A Big Guy Helps Little Friends

Written by Shadee Malaklou

For a big guy, Drew Schmidt likes to play little kids' games.

He spends his Friday afternoons playing dodge ball, capture the flag or kickball with fourth-graders at Hillandale Elementary School in Durham.

"Friday afternoons are honestly one of the best times of my week," said Schmidt, a Duke sophomore.

Schmidt visits Hillandale weekly to work with teacher Gayle LeCroy's students. The mentoring and tutoring program matches Duke students from the Wayne Manor living area with those at Hillandale.

The program, which has been in existence for 10 years, has been a hit at the school. In fact, based on testimonials from Hillandale teachers and students, Schmidt recently was named the winner of the Lars Lyon Volunteer Service Award.

Named after a late Duke student who was known for his community service, the Lars Lyon Award is presented each year by the Community Service Center to a student who performs exceptional community service work. A related award for employees, presented by Duke's Office of Community Affairs, was presented to Sarah Woodard of Duke University Medical Center. (See April 9 Dialogue).

Schmidt said volunteering in the Hillandale program has been one of the best experiences of his time at Duke. "This award was really a tremendous honor," he said. "I feel like my time at Hillandale, alone, is really rewarding in and of itself. Receiving an award for an already enjoyable activity is more than anyone could ask for."

Wayne Manor is a selective living group on West Campus that emphasizes student development through community service projects. Its members have been active in Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and other service projects.

Schmidt has helped organize the weekly visit to Hillandale, and has recruited students from outside Wayne Manor as well.

"We usually have 15 or so people that go over there and work with two of the fourth-grade classes," Schmidt said. "The school puts a lot of kids with behavioral problems in these classes because they know of the program.

"We come over during their recess time to interact and mentor them. We try to give them a positive outlet for a lot of their boundless energy."

Though he enjoys these afternoon playtimes with students, Schmidt is most excited about Wayne Manor's tutoring program at Hillandale. "We run an afternoon math tutoring, chess club and science club," Schmidt said.

Schmidt, a biomedical engineering major, does most of his tutoring work in math. He gives his students homework assignments to keep them on track in the classroom.

"He has helped me learn science and math. Now I get A's in both subjects!" oneHillandale student wrote in nominating Schmidt for the Lyon award.

Though he became involved in the program by living in Wayne Manor, Schmidt said he remains active because he enjoys working with the enthusiastic fourth graders.

"I've always loved working with kids and have tried to have that in addition to my academics," Schmidt said. "I was very lucky to get involved in an organization at Duke that already had a program like this in place."

Hillandale teachers and students feel equally lucky.

"He has changed my life by telling me to believe in myself," one student wrote of Schmidt. "He believes in me, and knows I can do things. He is a special friend."