Cincinnati, Ohio, September 9, 2016 – 17 Saint Ursula Academy students spent time over the summer learning firsthand about the culture, history, language, food, people, art and music of Nicaragua. In June, these students spent eight days in Managua and the surrounding areas experiencing the Nicaraguan life through participation in an Immersion Program organized by the Center for Global Education.
The students spent some of their days assisting in English classes and reading and playing with children at the Cultural Center of Batahola. The center is such an important part of the Managuan community as it focuses on education and empowerment of women and youth for social transformation. In a culture where violence against women is common, this center provides education and hope to those trying to break the cycle of violence.
While visiting the Cultural Center, students also installed a piece of artwork which was created by Saint Ursula art and ceramics teacher Kurt Nicaise and his students during the 2015-2016 school year. Additionally, they joined Nicaraguan families for meals in traditional Nicaraguan homes in order to fully experience the culture of the community. Finally, the students visited La Garnacha, a nature preserve, where they hiked and met with local artisans to learn about the community which supports itself though farming and small-scale ecotourism.
Leah Grabowski ’16 of Hyde Park traveled to Nicaragua and is happy to share her thoughts on this life-changing trip. “What impacted me most about this trip was realizing that even though the people of Nicaragua have so little, they are such genuinely happy, grateful people and are more than willing to give whatever they can to those who need it more than themselves. I will never forget the people I built relationships with, as they taught me how to live simply and love fully. I hope and try to live in their spirit of generosity and loyalty every day.”
Saint Ursula Academy science teacher Mark Simcoe, who chaperoned the trip along with two other colleagues, is appreciative that the students learn important lessons from this trip. “The most valuable takeaway that students get from this trip is to see themselves as part of a larger global community. I think and hope that from this trip the students' definition of ‘us’ expands to include all people on this planet.”
Saint Ursula Academy students will be visiting Nicaragua again next summer to cultivate this ongoing discussion between students and the people of Nicaragua. Additionally, students are planning to collect money for the Cultural Center of Batahola during Mission Collection days as well as offer fair-trade coffee and other crafts from Nicaragua artisans for sale during the school year.
Saint Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. Saint Ursula welcomes students from more than 90 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Academy is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. 86% of the Class of 2016 earned college scholarships totaling more than $22-million.
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Photo Caption: Saint Ursula Academy Students in La Garnacha. Front row (l-r): Allie Zisco ’17 of Dent, Bailey Cordill ’17 of Mt. Lookout, Ashley Davis ’17 of Anderson Township, Rosemarie Bingham ’18 of Miami Township, Lauren Pagano ’17 of Cleves, Caleigh Sambrookes ’17 of Symmes Township, Dani Habegger ’17 of Hyde Park, Gracie Walter ’17 of Mt. Lookout, Back row: SUA Math Teacher Dave Stickel, SUA Science Teacher Mark Simcoe, Casey Brenning ’17 of Indian Hill, Leah Grabowski ’17 of Hyde Park, Katie Miller ’18 of Loveland, Mary Ellen O’Toole ’18 of Anderson Township, Josie Roe ’18 of Newport, KY, Caroline Leyes ’18 of West Clermont, Anna Engelhardt ’17 of Delhi, Luci Cassiere ’17 of Bridgetown, Margot Koenig ’17 of Mt. Lookout, SUA Art Teacher Kurt Nicaise