On this day, September 22, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed legislation establishing the Peace Corps as a permanent government agency. In the years since, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have been sent around the world to help people grow better crops, build schools, construct wells, and to generally improve the lives of people in nearly every country on the planet.
Today, on this anniversary, we take the opportunity to revisit a story about alumni—actually one rather large family of alumni—who have been living Notre Dame’s mission and doing great work around the world, including with the Peace Corps.
The article was originally published in the Fall 2009 issue of IRISH, Notre Dame’s alumni magazine. Since then, the last of the five Mott siblings, William, graduated from Notre Dame in 2010.
Enjoy!
(Originally published in the Fall 2009 issue of IRISH magazine.)
Whenever people speak about families who embody Christian values, families who bear the giving spirit, and families who possess a humble upbringing, families like the Mott family should automatically come to mind.
There have been four Mott children who have graduated from Notre Dame and one who will graduate in 2010. The legacy of the family at NDPMA has spanned the years of 1995 through today. They are one of the school’s longest standing families and it’s safe to say that the Mott family goes way beyond the realm of what some would perceive as community involvement. The Mott family, carrying the spirit of “Good Christian People, Upright Citizens, and Academic Scholars,” serve internationally through study-abroad programs and the Peace Corps.
Four of the five Mott siblings recently sat down with IRISH for coffee and conversation. Meghan Mott ’99 (NDP) is not only the oldest sibling, but also the true leader of this family of leaders. Meghan’s community and worldwide service has inspired her siblings to get involved on a global basis.
At Notre Dame Prep, Meghan was not shy about getting involved either. She swam in the inaugural season of the swim team and was editor of the Leprechaun school newspaper. Academically, she was on the National Honor Society and a Valedictorian of her graduating class.
When asked who influenced her at NDP, she quickly remarked that Mr. Simon and Ms. Bembas “stick out.”
“They were real with us,” she said. “Mr. Simon—because he was new and young—and because I had lots of classes with him. He was challenging, but fun.” Meghan also remarked how Ms. Bembas didn’t sugarcoat anything. Meghan recalls completing arduous tasks like timed readings, but she says they were useful and that she even made her own students do them.
She smiles as she also remembers going toe-to-toe with Fr. Strasz. “I used to argue (with him) a lot. But I love Fr. Strasz and he taught me that it’s okay to disagree on things,” she adds. “I felt like he respected my opinion on stuff enough that he would hear me out.”
Meghan’s passion for involvement didn’t stop at NDP. She continued her education at DePaul University where her initial passion was theatre. After a year, she had a change of heart and transferred to Wayne State University. It was at Wayne State that Meghan’s call to serve internationally became very loud.
It began at a lecture at WSU given by a nurse representing Doctors without Borders. The nurse focused her lecture on international service through programs like the Peace Corps. Meghan decided she had to get on board and subsequently spent two years teaching in Lesotho, a tiny African country surrounded by South Africa. She worked in a town called Sehonghong as an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teacher.
Meghan Mott 99 (NDP) is shown in her one-room house on a school compound in Sehonghong, Lesotho.
“There were twelve 14 year olds all living together in a shack near the school compound. They had to cook for themselves—do everything for themselves. It was kind of like going to college, except they’re 14 and don’t have a clue.”
Her experience in the Peace Corps was unforgettable. She says that upon returning to the United States, she tried not to take things for granted anymore. “Reuse things,” she says with emphasis. “We don’t really need all this stuff we accumulate in America. The bare minimum here is so much more than people have in other places.”
While Meghan was busy giving her time and talent to others across the globe, her younger sibling, Colleen Mott ’02 (NDP), was determined to have her own African experience.
Colleen participated in a study-abroad program in South Africa through Michigan State University. After visiting Meghan, she studied for four weeks and began to focus her studies in the areas of conservation and biodiversity. Colleen learned about the national parks and game reserves while staying at the Southern African Wildlife College and at the Kalahari in Cape Town, South Africa. This group didn’t stay in one place long, she said, but she would complete many bush walks and safaris while learning how they managed their parks.
Colleen says that her interest in conservation and biodiversity actually began to bloom when she was a student at NDP. She was swayed by Ms. Toczylowski’s AP Environmental Science class and decided to major in Environmental Studies and Applications while at MSU. Colleen was academically strong and involved in the National Honor Society in addition to being a cheerleader for the Fighting Irish.
Growing up in what Colleen describes a “nature-y” family, the study of conservation was a perfect fit for her. Colleen’s international study program helped her to survive in an assortment of situations and to appreciate the beauty of animals and nature in an array of places.
It looked like the Mott family’s “domino effect of service” had begun!
