Vocare Send-Off Address: Go Make a Difference in the World

3/6/2024

Meaghan Lagore, DSHA '16

Admissions and Marketing Coordinator Meaghan Lagore, DSHA '16, shared her impactful Vocare experience with Dashers at the 2024 Vocare Send-Off Assembly. Read her remarks to students.

I am Meaghan Lagore, I work here in admissions, but I am also a proud graduate of the DSHA Class of 2016. Looking back on high school, I have so many fond memories: being a campus ministry officer, eating popcorn chicken bowls for lunch, hanging out with Ms. Wissing during her ALPHA hour. But one of my top memories was easily Vocare.

Ten years ago, I was sitting in the sophomore section watching the first-ever Vocare sendoff assembly take place. I was in awe of all the different service sites the seniors were heading off to and a little jealous that they were going to be out of school for two weeks. I was so eager for my own Vocare experience. Eight years ago, I was finally sitting in the senior section, nervous and excited to place my candle on the table representing service to those with special needs. For my Vocare experience, I was placed at Easterseals out in Waukesha. This was an adult day center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Initially after hearing my placement, I was quite nervous and, I hate to say it, but a little disappointed because Easterseals was not one of my top three choices I had provided to Campus Ministry. Because I love working with children, I was really hoping to be placed at an elementary school. Within five minutes of arriving at Easterseals, however, I knew this was where I was meant to be. It was a blessing in disguise.

Easterseals was a big warehouse with different sections for the adults to complete work tasks. I was there to get to know them and help them stay focused with their tasks. Some of their job assignments included sorting screws and nails, putting stickered labels on buckets, having kitchen duty, and filling jars with Vicks VapoRub; there was a Vicks VapoRub facility in the warehouse so any time I get a whiff of Vicks it immediately brings back fond memories of my Vocare site.

Now some of you may be sitting here today feeling nervous about what your experience may be like. I promise you from my experience, the best part of Vocare will be the many connections you are going to make during the next two weeks. You’re not going to remember getting lost on your first day, you’re going to remember the people. I made so many friends and had many great conversations. Every day, I looked forward to returning and seeing my new friends. They loved talking about Wisconsin sports, my uniform skirt, and asking me questions about field hockey.

Lisa and I became close because we talked about American Idol and at the end of my journey she gave me her address so we could continue to keep in touch. Shawn was another member I got close with. We spent most of our conversation talking about Sam Windsor. Sam was the senior assigned to Easterseals the year before me and also one of my good friends. Sam told me I was going to love my time at EasterSeals and mentioned that Shawn was one of her favorites. I mention Shawn and Sam’s story because it is a true testament that Vocare goes beyond two weeks. Even after a year, Shawn remembered and cherished his time with Sam.

The last day was definitely emotional having to say goodbye to everyone. One of my favorite memories was with one of the adults who was nonverbal, I spent a lot of time talking to him and helping with his jobs. On the last day before he left for the day, he walked over to me, put his hand over mine and just smiled. I never got his name but I will never forget how touched I was in that moment. Even though we didn’t communicate like I did with the others, it was the simple act of being there that formed our connection. This is what Vocare is all about: Making connections, bringing a smile to someone’s face and just being there for others who may not walk through life as easily as you and I do.

One of my favorite parts about working at DSHA is talking to prospective families about all of you. I love to brag about all of you and the incredible DSHA student body. I love bragging about all the state championships we have won in the past couple of years. I love sharing about our theater department and stage crew who put on the most incredible shows I have ever seen. I am proud to share about our numerous co-curricular offerings, explaining that each one is led by our students. I love to point out that collectively our student body has a huge focus on service, collecting over 22,000 hours each year. That is an incredible statistic, 22,000 hours!

As I explain the service component to prospective families, I let them know about the service requirement, but I tell them that you don’t see it as a requirement but rather an opportunity to give back. At DSHA you don’t have to do service, you get to do service. We have a student body with 125 middle schools and 60 different zip codes represented. Each of you has come to DSHA with a different understanding of service. Maybe some of you did service in middle school, maybe some of you didn’t, but DSHA Campus Ministry does a fantastic job of giving you the tools you need to give back. Something as simple as bringing in a canned good to be out of uniform makes a difference. Vocare is the culmination of all the service you have done in the past four years. You are now being called forth to serve and be the light of Christ for others.

Now I could talk for hours about how wonderful the Vocare experience is, but Dr. Pickart wanted me to keep this around five minutes. Seniors, I want to leave you with a few things:

The first day may be tough being filled with the nerves of getting out of your comfort zone. Go in with an open mind and a positive outlook and it will be so worth it. I believe that everything happens for a reason and God placed you at your site to make a difference.
The last day is going to be tougher. You are not going to want to come back to school and it is going to be very hard to say goodbye to all the friendships you have formed during the next two weeks. The good news is you have formed these new connections and you can always go back.
Make those connections! They truly do matter and leave a lasting impression. The bonds you make in the next two weeks will stay with you forever. Trust me, all the people you serve will feel it too.
Take naps! Obviously not during the day, but Vocare can be mentally and physically exhausting so just remember to take care of yourself. I remember coming home every day and sleeping until dinner time because I was so tired. But I wouldn’t have traded that exhaustion for the world.
Journal about your experience. This may feel silly to do, but these are fun memories to look back on and you are going to want to remember everything.
Lastly, have fun! Whether it is doing math facts with 1st graders, playing board games with the elderly, or conversing with the site leader, enjoy every moment.

To quote my second favorite church song, after "We Are One Body," of course, "go make a difference, we can make a difference, go make a difference in the world."

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