Briston Schaefer & Randy Repp

The explosive atmosphere of the school lunchroom hits you like a kick drum. The chatter, the clatter, the clickclack racket of silverware silvering across platters into dish racks. So many muddied words drift through the air that they appear to be a species of inaudible sound. Often, when adults think of a school lunchroom, it doesn’t strike them that sharing a meal could possibly be the ideal place for a unique bond to flourish. Briston Schaefer, a spirited third-grade student, and Randall “Randy” Repp, a Rotary Club member and Briston’s ‘lunch buddy,’ can be found once a month seated together and talking about whatever’s on Briston’s expansive mind. The Lunch Buddy program, akin to Big Brothers Big Sisters, offers a window into the meeting of childhood wonder with adult wisdom and how a shared sense of humor can reach across any generational DMZ.

Briston has an infectious energy and a keen interest in sports and finds in Randy a willing and amused audience for his ruminations. Their conversations dance from Briston’s assurance that Randy could have slam-dunked a basketball at the age of 13 and then move to the changing tides of Briston’s sports preferences, hopping from basketball to soccer as the need suits him. Randy brings anecdotes about his life and experiences from Nebraska to Ottawa and matches Briston’s enthusiasm with a gentle, guiding presence. The humor in their interactions is palpable. Briston’s candidness, coupled with Randy’s playful engagement, creates light-hearted moments.

At the lunch table, surrounded by Briston’s friends, Randy becomes an honorary part of the third-grade group. He listens with amusement and admiration as Briston navigates conversations with surprising insight. The humor reaches peak hilarity when Briston and his friends speculate on Randy’s age, with guesses ranging from a youthful 20 to a mythical 248 years.

Briston interjects when Randy’s mythical age comes up in our interview and desperately tries to clear the air: “I think the other girls were trying to be nice and saying you’re 20 or 30. But I think you’re 20. Some people don’t look 20, but they’re still 20. That’s just weird because people look old, but they’re twenty? That’s crazy.”

The joy in their interaction is evident when Briston talks about his favorite music. Though he finds some of it ‘weird,’ his attraction to the storytelling and energetic beats of certain rap artists demonstrates a unique taste that defines him. The sensory engagement from drill beats characteristic of artist DD Osama and his brother Notti Osama’s style is relatable to Briston through a visceral, soothing listening experience. We would say the many nuances of his identity are best reflected by this genre.

Randy’s responses to Briston’s musings blend encouragement and gentle guidance, always with a touch of humor. He respects Briston’s opinions and ideas, engaging in a way that validates the young boy’s thoughts and feelings. This respectful interaction encourages Briston to share more, solidifying a dialogue that is both enlightening and entertaining.

The Lunch Buddies program allows Randy to meet with Briston in the structured yet familiar setting of his school and creates an ideal space for their relationship to grow. Their interactions during the non-core classes or lunch breaks are not just about sharing meals or playing games; they are opportunities for Briston to explore the boundaries of his knowledge and experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.

The bond between Briston and Randy, enriched with humor and understanding, transcends the typical mentor-mentee relationship. It is a testament to the power of laughter in forging connections, the importance of listening in mentoring, and the beauty of viewing the world through both a child’s and an adult’s eyes.

Briston suddenly asks Randy as we broach the topic, “How many times have we met? Like, when was the first time?” Randy replies, “What do you think? 10? Remember when my wife came?”

The numerical patterns start to excite Briston. He says, “The first day, then the second day. There was another day. But then I think there was another day that was probably before.”

Randy shrugs, “You’re better at that than I am.” As mentors, Rotary Club members such as Randy serve as positive role models. Their interactions with students in and outside of lunch emphasize values such as integrity, responsibility, and leadership. For Briston, seeing these values in action can be incredibly influential, shaping their character and outlook on life. In a nutshell, what we’re seeing here with the Rotary folks joining the Lunch Buddies mentor program is incredible. They’re stepping into district schools, sharing their time, and immersing themselves in the concerns of these youngsters. It’s not just about mentoring; it’s about building bridges between generations. The adults get a kick out of seeing things from the kids’ point of view, and the kids win some excellent role models out of the deal. Who says nothing groundbreaking happens over lunch?