Thursday, December 15, 2016

Welcome to our trip!

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2017 Gannon Habitat for Humanity ABST blog! Over spring break we will be traveling Abingdon VA, to work with the Habitat Collegiate Challenge. We want to welcome to our blog and encourage you following it while we are on our trip (February25th-March 4th). We before we leave we want to introduce who we are!

Alfred Beckstorm is a junior Mechanical Engineering major and one of the students leaders on the trip. He is originally from Aurora, Ohio. Fun fact, he plays the viola. Alfred wanted to come on this trip because he likes building things and helping people.

Anna Swick is a junior Social Work major and one of the student leaders on the trip. She is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, she was home-schooled before coming to Gannon. Anna wanted to come on this trip because she is passionate about  Habitat's mission and wanted to learn more about the role she plays in carrying it out.

Brian Collingwood is one of the Gannon staff members on the trip. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and received a History from Xavier University. Fun fact, he has a dog named Toby. Brian wanted to come on this trip because he wanted to be a part of Gannon's commitment to service and volunteering; it is important to him that he exercises his social responsibility through an ABST trip with students.

Rhonna Bollig is one of the Gannon staff members on the trip. She is originally from Washington, D.C. This will be Rhonna's 8th ABST but 1st time participating at Gannon. Whean asked why she wanted to be on this trip she said, "Participating and leading alternative breaks when I was a student, I built some incredible friendships with other students that I may not have otherwise had the chance to get to know. Now, as a staff, participating in alternative breaks gives me the opportunity to build relationships with the students I serve.  Being part of their learning, while serving another community, is a truly rewarding experience.  I was interested in this particular trip because I appreciate the mission of Habitat for Humanity and am looking forward to learning more." 

Summer Young is a sophomore Healthcare Management Major. She is from Kittanning Pennsylvania. Fun Fact, she loves antique and vintage things. She wanted to come on this trip because she is apart of Habitat and wanted to experience something new and do something good for others.

Jennafer Skarupski is a senior Occupational Therapy major from Erie, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, in high school she was awarded the most service hours in her class She wanted to come of this trip because she loves building things and learning how to do new things.

Steve Caulfield is a senior Computer Science major from Erie, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, Steve has nine siblings. He wanted to come on this trip because he has always been interested in the work habitat does and has wanted to volunteer with them, so when he saw this chance he tried to take it.

Rachel Amorose is a sophomore Electrical Engineering major from Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, she has a pug named Rocky and she loves him very much. She wanted to come on this trip because she is on the board for Habitat and really enjoys the builds and sense of community the bring.

Keisha Winger is a sophomore nursing student from Oil City, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, she can play the clarinet and saxophone. Keisha wanted to come on this trip because she is apart of the Habitat group at Gannon.

Catie Strout is a sophomore Physician Assistant major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, she is obsessed with dogs. Catie wanted to come on this trip because  she is a member of Gannon's chapter of Habitat for Humanity and she wanted to see how Habitat positively impacts areas other than Erie.

Hannah Rhodes is a freshman Psychology/ Social Work major from Raleigh, North Carolina. Fun fact, she was a vegetarian for a year. Hannah is super excited to work in Abingdon, Virginia!

Sydney Seabrooke is a freshman Sport and Exercise Science/ Pre-PT major from Erie, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, she dressed her dog up as a shark for Halloween. She wanted to come on this trip because she has always wanted to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build.

Chris Devine is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering Major from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Fun fact, he plays Ultimate Frisbee at Gannon. Chris wanted to come on this trip because he wanted to get involved with Habitat and do something positive and helpful over spring break. He also wanted to meet new people.

Michael Anubodem Muanya Awungnkeng is a junior Philosophy major from Buffalo, New York. Fun fact, he is originally from Cameroon. Michael wanted to come on this trip because he was suppose to go on the Habitat trip last year, but due to circumstance couldn't so he decided to come this year. He wants to give to his community and build a fellowship with other students.