West Islip Students Honored For Work During Service Trip To Guatemala

WEST ISLIP, NY - A dozen students – all now seniors – from West Islip High School were all recently honored for their work during a service trip to Guatemala.

Over the summer, students Eric Besanceney, Krista Ciccarelli, Mary Connolly, Alexa DePaola, Melodi Doganay, Mark Gellar, Holly Hohorst, Michelle Kurkela, Jack Magee, Tricia Mueller, Grace Schaefer and Abby Weintz participated with teacher Noreen Matthews in the school’s seventh annual service trip with Common Hope. Eric Besanceney, Krista Ciccarelli,

The group raised more than $8,000 as a team for Common Hope.

The Minnesota-based Common Hope sends teams of volunteers to Guatemala to build houses for families in need.

According to Matthews, Common Hope promotes education by supporting Guatemalan families and encouraging parents to keep their kids in school.

Most students in Guatemala are forced to end their education at sixth grade due to financial responsibilities.

“While in country, we built a one-room house for a family of six,” Matthews said. “We also visited a school and participated in cultural exchange activities like teaching dancing and painting lessons to the local teens.”

The 12 students were honored at a recent West Islip Board of Education meeting.

Photo courtesy of the West Islip School District