Through their passion for service, Gettysburg students like Mason McFarland ’27 seek to be difference makers and leaders in our community.
When Mason McFarland ’27 was in middle school, he witnessed some of his classmates learning and interacting with older students through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He saw his classmates grow under the mentorship of their Bigs, and he knew he wanted to be in that same position one day to help foster learning and development for children.
McFarland’s devotion and dedication as a Big Brother to his Little, Cymere, prompted Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA to honor him with a Certificate of Appreciation in a special surprise ceremony at Vida Charter School on Feb. 28.
“It means a lot to me because I try to do my best every time I see Cymere, pushing him to be a better student and better person overall,” said McFarland, who is from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. “Sometimes you need that extra push to do things you didn’t think you’d be able to do and I want to be that person for Cymere. To receive this Certificate of Appreciation, it just tells me that I'm doing the right thing.”
A physics major, McFarland began working with Cymere in the fall of 2023. The Gettysburg sophomore spends about two hours each week with his Little at Vida Charter School, located near the College campus. The pair tackle schoolwork together, including Cymere’s favorite subject mathematics, play board games like Pictionary and Monopoly, and go out on the playground to play dodgeball or other activities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA is one of 230 affiliates across the country whose mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The South-Central PA chapter includes seven counties (Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York) and served more than 1,300 children last year, marking its highest total in 20 years. Representing the organization at McFarland’s ceremony were Vice President of Development Mary Murphy, Site Based Coordinator Kristen Bagnell, and Director of York and Adams Counties Rebecca Heston.
“Imagine being an elementary student and having a mentor who’s in high school or college,” Murphy said. “It also gives the high school and college students a chance to learn leadership and what it means to give back to the community. Everything we do is about the Littles, but the Bigs get so much out of it too.”
As the local coordinator, Bagnell has worked directly with McFarland and Cymere since last January. She noted the quick bond that formed between the two after Cymere’s mom had enrolled him into the program to meet new people and get help with his schoolwork.
“We just want to say thank you to you, Mason,” Bagnell said. “Thank you for your unwavering support in Cymere’s life, for giving him positive encouragement and advice, and for brightening his day.”
McFarland is one of several current Gettysburg College students serving as Bigs this year. The Center for Public Service is actively working with Big Brothers Big Sisters to strengthen the connections our students have with local youth in the community. It’s been a rewarding and fulfilling experience for McFarland, and he hopes his fellow Gettysburgians consider joining to make a difference in the life of a child in the community.
“If you want to work with children and get service hours, this is a great opportunity,” McFarland said. “Most of all, you get to have a great time and forge connections with your Little for a long time. I feel like that's a great opportunity, and I highly recommend it to everybody.”
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By Corey Jewart
Photos by Ashley Carbonier ’25
Posted: 03/12/25