Every year, students at the Academy of the Holy Names are given the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and serve others through mission trips. These trips take girls across the country and beyond, to places such as the Dominican Republic, Plant City, Florida, Joppa Mountain, Tennessee, San Juan, March for Life, Black Mountain, and Guatemala. While each destination is different, the purpose remains the same, to grow in faith, serve communities in need, and live out the Academy’s mission through action. For many girls, these trips become some of the most meaningful experiences of their High School years at AHN.
Mission trips at Academy are about more than just travel. They challenge students to see the world through a new lens and to recognize the dignity of every person they encounter. Whether girls are working with children, assisting local ministries, participating in service projects, or making connections with girls on their trip, they learn the importance of compassion and humility. These experiences help students better understand global and local issues while strengthening their sense of responsibility to others.
“The first year was the most perfect experience for the Dominican Republic. I was not only able to immerse myself in a new culture, and see the environment for myself, but I was also able to bond with the girls in my class. Some I knew very well, and some I never met until that trip. Knowing that my mom was once one of those children made the ‘volunteering’ aspect of the trip that much more meaningful,” said Isabella Scaperotto (‘26).
Each mission location offers a unique opportunity to serve. In the Dominican republic and Guatemala, students immerse themselves in different cultures while working closely with local communities. Domestic trips, such as those to Plant City, Joppa Mountain, San Juan, Orlando, and Black Mountain, allow girls to address needs closer to home, from assisting families to supporting outreach programs. The March for Life gives students the chance to advocate for the dignity of life, standing alongside thousands of others who share the same values. Through every experience, girls learn that service can take many forms.
“Attending the March for Life for the first time was a very eye-opening experience. Being surrounded by so many people united for the same cause made the event feel so surreal in that everyone was united. The trip also brought me so many new friends, allowing me to grow in my faith with new people who I now call some of my closest friends. I am so excited to go on the trip again this year and be able to share that experience with even more people than before!” said Anna Bogle (‘28).
Mission trips also play an important role in students’ spiritual growth. Away from their normal routines, girls are encouraged to reflect, pray, and build deeper relationships with their peers. These moments of reflection help students connect their faith to real world action, showing them that living out their beliefs requires courage and commitment. Many students return with a stronger sense of purpose and a clearer understanding of how they are called to serve.
The impact of mission trips does not end when students return home. The lessons learned often stay with them long after the trip is over, influencing how they treat others and how they approach challenges in everyday life. Girls come back more grateful, more aware, and more motivated to make a difference within their own communities. These experiences help shape compassionate leaders who are prepared to serve beyond the Academy.
Mission trips are an essential part of the AHN experience, reminding students that the service is at the heart of who they are called to be. By stepping into unfamiliar places and service with open hearts, girls learn the true meaning of faith in action. These trips show that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, both on those being served and on the students themselves.
