SUA Bulldogs in the Community

With Bulldog Buddies starting up for the year, I figured it would be a great time to let everyone know what exactly it is and why it is important. Bulldog Buddies is a program where SUA students go to either DeSales, Hays Porter, or Corryville Catholic to tutor kids after school. I have asked a couple of the student leaders to share their input on this matter.

When I asked Bulldog Buddies leader at DeSales, Aissa Bah '23, why this program is so important, she said it helps the students become more “academically confident at a young age.” She also believes it is vital to “shape [the students] views of school, homework, and studying in a positive light.”

I asked another student leader for DeSales, Elise Gerding '23, why she became a leader for this program. She enjoys tutoring because she is “helping these children understand what they are learning” and it is a chance to “give them time to work at their own pace and get the individual attention they need.”

I am also a leader for Bulldog Buddies at Hays Porter grade school. This is my second year being a part of this program and I absolutely love it! I got involved with this program because when I was in grade school, I was a kid who always had to get tutoring after school and do corrections on tests when I failed. At the time, this caused me to feel dumb and so behind the other kids, making me to hate school. I wish I had the opportunity to get one-on-one help like Bulldog Buddies provides. Because of my negative experiences in school, I always try to be the most understanding and encouraging I can be when I am tutoring the kids so they develop a better relationship with school than I did when I was their age.

I know from personal experience that just a little help and patience can go a long way. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone considering joining next year! It is one of the most rewarding feelings when the kid you are tutoring finally grasp a concept because you explained it in a way that they could make sense of. The SUA girls in Bulldog Buddies are making a huge difference in these children’s lives by helping them grow a deeper connection with their education and even just by giving them an outlet to listen to.