Roaring with Purpose: Meet the Langdon Lions of Jumpstart

Image Courtesy of Francesca Jonica

By Francesca Jonica

This is an independently submitted op-ed for our Quill section. Views and statements made in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Tower.

A few weeks ago, we introduced readers to the Langdon Bubble Guppies, one of the Jumpstart teams serving at Langdon Education Campus. Today, we’re excited to spotlight the Langdon Lions, the second group of enthusiastic and dedicated Jumpstart members making a difference at this vibrant school. Langdon Education Campus is not only known for its focus on academic achievement but also for its LEED Gold-certified renovation, which unified its historic and modern buildings—complete with a STEAM lab and media center—creating an innovative learning space for students from PreK through fifth grade.

Let’s meet the Langdon Lions: Adaline Gonzalez, Caraleena Hodosky, and Monse Evaristo.

Adaline Gonzalez is a sophomore psychology major from Dallas, Texas. She enjoys listening to a variety of music, but R&B/Soul holds a special place in her heart. Adaline first discovered Jumpstart during her freshman year at a campus pop-up event for student jobs. At the time, she was pursuing an education major and saw Jumpstart as a great way to gain experience working with children. Although she later changed her major, her passion for Jumpstart remained strong.

“My favorite part of the job is building trust with them, and over time, they start sharing their day with you without being asked,” Gonzalez said. “I love bonding with them during center time.”

Caraleena Hodosky, also known as Leena, is a sophomore theology major from Washington State. She loves listening to reggaeton and K-pop, and first heard about Jumpstart during a freshman-year career fair. For Leena, Jumpstart is a way to build teaching experience and connect with children in a meaningful way.

“I love doing centers with the kids because I love talking to them and doing crafts with them,” Hodosky said.

Monse Evaristo, better known as Ms. Monse, is a sophomore elementary education major from Clearwater, Florida. She works with both Langdon Jumpstart groups: Bubble Guppies and Langdon Lions. She discovered Jumpstart through the Handshake app and applied without knowing much about the program—only to find out it aligned perfectly with her passion for teaching.

“Jumpstart allows me to enrich my teaching skills and gain experience with different ages,” Evaristo explained. “I get to grow a bond with the children over time, and knowing we made a difference in each other’s lives leaves a lasting impression on me.”

From circle time to center time, the Langdon Lions are roaring with purpose—bringing enthusiasm, patience, and heart into every classroom they serve. These members remind us that Jumpstart is more than a work-study job—it’s a chance to build relationships, grow professionally, and create lasting memories with the next generation.

Want to meet more inspiring Jumpstart members? Stay tuned for next week’s spotlight!