Why am I participating in this program? The Virginia 4-H Participants have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate this year.

Journey Mason, 18, Henrico Co., values opportunities for travel and is interested in the opportunity to learn more about sustainability and playing a role in promoting it in a community.   She also wants to strengthen her Spanish speaking because biliteracy is a valuable skill that will allow her to connect with a broader scope of individuals. She also wants to step outside her comfort zone on this trip.

Kerrigan Bauserman, 17, Shenandoah Co., loves to travel and seek new adventures. The most important thing she wants to learn is about the local culture because it is something she's never been around. She can't wait to meet all of the Dominican teens and campers! Her personal goals for this trip are to become more aware of the needs within our world and how she can best address and improve upon those needs, to better understand the Spanish speaking language, and finally, make connections and have fun!

Cole Swartz, 17, Shenandoah Co., sees this program as an opportunity to see and learn about a different culture. He wants to experience and see how people live in a tropical environment. Cole also wants the Dominican children to know that we’re not all the same, we’re all very different, but we can sometimes have the same goals.

Mary Anne Rogers, 15, Highland Co., has always been intrigued by travel and culture. She also loves working with kids, so this program is a good match for her. She wants to learn about the people, test her Spanish skills, and get to know them because that is the most important part of the trip for her.

Emma Lucero, 18, Montgomery Co., applied for this program because she is interested in traveling abroad and loves to teach children about ways to help their communities and the world be a better place. Her personal goals for this week in the Dominican Republic are learning more about herself as a person and broadening her perspective on the world.

Hannah Biby, 14, Shenandoah Co., especially wants to see the small neighborhoods away from the hotel because she wants to see how the local people live. She also wants to learn more about their culture and to learn more Spanish and make new friendships.

Adeline Sokolowski, 17, Albemarle Co., has been on domestic mission trips before and hasn’t been on an international mission trip before as a teen. Addy wants to make new friends, because that is the most powerful part of a service trip.

David Olorunda, 15, Loudoun Co., wanted an opportunity to create an impact globally through his gifts, skills, and talents. Going to the Dominican Republic through a larger branch of an organization that I am a member of gives him the opportunity to help others who may not be as fortunate as he is which is something he is passionate about. He wants to see young kids excited to participate in the different activities that we will offer. He wants to take in all of the beautiful sights and memories during the travel and he wants to learn about the unique individuals living in the Dominican Republic. He is excited for these things because he wants to continue to expand himself and his horizons.

Sydney Ford, 15, Henrico Co., would like to improve and practice her Spanish as well as learn about the Dominican Republic culture.

Deborah Olorunda, 16, Loudoun Co., applied for this program to experience being a leader in 4-H not just for her club but in another country and to have the opportunity to experience a new culture and meet new people while doing so. Her personal goals for this week in the Dominican Republic are to see the wildlife in the area, be able to work with the kids successfully at the 4-H camp, have fun exploring the area, and get to know our 4-H team and the Dominicans well.

Natalee Peterson, 15, Shenandoah Co., applied for this program because her cousins went in the past and she thought it would be a great opportunity. Her personal goals are to learn more about the kids and people, see what is different from her home and she wants to be more appreciative for what she has.

Breanna Young, 15, Loudoun Co., will have her 16th birthday in the Dominican Republic! She applied for this program because of the major learning opportunities and the connections to other countries. We are not the only place in the world and if she can help and learn from others that is amazing. The most important parts to her are the kids day camp, and becoming more fluent in Spanish, because she loves working with kids and kids are kids no matter where you go and it’s so exciting to meet new people!

Sophia Gallivan, 17, Accomack Co., applied for this program because she has been able to receive so many life lessons and gifts of mindfulness through Virginia 4-H. When she saw the opportunity to not only give these opportunities to other children but also represent Virginia 4-H, she knew she couldn’t pass this amazing opportunity up. Sophia really wants to help facilitate 4-H changing the lives of youth across the world as it did hers. Being from a rural coastal region of Virginia she wants to be able to experience their culture and share American culture with them through 4-H.

Chad Biby, 17, Shenandoah Co.,has heard great things about this program from previous participants and decided he wanted to participate. Chad wants to experience the history and culture because he loves history. He also wants to make a difference in someone's life.

Nathaniel Farmer, 16, Shenandoah Co., thinks it’s a great opportunity to learn and to help people. He also would like to meet new people because he wants to see how other cultures live.

Jennifer Farmer, 19, Shenandoah Co. would like to learn more about the Honey Bee/Worm Cultivation Nursery because she would like to know more about their efforts to improve sustainability and conservation locally. Jenny I would like to step out of her comfort zone, learn about different cultures, and help teach children about 4H.

Carson Stern, 15, Shenandoah Co. ,chose to come on this trip because he wanted to experience a day in the life of a Dominican kid and he wanted the opportunity to help as much as he can. He hopes to experience the lifestyle and see how fortunate he is compared to them.

Alivia Hoover,17, Alleghany Co. feels that this program will be a life changing experience and she wants to explore the different cultures of the world. Alivia also wants to learn about the differences between the United States and the Dominican Republic

Maggie Copp, 16, Shenandoah Co.

Cora Hodges, 15, Alleghany Co

Ryley Crabtree, 16, Lee Co.

Cash Chambers, 15, Highland Co.

Chris Biby, adult volunteer, Shenandoah Co.

Dj Croskey-Ford, adult volunteer, Henrico Co., says her personal goals are for the Dominican children to have a memorable experience. She would like for their hearts and minds to be touched in such a way that they remember this summer for many years to come. She would also like to use this trip as an opportunity to increase her fluency in Spanish.

Dwight Farmer, adult volunteer, Shenandoah Co. wants a chance to serve and spread the values of the 4H program. He also wants to help our kids grow through service to others and gain new experiences.

Ben Hindman, 4-H Extension Agent, Highland Co., applied for this program because he believes in the importance and value of visiting different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures. His personal goals for this week in the Dominican Republic are to contribute positively to the local community and make a meaningful impact during his time there. He also hopes to use this opportunity to learn about Dominican culture, traditions, and ways of life by engaging with locals, building relationships, and exchanging knowledge and experiences. Ben also wants the Dominican children to know that Americans are diverse people with various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He wants them to know that many Americans believe in giving back to their communities and helping those in need.

Emmalee Edwards, 4-H Extension Agent, Augusta Co.

Trip Leader:  Christine Hodges, 4-H Extension Agent, Alleghany Co., is one half of the organizational team of this program every year.  

Trip Leader:  Carol Nansel, 4-H Extension Agent, Shenandoah Co.,  is the other half of the organizational team for this program.  Carol enjoys traveling, working with teens and learning about cultures.  She has previously chaperoned 4-H teens on a 5 week trip to Japan and, along with 4-H Specialist Joe Hunnings, helped establish this 4-H Dominican Republic Program in 2006.  She enjoys watching the 4-H teens grow in their leadership and world citizenship skills each year and developing lifelong friendships.