Heading for the Campus Ministry Team office, senior Benedict Balino greets assistant Deborah Schraeder and begins to search for assistance on the New York Times’ Connections.
Senior Matthew Randant, like many other seniors, finds himself in CMT at least every other day, to eat lunch or simply to find a friend to talk to. CMT is almost always occupied by students, and according to Creach, seniors make up the majority of students in CMT, other than lunch.
“You can just go there anytime and see a bunch of my friends,” Randant said. “It’s a warm presence and you’re always welcomed. Mr.Creach and Mrs.Schrader are there with a smile.”
The organized chaos within CMT makes it the perfect balance between social and academic life for Randant. According to senior Grace Vanice, Creach typically resides alongside students on internet puzzles and lunch periods and provides an emotional support system with endearing advice.
“CMT is probably my favorite place ever,” Vanice said. “The slime to dance parties to kites to uno games to pancakes and more. I can always go in there, take a breather, and be instantly a little happier”
The environment of the Room of Requirement is a smaller, more homey extension of the open area of the Campus Ministry Office. Balino often uses the chairs in the room to nap.
“Usually when I TA, I come in here and do my schoolwork because it’s really quiet,” Balino said. “It feels really cozy, and like I’m at home with all the furniture with all the shelves and surfaces.”
Balino has immense gratitude for the Room of Requirement and explains how safe the space can truly make a person feel.
“I feel safe because when you’re in school, you’re just surrounded by lots and lots and lots of people, but whenever you’re in the Room of Requirement, it’s just you; it’s your time,” Balino said.
Instead of using a locker, senior Dorothy Latenser utilizes space in CMT to store her lunch and backpack. In the past four years, Latenser never used her assigned locker, but rather other classmates’ and now CMT.
“I stocked the fridge with all the food,” Latenser said. “There might be ants because of me.”
Latenser highly encourages any underclassmen to give CMT a try as she was able to meet some of her closest friends as well as build deeper bonds with prior pals.
“If I could say one thing to underclassmen, it would be to go to CMT, because it’s awesome,” Latenser said. “I wish I would have been going more, all throughout life.
