My name
is Debby Jewell and I am one of the founders of the Duxbury Student
Union. I went to Duxbury High School many, many years ago. I remember
having a few very special adult mentors in my life then who really got
me through some rough teenage years. I don't think I would be the
person that I grew up to be if those caring adults were not in my life
at a critical, pivotal time. Two of those mentors were youth ministers
that ran a small "teen center" in the old town hall, Tarkiln building
and some of the churches in town. We didn't have a permanent place
then, but these guys somehow found a space and engaged a lot of young
people in fun , soul-searching, life-changing activities.
When I moved
back to Duxbury in 2000 with my own family, I was a little sad to see
that there still was no permanent place for kids to get together outside
of school for that essential down-time, outside of the box social
engagement. I really think a lot of learning happens when kids and
great mentors are able to get together and create....create dreams,
create music, share interests, frustrations, fears, share
stories...share Life.
I guess one of my dreams is the DSU.
I guess for me, helping the DSU succeed is my way of thanking those
high school friends and incredible adult role models that stood by me,
and at times, held me up, so I could succeed. The DSU could be
the place that fosters relationships like that for every kid that walks
through the doors.
I wish
everyone could see what I dream for the DSU. The DSU, as I see it, has
limitless potential to change and charge our kids and our community, one
child at a time. The DSU could be the center of our school
campus...that's why we called it the Student Union. Like the Student
Union on your college campus it is the place to go to grab something to
eat, to meet with a study group, take a yoga class, join a club or
invent a club, play at a coffeehouse, meet up with old friends or make
new friends. I see the DSU as a bridge from school to community...a
place where students can apply school lessons to life lessons..a
place kids connect, kids create, kids call their own.
I am so grateful for all the dear
dedicated friends that have worked alongside me all these years to make
the DSU a reality. It has indeed been our labor of love! Each member of
my family has been invested in this project as well. My daughter Molly
began helping in eighth grade. She recruited for coffeehouses and
dances in high school and spoke at Town Meeting. She is now a junior in
college and organized an outdoor concert last summer on the High School
football field. My son Billy now organizes the Coffehouses and
recruits the bands at the high school. My husband Bob has served for
the past two years as Board President. He and I run the Entrepreneur
Program and the Blender Cafe.
Thank you for reading my story and I hope my words have inspired excitement and even more dreams for the DSU.
Debby Jewell, Co-founder of The Duxbury Student Union