Will Pace- This week was one of the most tiring and competitive weeks I have experienced in a long time. This week taught me that when serving people you are not just doing the work you are getting to know the person and making their day better. This morning our group was not performing 100% and Kondo pointed it out during lunch. That afternoon our group was firing on all cylinders. This evening we completed the competition. We had two events to finish it out. The first one was the notorious spaggati tower build. We won the competition and advanced to sudden death jinga. Noah did a really good job opening up with a successful pull then Colin did one to. Next, it was my turn, I bumped into the table and lost the whole thing for our team. Instead of yelling at me and saying I stunk, and will never win anything, everyone came up to me and said good game Will and It was just a accident. This shows me what one week in Dungannon can do to a group of kids, it brings them together. We are all tight knit and our friendships will long live through our Collegiate careers. #DungannonSquadout
Noah- This week in Dungannon was a week that impacted me as a person. It changed me in so many ways. When I got up the first day to work I had mixed emotions. I was excited, tired, and a little nervous since we were painting a place where someone lives (a house) I had no idea what to expect. We got there and went to work and it was very hard, but in a fun way. I also feel like if it were my house and I was working alone, it would have been very boring. This shows that the Collegiate staff and Dungannon employees always find the fun in anything. I also learned so much from my teammates, Will, Will, Catherine, and Isabella. They taught me a lot from vocabulary to just life in general. It was a very good experience. There were some people on this trip that I have never talked to before. When we go to school it won’t be the same. I will still talk to them. I learned a lot about my classmates from one being able to drink a Gatorade in 6 seconds to being a good singer. Overall this trip changed me as a person and I will carry what I have learned for the rest of my live.
Catherine- The Veterans Memorial Highway travels through, it seems, almost all of Southwestern Virginia. We used it, traveling to the rope swing and to all our paint sights. But, unlike all highways on which I’ve ever traveled, this one curves, it dips, it takes you on a rollercoaster. Driving home today, it occurred to me that this highway is much more than a road. Yes, the Veterans Memorial Highway taught me that not all highways have to be straight, in order for it to be considered a highway. They don’t need four lanes, nor do they need exit signs. To be happy and to feel fulfilled, there isn’t a need for straight highways. The people I served this week represented the Veterans Memorial Highway. They didn’t have glam, but they certainly had personality. I painted for those who didn’t value money, pride, and tangible success that can be boasted, as much as we, in Richmond, do. The more I’d paint, the more I’d organize, the more I realized I don’t need fame or money. This trip showed me a different side of the world that I’ve never seen before. The people in Dungannon, make up part of the world, many fail to see. Most will never have a chance to visit the Veterans Memorial Highway. They will never have the chance to see the spirit and happiness, one can find in the rarest of places. Every kid should take this trip to they too can say I saw the Veterans Memorial Highway. As my reflection for the past few days, I look to that highway, and I don’t see its fainted paint, but instead, I see rollercoaster.
Isabella- Arriving at Dungannon, I didn’t know what to expect. As the week continued on, I realized that this trip was amazing and I know that the memory will always stay with me. Yes, the work, at times, was hard and made us tired, but we persevered and felt that we made a big difference to the community. I realized that just because people might not have everything, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t happy or content. The more we painted and organized, the more this became a reality to me as we spoke to more members of the community and learned about Dungannon. The chaperones pushed us to do our best work, and I was grateful that they were there to remind us about our goal for the day. My group also became very close over the week, and we eventually felt like a family. Will N., Will P., Catherine, and Noah were all very supportive. Yes, we did have a lot of fun during the week, but we also helped others and made a difference. I am so grateful for this experience, and I will always remember the experience and the town of Dungannon.
