On Tuesday, October 30, Academy mission trip groups kicked off their year with the annual Potluck Dinner. This year, a new mission trip group, centered on service needs in Hillsborough County, joined the original four of Dominican Republic, Appalachia, Mississippi, and Ruskin. The new mission group, consisting of 17 students, will base their operations at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Tampa, staying at the center for the week and traveling to service centers throughout Hillsborough to help the less fortunate.

All who attended the dinner were excited to welcome the new Hillsborough trip at the dinner on Tuesday. After a touching prayer service, the girls split into five different locations on campus with their respective mission trip groups to enjoy supper together. Missionaries had the opportunity to connect with other girls on their trip and share stories from previous years, or in the case of the Hillsborough trip, plan for the future. The leaders of the five trips took the time to give more information about fundraising, packing, transportation, and daily schedules.

Ruskin leader Cassidy Gourley always looks forward to the potluck dinner. “It’s a really fun night that gets everyone excited for mission trips. I’m so glad that the new Hillsborough trip joined us this year because now even more Academy girls have the opportunity to go out and make a difference in our community. The potluck dinner was a great start to mission trip preparation, and I think all five of this year’s trips are going to be huge successes.”