Coming from a diverse and welcoming town, I have been gradually finding my sense of home in Lewiston/Auburn (L/A). I am just starting off my journey as a first-year student at Bates and exploring my interests. As a member of the Bonner Leader Program at the Harward Center for Community Partnerships, I am engaging in different parts of the community with the hopes of making some people smile. 

With the goal of incorporating my interests into my engagement with my new home, I joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters program that creates lifelong relationships between Bates students and students at Connors Elementary School. Walking into the building, I was a little nervous at first to meet my new little sister, but I am now unbelievably grateful for her. As an only child, I feel even more connected to her and find that I thoroughly enjoy our times together as we make bracelets, play board games, gossip about boys, and color. Even in our single hour together each week, we both exchange a sense of warmth and comfort with one another.

Another way I have been able to incorporate my interests with the L/A community is through FIRST Robotics at Lewiston High School. FIRST has been a part of my life since 7th grade, and the program helped me discover the world of STEM. My involvement in the program is incredibly rewarding, as I am able to support students’ interests in STEM while being back in a subject that I once missed. Outside of my time in the shop, I develop grants. During my valued time in the shop, I work on plasma cutting and constructing parts for the robots. As a mentor on team 8023 (Lewiston High School’s Robotics Team), I am creating connections with students and helping them discover their interests. Mentoring the team has increased self-reflection and showcased the vital importance of building community relationships. 

The Bonner Leader Program has provided me with small, yet memorable moments that I will be endlessly grateful for. My little sister hugging me when she first sees me shows me how happy she is to be with me. Seeing students excited over their code working, putting a smile onto a patient’s face, and baking cookies and brownies with my friends to give to students in Connors Elementary school are all examples of little things I am honored to have been a part of. All these projects and simple moments in the community have helped me find home in L/A. 

If anyone would like to be involved with Big Brother Big Sisters, or the Lewiston High School Robotics program, I would love to help out! Feel free to email me at sarvapalli@bates.edu. I also engage with St. Mary’s and Tree Street Youth’s Branches program, so I can answer questions about those things as well.