A Big Sister to All
By Madison Langweil
Covering one of her bedroom walls are pieces of art made by freshmen residents of Champagnat Hall at Marist. The mementos are tokens of admiration for their resident assistant, Kayla Maguire, who took on the role of an older sister and the challenge of making a memorable first year for these freshman residents.
COVID-19 made it difficult because of safety guidelines set in place. With optimism and perseverance, Kayla set a valuable example for young freshmen. She built a community of support, joy, and hope for her residents that to her were like younger siblings. This maternal nature that Kayla shared, inspired her residents to follow in her footsteps and give to others without expecting anything in return.
“Small acts change the world,” is Kayla’s guiding principle that embodies her values and efforts to create a strong and welcoming community. “My passion is so clear to help others,” she says.
Being an RA wasn’t just a job to Kayla. Instead, it was a trial for what she wants to do in the world following college. She eventually wants to become a resident director of a dorm building.
“I hope to work as a resident director to help pay for a Master’s degree in either Education Administration or Education Policy. My degree and opportunities at Marist and anticipated Master’s degree will prepare me to work to create more educational equality and opportunity,” she said.
Illustration by Jack Rader
Kayla has been an RA for two years, but the Fall 2021 semester was the first time she lived among freshmen. This meant a more inclusive environment in closer corridors compared to her experience being an RA for older residents in previous years.
Across the wall full of artwork sits a basic futon that has been occupied by almost all members of Kayla’s floor and even residents from the floors below. That futon has listened to various stories and advice given by Kayla to young freshmen residents looking for someone to talk to and find supportive.
Kayla recently received an email from a boy on her floor saying, ‘I know I didn't say thank you to you during the semester, but I hope you know you made my freshman experience so much better and everyone on the floor feels the same way. We knew we could go to you.’’’
Being an RA is a demanding job with long hours during the week and on the weekends. And with the night shifts, maintaining a social life becomes difficult. But Kayla loves her job and truly wants to create a positive experience for these new students in the midst of a pandemic.
“It means so much because I truly do know that I made an impact on those 70 freshmen. I’ve truly made a difference. It’s small acts that change the world. That’s why I want to go into education,” Kayla shares.
Kayla’s heart and energy fills the room when she speaks about her freshmen and how she truly enjoys helping other students. She’s always finding ways to do more not only for her residents, but for others as well. It wasn’t just the late night snacks or crafts, like making cupcakes while social distancing, but spending time one-on-one in her room or common area. Due to Covid-19, Kayla couldn't have many people in her room, but a collection of residents could be found outside her room to speak with her. It’s important to Kayla to create a welcoming and supportive community for everyone at Marist.
Time spent getting art supplies for door-decals and creating social events for her residents was important and meaningful to Kayla. Seeing others excited about being in college despite these strange times, brought joy to Kayla.
That is why Kayla’s decision to leave Champagnat Hall was a difficult decision. “One of the biggest things I did for myself was leave Champ. I loved those residents. I adored them so much. I cared for them so much,” Kayla says.
“I felt like I was betraying them when I decided to leave, but I had to go because of health issues I have going on. It’s ironic that I had to step away from the thing I say is best for me, but leaving was the best option for me,” Kayla admits.
During her time as an RA in Champagnat Hall, Kayla saw amazing growth in each and every one of her residents. “It was amazing to see how much my residents can change in a semester. I didn't think I’d see that growth in them, but I really did.” Kayla saw a few residents become more independent, some more social and some finding their self-identity.
The artwork that hung in her room in Champ, now hangs in her new room in Ward as a reminder of what she wants to achieve now and in the future. Still in contact with her residents, she is infinitely grateful for her work as an RA and the milestones she saw in others and in herself.
“Making others happy, makes me happy.”
FOR THE RECORD CUT
OBJECT PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography by Bobby Oliver
For this year’s project, we asked our Changemakers to bring items that had meaning to them to the shoot.
“The objects I brought for the photoshoot were paintings that my residents made and gave to me during last semester. I was nominated for the community I was able to build in Champagnat Hall despite the impersonal and stressful challenges brought about by COVID, and a huge part of my success in building a tight-knit family was that I was lucky to have an outstanding group of residents. All of them were kind, bright, and put their energy into building the community in the same way I did. I hosted multiple paint nights since my residents enjoyed them, so by the end of the fall semester I had a wall in my room filled with artwork from residents as well as incredibly sweet notes they wrote me. I wanted to honor them in the way that I am being honored with my feature, which is why I chose to bring that piece of them with me to the photoshoot.”