Your Catholic Neighbor
Youth, passion drive Lancelle
St. Norbert student uses his time and talents to promote good causes
By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor
DE PERE -- Garrett Lancelle admits that his volunteer service tests his time management skills, but the sophomore education major at St. Norbert College has no plans on cutting back.
"I feel like I have the ability to make a difference, so why not do it?" he said. "I have my critics, but I get my school work done."
Lancelle not only volunteers his time, but embraces leadership roles. He oversees the community service activities of 15 students through the Midwest Campus Compact Citizen-Scholars Fellowship Program (M3C). In January, he co-led a group of students in serving people with developmental disabilities at a L'Arche community in Clinton, Iowa. Last month, the village of Denmark native and member of All Saints Parish, organized a Men's Health and Cancer Forum on campus.
"Being the head of 15 people through M3C, you learn group dynamics, people skills and how to handle different issues," he said. "Those experiences are going to be beneficial for me as a teacher and someday raising a family.
"The health forum was my first experience putting together an event like that," he added. "Approximately 60 people attended and it raised a little more than $1,200. We plan to do it again next year. If one person took something away from one of the talks, that's a success. Just knowing that you are making a difference, even if it's on a minor scale, is rewarding. I don't think there is any better feeling than that."
Lancelle credits his parents, Paul and Nancy Lancelle, for serving as good role models of service.
"My parents did a booyah cook-off that raised thousands of dollars for the CP (Cerebral Palsy) Center, he said. "They were always helping out with things. Growing up, they never forced it upon me to get involved. They let me find my way, but I always saw them doing things, so it came naturally for me."
Lancelle's outreach efforts have also included assisting Hurricane Katrina victims in southern Mississippi and volunteering at Paul's Pantry in Green Bay. But at the heart of his service interests are people with special needs. His sister, Katie, 24, and brother, Max, 14, have Down syndrome.
"Their special qualities, the way my sister and brother live their lives, have taught me a lot about compassion and caring," said Lancelle. "I also have a brother, Joe, who is in high school. We are all extremely close. We have all bonded. It's perfect that I am going to college close to home. Katie and Max come to school all the time. I think some of my friends here have learned from them. My sister is very outgoing. She has become friends with my friends."
Service at the L'Arche community was inspired by Katie and Max, said Lancelle. Cristi Burrill, co-leader of the trip, also has a sibling with Down syndrome.
"They have three houses in Clinton, so we split up the group," said Lancelle. "We cleaned the houses during the day and joined in their lives when they returned from work. Everyone learned a lot from being around the people in the (L'Arche) community. I think it broke down some stereotypes for some of the people in our group."
Lancelle is also part of the development of a St. Norbert student group dedicated to helping people with special needs. The organization is expected to officially begin in the fall of 2008.
"The L'Arche trip and a bowling event for Special Olympics organized by my girlfriend, Tara Marcell, showed us that there is an interest on campus," said Lancelle. "The goal is to get students involved and support organizations such as ASPIRO and Special Olympics."
Lancelle is currently a coach for the Packerland Jets of Green Bay, a track and field team for adults with special needs that will compete in the Special Olympics.
"I was never in track or field, so I don't know that much about the sport," he said. "I played football and basketball in Denmark. I was captain of the basketball team in high school. I learned a lot from that leadership experience so I draw on that. It was fun leading teams."
Lancelle was recently honored for his contributions to community issues. He is the recipient of the 2008 Wisconsin Campus Compact Community-Based Learning student award. He attended a conference in Milwaukee to receive the honor.
"I didn't expect it," he said. "I heard some really good speakers at the conference and made some good contacts, but the best part about the award is it brought some attention to the health forum, Special Olympics and the needs of the people."
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