GreenHouse Ecuador Team: Meet the Kids

I thought some of you might like to know a little about the kids we are taking to Ecuador this summer with Dustin's GreenHouse... I don't have pictures of them yet, but here is a quick overview.

Quadicia White has not had many opportunities offered to her but works incredibly hard in school and makes the most of her available resources. Her mother and stepfather are supportive parents, but because of their work schedules she is the primary caretaker in a household of (I think) six or seven children. Quadicia was recommended to Dustin’s GreenHouse by her science teacher at Grimsley High School.

Taylor Robinson will be a senior at Western Guilford High School next year. She has been raised by her mother and is a very impressive young lady; she has excellent manners, good grades, and respect for others. The Robinson’s financial situation limits Taylor from being able to experience things like travel, so this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for her.

Cortni Denni is taking courses at Guilford Technical Community College and trying to improve her grades so she can apply to a four-year university. Cortni has struggled with some substance addictions in the past but has gone through rehabilitation and has been clean for over a year. She is an amazing young woman who is wise beyond her years. Cortni will do great things in society based on experiences she had (and lessons learned) at a very young age. Cortni will be considered a Junior-Leader on the trip.

Mary Gigliotti is a student at Ragsdale High School and a starter on the varsity soccer team. She is an incredible young lady who’s shy demeanor often shades an underlying, powerhouse personality. Mary is using her soccer connections to collect gently used sports equipment that we will be able to give out to kids in Ecuador. She has not done a lot of traveling before now, but will be one of those women who blossoms on our trip, in college, and in life.

Carrie Whitsett is a student at Eastern Guilford High School. Last year Eastern burned down and was relocated... Carrie’s shy personality caused her to be hesitant in adapting to the new social and academic environments at the temporary school, so two of her teachers recommended her for a Globetrotter trip. They felt a program like Dustin’s GreenHouse would help build confidence and cultural awareness into her life. Carrie is an incredible musician and artist, two talents we are hoping she will share with us while in Ecuador.

Jennifer Santillan is a student at High Point Central High School and was recommended to our program by the Latino Family Center where she is part of a program that educates teens about abstinence, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Because 3 out of 5 Latinas become pregnant, this is a very important program to have in her life. Jennifer’s parents do not speak English, so she is the primary translator for her family. She also takes care of her three younger siblings while her parents work.

Nick Foulks is a student at Western Guilford High School… Like many other team members, Nick has a supportive family environment, but has not had experience with international travel. Although Nick comes across quite shy, he will be a hero in the Ecuadorian villages. His athletic talents and size will awe kids... I hope he is ready to feel like a hero!

Elliott Montpellier was selected by Suzanne Caudle, the teacher who received the 2007 Dustin’s GreenHouse Teacher Scholarship. Mrs. Caudle was allowed to bring any student of her choosing and chose Elliott because of his maturity and love of science. Elliott is part of the Ragsdale High School Science Olympiad team and an AP student. He is wise beyond his years – the type of son every mother dreams to have. Elliott will undoubtedly encourage other members of this team to set high goals and set out the achieve them.

Mac Ellenburg is a student at High Point Central High School. He was recommended to Dustin’s GreenHouse by a program called Community in Schools and a past scholarship recipient (Claudia Eldridge). Mac is both athletic and artistic. He is also engaged in social and political action at a very young age, and thus will bring interesting conversation into our team activities.

Donta Jarrell is a senior at Ragsdale High School. Although he is good at just about any sport, he will be attending Shaw University in the fall on a partial football scholarship. Donta was raised in a single parent home and has never experienced travel of any kind. I don’t think he has ever been outside of Greensboro, NC… Donta is huge – like you would imagine a defensive lineman to be – but he is sweet and compassionate.