Jumpstart in Action: Meet the CUA Students Making a Difference!
Image Courtesy of Francesca Jonica
By Francesca Jonica
At The Catholic University of America, students have the opportunity to participate in Jumpstart, an Americorps work-study program that provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschoolers. Across 100 universities in the U.S., dedicated college students are making a lasting impact on young learners. This year, 37 Catholic U students are part of Jumpstart, working with PreK-3 and PreK-4 students at four different schools in Washington, D.C.
This week, we shine the spotlight on one of two Jumpstart teams at Langdon Elementary—the Langdon Bubble Guppies—which includes Irai Rendon, Arian Risper, Amir Perkins, and Tadgh Bowman.
Meet the Langdon Bubble Guppies
Irai Rendon—or as the kids call him, Mr. E—hails from Johnson City, Tennessee. A freshman majoring in international business, he discovered Jumpstart at a work-study career fair on campus. With a love for alternative rock music, Rendon enjoys the fun, interactive nature of his job.
“It’s a fun work-study job,” Rendon said, “It’s fun when we walk in for a session and begin talking to the kids.”
Arian Risper, known as Ms. Ari to the kids, is a sophomore media and communications major from Washington, D.C. A fan of R&B music, she first heard about Jumpstart through a friend who was already involved in the program. Risper joined because she believes it is important to help children at a young age and to nurture their love of learning.
When asked about her favorite part of Jumpstart, Risper shared that she enjoys the team bonding.
“I love our team bondings, especially the car rides where we listen to music and connect outside of the classroom,” Risper said.
For Amir Perkins, or Mr. Amir, Jumpstart is all about the kids. A senior business marketing major from Washington, D.C., Perkins enjoys all types of music and first heard about Jumpstart from a friend.
“The kids are cool once you get to know them,” Perkins shared. “And it’s really cool wearing the shirts to bring awareness to Jumpstart.”
Lastly, we have Tadgh Bowman, also known as Mr. T, a sophomore accounting major from New Orleans, Louisiana. A punk rock fan, Bowman first considered Jumpstart after learning about it through DC Reads. After speaking with Jumpstart Catholic U Site Manager Sarah Lilian, he knew it was the right fit. “I like working with the children, and I like to teach,” Bowman said. “My favorite thing is getting to teach the kids.”
As part of the Langdon Bubble Guppies, these students bring enthusiasm, patience, and creativity to their classrooms, making learning a fun and engaging experience for the preschoolers. Jumpstart is more than just a work-study program—it’s a way for students to connect, inspire, and help shape young minds.
Want to meet more inspiring Jumpstart members? Stay tuned for next week’s spotlight!
