Henry, Class of 2020: Small acts of kindness make a difference

We’re so proud of students in the MSS Class of 2020. They had a very different final year at MSS than previous classes, thanks to COVID-19.  We’re inspired by their perseverance and flexibility. We’re sharing a few of their stories so you can get to know them.

Henry will attend Xavier High School in New York City next year. He’s excited to meet new people and have a change of scenery. He’s been at Mustard Seed for nine years, so he expects that being in a new environment will be exciting.

While reflecting on his time at MSS, Henry recognizes how he’s changed. He’s learned to be more confident. When he began Kindergarten, he was shy, only speaking up when he had to. Now he shares his opinions openly and tries to use his voice to benefit others. He’s learned to value his relationships and actively work to deepen those relationships.

Henry points to three teachers who have helped to shape him into the person that he is today. Mr. Licato always listened carefully to Henry, and gave feedback and suggestions about how to cope with problems. Mr. Harris made school more fun. He and Henry share a love of sports, jokes, and people. And finally, Mr. Choi cares deeply for his students, always asking them about their lives and showing interest in how they’re doing. Henry appreciates that Mr. Choi is comfortable joking with students and at the same time he can also give input or answer serious questions. These teachers have made an impact on Henry, helping him both inside and outside of class, showing their love and support.

In the future, Henry hopes to make a change in the world by being the best person he can be. By doing small acts of kindness in his community, he hopes to make other people feel welcomed, and loved.

From his first day through the blue doors to now, Henry has always experienced an encouraging atmosphere at school. His teachers have steered him in the right direction, while also giving him room to explore.

At Mustard Seed, Henry has learned to serve others, especially on the service team. Some examples of their projects include setting up for school celebrations and starting a food drive for people experiencing homelessness. By the end of his time on the Service Team, Henry led his own service project, one where every class in the school spent time picking up trash around Hoboken. By doing small acts of service, students made a difference in their community, helped others, and served God in the process. Henry will take this with him as he moves on.