Published:
- by Mount Saint Mary College

Mount Saint Mary College’s Office of Student Activities and Student Government Association (SGA) recently teamed up to deliver a virtual story time to Pre-K students at Bishop Dunn Memorial School, ending with the young students making their own lion toys. 

Barbara Mulligan, director of Student Activities, and students from SGA read “Dandelion” by Don Freeman, a story about a lion who learns the value of being himself. Then, the young students enjoyed a “build-a-bear” style event where they stuffed their own lions.

 “One student asked if they could keep their lion forever – they could! – and when we were saying goodbye, we could hear a few kids say they loved us,” noted Mulligan.

Eddie Arnold of Southampton, N.Y., SGA president, said the event helped to keep the spirt of Mount service going in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ever since on I’ve been on SGA, I’ve preached community service,” he explained. “Over the years, we’ve always worked with Bishop Dunn and focused on building a mentorship program with the kids there, teaching them leadership skills and encouraging them to get involved at a young age.”

 He added, “The kids were super excited. It was yet another great experience for everyone on SGA that took part. Seeing the smiles on their faces made our day.”

    

Bishop Dunn is a Pre-K to eighth grade school in the Catholic tradition, located on the campus of Mount Saint Mary College. The school is committed to the academic, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical development of these students.

The Mount maintains a close relationship with Bishop Dunn. Mount Education students do fieldwork at the school, now some virtually, under the guidance of seasoned Bishop Dunn faculty. Many Mount grads go on to work at Bishop Dunn, including Principal Nancy Benfer ’04.

 “This was a wonderful experience for both the BDMS Pre-K students and their MSMC/SGA buddies,” said Benfer. “The children hugged their new stuffed animals right up until naptime and snuggled with them as they rested on their cots.”

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