Will Neuner- Upon my arrival at Dungannon, I had no idea what kind of week it was going to turn out to be. This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. During the week, there was just the right balance of work and play. Helping and living in the Dungannon community was a whole new experience. It made me appreciate all of the nice things I have back home. Every house we went to and every place we helped was considered low-income; however, everybody I spoke with was happy with what they had. During the week, our group as well as our team bonded in ways I never could have imagined. I was told by our chaperones that our group would become close, but we meshed more than I think anyone thought we would. Every time we completed a project, we became closer. Doing community service always makes me feel good, and at the end of the week, I wish I could stay longer. Dungannon is an experience I will never forget.
Noah- This week in Dungannon was a week that impacted me as a person. It changed me in so many ways. When I got up the first day to work I had mixed emotions. I was excited, tired, and a little nervous since we were painting a place where someone lives (a house) I had no idea what to expect. We got there and went to work and it was very hard, but in a fun way. I also feel like if it were my house and I was working alone, it would have been very boring. This shows that the Collegiate staff and Dungannon employees always find the fun in anything. I also learned so much from my teammates, Will, Will, Catherine, and Isabella. They taught me a lot from vocabulary to just life in general. It was a very good experience. There were some people on this trip that I have never talked to before. When we go to school it won’t be the same. I will still talk to them. I learned a lot about my classmates from one being able to drink a Gatorade in 6 seconds to being a good singer. Overall this trip changed me as a person and I will carry what I have learned for the rest of my live.
Catherine- The Veterans Memorial Highway travels through, it seems, almost all of Southwestern Virginia. We used it, traveling to the rope swing and to all our paint sights. But, unlike all highways on which I’ve ever traveled, this one curves, it dips, it takes you on a rollercoaster. Driving home today, it occurred to me that this highway is much more than a road. Yes, the Veterans Memorial Highway taught me that not all highways have to be straight, in order for it to be considered a highway. They don’t need four lanes, nor do they need exit signs. To be happy and to feel fulfilled, there isn’t a need for straight highways. The people I served this week represented the Veterans Memorial Highway. They didn’t have glam, but they certainly had personality. I painted for those who didn’t value money, pride, and tangible success that can be boasted, as much as we, in Richmond, do. The more I’d paint, the more I’d organize, the more I realized I don’t need fame or money. This trip showed me a different side of the world that I’ve never seen before. The people in Dungannon, make up part of the world, many fail to see. Most will never have a chance to visit the Veterans Memorial Highway. They will never have the chance to see the spirit and happiness, one can find in the rarest of places. Every kid should take this trip to they too can say I saw the Veterans Memorial Highway. As my reflection for the past few days, I look to that highway, and I don’t see its fainted paint, but instead, I see rollercoaster.
Isabella- Arriving at Dungannon, I didn’t know what to expect. As the week continued on, I realized that this trip was amazing and I know that the memory will always stay with me. Yes, the work, at times, was hard and made us tired, but we persevered and felt that we made a big difference to the community. I realized that just because people might not have everything, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t happy or content. The more we painted and organized, the more this became a reality to me as we spoke to more members of the community and learned about Dungannon. The chaperones pushed us to do our best work, and I was grateful that they were there to remind us about our goal for the day. My group also became very close over the week, and we eventually felt like a family. Will N., Will P., Catherine, and Noah were all very supportive. Yes, we did have a lot of fun during the week, but we also helped others and made a difference. I am so grateful for this experience, and I will always remember the experience and the town of Dungannon.
Will Neuner- Upon my arrival at Dungannon, I had no idea what kind of week it was going to turn out to be. This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. During the week, there was just the right balance of work and play. Helping and living in the Dungannon community was a whole new experience. It made me appreciate all of the nice things I have back home. Every house we went to and every place we helped was considered low-income; however, everybody I spoke with was happy with what they had. During the week, our group as well as our team bonded in ways I never could have imagined. I was told by our chaperones that our group would become close, but we meshed more than I think anyone thought we would. Every time we completed a project, we became closer. Doing community service always makes me feel good, and at the end of the week, I wish I could stay longer. Dungannon is an experience I will never forget.