On Saturday, August 16, 44 Saint Anselm students set out on an eight-day trek to support their community and help those in need. After raising $25,000 for nine regional non-profit organizations, the twenty-sixth group of annual Road for Hope (RFH) walkers embarked on a mission to show the world what it truly means to be Anselmian.
I have to admit, when my Roommate, Madelyn “Maddie” Pierce, first told me she was planning to apply to be a walker for RFH, I thought she was messing with me. Since moving in together our freshman year, our Sundays had been strictly dedicated to lounging around and many of our mornings together were spent snoozing alarms until we absolutely had to leave for class. We often joked that we were the two laziest girls in the world; I never thought she would willingly walk 130 miles. This is not to say I didn’t think she could do it, I was just confused why she wanted to. The idea had certainly never crossed my mind. When we returned to campus for our junior year, Maddie had a certain glow to her. Aside from swollen feet and blisters, I knew that this experience had changed her in the most positive way.
“My experience was an amazing opportunity and exceeded my expectations by far. When I look back on it, it is the best thing I have ever signed up for and I don’t regret a thing,” said Pierce.
The walk began in late August, but the journey was set in the Spring. Once accepted into the program, walkers were tasked with raising at least $500 each, and began training physically and mentally to prepare for the long road ahead. Anticipation, nerves, and excitement became prominent for walkers as the road grew closer and summer break came to a close, but the Anselmians took on the challenge with pride.
After goodbyes were said on the hilltop, Walkers made their way up to the Basilica in Lewiston, Maine, where they spent their first night. The following eight days of walking began around 8 a.m., and concluded around 5 p.m. Along the road, walkers shared laughter, song, and even tears. All made for friendships that would last a lifetime.
“Some of my favorite moments were at night after a long day of walking. Although everyone was tired, you seemed to forget that you just walked a bunch of miles and instead stayed up for hours just chit-chatting or playing games with one another, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Another one of my favorite moments was playing my harmonica to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel while my friend Jack played it on the piano. It was such a fun, special moment that I will cherish forever,” Said Sarah Lopes, a Senior and returning RFH walker.
During their journey, walkers were encouraged to walk with a new peer for each leg. For some, approaching new people isn’t always easy, but this proved to be a fan favorite of RFH participants as it opened gateways to new relationships and shoulders to lean on during the expedition.
One challenge many walkers shared was the mental and emotional piece of the experience. James “Jimmy” Archambault shared, “The most challenging part of RFH was the mental struggle. I experienced this the most when we had just completed a day of walking, and I found myself alone with my thoughts. I found that the best way for me to work through this was to seek out my peers”.
Sarah Lopes also found that there were times the journey took a toll on her mental, but leaned on other walkers to make it to the finish line. “I didn’t realize the physical and mental toll it can take on you, but what’s special about the road for hope is that everyone is going through a similar experience, and you always have people in your corner to help you get through your hard legs.”