Guest instructor Mary Lou Song (left) and community associate April Daley edit articles for the cherub Web site.

John Kupetz met his lifelong friend at cherubs. The two were instructors together in 1976. Then in 2001, Kupetz’s friend died.  And ever since, the cherub instructor has come back to the program with him in mind.

“I have an emotional attachment to cherubs,” Kupetz said, holding up a picture of a smiling man in a T-shirt depicting an image from the movie ‘Halloween.’

Every year, instructors leave their jobs, families and homes behind to teach at cherubs, sleep in dorm beds and eat dining hall food.

Each instructor has their reasons. Some love the camaraderie with students and fellow instructors. Others loved their cherub experiences so much that they want to give back to the program.

Community associate April Daley was a part of the cherub staff for the first time this year.  She was a cherub in 2006 and said the experience changed her life. Before cherubs, she had never written for a newspaper. Now she is an undergraduate journalism student at the Medill School.

“I owe cherubs a lot,” she said. “As soon as I left cherubs, I was pretty sure I wanted to come back.”

David Weissman has taught at cherubs for eight years. He said his love for the program is fueled by its intensity and his experiences with the students.

“They give me a lot of energy,” Weissman said. “They keep me young.”

Weissman also appreciates teaching in an environment where he isn’t forced to assign grades. He said it lifts pressure off the students, allows them to focus on learning and makes the experience more enjoyable for both cherubs and instructors.

Elia Powers has been an instructor twice since he was a cherub in 1998.  His experience as an instructor has given him a greater appreciation for former instructors and editors, he said.  It has also increased his confidence in editing.

“Most of my career, I’ve been a reporter,” he said. “Editing is a nice change,”

Powers enjoys his time with other instructors.

“You don’t have to explain to them why the program is meaningful,” Powers said. “They already understand.”

Kupetz said he doesn’t plan on leaving the program anytime soon.

“I will come back as long as Roger asks me to come,” he said, laughing.

Kupetz gives credit to director Roger Boye for creating such an open learning environment.

“He has respect for good teaching in various forms,” Kupetz said. “Cherubs brings people together. It’s like being caught in an elevator for five weeks; you’re forced to get along.”

Guest instructor Mary Lou Song left a startup business, two 3-year-olds and a 1-year-old at home to teach at cherubs this year. She said being a cherub in 1986 had an impact on her life. And she sacrifices a few weeks in the summer because teaching provides an opportunity to give something back to the program.

“There’s something special knowing you’ve made a difference for someone else,” she said. “Knowing you have encouraged someone to follow their dreams.”

Kupetz also values the rewards of teaching and working with the students. 

“I don’t know how and I don’t necessarily deserve it,” he said. “But I take their affection and run like a thief.”