Hunter and Noah's Story
10/14/2021
As a police officer, Big Brother Noah encounters many situations where he wants to be a good influence on kids. After having mentors growing up, he felt compelled to take a one-on-one approach and reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire.
He described his first meeting with 8-year-old Hunter as “the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done.” Noah was nervous they wouldn’t get along or that Hunter might not even like him. After breaking the ice swimming and playing frisbee in Lake Winnipesaukee, those worries quickly evaporated. As a matter of fact, “they’re like two peas in a pod,” said Hunter’s grandfather.
Everyone agrees that there’s been a lot to celebrate since their match began. “I’ve seen big changes in Hunter,” mentioned his grandfather. “With him getting a Big Brother, he sees positive things instead of all the negative things. He’s happier.” Noah shared the story of a fishing outing where Hunter’s line got wrapped around his pole. “He got frustrated and I encouraged him to sit down and take a look at it. He took a big breath, and I coached him through it. I’ve seen this change in him where he can work through issues without getting overly upset.” Hunter’s confidence has grown and in his own words, he’s learned “how to say please and thank you.”
Lest you think it’s all about manners, this duo knows how to have fun too! Last Halloween, Noah made Hunter his own Tilton PD uniform complete with department patches and a name tag. Needless to say, he won the costume contest and definitely wants to “be a police officer when I grow up.” When not in uniform, this pair can be found at the local barber shop for their monthly tradition of haircuts followed by tacos.
While Noah knows he’s having a valuable impact on Hunter, he recognizes the way this program has helped him too. “If you can’t talk to people, you can’t function as a police officer. With Hunter, I slow down my thought process and explain things. I take my time differently with my job; it has made me better at what I do. I never imagined this kind of impact.”
He added, “it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve done so far in life.”