Meet the Chaperones

The pilgrimage this year will be chaperoned by the Rev. J.R. Lander (Vicar of St. Columba's Church in Kent), The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick (Curate of St. Andrew's Church in Seattle), and Ms. Irene Smith (member of St. John's in Olympia. We will also be joined by the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, while at St. George's College.

Meet the Pilgrims - Katie W.

Hi! my name's Katie and I'm 17 years old. I love to dance- I spend upwards of 6 hours a week dancing, and wouldn't have it any other way. I also enjoy playing clarinet-type instruments in my school's band. I've been playing clarinet for 7 years, bass clarinet for 5, and just picked up contra bass clarinet this year. I'm on the Drama Board at my school as a senator, and am the treasurer of the SIFF club (sharing interests forming friendships) which is all about high school students making friends with disabled kids from the Redmond community. It's a very rewarding type of community service. I'm also very involved with my church, which is why I'm so incredibly excited to have this unique opportunity to grow closer to God. I think I'm most looking forward to expeiriencing another culture. Also, meeting new people. That's my favorite thing about any kind of travel- the people you meet on the way to the places.

Meet the Pilgrims - Steven B.

My name is Steven, I'm 19 years old, and I attend church at St. James in Kent. I enjoy being outside, whether it's hiking, camping, fishing, or climbing. I've also been interested in history from an early age, and I've read about the holy land and the immense amount of history that is there. but I believe that there is only so much you can learn from a book. if you truly want to understand events, both past and present,then you need to see and experience things from the viewpoint of the the people who actually live through events that most people only read about in a newspaper or history book. I believe this trip will be a great way to connect with my faith and to personally visit places I've always heard about growing up. I'm very exited about this trip and I can't wait to get going!

Meet the Pilgrims - Sophie M.

I love singing and playing sports like soccer and swimming. I’m a very outgoing person and enjoy laughing and I like experiencing new cultures. I go to Holy Names Academy and I my favorite subjects include English and world history. . I really like traveling, trying new foods, and meeting new people which is part of the reason I wanted to go on this trip. I sing in a choir and love singing. I cannot wait to go on the trip. I want to see the Western Wall, Bethlehem and the Sea of Galilee. I cannot wait to meet the Palestinian kids and learn about their lives and in turn they can learn about me.

Meet the Pilgrims - Jasper W.

There are so many labels about that we use to define ourselves. It is labels that cause so many misunderstandings and problems around the world, and while I could say that I am a sophomore at Nathan Hale High School who likes history, politics, art and fantasy, I feel that boxes me into your perception and thoughts about each of those terms. What I’m trying to say is I don’t know who I am and telling you a bunch of facts that relate to me in some way isn’t really going to tell you about me. So I ask that you notice both what I say and how I say it. That you don’t form expectations and that before you label me and put me in some defined category you listen and try to understand me. Which isn’t really fair, because I don’t understand myself some times, but then again neither is life.

This trip represented for me a chance to explore my relationship with God. During the daily rush of life it’s hard to stop and sit down and think about what you believe; I hope that this trip will give me that chance. I also look forward to expanding my world view by experiencing a culture so different from my own.

Meet the Pilgrims - Nate R.

Hello, my name is Nathan Rizzotti but my friends and family call me Nate. I will try and keep this short and sweet. I am 16 yrs old while I am writing this on May 15^th 2010, but I will be 17 on May 23^rd 2010. I am a very active person who enjoys all types of sports. My top two are baseball and a toss up between American football and soccer. I am a very energetic person who loves to be outside and trying new things, which in part is one of the reasons why I am going on this trip (to experience a new culture and to try new things). I am very adventurous and very enthusiastic. Another reason why I wanted to go on this trip is because I would like to sample the local cuisine and I would like to experience a new custom as well as probably a new way of life from what I am accustomed to. I am looking forward to exploring the ancient ruins of Israel as well as experiencing a new way of life (as I stated before). I would also like to introduce to them America’s pastime….that’s right baseball. I have researched their sports and baseball was not mentioned at all that made me very sad. I would like to introduce this sport to them because I believe it would be a better way to help solve a conflict; instead of shooting with guns they could shoot fastballs into the catchers glove. I am very excited to be on this trip and I just wanted to thank everyone for donating money to this wonderful experience that I will be able to experience for myself.

Meet the Pilgrims - Naya B.

Hello, my name is Denaya but I don’t like capital D’s sooo I like to go by Naya. Something’s about me that’d I like to share with people are that I love little kids and love hanging out with them and my friends, being silly and probably just because I am a little kid at heart myself. I also have been adopted two times and like where I am now. I like to help people out and to volunteer and I am graduating high school this year and going to college in the fall I am going to study neonatal nursing, which is exciting because I love babies. I like to listen to all different kinds of music and love PIANOS and lastly I love making new friends. I want to go to the holy land this summer because I think that it further my relationship with God and it is a great opportunity. I am exited to go because I will be meeting new people, learning a new culture, and I will be able to come back home and share what I have learned and share my experiences. I am looking forward to “partying” with the Palestinians, riding a camel, and meeting God in a whole new way!!

Meet the Pilgrims - Riley G.

I’m 17 years old, and will turn 18 during our trip. I am graduating from high school this year at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way and will attend Western Washington University this summer. I am a singer and enjoy performing in choral groups particularly show tunes and Jazz. I am excited to explore both my faith and a different country with non-western traditions. The Middle East is foreign in my knowledge of history so my hope is to understand this concept much more by diving in head first to Israeli culture and politics. While on this trip I am excited to visit all of the different sites in the area and see the western wall. I’m a bit nervous about staying with a family and not knowing the proper customs although in the end I know that will be my favorite part of this trip.

Meet the Pilgrims - Caitlin D.

One thing I love to do is collect bottles, glass bottles of places I have traveled to and such. Another think about me is I am 16 years old and by the time I go to The Holy Land this summer I will have my drivers license!! I love sailing and am considering Merchant Marines as a future career. So hopefully this summer I get to sail in one of the seas Israel is by! I wanted to travel to Israel because I haven’t seen much of the world besides the San Juan’s and Gulf Islands. This is on the other side of the world! So the different culture and food I am super excited to see as well as getting closer to God and pilgrimage. Finally I hope to shop, sight see, sail, experience the diverse culture and just be in the moment. Wish me luck!

Meet the Pilgrims - Emily T.

I am 19 years old, going to school at south Puget Sound Community College and I go to St. Benedict’s Church in Lacey. I like to discotech (fancy European word for dancing/hanging out) with my friends. I also love working with the youth at my church ( I am the 4^th and 5^th grade youth leader.) In my schooling, I am working towards becoming an elementary school teacher. I can knit and speak a lot of Spanish. I love Camp Michael J which is August 8^th –12^th this year. Also I love to laugh

What I am looking forward to in this trip is seeing all the historical sights and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Being a new Christian and going on this trip will help get me closer to God and give me more of an understanding of the religion. I am very grateful for my parish for being so supportive of me and my future Baptism in the River of Jordan.

Meet the Pilgrims - Ethan A.

I am a very active person, both physically and within my church. I play lots of sports such as football(American) Soccer, baseball and basketball. I play sports all year round with only about 1-2 weeks off during the summer.

I am looking forward to visiting holy sites and seeing the holy land for myself. I think it will be a great experience to see the holy land for myself instead of just hearing about it.

A few things I am really looking forward to is seeing Jerusalem for myself and going to Tel Aviv. I've heard great things about both places and really want to see them. I also am really looking forward to seeing and meeting my host family.