This year has been one of big changes: so many people we miss and, yet, so many new friends to get to know better.
Senior Aldrich Wilberg took a moment to speak to two new faculty members as well as a beloved friend of the school.
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Meet Br. Tom Junis, SDB
Brother Tom is a Salesian brother who is on his way to becoming a priest. He taught Theology at Shaw and was the baseball team’s chaplain for two years. He is continuing his studies in Mexico.
How's life been since leaving Shaw?
It’s going well. This summer I took six weeks of Spanish classes and got to work our summer camp. I am enjoying my classes (even with the challenge of them being in Spanish). I also get to do some ministry. We walk through a nearby poor neighborhood and talk to families to see if the kids can come for a time of games, prayer, and food.
Has your relationship with God grown since you left?
I have felt God calling me to trust Him a lot more during this time and also to grow in humility and to ask for help when I need it, which is often. God has definitely been my greatest support during this time of transition, which often times has not been easy. He’s given me a lot of peace.
How would you describe your experience with your new lifestyle? It has been a big adjustment getting used to a new language and culture. I have tried to be open to the differences. I always try new foods (most of which I’ve tolerated well except pickeled pork skins). We have a very full schedule here: prayers and Mass from 6:30 to 7:45 in the morning, classes from 8:30 to 2pm, lunch and then a majority of the Salesians play soccer from 3 to 4, the afternoon for study and chores until prayers at 7:30 followed by dinner at 8. After dinner, some of us have ministry or more time to study.
Do you miss teaching?
Of course, I miss being in the classroom and seeing all my Shaw Eagles. It has been a big adjustment going from being a teacher to a student but it has given me a greater appreciation for my professors
What are you looking forward to in the years to come?
The coming years will be a lot of big steps for me. In two years I will make perpetual vows to be a Salesian forever and then, at the end of that school year, I will be ordained a deacon, and a year after that a priest. I’m also excited to see a lot of ministries that the Salesians do here in Mexico, such as working with kids who live on the streets and prison ministry, two things that Don Bosco did.
Meet Matthew Collins
Matthew Collins (Class of 2017) is a member of the English department and teaches English 8. He is a distinguished graduate of Archbishop Shaw and Louisiana State University.
What career experience did you have before coming to Shaw?
I taught at the Laureate Academy Charter School as third-grade educator .
How would you describe the transition to teacher the young men of Shaw.
The transition to teaching Shaw boys is still a tight-rope act. I am still a Shaw boy myself, so trying to find the balance of what ic an do to serve you all the best has been interesting.
What's your faith life been like now that you are teaching in a fundamentality faith-focusing environment?
My relationship with God is better this year than it has been in a while. I have been trying to go to a mass at lunch at least once a week. When paired with the amount of masses and prayer services that have we had I am feeling great spiritually.
What has life been like since taking on this role?
The lifestyle working at Shaw has been a great one. Last year I was torn, trying to do activities here as an alumni and working and committing myself to another school was difficult. Working here, with more similarly minded individuals, has made my life far better.
What's been your greatest memory so far this year?
My greatest memory happened in one of my class-es. I normally ask if there are any grievances any-one has before we get started for the day and one of my boys said the only genuinely funny thing I have heard from a student this year and it was awesome.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to a few things this year: My eighth-graders growing up, COR in January, and the seniors graduating in May.
meet Colin Donovan
Colin Donovan is a member of the Science department and teaches Chemistry and Physics.
Tell us about your history before Shaw.
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri and I lived there up until I graduated from high school. I attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kentucky, where I studied chemistry and physics.
How would you describe the transition to teaching the young men of Shaw?
I went to an all-boys high school with a similar culture to Shaw, and it has been fun to be on the other side of things (as a teacher/coach instead of as a student). All this year, I’ve been very impressed with the community that I have walked into, and I hope that I can help contribute to build that community up even more.
What’s your faith life been like since making such
a big move?
Saying “yes” to moving down and teaching here took a lot of trust in God and His plan for me, but that initial leap of faith has paid dividends already. I think that by seeing the results of that moment of trust, I have deepened both my relationship with God and the trust in Him guiding my steps, even through those difficult decisions.
Are you enjoying this new chapter in your life?
Absolutely! Whether it be teaching chemistry, physics, or coaching cross country, I don’t think a day has gone by where I haven’t had an immense feeling of gratitude for the opportunity tobe here. I want to help serve in whatever way I can.
What is your greatest memory of this semester?
I know this is cheating, but I would say it’s between two things: either watching my students excel in leading the demonstrations at our open house or the first cross-country meet of the year.
What are you looking forward to in next semester?
I am really excited for our regional and state cross-country meets coming up, as well as track season in the Spring.
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