St Ignatius College Prepatory - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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Forth Tlowuqk JuitLca 1. Olivia Raggio and Kendal Mitchell enjoy the beauty of El Salvador. 2. The El Salvador Immersion Group poses for a photo. 3. Erika Bruning meets a new friend at a local school. 4. Erika Bruning. Kendal Mitchell, and Katherine Dobberstcin with their host family. S. The El Salvador Immersion group at the Salvadoran Capital Building 6. Mr. Rhodes. Dylan Murphy. John Moran, and Daniel Doherty take a break and bond together. 7. Daniel Doherty. John Moran. Amelia Rudnicki, and Erika Bruning enjoy their empanadas. 8. Kendal Mitchell enjoys quality time with her host family. On July 5. 2010, we flew across the US and Central America to the small country of El Salvador. The first night, while still recovering from the long flight, we had our first reality check how we would be spending the next fifteen days (barbed wire, retaining walls and empty streets). We soon saw past these obstacles and into the homes and lives of the people living behind them. In the process, we not only learned about Salvadoran culture, but also learned to get along and have some fun. Actually, we had a lot of fun. Whether it was Dylan saving the day wearing only boxer briefs, Yvette showing serious signs of narcolepsy, Amelia leading us in song, Rhodes putting the moves on Ms. Doan (Doan give up Rhodes). Erika getting some numbers from the locals, Katie telling us about her fascination with the human body, Olivia keeping us classy and polite. Kendal slipping on everything, or Danny and John “mackin” on everyone, we formed close relationships that not only enriched our experience aboard, but also continue to grow everyday. So to all you future El Salvador groups, we leave you with one final question, jComo se dice “plunger” en espaiiol? Yours juice-ly, El Salvador Immersion 2010 18

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itfjtijkji M AcItiwU SoiidasiCtij mnmvm1 While in Los Angeles, we experienced living simply, building community, keeping faith, and acting justly. We spent our first week in Boyle Heights living in Dolores Mission School. We enjoyed soccer, basketball, and a giant water fight with the students of Dolores Mission. Guadalupe Homeless Project provides homeless men with a bed to sleep on for 90 days while they look for work during the day. We made dinner and dessert for the men, and listened to their stories. In our second week, we stayed at Blessed Sacrament in West Hollywood. There, we worked at the homeless shelter. We achieved solidarity through stepping into the shoes of those who live lives opposite our own. Father Greg Boyle once said: “The way you see the world depends on where you stand.” By standing in fellowship with the men and women who welcomed us into their lives, we discovered a new world built entirely on both compassion and companionship. We were welcomed into these communities with open arms and treated as family, a feeling so warm and true that to this day we feel it pulsing through our veins. In those two weeks, we caught a glimpse of the strength and wonders building community can offer. Together we shared discussions, meals, laughs, communion, and even tears as we learned what it’s like to live in a place where we must all depend on one another. It truly was a transforming experience. 1. The East LA group reflects at Venice Beach. 2.East LA Immersion jumps to bring justice to the community. 3. The East LA group poses for a photo overlooking the city they served for two weeks. 4. The East LA Immersion group get ready to board their van. 5. The East l A group gets together for a group hug at Venice Beach. 6. The Homeboy motto reflects their mission for justice. 7. The East LA group and a member of the Homeboy staff. 8. Father Greg Boyle and the East LA group pose after a day of work. 9. The East LA takes a day off at the beach. 17

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All eleven of us will agree that our two weeks in New Orleans this summer were completely life changing. Living in a marginalized community thousands of miles from the Bay Area widened our perspective on the way we see our country and the world. Every experience we had, from working on houses with Habitat for Humanity to meeting players from the Saints while visiting the Gulf Coast oil spill, was moving and inspirational. At first it seemed like adversity was everywhere we looked. During our reflection time, where we prayed, journaled and talked, our group tried so desperately hard make sense of everything we were witnessing. Together in Louisiana, we were able to recognize a strong need for social justice, something that especially resonated with us and our Jesuit identity. It was really devastating seeing the impact that Hurricane Katrina physically had on the city of New Orleans but it was equally, if not more uplifting to see that so many resilient people had come together to rebuild such a magical and vibrant city. The stories we heard, the people we met and the things we experienced will always be remembered and forever remain in our hearts. We worked hard, played hard reflected even harder. New Orleans Immersion 2010 - WHO DAT?! 1. The New Orleans Immersion Group have a day of bonding. 2. The New Orleans Immersion Group take a break during a long day of work. 3. The New Orleans Immersion Group hangs out together at the park. 4. The New Orleans Immersion Group spends a day volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. 5. Erica Yco makes friends at the Boys and Girls Club. 6. The New Orleans Immersion Group poses for a photo while walking around the neighborhoods of New Orleans 7. Kasey Cullinan shares a laugh with a friend she met while volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. 19