St. Norbert College Students Participate in Trips Program Over Winter Break

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From St. Norbert College, December 16, 2019
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, 920-403-3089

This winter break, which begins on Dec. 14, groups of St. Norbert College students will travel to different locations across the country to take part in the TRIPS alternative-break service program. Organized by the college’s Sturzl Center for Community Service & Learning, TRIPS (an acronym for Turning Responsibility Into Powerful Service) challenges students to put their beliefs into action by spending a week in service. Each trip focuses on a particular area of need. The 2019 winter break TRIPS programs and their participants are listed below.

Children’s Medical: Offering Hope (Dec. 14-21)
Little Rock, Ark.

Students will volunteer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, hosting activities for the children in outpatient clinics, spending time with children to provide support for them and their families, and helping brighten the lives of the patients and their families through other tasks. Participants may also assist at sites that provide lodging to families whose loved ones are in treatment at the hospital.

Participants: Brittny Thackary (Sheboygan Falls, Wis.), Michaela Koepp (Appleton, Wis.), Will Butak (Chippewa Falls, Wis.), Luke Johnson (Wausau, Wis.), Emily Bretl (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.), Emily Mazier (Appleton, Wis.), Jaclyn Schneider (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), Gabby Schlegel (Gelson, Wis.), Shelby Stuczynski (Amherst, Wis.) and Miranda Lobermeier (Park Falls, Wis.).
Children’s Medical: Stitched With Love (Dec. 14-21)
Memphis, Tenn.

Students will volunteer at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, hosting special events for children in treatment, spending time with children to provide support for them and their families, and helping brighten the lives of the patients and their families through other tasks. Participants may also assist at sites that provide lodging to families whose loved ones are in treatment at the hospital.

Participants: Julia Runke (Wallace, Mich.), Emma Scholler (Glenwood City, Wis.), Porter Beilfuss (Crystal Falls, Mich.), Hannah Bues (De Pere, Wis.), Selina Conard (Luxemburg, Wis.), Claire Buser (Saukville, Wis.), Samuel Diny (De Pere, Wis.), Oren Kestell (New Holstein, Wis.), Mitch Gray (New Lenox, Wis.) and Larissa Loftus (Crystal Lake, Ill.).

Our Brothers’ Place (Jan. 3-11)
Philadelphia

Participants will work with men who are homeless and connected with Our Brothers’ Place, a shelter serving the needs of 300 men. The group will meet with the staff to learn about homelessness, participate in physical acts of service, serve meals and interact with guests. While in the area, participants will visit with the Norbertines at Daylesford Abbey. This trip will give students a service experience along with a deeper understanding of the Norbertine tradition.

Participants: Haley Bartz (Muskego, Wis.), Morgan Cornette (Bonduel, Wis.), Audrey Shreiner (South Bend, Ind.), Kayla Parkerson (Kaukauna, Wis.), Tekoya Cosby (Wausau, Wis.), Alli Henkelman (Ima, Wis.), Ashley Barnes (De Pere, Wis.), Janelle Meert (Green Bay, Wis.), Meghan Schmidt (Milwaukee) and Karly O’Grady (Elkhart Lake, Wis.).

St. Anthony School: Education for the Whole Person (Jan. 5-10)
Milwaukee

Participants will work side-by-side with St. Norbert alumni teachers while learning about the school-choice system in Milwaukee. Students will get the chance to participate in hands-on classroom-teaching experiences including preparing and implementing their own lesson plans and working in small groups with students.

Participants: SarahEllen Sankey (Sussex, Wis.), Elisabeth Klumpyan (McFarland, Wis.), Megan Gundrum (Appleton, Wis.), Emily Mitchell (Algoma, Wis.), Lilly Lanier (Appleton, Wis.), Julia Johnson (Sobieski, Wis.), Laria Leja (Green Bay, Wis.), Annika Hintze (Fond du Lac, Wis.) and Savannah Sevcik (Denmark, Wis.).

Immigration and Refugee Issues (Jan. 5-10)
Chicago

During this trip, participants will learn more about issues related to immigration and undocumented individuals as well as refugees. Participants will work alongside various organizations in the Chicago area that work with or advocate for immigrants and refugees. This trip allows for a balance of service and education about the social justice issue.

