Junior cares about grade-schoolers

Matthew Gilligan, a 16-year-old junior at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, spends much of his free time at his former grade school, St. Teresa of Avila.

Everyday at 3 p.m., he's either in the gymnasium or out in the playground with the students in the TLC afterschool program.

"I really like working with the kids," he told The Evangelist. "It's just free time for them; there's no set program."

Long-term effort

It's nothing new for Matthew to volunteer at the school. Since he was a sixth-grader there, he has offered his time as a helper. He doesn't remember why he started; he just remembers that it was something he wanted to do.

For two-and-a-half hours each school day, Matthew keeps track of about 20 children, who range from pre-schoolers to sixth-graders. Some attend an afterschool homework program, while they await the arrival of a parent to pick them up. Matthew has to keep them occupied.

"The little kids have such a short attention span, so it's a challenge to keep them occupied," he said.

Family tradition

"Matthew, along with his mother, father and younger brother Jason, have always been involved here at the school as volunteers," said Sister Patricia Houlihan, RSM, principal.

Matthew's mother passed away last year, and he is continuing the family's tradition of service to the school.

"Matthew is very reliable and responsible," she said. "He also volunteers as a helper in the kitchen when we have dinners. He's active in the church as a lector and altar server."

Maginn efforts

At Maginn, Matthew is just as involved. He worked behind the scenes for the annual play and joined the Service Club, which is made up of students who volunteer with community projects.

"Right now, we're involved in getting donations of food for St. John/St. Ann's outreach program for the holidays," Matthew noted, referring to a downtown Albany parish.

After high school, he plans to attend college, although he isn't sure what he wants to study. His academic interests range from theology to marine biology. But his constant interest remains volunteering at St. Teresa's.

"I enjoy being at the school, and I like helping out in any way I can," he declared. "I'm not sure about the future, but I do know that I'd like to work in a school. I really enjoy being around the kids."

(11/16/06) [[In-content Ad]]