University students preparing for annual mission service trips
WAYNESBURG – During the holiday break, 36 Waynesburg University students will travel to different countries to serve others. University faculty and staff will lead three mission service trips covering a variety of academic and professional interests.
The projects include partnerships with the Mission Academy Ministries in Nassau, Bahamas, a nutritional center in Patzun, Guatemala and Trans World Radio in the Caribbean island, Bonaire.
Nine students will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, from Jan. 4 to 10 to work in conjunction with Mission Academy Ministries, assisting in public school classes and building relationships with teachers and students.
They will also spend time with the children during recess and lunch and can observe in the classrooms. Dr. Julia Bausman and Deana Mack, assistant professors of education at Waynesburg University, will lead the team of students.
“The students will experience serving others while learning about their profession and practicing their teaching skills with diverse groups,” said Bausman. “They will be using their talents of teaching in the schools, which is really putting their faith into action.”
Students participating in the trip include Melissa Bachorski, a sophomore from Canonsburg; Catherine Hohing, a sophomore from Washington; Brittany Hott, a junior from Washington; Shakila Kienholz, a junior from Erie; Rebecca Lane, a senior from Ellwood City; Leena Mustafa from Erie; Abigail Standley from Gahanna, Ohio; Makayla Vidosh, a senior from Galloway, Ohio; and Brianna Watt, a senior from Waynesburg.
Twenty students will spend Jan. 2 to 10 serving at a nutritional center in Patzún, Guatemala. Pat Bristor, associate dean of students at the university, and Laurie Steere, resident director, will lead the team.
While at the center, students will spend time with the residents, as well as assist with building a cinder block wall around the perimeter of the backyard at the facility.
Two students who participated in the trip in past years chose to book flights Dec. 20 so they would have extra time with the children. These students will spend their entire Christmas break in Guatemala.
Kyle Digiandomenico, a from Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Emily Nowakowski, a sophomore from Bridgeport, left Friday.
According to Bristor, she and the students are most excited to see the children at the center.
“I have been going for years and it is exciting to get off the bus to children cheering your name,” said Bristor. “However, it is also very sad that the majority of the children are the same children as when I first went there.”
Additional students participating in the trip include Sheleena Adams, a junior from Cranberry; Anna Artkowsky, a sophomore from Waynesburg; Rebekah Clendaniel, a junior from Paxinos; Heidi Dains, a sophomore from Clarksville; Joshuah Dains, a senior from Clarksville; Chelsea Dicks, a senior from Jefferson; Sara Faiad, a senior from South Fork; Alyssa Fratto, a sophomore from Melcroft; Amelia Graves, a sophomore from West Falls, N.Y.; MacKenzie Hammer, a junior from McKees Rocks; Rebekah Hotek, a senior from Front Royal, Va.; Sarah Kirk, a junior from Valencia; Kendle Parsons, a senior from Brownsville; Cullin Piatt, a sophomore from Pittsburgh; Gracious Shavers, a senior from Ginowan City, Japan; Whitney Thomas, a junior from Meyersdale; Julie Wise, a senior from Fowler, Ohio; and Kaitlyn Wood, a junior from Honey Brook.
Eleven students will work with Trans World Radio, an international broadcast ministry on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The students will spend Jan. 2 to 11 assisting TWR in creating production schedules, radio lines, videos and promotional materials.
Beth Merry, instructor of communication; Chad Sherman, assistant professor of communication; Jacquelyn Core, university provost and vice president for academic affairs; and Karen Younger, assistant professor of history, will lead the team of students.
Students participating in the trip include April Bellizio, a junior from Monmouth, N.J.; Taylor Bombalski, a senior from Freeport; Anthony Conn, a junior from West Sunbury; Kyle Dawson, a sophomore from Pittsburgh; Stephen Haynes, from Smithton; Ronald Leisie, a sophomore from Ellwood City; Anne McGlaughlin, a sophomore from Pittsburgh; Jordan Mitrik, a junior from Pittsburgh; Abby Pittinaro, a junior from Pittsburgh; Mitchell Ross, a sophomore from Blairsville; and Chelsey Withers, a sophomore from Pittsburgh.