August Boyd

Birmingham, AL

University of Mississippi: Computer Science, Spanish and Mathematics Minor

Host Family: Eric and Rosy Heinsohn

Job Host: Atlas Free

Mentor: Joseph Zegel

August is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a double major in Computer Science and Spanish, along with a minor in Mathematics. Throughout his time at Ole Miss, he cultivated an aspiration for cross-cultural community engagement and service, refined by his experience living abroad in Uruguay. He used his passion for justice to serve as a member of the University’s Judicial Council and as the Risk Management Chair for his Sigma Nu fraternity chapter. He has enjoyed mentoring through Reformed University Fellowship and Alpine Camp for Boys, where spent his summers in college directing wilderness activities and serving as a media liaison. August recently hiked 500 miles across the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. When he is not on the pickleball court, you can find him running around Charlottesville or watching Formula One racing.

Sam
Boyd

Los Angeles, CA

Washington & Lee University: Biology

Host Family:  Leonid & Vera Volodin

Job Host: Pantops Family Medicine

Mentor: Oscar Aylor

Sam has a drive for building relationships and serving others through the lens of medicine. At Washington and Lee University, Sam studied Biology and played piano in the University Jazz Ensemble and the Piano Performance Program. He has extensive experience both as a lab researcher and as a medical assistant to Dr. John Marsh—a nationally recognized rural medicine physician—caring for truck drivers passing through the Shenandoah Valley. Outside of the classroom, Sam founded Chords for Care, coordinating and training students to build relationships through performing live music for elderly and hospice-care patients at underserved nursing homes. Within the Washington and Lee community, Sam served as a Resident and Community Advisor, where he guided students through many academic, social, and personal challenges. Sam is a triplet and has hiked over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia with his brother Jack. He also loves to snowboard and cheer on the University of Virginia basketball team.

Abbey Falknor

Cincinnati, Ohio

Miami University: Social Studies Education & History

Host Family: Craig & Lisa Wood

Job Host: Enerfin Renewables LLC

Mentor: KC Verbugge

Having worked in education and international settings, Abbey is an adaptable teammate with skills in organization, planning, and administration. At Miami University, she spent time in American and European classrooms cultivating cross-cultural connections as a student, youth mentor, and teacher. She is a lifelong learner who strives to bring a well-rounded, global perspective to all that she does. Abbey utilized her attention to detail to coordinate the daily schedules of campers and counselors at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports and wilderness camp in Pennsylvania. Outside of the classroom, you will find Abbey reading, hiking, or baking oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Her love of unique experiences has taken her all over the world, but her home away from home is Luxembourg, where she once lived and studied. She hopes to one day live abroad, but for now, she enjoys dreaming and planning her future adventures..

Yujin Oh

Centreville, Virginia

University of Virginia: Kinesiology

Host Family: Ken and Terry Elzinga

Job Host: Journey Group

Mentor: Anne Newman

As a creatively curious individual, Yujin recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in Kinesiology. She pursued her fascination with design and detail through a user-experience design program in the midst of her undergraduate career. Yujin has proven to be an adaptable team player who remains persistent in tending to ordinary details toward an extraordinary product. Outside of the classroom and workplace, Yujin has enjoyed serving others by leading a community engagement organization that hosts gathering spaces for UVA students. She has also led teams to a homeless outreach in Paterson, New Jersey. Yujin loves to create floral arrangements out of wildflowers and press petals onto postcards that find their way to friends across the country. She’s been to nearly every coffee shop within a 100- mile radius of Charlottesville and is working toward expanding that range.

Tanner Riley

Kona, HI

Dartmouth College: Biology modified Neuroendocrinology

Host Family: Andy & Carrie Macfarlan

Job Host: The Focused Ultrasound Foundation

Mentor: Chris Heinz

While at Dartmouth College, Tanner discovered not only a strong passion for biology but also a love for communication. He is always searching for ways to connect the big picture to the often-overlooked beauty in the details. As a Teaching Science Fellow at Dartmouth, Tanner loved the challenge of transforming students’ frustration into wonder and engagement. Through his non-profit aid work both at home and abroad, Tanner learned the importance of empathy and community-driven improvement efforts. His international experiences sparked curiosity and love for diverse systems and cultures. At the intersection of biotechnology and communication, Tanner aspires to bring an attention to detail to a workplace dealing with big ideas. Tanner has run four marathons in the Hawaiian islands, and he has a gift for hospitality shown by his love for hosting teatime with friends

Braden Sarin

Louisville, KY

Indiana Wesleyan University: Sports Management, Business Administration minor

Host Family: Mark & Laurie Mandichak

Job Host: University of Virginia Department of Economics with Dr. Ken Elzinga

Mentor: Carlton Dixon

Braden recently graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a major in Sports Management and a minor in Business Administration. He mentored and coached youth for multiple summers at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports and wilderness camp. While at the camp, he served on the leadership team, coordinating the daily responsibilities of all staff members and overseeing the logistical and operations side of the organization. Braden is an analytical problem solver, displayed through his background in game-day operations for IWU athletics. Braden is a triplet and loves to make people laugh, which gives him the ability to connect well with others and build a strong rapport with people from all walks of life. When Braden is not at work, you can often find him cheering on his favorite sports teams, playing golf, or traveling to national parks.

