By: Daphne Tsarnas
Notre Dame students are often eager to give back to their community, whether that be through simple acts of kindness around their neighborhood or through larger-scale service excursions. This year, the senior class was given the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to
Costa Rica. There, students were able to visit picturesque sites, such as the La Fortuna waterfall and take in the natural beauty of the island, while also working on improving the conditions of certain areas and interacting with Costa Rican citizens to offer their assistance.
Initially, the seniors worked on cleaning out a deteriorating fence in the Cristo Rey School, marking their first day of service. Thanks to their work, the fence can now be repainted and improved, helping out the community. On top of that, the girls planted trees in lush areas and cleaned up nearby trash and disregarded materials. However, after speaking with senior Marianna Angle, I quickly realized how significant it was to her and her peers to have been able to meet the young children that attend Juan Rafael Chacon Castro Elementary School. She recalled, “It just felt incredible to give back to a community of people and children that appreciated our help. The kids were adorable and I will cherish the time I spent with them. This trip and all the memories my friends and I were able to make will stay with us forever. I encourage all of the students at ND to take advantage of the upcoming service trips, as the feeling of accomplishment we all are experiencing right now is unmatched.”
The fact that the seniors were willing to sacrifice their time off from school to assist this community of individuals speaks volumes. The feeling of giving back is impactful and inspiring, just as Marianna said. Making a difference in the lives of others is something that Notre Dame stands for, and this opportunity was a wonderful way for the soon-to-be graduates to come together and provide support to a population in need before they are off to college!
Photos Courtesy of ND Instagram and Marianna Angle
Edited By: Catherine Polatidis '26 and Ms. Brilliant
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