Summer service trips broaden students’ understanding
Br. Dave Semmens (far right) along with Mr. Kevin Hansen (fifth from right) joined students in their summer service trip to Glenmary Farm.
During the year, students race to complete their service hours before the close of school. Luckily, through the leadership of Mr. Kevin Hansen, Mount Carmel’s Service Coordinator, summer service trips provide opportunities for students to accomplish this goal.
This past summer, 20 students participated in two summer service trips. Chris Accetto, Chris Glover, and Liam Donahue were among the 10 students who traveled to the Glenmary Farm in Vanceburg, Kentucky, June 28-July 4. The Mount Carmel group joined students from other schools in a variety of service projects in the rural Appalachian community.
Because Glenmary Farm organizes all service trips for the school, “Planning of the trips is much easier,” according to Hansen. Still, there are other challenges for students and chaperones alike. For example, Hansen states that this trip forced him to operate on someone else’s schedule, which he believes is an antidote to self-centeredness.
For Hansen, the best part of these trips is seeing how students are able to interact with others. For example, Hansen observed junior Chris Accetto helping a mentally disabled boy achieve tasks during their work week. While it may seem like a little thing, it’s the kind of interaction that brings out the best in Mount Carmel students.
These trips not only help students accomplish their service hours, but also bring them closer to others. “It was fun; he was like a little brother to me,” said Accetto, who regarded his service week as a great experience. “It was fun meeting new people from other states.”
The seven other students who attended the Glenmary Farm trip were Ryan Johnson, Nigel Wimberly, Joshua Allen, Tristan Novak, Joey Faucault, Jacob Williams, and Gabriel Nunley.
This summer’s second trip took students to the small town of Tipton, Iowa, an area that was devastated by floods several years ago. Participants on the Iowa City trip included Brendan Jacobs, Thomas Jones, Jacob Marzo, Tommy Dillion, Nnamdi Okabuonye, Daniel Brazel, Craig Lee, Grant Peebles, Roland Hargrove, and Sam Roman.