Participants: Kelsey Keast (De Pere, Wis.), Ellen Crofts (Janesville, Wis.), Kyra Vinz (Rice Lake, Wis.), Grace Knudsen (McHenry, Ill.), Hattie Kruschek (Waunakee, Wis.), Book LaCount (Abrams, Wis.) and Charlie Pollock (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.).
Addressing Homelessness: Our Nation’s Capital (Jan. 11-18)
Washington, D.C.

Students will serve at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, deliver needed items to folks who are experiencing homelessness, and take part in other activities related to the social justice issues of homelessness and poverty. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in advocacy. The group will learn about the root causes of homelessness in the United States and will reflect on these problems, including what solutions may be possible.

Participants: Della Haanen (Green Bay, Wis.), Olivia Pennings (Appleton, Wis.), Tessa Badtke (Sheboygan, Wis.), Amy Holzer (Hartford, Wis.), Andrew Hebbring (Grand Chute, Wis.), Emily Mrozek (Spring Grove, Ill.), Sydney Fetkenhauer (Hartland, Wis.), Tanner Bollenbeck (Appleton, Wis.), Mal Olcott (Coleman, Wis.) and Rae Ballinger (Amherst Junction, Wis.).

Academy of St. Benedict the African: Celebrating the Diversity of Our Talents (Jan. 12-17)
Chicago

The Academy of St. Benedict the African trip to Chicago is one of the longest-running TRIPS experiences. Groups from St. Norbert College have been traveling to St. Benedict the African School for more than 30 years. Participants will work with students one-on-one and help with the after-school program. While in Chicago, students will stay at the Amate House and will interact with individuals who are completing postgraduation service.

Participants: Anna Sauer (Belgium,Wis.), Madison Stoltze (Schofield, Wis.), Lexi Ford (Stevens Point, Wis.), Lauren Schuh (Appleton, Wis.), Kassidy Ashbeck (Wabeno, Wis.), Kayla Ruppelt (Elk Mound, Wis.), Karsten Hancock (Eau Claire, Wis.), Alana Borman (Green Bay, Wis.), Holly Buczek (Port Washington, Wis.) and Laura Spaude (Seymour, Wis.).

Living L’Arche (Jan. 18-25)
Cleveland

L’Arche is a community dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks with people who have intellectual disabilities. Their mission is to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, to foster the development of communities that respond to members’ changing needs, and to engage with local cultures while working toward a more humane society. The group will live with the residents and will provide friendship and support by “sharing life.”

Participants: Bayley Lau (De Pere, Wis.), Lisa Beine (Kohler, Wis.), Ben Peper (Green Bay, Wis.), Will Van Ye (Neenah, Wis.), Olivia Peplinski (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), Cailyn Tompa (Phoenix) and Erika Gelhausen (Antigo, Wis.).

Children’s Medical: Stitched With Love (Jan. 18-25)
Memphis, Tenn.

Students will volunteer at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, hosting special events for children in treatment, spending time with children to provide support for them and their families, and helping brighten the lives of the patients and their families through other tasks. Participants may also assist at sites that provide lodging to families whose loved ones are in treatment at the hospital.

Participants: Andrea’ Boyd (Plainfield, Wis.), Will Starke (Eagle River, Wis.), Emma O’Neill (Sussex, Wis.), Margaret Shiverick (Wausau, Wis.), Kersten Green (Woodstock, Ill.), Maddie Thorstad (Muskego, Wis.), Isabelle Berger (De Pere, Wis.), Allyson Tebon (Deerfield, Wis.) and Jaren Yoder (Milwaukee).

Addressing Homelessness: Titletown (Jan. 22-26, 2020)
Green Bay

Historically, the TRIPS program has given students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new community. This trip will focus on the needs of St. Norbert College’s own local community. The group will serve at area homeless shelters and hear from educational speakers, resulting in a better understanding of homelessness and poverty. The Norbertines at St. Norbert Abbey will aid in the journey through common prayer, guidance and teaching on Norbertine tradition.

Participants: Andrew Gehring (Green Bay, Wis.), Max Maier (New Berlin, Wis.), Lydia Myszka (Edgar, Wis.), Isabel Farrell (Green Bay, Wis.), Kodee Zarnke (Amherst, Wis.) and Aaron Mickelson (Milan, Ill.).
For more information on the TRIPS program, contact Jennifer Nissen, assistant director of community service and learning at the Sturzl Center, at jennifer.nissen@snc.edu or 920-403-3374.