The 10th grade class embarked on a meaningful and transformative Impact Trip to Hugo, Oklahoma, with a mission to serve community organizations that assist low-income families and to partner with local church ministries dedicated to supporting and feeding children in need. This annual trip, known for its focus on compassion, teamwork, and spiritual growth, once again proved to be an unforgettable experience for the students involved.
The Impact Trip aimed to provide tangible help to community organizations in Hugo and the surrounding small town of Boswell, Oklahoma. The students set many goals for the trip. One goal was to support the church ministries that provide a weekly meal and share the gospel with local children. Another was to work on community projects. These projects enhance the facilities used by lower-income families. This year, the students also had the honor of hosting Boswell’s annual Fall Festival, a cherished event that brings joy and a sense of unity to the community.
The students’ time in Hugo was spent making impactful improvements to local services and infrastructure. Their activities included:
– Painting and Upgrading Park Cabins: Students refreshed the appearance of park cabins, making them more welcoming and functional for visitors.
– Trail Reestablishment: They worked diligently to reopen a trail that had been closed for two years, breathing new life into an area that many locals had missed.
– Continuing a Legacy of Service: The 10th grade class built on previous efforts by their school, which had helped establish a handicap-accessible trail several years prior, reinforcing their long-standing relationship with the community.
These projects offered the students a firsthand look at the value of giving their time and energy to improve public spaces, and they were rewarded with gratitude from local residents who benefit from these efforts.
In Boswell, the students partnered with a local church ministry known for its commitment to supporting children. This partnership involved not only providing a hot meal but also sharing the message of hope and faith through devotionals and interactive activities. The 10th graders led a devotional based on the story of Jesus healing the paralytic whose friends lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus (Mark 2:1-12). This story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, community, and supporting each other through challenges.
To create a joyful atmosphere, students and community children sang songs, including “My God is So Big,” a song that reinforces the message of God’s power and care for everyone. The students displayed kindness and patience, ensuring that all children felt included, calmed those who were overwhelmed, and encouraged the shy ones to participate.
The trip was also an opportunity for student leaders to step up and guide their peers. Leaders Josh Faulks, Connor Vences, and Katya Travnikova excelled in organizing work teams and leading devotionals. Their dedication to servant leadership inspired their classmates and set an example of how collaboration and a positive attitude can make a difference.
In addition to their service work, students contributed to daily life by preparing half the meals for the group, participating in meal prep and cleanup by cabin. This practice emphasized responsibility, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving one another.
The trip’s culmination on the final night was particularly moving. After a debrief session where students shared their thoughts and reflections, they chose to spend time worshiping together. This spontaneous act of collective worship highlighted their deepened faith and gratitude for the experiences they had shared. The evening concluded with a prayer of thanks for the opportunities to serve and for the individuals and families they met, along with prayers for specific needs they had come to understand during the trip.
These trips challenge students not only physically through labor but emotionally and spiritually as well. They are exposed to the reality that many families live day-to-day, depending on community support and kindness. This experience encourages students to step outside their comfort zones and realize the blessings they often take for granted.
The 10th grade Impact Trip to Hugo, Oklahoma, serves as a reminder that even young individuals can make significant contributions to the lives of others. By engaging in meaningful service and expressing love and compassion, these students became an answer to someone else’s prayer, a lesson that will resonate far beyond their time in Hugo. The experiences shared and the connections formed will undoubtedly inspire continued acts of kindness and empathy throughout their lives.