HWS News
6 August 2024 • Service Summer of Service By Colin Spencer '19
HWS Summer of Service interns make an impact in Geneva. Since the program’s inception in 2011, 92 interns have contributed more than 22,000 hours.
This summer, 11 students served the Geneva community through internships with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, the Students Outside All Summer program and Geneva 2030.
Summer of Service is generously supported by Thomas J. Patchett '88 and HWS Trustee Dr. Margueritte Murphy and Brian Cooper. Additional grant funding was secured by the Boys and Girls Club and Geneva 2030. Free housing for interns was sponsored by Sodexo.
The students presented their experiences on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 7-8 p.m. over Zoom.
“It’s heartening to see the Summer of Service interns further immerse themselves in the community over the beautiful summer months in Geneva,” says Director of CCESL Katie Flowers. “The 11 interns serving with Geneva 2030, the Boys and Girls Club, and Blueprint Geneva will join the alumni group that now totals 92 who have committed to extending their academic year with these important partnerships.”
At the Boys and Girls Club, Riyadh Huesner '25, Mia Lugo '25, Joy Nguyen '26, Caroline Ruffner '25 and Alison Smith '25 spent the summer creating programs for children and ensuring they have a fun and safe experience.
Heusner, an anthropology major, and Ruffer, a sociology major, worked at the Club’s Goodman Street location. The two helped monitor and assist the children with crafts. The internship helped Heusner find joy in working with children while Ruffner discovered her leadership skills in instructing the children.
Lugo, a psychology major, worked at the Black Box Theatre at the Geneva Community Center, hosting dance parties and relay races.
Nguyen, an economics and media and society double major, worked in the Club’s gym, setting up and playing sports with children.
Smith, a psychology major, monitored children throughout the day, making sure they were all safe and having fun.
Working with CCESL, Johnny Bewley '27, an undeclared rising sophomore, and Maggie Mahoney '26, a biology major, assisted around the office, including making flyers and attending events. Bewley also collected and sorted data for the Students Outside all Summer program from Geneva 2030 while Mahoney worked with BluePrint Geneva.
“It's been nice being here over the summer, working with the community,” says Bewley.
Andy Dinh '27, a computer science major, also worked with the Students Outside all Summer program, helping kids discover their love of nature.
Other students participating in Summer of Service include:
- Boys and Girls Club of Geneva: Ibrahima Amar '27, Janeciah Cunningham '25, Mackenzie Walton '25
- Students Outside All Summer: Gamaliel Rios '27.
Top: Andy Dinh '27, Johnny Bewley '27, Riyadh Heusner '25, Caroline Ruffner '25, Joy Nguyen '26, Mia Lugo '25, Alison Smith '25 and Maggie Mahoney '26 pose for a picture outside Trinity Hall. The students participated in the Summer of Service program, interning at organizations around Geneva.
