Dec. 14, 2015
The morning after final exams concluded on the Georgia Tech campus, a group of 18 student-athletes departed Atlanta for a five-day service trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic, the third such trip made in the last year in conjunction wit the Georgia Tech FCA chapter.
Traveling with the student-athletes are GTAA staff member Kele Eveland and GT FCA chapter director Keith Brown. The 18 student-athletes represent five Georgia Tech teams:
- Alexa Anton-Ohlmeyer, Women’s Tennis
- Kamilah Bakari, Women’s Track
- Marinice Bauman, Women’s Track
- Kendall Chadwick, Softball
- Kelsey Chisholm, Softball
- Colleen Darragh, Softball
- Jared Datoc, Baseball
- Jonathan Hughes, Baseball
- Casey Kay, Men’s Tennis
- Michael Kay, Men’s Tennis
- Maddie Lionberger, Softball
- Bria Matthews, Women’s Track
- Elijah Melendez, Men’s Tennis
- Ryan Peurifoy, Baseball
- Samantha Pierannunzi, Softball
- Dasia Smith, Women’s Track
- Brandt Stallings, Baseball
- Daniel Yun, Men’s Tennis
Below are two testimonials from Jonathan Hughes and Michael Kay, reflecting on their first few days in the Dominican Republic.
Jonathan Hughes, Baseball:
“This day was miraculous. The love that not only was shown by the GT FCA to the kids, but that those children showed us was life changing. To think that a person so poor could be filled with so much joy is very humbling. Past students that have come on this trip before say once you come back, it changes you. I believe now because it is already starting to change me now. I am very blessed to be given this experience with such a wonderful group of people…”
Michael Kay, Men’s Tennis:
“Hearing Marcos talk confirmed something I was already aware of…but it inspired me to pursue it much more than I could have expected. That is, that you can never fulfill whatever purpose it is that you’re searching for, by only serving yourself. To achieve your purpose, your happiness, prosperity, etc. You have to serve others. I think most people know this; I knew this before he spoke, but hearing it from somebody who has dedicated his everything to others is pretty powerful.”
