During my first year of college, I heard a knock on the door of my room. When I opened the door, I was offered a homebaked cookie and greeted by warm smiles from two people I did not know. When they introduced themselves, I found at that these people were my Companions, upperclassmen who volunteered through Campus Ministry. Companions came around once a week offering friendshp and support. In addition, Companions provide faith-based programs through Campus Ministry. Throughout my freshman year, I built a great relationship with my Companions as they influenced my Loyola experience and asked big questions about my passions and my faith.

In the spring of my freshman year, I decided to apply to be a Companion. I was offered a position and began my sophomore year as a Companion. Companions provide support and hospitality to first year students as Companions journey with the students on their journey of growth and discovery. As a Companion, I have seen my faith life grow and expand as I've been influenced by my residents and other Companions. While it is not easy to start the conversation, I enjoy sitting down with residents and asking deep meaningful questions about their faith journeys and their passions.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, I earned a position as a co-coordinator of Companions. As one of three student coordinators, I work with our Campus Minister to plan and execute weekly Companions meetings. Our meetings aim to build community in the team and provide Companions with the necessary tools to cater to their residents.

After being named co-coordinator of Companions, the program director asked another coordinator and me to develop a proposal to present at the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference (NJSLC). With the conference theme being "First to Love," we thought we ought to present on Companions being a way to minister to first year students. Our proposal was accepted, so we traveled to Boston College and presented a workshop entitled, "Companions Peer Ministry: First to Knock and First to Love." Below is the PowerPoint that we used for our presentation.