Explorer for the Day: A Full Circle Moment
- Allan Tompkins
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By Allan Tompkins
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, the LINK club hosted 12 teenage students with special needs in the annual "Explorer for the Day" event where they were able to get an idea of what a day in the life of a Columbus student entails.
The Explorer for the Day event involves the pairing of 12 visiting students from Great Heights Academy with 12 Columbus seniors in a buddy-system that allows for bonding experiences between pairs as they engage in activities in robotics, art, band, e-sports, drama and prayer.
"We began the day with a prayer asking God to help us fully receive the gift of the day and enjoy our time together, remembering that He is present in every moment," said Campus Minister Mr. Jesurun.
While the activities provided to the visiting students were what the club intended to make the day fun, the relationships developed between the senior "Big Brothers" and "Little Brothers" are what will stay with those involved in the event forever.
"I wasn't sure what the true value of the event was...however, as the event went on, I realized that it was a chance to show others the Columbus brotherhood in action. I was given an immense change in perspective as I had talked to Eli, my buddy, about pretty much everything," said Vice-President of LINK Max Gonzalez.
One of the most important goals of the Explorer for the Day event, as well as LINK itself, is to promote inclusion. Through an event like this one, dedicated to making friends and bringing smiles to those who don't normally get to experience moments like these, the club was beyond able to fulfill its mission. However, the conclusion and success of this event meant much more to members and moderators of the club than previous years have offered.
LINK was started in Columbus four years ago, when the current seniors were freshmen. Having been the first group to have ever joined the club, these seniors have watched LINK grow from an idea to a school-wide reality and with that comes the opportunity to finally participate in the Explorer for the Day event as the "Big Brothers" that they've watched others fulfill these last four years.
"Because they have grown up with LINK, they understand that inclusion is not an event or a service activity; it is a responsibility and a way of life. Over four years, they have modeled what it means to show up with patience, joy and humility," said club moderator Mrs. Gonzalez-Rojas.
Specifically, President Sebastian Tamayo, who participated in the event this yea,r is actually the one who came up with the idea for Explorer for the Day when he was a freshman. In the last four years, Sebastian has consistently helped in the planning of the event and watched it grow just as he's watched LINK grow, offering another one of those full-circle moments that many members have experienced.
"I've grown up with a lot of the seniors from Great Heights Academy...and I never would have thought that I would be able to experience senior year with them in the same school. Even though it was just one day, I know it meant a lot to them and me," said Tamayo.
Just as Explorer for the Day provided many seniors in LINK with a feeling of accomplishment, there were also many underlying bittersweet sentiments toward the idea of everything slowly coming to an end. With college acceptance letters already mailed and read, the future seems closer to many of these seniors who may not be ready to say goodbye to such an integral part of their high school career.
"Their time in LINK has kept the club alive not just through participation, but through ownership because they believe in it, defend it, expand it, and love it. LINK continues because they made sure it was never just a club, but a mission," said Mrs. Gonzalez-Rojas
However, when one door closes, another one opens--and in this case, swings open. LINK's exponential growth since its inception in Columbus four years ago is a promising sign for the club to continue expanding once this group of seniors graduates. With almost ten officer positions currently held by juniors or underclassmen, the motivation towards the effort remains and is stronger than ever.
"LINK has built a solid foundation and is already starting to expand to other schools. I see this initiative as a county-wide service club, with chapters at every Catholic high school and middle school that seek to spread inclusion and kindness for all," said Max Gonzalez.
When it comes to the Explorer for the Day event, many members recognize the significance of the message it conveys and the group of juniors in the club is already excited for next year's continuation of the event to get their chance to fulfill their roles as "Big Brothers."
"I have been a part of LINK for the past three years, and through [Explorer for the Day], I have seen how it has positively impacted many lives- especially my brother, Francisco," said junior and Eternally LINKed officer Roberto Echeverri.
Ultimately, the LINK club has inspired those with special needs just as much as it has inspired members of the Columbus community. With an already large and strengthening body of members and supporters, Max's vision of the club expanding throughout Miami-Dade County is less of a dream with each event like the Explorer for the Day broadening the club's influence on all parties involved and beyond.
"My hope is that LINK continues to impact more students every year and that the friendships that were built here carry on into their future," said Tamayo.
While the next generation of LINK members has just begun, their efforts toward making the wishes of those who preceded them come true is just another one of the many examples that the Columbus community provides when one's heart is at the forefront of a good cause.
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