Caleb Schmidt

Pittsburgh, PA

Grove City College: Business Management & Accounting

Host Family: Greg & Ginny Sieminski

Job Host: Northwestern Mutual - Taylor Financial

Mentor: Mark King

Caleb is a recent graduate of Grove City College with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Accounting. With experience in sales and management, he combines strong interpersonal skills and analytical reasoning in pursuit of business development. As an operations intern, Caleb collaborated with various departments of a national home-security business to maximize efficiency and pursue excellence in service. During his undergraduate career, Caleb served as treasurer of the Grove City College activity board and executive member of the orientation board, where he helped raise funds for campus events and facilitate student engagement. This past summer, he combined his passions for sports and youth mentoring at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a wilderness adventure camp in western Pennsylvania. Caleb is a sports-trivia aficionado who splits his free time mastering his skills at the bowling alley and avidly following the Philadelphia Eagles football and Manchester City soccer teams.

Maddie
Spangler

Fredericksburg, VA

University of Virginia: Kinesiology

Host Family: Stu and Sharon Scott

Job Host: University of Virginia Medical Center

Mentor: Lacy Zegel

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Maddie has a passion for relationship-building and serving others. Studying Kinesiology and Psychology, the breadth of her educational experience provided her with an expanded understanding of the human body and physical/mental wellness. Maddie thrives in roles where her interpersonal communication skills can be exercised in collaboration with others. By working closely with patients and physical therapists, she grew in her passion for caring for others and plans to pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy. During her time at UVA, she enjoyed serving as the Chi Omega Director of Community Service, mentoring immigrant youth, and volunteering with the Special Olympics. In her free time, Maddie enjoys traveling around Europe, exploring the outdoors, running, playing pickleball, and bringing a meal to her favorite picnic spot to share with friends.

Ann Sumner Thorp

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill: Nursing

Host Family: Jason and Amber Inofuentes

Job Host: University of Virginia Center for Global Health with Dr. Rebecca Scharf

Mentor: Sarah Hutchinson

A graduate of the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Ann Sumner is a service-oriented team player with a penchant for planning and communication. Through her collaboration with other leaders, she mentored local high school students with Young Life by organizing weekly meetings and discussions that encouraged their holistic growth. Ann Sumner directed daily activities as she served on the leadership administration team at Seafarer, a world class sailing and boating program for girls based in eastern North Carolina. Hoping to pursue a doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Ann Sumner intends to use her nursing background to empower individuals and strengthen local communities. She enjoys sharing her love of music and performing in orchestras as a violinist. In her free time, Ann Sumner can be found expanding her naval history knowledge, playing pickleball, and sipping black coffee.

Kahler
Youngblood

Lookout Mountain, GA

University of Virginia: Economics & Religious Studies; Spanish Minor

Host Family: Ken & Jen Bilchick

Job Host: University of Virginia Darden School of Business

Mentor: John Thier

Kahler graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Economics and Religious Studies, along with a minor in Spanish. He is deeply fascinated by the human pursuit of meaning and how it can contribute to communal flourishing. His interest in the intersection of economics and human behaviors has led him to further examine how larger institutions and systems can be improved to enhance development. Throughout his undergraduate career, Kahler mentored first-year students with Reformed University Fellowship in both small-group and one-on-one settings. During his college summers, Kahler served as a head counselor at Alpine Camp for Boys, where he guided youth in a wilderness and outdoor adventure setting. When he’s not jamming out on his banjo, Kahler can often be found playing pickleball, basketball, and baseball.

Gracie
Blastic

Orlando, FL

Samford University: Human Development and Family Sciences

Host Family: Stan & Kim Tolman

Job Host: Trinity Community & Care

Mentor: Beth Dixon

A recent graduate of Samford University, Gracie earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. During her time at Samford, Gracie grew in her passion for event planning and hospitality through her leadership roles as assistant director of campus activities cabinet and communications liaison within the university’s admissions team. Gracie led and managed a mentorship team, teaching underserved urban youth how to problem-solve and communicate effectively. Through leadership with Young Life, Gracie found her desire to coordinate, plan, and host events that curated welcoming spaces for individuals within Young Life clubs, campus-wide events, and gatherings for her local community. Outside of her passion for people and hospitality, Gracie enjoys the Florida beaches, podcasts on pop culture, and interior design. She is currently writing a cookbook with her grandmother.

Hannah Boomer

Smithfield, VA

James Madison University: Health Services Administration

Host Family: Mike & Beth Mast

Job Host: Trinity Student Ministries

Mentor: Vivian Robinson

Hannah is a Virginia native who recently graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Health Services Administration. Hannah has a deep love for people and an ability to take initiative, which has led her to work in leadership roles in numerous campus organizations. Some of Hannah’s fondest memories include working with immigrant children at an after-school tutoring program throughout college, as well as spending her summers working at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports camp in Pennsylvania, where she had the opportunity to lead overnight trips, teach valuable life skills, and mentor girls in middle and high school. Hannah highly values intentional conversations and active listening to foster lifelong connections and make those around her feel both known and loved. In her free time, Hannah enjoys hiking, CrossFit, a good sunset, and searching for the perfect cup of strong coffee.