Emma Drake, Chapman University
Emma Drake is a born and raised Midwesterner and is very excited to be going to Chapman University, a West Coast school. She will be majoring in Spanish. Her dream is to go on pilgrimages to as many Central and South American countries as she can because she has become very passionate about the struggles that many people in those countries face. She loves to play piano and sing in choir as stress relievers and will be pursuing those hobbies in college as well. She is a member of First Christian Church in Smithfield, Missouri.
William Matherly, Kansas State University
Will Matherly was born in Kentucky but has been raised in the Midwest. He wrestled in high school and was elected team captain by his teammates. A member of First Christian Church in Topeka, Kansas, he has been a church camp counselor for the last four years. He was in the International Baccalaureate program in high school has attended five mission trips with his church. He will be attending Kansas State University in the fall and will be pursuing a degree in architectural engineering.
Patrick McCarthy, Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Patrick McCarthy is from Clayton, North Carolina and attends St. Paul’s Christian Church in Raleigh. He has been a Disciple for about 5 years and throughout that time, he has been blessed with the opportunities of serving on the Regional Cabinet for Youth Work (RCYW) of North Carolina and the General Youth Council (GYC) where he currently serves as the moderator. Some of his hobbies include running, watching and going to sports games, and listening to music. Many of his fondest memories have been due to the church and the opportunities he has been able to have. In the fall he will be attending Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
Ehret Nottingham, Colorado State University
Ehret Nottingham is a musician, student, and community organizer. He has been involved in politics for the last three years, leading his school and town in several student demonstrations which resulted in two bills passing in the state legislature. He has played trombone for 7 years, performing in Loveland High School’s Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Advanced Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, and Pit Orchestra. Ehret has been the principal trombone at LHS for the past two years while maintaining a high GPA for National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. He is also an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. A member of Heart of the Rockies Christian Church and the Central Rocky Mountain Region Executive Council, Ehret enjoys exploring God’s creation in the mountains and foothills around Colorado. In the fall he will attend Colorado State University.
Sophia Patchin, University of Northern Iowa
Sophia Patchin is a graduate of Southeast Polk High School and will be attending the University of Northern Iowa with a double major in music education and bassoon performance. During high school, Sophia was a member of National Honors Society, National Council of Youth Leadership, and Mentors in Violence Prevention. In addition, she was section leader within many musical ensembles and a leader within the Runnells Rockets 4-H Club. As a member of the Altoona Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Sophia is rooted in growing her faith, giving back to her community and meeting the needs of those around her. As a Vacation Bible School song leader, youth group member, and face painting leader for the joint church and community National Night Out event, Sophia is involved with many dimensions of youth within the congregation and community. In addition, she collects food for the food pantry, makes casseroles for the Salvation Army Mobile food truck and engages in as many volunteer efforts as she can. Looking towards her future, Sophia intends to incorporate music, leadership, and her faith in an inclusive God whose love knows no bounds to help others by being a compassionate and positive role model in each of her interactions.
Sarah Grace Wagnon, George Washington University
Sarah Grace Wagnon, who also goes by Grace or Gracie (no preference between the two) is a life-long Disciple. In her church, Central Christian Church in Indianapolis, she has been involved in serving communion, leading worship and being a delegate to the Regional and National Assembly. Through her congregation, she helped found the Youth on Race program. Outside of church, she is involved in her community and school, serving on the Indianapolis Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, captain of the Women's Varsity Soccer Team and president of the Latin Club. When she is not sleeping or dying from exhaustion, she is reading, hanging out with friends or spending time in nature. She is passionate about history, the environment and building community. These loves, shaped by her local church, have given her a passion for social justice. She will be attending George Washington University.
Sam Wilkinson, Taylor University
Sam Wilkinson is from Thorntown, Indiana and graduated from Western Boone Jr./Sr. High School where he was a member of a Kiwanis Leadership Academy. He was also on the track & field and football teams where he was a 3-time Varsity Letter Winner and a team captain for the undefeated state champion team this past season (2018).He is currently a member at Central Christian Church in Lebanon, Indiana and has been attending a Disciples church since he was an infant. His father was previously a Disciples youth minister which allowed Sam the opportunity to go on twelve different mission experiences, including to Guatemala. In the fall he will be attending Taylor University in Upland, IN where he will be double majoring in Business Management and Christian Ministries as well minoring in Sports Management.
Hamin Yang, UC Irvine
Hamin Yang, a graduate of Claremont (CA) High School, was part of his school's swim team for three years and school orchestra from elementary school all the way to his senior year of high school, playing the violin. In the fall he will be attending UC Irvine to study Biomedical Engineering. He is currently living at home with his parents, two older sisters, a cat and tortoise. He loves to swim and hike at Loch Leven Camp and Conference Center, where he works. This year he will be graduating from Youth Immersion Ministry (a ministry comprised of high school students to enhance cultural awareness around the world). Through YIM he has had the privilege to travel to Puerto Rico, South Korea, and experience the hospitality of the South in Virginia. He is a member of First Christian Church of North Hollywood.