiring and is a wonderful example of the positive impact that our students can have on children in our community.
NU has a parntership with the McGaw YMCA Children's Center to provide priority enrollment for our NU families and funds a fine arts program for the children. (Continued…)
Having worked at a day camp for underprivileged youth where the main equipment we had for the kids was a single basketball, some dodgeballs and a usually deflated soccer ball, I totally sympathize. (Continued…)
2008 Woodie Awards
The DAILY encourages you to share your thoughts on this story. Please help us keep the discussion lively, but civil. Comments that are abusive to others, off-topic or vulgar, or comments that misrepresent someone's identity, will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to delete any comments in violation or to close comment threads on articles.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
james
posted 4/15/08 @ 10:01 AM CST
WOW! Sign me up! Great article Nick.
Dayra
posted 4/16/08 @ 1:00 AM CST
Bravo! The Editors picked well.
Katie
posted 4/21/08 @ 12:42 PM CST
Nick,
Your column was inspiring and is a wonderful example of the positive impact that our students can have on children in our community.
NU has a parntership with the McGaw YMCA Children's Center to provide priority enrollment for our NU families and funds a fine arts program for the children. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 5/13/08 @ 5:36 PM CST
Having worked at a day camp for underprivileged youth where the main equipment we had for the kids was a single basketball, some dodgeballs and a usually deflated soccer ball, I totally sympathize. (Continued…)
Charlie
posted 5/13/08 @ 10:32 PM CST
great article! well said
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