Today The Creed caught up with Jack Ryan and Jorge Alamillo, to see how they were fitting into their new roles as this year’s Captains of Boarding.
The Creed: How long have you guys been at Harker Hall?
Jorge: I’ve been here for 5 years.
Jack: Ive been at Harker Hall since grade 8 but I’ve been at Saints since Grade 7.
The Creed: How is the life of a captain of boarding different that just an average boarder?
Jorge: Well honestly, I try to relate to the other boarders as much as I can and even though I have a big room and an amazing roommate (Joosung Kim), I don’t try to show it off, because I feel that even though I have all these things doesn’t mean I’m more or better than everyone else. A leader is not defined by the position he has but instead, what he does to be a leader.
Jack: Well, there is the visible stuff like the title of course, and the things you can gain from being in that position. But it’s not something that I notice on a daily basis. What has become important to me now is just my role here, dealing with kids on a daily basis, talking to the new kids and generally being there for the boarding house. Sort of like what the house parents do but still being a student where I’m there for all the other boarders.
The Creed: What do you hope to accomplish during your time as captains of boarding?
Jorge: Well there has been problems recently with Harker Hall getting this reputation from students doing illegal substances and the perception that Harker Hall is filled with bad kids so I want to help clean up that reputation that Harker Hall has. I also want to help with integrating the day boy students with the boarders in order to create a better community because I feel like day boys and boarders are fairly separated. So by encouraging day boys to join weekend activities and things like that would be good.
Jack: Honestly, I think it might be pretty difficult, but as much as possible I want to eliminate that sense that has grown in the past little bit that for a lot of kids, Harker Hall can seem like a prison. A place where kids are just contained, where students are kept and you just eat and sleep and not much else. Really, for me and a lot of the older guys here, its become like a second home for us. I want that sense of homeliness to be experienced by the younger guys as well. I know some people may feel different about it but for me, Harker Hall has become my home, and for a lot of the guys here I see them as my brothers. I just want that to be true for others as well.
The Creed: Once you graduate what will be your greatest memory from your time in Harker Hall?
Jorge: I remember in grade 8 we went to Manning Park for a term break trip and lots of people were there and we were building a snow shelter to stay the night. While Mr Hesketh was digging out the snow, the snow shelter collapsed on him, and I remember everyone just laughing and not helping him out. So thats definitely my greatest memory because its probably the hardest I’ve ever laughed.
Jack: I would say that it’s not a singular memory but rather it’s the long weekend trips. They’ve always been really incredible experiences for me. The grade 8 trip to Manning Park, it was just 10 of us out in Eastern B.C. Even though we weren’t in the house, it was the first time I said to myself that I’m happy I came to Saints and I’m happy I came to the boarding house. All the guys around me and all the staff are all so cool and I’m so happy I came to Canada, you know, that sort of sense. In the last year I felt the same sort of feeling when I went to Tofino in the first term, and Seattle in the third term because I experienced what it means to be a part of Harker Hall. Hopefully I have another experience like that this year, but those past experiences with the boys were amazing.
The Creed: Thanks for taking time to sit down for an interview with us.
Jorge: No problem, anytime.
Jack: Certainly!