After Colleen returned home from her study-abroad program, Betsy Mott ’04 (NDP), decided to join the Peace Corps. Betsy is currently working in a village called Ataloté, located in the northern half of Togo.
While Betsy was in Togo, her younger sister, Annie Mott ’07 (NDP), made the decision that she had to be a part of this Mott “international phenomenon.” Three Mott sisters had already spent time in Africa, all contributing to the culture and environment in differing ways. Now it was Annie’s turn.
Throughout the summer, Annie worked in Aflo, Ghana, at the First Baptist Preparatory School and the Good Shepherd Happy Children’s Home. The orphanage held about 35 children and the school had about 180 students. Both were located in the same compound. Annie taught English every day and also taught a few math lessons. “It was nice because I had the freedom to choose which area I wanted to work in and what kind of extra activities I wanted to put together,” Annie said. “On the weekends I was able to play with the orphans and students and I also started an after-school tutoring program for the students two times a week.”
Looking back to NDP, Annie, who like her big sister Colleen, participated on the cheerleading team and was student-council president, felt that all her teachers were thoroughly involved and genuinely wanted their students to learn.
“Mr. Osiecki was great!,” she adds. “I really liked his classes.” She also remembers Ms. Swieca-Brockman and her experiences at Kairos Retreat, and Mr. Kator for the time she spent on StuCo.
It is not every day that one encounters a family that is so focused on giving. Throughout the interview with IRISH, it was apparent that the Mott siblings thoroughly enjoy life. They do not hesitate to share their talents with others and to get involved in the world around them. They are humble in their upbringing and simple in their day-to-day living. You can tell their focus is not on how big their television is or what kind of car they drive. Instead, they are focusing their lives on what they can do to better the world around them. Their mission is to be of service to others and to continue learning and supporting each other in the process.
Meghan paved the path for her three sisters to see the world and the sisters all agreed that having Meghan go first made it easier for them to get involved and learn on a global level. IRISH asked Meghan what had inspired her in the first place.
She answered, “If you want to do something, if you want to accomplish something, there are ways to go about it. If someone is getting in your way, go another way or see if you can get someone to come on board with you. If people know the value of something, they are more likely to get on board.”
When questioned about parental support, all the Mott kids laughed and said that their parents, Bill and Nadine, would often say, “Hey! Go for it!” Meghan added that even if it was something stupid, their dad would be like, “Okay, you will learn when that doesn’t work out.”
Annie also said that their parents let them make their own mistakes but helped out whenever needed. To a one, the Mott children felt that family support was integral, but that it also was important for their parents to let them make their own decisions. Even if something seemed crazy at first, their parents guided them to make educated decisions and to deal with whatever consequences that came with it.
From early on, the Mott parents took their children to art shows, art fairs, museums, and to downtown Detroit. “My parents exposed us to a variety of cities, cultures and other experiences that helped all of us to be more adventurous and open to others,” said Meghan. “As long as mom had a map, they were willing to travel.” This idea of adventure and trust in their children’s decision-making likely created this strong sense of value within the family and an even stronger sense that they are serving God through others.
What’s next for the Mott family? Well, as they continue to support Betsy on her Peace Corps journey, they also continue to support the youngest sibling, William Mott ’10 (NDP). He is following in the Mott family tradition of being involved in a very positive way. He was recently elected president of the student council. Willy also plays on the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. Teachers who have influenced him include Ms. Swieca-Brockman, Mr. Fazzini, and Mr. Kator. “Ms. Swieca, because we are both vegetarians and she is pretty cool. Mr. Fazzini, because he is a nice guy in general and is ‘real’ as well. And K-Dogg is a good guy.”
Willy has high hopes for his senior year as student council president. He hopes to bring new and exciting ideas and to get more students attending events. After he graduates from NDP, Willy plans to attend Michigan State University. Although he is not sure what he will study, he knows he would like to follow in his sisters’ footsteps and get involved on a global scale.
All three Mott sisters interviewed agreed that NDP prepared them well for the college level. They also all commented on the atmosphere of the school, which stressed student involvement. Annie says that when you are involved in many things in high school, you naturally get involved in college, and get to meet many new people.
The Mott family consistently displays the qualities of independence, open mindedness and flexibility in their daily lives. At NDPMA, the recently integrated International Baccalaureate programme focuses on these characteristics as well—ones the Mott family so easily models.
The Mott sisters also added that if current and former students wanted to study abroad or join the Peace Corps, they ought to try it.
“The Peace Corps is a huge commitment,’ Meghan admitted. “But think it through and don’t be afraid of being adventurous.”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.