ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART

IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS
In late March of 2008, I received my acceptance
letter to Sprout Creek Farm. I
was ecstatic, naturally; wildlife and the
outdoors had always been special to me, and
I was ready to live a simple lifestyle. This is
exactly what Sprout Creek Farm gave me. I
gained a stronger faith in god, tons of new
friends who I still consider my sisters, and
that simple lifestyle that I had been yearning
for. At the farm, we milked cows, fed
the animals, built a gazebo for a new tree
orchard, gardened, laughed, milked the
goats, laughed some more and had the best
time of our lives. Now you might ask who I
am referring to as "we." That’s simple. The
Network Summer Service Projects bring together
Sacred Heart students from all over
the country; it might sound cheesy, but it
is very strange how we are all connected.
Starting conversation was easy with these
girls because we had so much in common:
Mater masses, class rings, cache-cache,
Coeur de Jésus, goûter, surprise congés, and
12
THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2010
By Elise Landreaux '11
Editor’s note: The Sacred Heart Network Summer Service Project is in its 19th year of offering
programs to students and faculty that enrich their commitment to “social awareness that impels
to action.” In 2009, over 171 Network students from 19 Sacred Heart Schools participated in
the eleven Summer Service Programs offered. The Rosary had four students participate. Elise
Landreaux and Gabrielle Broders went to Chicago for the “Juvenile Justice” program. Maria
Willhoit traveled to Poughkeepsie, New York to live and work at “Sprout Creek Farm,” and
Grace Heidel participated in the “Bays to Waves” program in San Francisco. To learn more about
all the programs, contact Sue Heidel, Upper School Community Outreach Coordinator.
all of the many other Sacred Heart traditions.
By the end of this trip I felt fulfilled
by god and couldn’t be happier when I got
home to keep up communications with my
new "sisters." It was one of the best experiences
of my life.
Due to my utter love for the farm, the
next summer (my sophomore year) I decided
to attend another Network Summer Service
Project. However, this one was quite different.
It was held in Chicago where we learned
about the Juvenile Justice System. At first
this project was a letdown for me. Why you
might ask? Well, we didn’t do any physical
work, and I didn’t feel like I was making a
difference. However, after many meetings
with important Cook County employees,
a visit to juvenile court, and cleaning up
a school in the projects, everything came
together, and I was hit with a wave of emotions.
I realized that this was much, much
different then the farm. It was a more complicated
issue that you had to learn about
before entering into and getting your hands
dirty. Toward the last day, I was changed
inside, and I still am. It gave me a strong
sense of gratitude realizing that my life is
really not bad at all (even when I get that
failing test grade back). After coming home,
I would not let myself complain about my
life knowing that I could have it 100 times
worse. I also gained a stronger sense of faith
and made many friends who I am still in
contact with. In fact, one of them came
down to New Orleans on our exchange program
for three weeks in October. I was her
host sister, and we had a blast together.
I would recommend taking a look at
these Network Service Projects—they are
life-changing. Now I can’t force you to do
this, but I will end on this note. I know that
I would be a completely different person if I
had not attended these projects. They mean
the world to me, and I hope that everyone
could have experiences like this.
Sprout Creek Farm