Meet all of the students who are members of the class and understand why they wanted to be members of this class.
Name: Ashley Anderson
Class: Junior
Major: English, MAT program
I want to go on this trip because I want to give back to the world. I have seen first hand the conditions that people on islands like the Dominican Republic live in and I think it is inhumane to allow people to live like this. Not only do I want to help physically, but I also want to spread knowledge on the poor conditions that these people live in and the conflicts that arise in their countries.
I was recently elected Archon of Phi Sigma Sigma. I also am involved in Relay for Life, The Big Event, Quinnipiac Future Teachers Organization, and many other community service projects.
I like to read, draw/paint, listen to music, and be involved in community service projects.
Name: Callie Barkley
Class: Junior
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: Kappa Delta Sorority and Her Campus Quinnipiac
I wanted to participate in the trip to the DR because I have always wanted to help those less fortunate than me. I feel this trip is going to be so much more than donating money, or buying a child a gift at Christmas time, it’s going to impact my life in a huge way. Not only will it leave an impression on my life but all those that I meet in Batey 50 as well and I can’t wait to feel how emotional it will be when I meet and help them.
Name: Lauren Chatalian
Class: Junior
Major: Dual Degree in Psychology and Health Science Studies
Involvement: Her Campus Quinnipiac, Psychology Club
I ultimately wanted to become a part of this class and trip to the Dominican because I want to help someone in need. Many people take for granted what we have, whereas these people that we will meet are not as fortunate. I can’t wait to meet the people of the Dominican, to form friendships and make a difference in someone’s life (or hopefully many peoples’ lives). I picture all of us becoming close with the children there and hopefully bringing smiles to their faces, just as much as they will bring smiles to ours. I truly believe this trip will have a huge impact on me and will be something I’ll always look back on. I think this trip will be an incredible experience for all of us and I am very much looking forward to it.
Name: Christina D’Amico
Class: Junior
Major: Nursing
I am hoping to work in New York City when I complete my nursing program where I would like to work in Pediatrics (not exactly sure what unit). I am also on the E-Board for Habitat for Humanity as the build coordinator. I am currently organizing a Spring break trip to North Carolina and Michigan where we plan to work with Habitat for Humanity. In addition, I volunteer at the New Haven Home Recovery Site.
I have been interested in traveling to other countries to help other families in need of food/nutrition, shelter, and medical assistance. To be able to help raise money for these families and to actually be the one to hand deliver necessary items for their survival would be an incredible experience. Building places of shelter to shield families from the elements would be an immense experience. Being able to hand them a key to their home and see their faces light up would, without a doubt, be priceless!
Name: Morgan Farra
Class: Senior
Major: Media Studies
Involvement: Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor, Quinnipiac’s Big Event, Greek Week, Senior Week
I credit my family for instilling in me a great sense of value in community service. I remember when I was little we would always adopt families during the holidays, participate in community cleanups and as a high school student I would help organize food banks and clothing drives. As I get older my love for service is only growing, and the capacity in which I can give back has developed as well. I am so excited to be going on this trip to help those in need because I believe that our social responsibility trumps all other commitments and because the way we treat others is a reflection of the civility and compassion of our society.
Name: Virginia Hally
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting
Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta, Orientation Leaders
I actively do community service and wanted to do something that would have a larger impact on people. I’ve always wanted to do a service trip and this one seemed like an interesting and powerful one to go one.
Name: Meg Hoffay
Class: Junior
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Fraternity & Sorority Life Intern, and Relay for Life
Living by Mother Theresa’s words, “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than bread,” I have always tried to help others whenever possible. My strong passion for service has led me to becoming involved in this mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than participating in this class and trip, to help those of Batey 50. Not only will I be able to physically see the hard work the group puts into the home, but I will be able to gain about the world around me that will enable me to become a better person. Learning about the history, heritage, and culture in the classroom of Batey 50 and then being able to interact with these people has to be the best formula of traveling, if there ever was one.
Katie Kilday
Class: Junior
Major: Biomedical Marketing
I wanted to take this class because it was the best way I could think of to combine an abroad experience with my love of service. What better way to do that than by changing lives and building homes in the Dominican Republic?
On campus, I’m a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta and serve as the Chief Panhellenic Officer. I also serve as a Orientation Leader.
Name: Sarah Mathie
Major: Health Science Studies
Class: Senior
I wanted to go on this trip because I want to give back. I have experienced first hand the conditions in which others less fortunate live and I want to help them improve their lives. I am also excited to go on this trip because it is going to be hands on. This trip is going to be so much more than raising money and receiving donations; we will be building a house for a family to live in. The impact it is going to have on my life, but the life of the family we are building, is one that will last a lifetime and I cannot be more thrilled to be apart of something truly so amazing.
