The TV show Survivor is all about persistence, overcoming challenges, and working together. It is Declan’s favorite show, and there is no doubt why in seeing how he perseveres when times get tough.
Declan has been a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than three years. In that time, he experienced loss, change, and health struggles, but his match with Big Sister Payten Polzin has helped him navigate each of those challenges and be named the 2024 Central Minnesota Little Brother of the Year.
Declan and Payten have been matched for two years through the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud State University. As Declan’s first match came to a close, he showed real bravery and honesty by sharing more details about his needs in a match and he trusted that BBBS staff would find him a strong match moving forward. It became clear right away that Payten was the right person for Declan. Now, two years later they are still going strong in the Bigs on Camps initiative at St. Cloud State University.
When they were first matched, Declan and Payten bonded easily over their love of sports and their curious, thoughtful natures. As their match went on, Declan learned he could trust Payten and opened up to her about his struggles, his life at school, and how he was feeling. Payten was a senior in college at SCSU when they were first matched, so she knew what he was going through, and the nervousness that comes with thinking about the future. Knowing that Payten could relate helped Declan realize he wasn’t alone, and he continued to open up to his new mentor.
In their first year as a match, Declan experienced a death in the family and health issues that kept him from participating in school, in sports, and with his friends. With Payten’s guidance and check-ins, he pushed through.
What could have been another setback for Declan ended up making his and Payten’s friendship stronger. After Payten graduated from St. Cloud State in May 2024, she headed to Illinois for graduate school – but she didn’t leave Declan. The two still meet every other Wednesday over Zoom, and continue to have a strong, supportive friendship. Payten checks in on Declan via text, and her consistent friendship and support has helped him thrive as he heads into the tail end of his senior year of high school.
Declan’s grades are up, he has caught up with the friendships that are important to him, he is the co-president of student council, he’s competing in sports, and he’s involved with the Junior Kiwanis. He also hosts a Survivor-like challenge for his friends and family each summer in his back yard – a testament to his perseverance, growth, and ability to build community.
“Declan is a very talented, strong-willed, intelligent and positive individual who lights up any room,” Payten said. “He has overcome many adversities and persevered with a positive outlook on life. He impresses me all the time.”