LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL - KALYAN: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM
July 18, 2014
After a number of years, finally AVEC was invited to organize an Orientation program for the students of STD IX & X at Lourdes High School - Kalyan. The incessant rains caused us to arrive a bit late at school. Today, was an experience of a kind! We saw the good and the worst side of students. For the very first time, in all our 130 school visits and encountering over 20000 students did we come across such disrespectful behavior! Somehow, the STD X were not at all interested in the session. All through the prayer song and the initial half of the session, the students, especially the boys kept disturbing. In spite of repeated request from Fr. Glenn, the students showed no signs of interest. The session for the STD X was then discontinued and the students were requested to go back to class.
The second session with the STD IX was a totally different experience. They were better prepared and more disciplined. The two and a half hour session on 'My Life: A Valued Journey' was a real moment to introspect and make the necessary changes for living a more meaningful and significant life. Fr. Glenn challenged the young students to start Making A Difference. The examples of Kia Scherr, Malala Yousafzai, Ryan Hreljac and Fr. Glenn's own testimony of being a Kidney donor were inspiring to all. "You need to stop making excuses and start asking 'Meaning questions' in order to find solutions for daily living", he said. "Get back to the valued path and listen to your inner voice", he advised them
The students were then taken through a series of questions, insightful examples accompanied by a creative PowerPoint presentation. Twelve Diamond Values were proposed to the students to prepare themselves for the world ahead. The importance of having a 'Winner's Attitude', the strength of TEAM, the wisdom in 'Communication', the power of 'Creativity', the depth in 'Motivation', the humility of 'accepting corrections', the need for Multitasking, the vision of seeing the 'Bigger Picture', the truth about 'Money', the quality of living a 'Balanced life' and finally the secret to 'living a Life of Abundance' were values that really made sense to all the young students.
The students were given a lot of examples and they were challenged to get back to the Valued path and live these 12 Diamond values in a constructive way. At the end of the session, Ms. Jacqueline Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. Floral bouquets were given to both the speakers by the school Vice Principal as a sign of appreciation.
A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC Log Book:
"I am deeply inspired by Fr. Glenn. i promise to become M.A.D. I salute Fr. Glenn for donating his kidney to a needy person" - Roshan Dabhilkar IX-D
"I am inspired too by Fr. Glenn. I promise to become a successful person in the future. Thank you Fr. for giving us this learning on values" - Siddesh Patil IX-D
"Very inspiring and heart touching. Definitely going to be M.A.D. thank you for this inspiration" - Rohan S. Adhav IX-D
"Rev. Fr. Glenn thank you for your wonderful session. You, as well as your M.A.D, is very interesting. We are definitely going to make a change" - Gaurav Khalsa & Akash Shahu IX D
"Rev. Fr. Glenn thank you and I promise to make a change and be MAD" - Akilesh Patil IX C
"Fr. Glenn has impressed me a lot. He was very frank to tell and share his feelings. The examples of M.A.D, ie Ryan and Malala Yousafzai were the examples that impressed me a lot. I'll bring a change in my life" - Shridharan S,and Piyush Rathod IX-D
"Dear Fr. Glenn, your explanation was so good and really inspired us/ Really we will have to change!" - Delwin Davis IX -B
"Thank you dear Fr. Glenn for your inspiring message. I promise that I'll apply the 12 rules in my life" - Bensen Thomas IX D
"It was a very nice and inspiring session and I will make a great difference" - Bharat Metha IX-A
God bless you all and may your journey in life be a significant contribution to others. Thanks to Ms. Jacqueline for organizing the program for the students. God bless you all