Name: Nicole Meringola
Class: Junior
Major: Occupational Therapy
Involvement: Quinnipiac Kickline Captain 2012-2013
The main driver behind my interest in this trip is absolutely my past experiences with community service and mission projects. Throughout high school I was a student coordinator for the homeless shelter in my town, and saw first hand how small acts of kindness can really influence a person. However, the major contributor to my involvement in this course is the time I spent in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. During that time, five groups of my peers and I built homes for those who lost everything. In a time that seemed to helpless, our week with these families brought hope- something that I can only dream we can bring to the people of Batey 50.
Name: Gayle Mould
Class: Senior
Major: Advertising Major/ Interactive Digital Design Minor
Involvement: I am Formal Recruitment Chair for my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. I am also involved in Student Government Association as a Class Representative.
I wanted to be apart of this trip because I have always had a passion for community service and a curiosity for different places. Getting the opportunity to help others less fortunate, traveling and learning about another cultural is truly a blessing. We will help build a house that will last a lifetime for a family in need. The memories I will make on this trip will be instilled within me for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to go on this awesome trip with some pretty cool people!!
I enjoy all outdoor activities, especially fishing. I also have an unhealthy obsession with the New York Jets.
Name: Jessalyn Myers
Class: Junior
Major: Nursing
I have always enjoyed helping others and knew that this trip was something that I had to do. I am mostly looking forward to meeting everyone who lives in the village and seeing their reactions when their house is finish, knowing that I helped in the building process. It will be like nothing I have ever experienced before and I am sure it will have a huge impact on me for the rest of my life.
Name: Yael Ottenstein
Class: Senior
Major: Physical Therapy
I’m really excited to go on this trip to the Dominican Republic because it’s a perfect way to combine my love for traveling and experiencing different cultures with my desire to help those less fortunate than me. I cannot wait to hand over the keys to a brand new house or to deliver meals to families on New Years Day. I think this trip will be one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I’m counting down the days until we depart!
Name: Jessica Patel
Year: Junior
Major: Biology/Pre-med
Campus Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, South Asian Society, Pre-Health Professions Society, and Nutrition Club
I wanted to participate in this trip because I have always been passionate about helping those who are less fortunate than us. I am most excited to meet everyone in Batey 50 and share a special bond with them. I have yet to even travel to the Dominican Republic and already my life has been changed in the way I think and go about daily activities. I cannot wait to see the smiles on each person’s face on New Year’s Day when we go door-to-door and hand out food.
Name: Cassandra Pacella
Class: Senior
Major: Psychology/Masters of Arts in Teaching Program
Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta and Quinnipiac Future Teacher Organization
“The question is not ‘Can you make a difference?’ You already do make a difference. It’s just a matter of what kind of difference you want to make, during your life on this planet.” This quote is by Julia Butterfly Hill which I stumbled upon in one of my education course readings. In my aspirations of becoming a future teacher I am learning the importance of service learning. I personally place service and education very close to my heart. I know that as a participant of this course I will utilize the knowledge gained from this experience within my future career. Not only will this class help me with my future, but referring back to what Julia Butterfly Hill said, this class is giving me the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion for making the difference in which I want to make.
Name: Ali Rossetti
Year: Senior
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, intern at Yale School of Nursing
I wanted to take this class because I am very passionate about community service. Currently, I am the philanthropy chair for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, where I plan fundraisers. Giving back is always something I have enjoyed, and this trip seemed like the perfect way to give back during my senior year. Also, after taking PR writing with Professor Powers and learning about his experiences in the DR, I was already interested in going. When the class became available, I was very excited to apply to the program, and even more excited when I was accepted. I can’t wait to make an impact on the lives of the people in the sugar cane villages, and also to have them change my life.
Name: Brandon Schindler
Year: Senior
Major: Communications-Media Studies
When I saw this trip I thought this would be a great opportunity to help people. That is something I love to do. I thought to myself building a house and putting a smile on someone’s face would make me very happy and help fulfill my goal to help others.
My hobbies are working out, going on road trips, and basically anything that deals with the outdoors
My on campus involvement is being a brother and a founding father of Pi Kappa Phi.
Name: Andrea Siclari
Class: Junior
Major: Psychology/ Elementary Education
Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and Quinnipiac Future Teacher Organization
With aspirations to become a future educator, I have a strong passion for helping others. My passion for service led me to become interested in participating in this mission project to the small Haitian village known as Batey 50. I am looking forward to traveling to the Dominican Republic to help make a difference in the lives of many underprivileged and deserving individuals. I am excited to interact with the youth of such a unique culture and visit the Joe Hartman School and local orphanage. I know this experience will not only change me as a person, but help to better my understanding of the different cultures of the world while hopefully leaving a positive impact on the villagers of Batey 50.
QU & Batey 50 