Week 5 – Owen’s Story

Leadership Begins with Serving Others

When Owen entered eighth grade at Saint Mary School, he wasn’t the student most likely to be standing at the center of the room. He was thoughtful and more reserved, comfortable listening and observing before stepping forward. Well liked by his classmates, Owen had never needed to be the loudest voice to make an impression.

Then came his eighth-grade Capstone Project.

Each student was asked to choose a create a project that would challenge them and allow them to make a difference. Owen decided to volunteer at a local homeless shelter. At first, it was simply an assignment. But something happened once he began showing up. Owen didn’t just complete the required hours and move on. He kept coming back.

He served meals.
He helped with laundry.
He spent time talking with residents.
He looked for whatever needed to be done—and did it.

Before long, the hours added up to more than 40. And then Owen did something that wasn’t required at all. He brought his family with him. What began as a school assignment had become something much bigger: a desire to serve.

The experience opened Owen’s eyes to the joy and responsibility that come from giving your time to others. He discovered that leadership doesn’t always mean being the person at the front of the room. Sometimes, leadership looks like quietly showing up. It looks like listening. It looks like noticing what needs to be done and doing it without being asked.

And sometimes, one small act of service becomes the beginning of something much bigger.

There was no single moment when Owen became a leader.

There were hundreds of small moments.

A meal served.
A load of laundry folded.
A conversation shared.
A family brought along.
A choice to return, even after the assignment was complete.

What began as a school requirement became a personal commitment to serving others. Owen discovered that he didn’t have to lead by being the loudest voice in the room. He could lead by showing up for others. And that is the kind of leadership that lasts.

And on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, our community will come together for a special day of prayer, gratitude, and generosity as we celebrate the mission we share. Together, we will help create the hundreds of small moments that inspire our students to discover their gifts, serve others, and become the people God created them to be.

We hope you’ll journey with us.

While names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of our students, every story shared in this series reflects authentic experiences within the Saint Mary School community.