August 10, 2016
Ashley Jocelyn (Track and Field):
"We poured our last wheelbarrel of cement today, finishing off the basketball court. It was kind of anti-climactic because no one was really paying attention at this point, but it was a victory nonetheless. Although this trip I haven't been very vocal with the community, or even our group, these past few days have really impacted my life in so many positive ways. I like observing people and their reactions to things. From seeing the painful Spanish exchanges between us and the locals to see everyone's face light up when we took an adventure through the jungle to the beautiful watering hole, those are the moments that will last forever. Other than I think Matt (Williams), I'm probably the quietest one, but mission trips like this definitely touch my heart the most. I love being able to work with others for a greater cause. I'm extremely grateful for each smile, drop of sweat, awkward communication exchange, ache, pain, friendship and more. Moments like these aren't purchaseable, so I'm soaking this experience up as much as possible.
But anyways, the food today was amazing! From breakfast to lunch to the snacks and finally dinner, everything was A1! My hat goes off to the cooks and the local townspeople, because they are way too good to us. I love their gratitude and willingness to provide us with the best things they can offer, even if it's not much. Their selflessness is applaudable."
Kyle Jaimes (Cheer):
"Today was probably the best day of the trip for me. We finished the court, all except for putting up one hoop. That was really nice to know that tomorrow we really don't have as much intense work to do. We also went to a watering hole today, which was needed. I definitely connected a lot mroe than I have the past few days with the other athletes on the trip. At the end of the day we played soccer with the locals, and although I've never played soccer, I was able to keep up. The food was amazing today. I am pretty sure everybody got seconds. We all really appreciate the women from the village who spend all day cooking for us, and we all tried to make sure they knew that. Definitely excited to see what we get done tomorrow."
Matt Williams (Men's Basketball):
"Wednesday has been very interesting. We completed the finishing touch on the basketball court. That went pretty smoothly, being that the locals showed us faster ways to mix the concrete. The assembly line was also very helpful. It feels good to see athletes that hardly speak to one another on campus come together to complete a task for these grateful people. Being that I have been on numerous trips out of the country, this is not a shock. It's always nice to notice others come together for a common goal. Taking these trips, I always know that I'm going to encounter something that's beneficial for others as well as myself. This place reminds me so much of myself. I'm a go with the flow type of person, and this place fits my personality perfect. One thing that struck my mind today was witnessing one of the locals mix the cement barefoot. That let me know that these people are selfless, caring and very, very hardworking! My parents have instilled hard work in me from childhood, so wherever I witness it, it's very nice to see. From observing these people and the way I grew up, things are different but the situations are similar. I never had the most, but my parents taught me to be thankful for life, becuase that's more valuable than any form of materialistics!"
August 9, 2016
Taylor Wagner (Softball):
"Today our work schedule went a lot faster and smoother throughout the day. We actually got a system down for all the rocks and sand together. Once we get in all mized, the pouring of the concrete goes smooth. TOdya I did a lot of the masonry work, smoothing out the concrete and filling in the holes. It was very interesting because I was working with the lead construction men of Tuqusito. We had a few conversations talking about the rain. Even though we didn't speak much, I knew what he was saying and what he was instructing me to do. As much as we can speak through sports, I also think we can speak through construction because I am learning the skills that he has even though there is a language barrier. We did get a lot done today. I do think we will finish tomorrow, depending on the rain. After finishing work, we had fried chicken and rice, and then they brought cake and ice cream for Grace and Nicci's brithday. I also had an amazing nap after work. Hopefully we will finish the court on Day 4!"
Grace Lindberg (Rowing):
"Today is my birthday! I turn 20 and Nicci turns 24. We share the same birthday, which is pretty sweet. We woke up at 6:30 and breakfast starts at 7. We had tortilla that kind of looks like hashbrown and beef. We started work right away and made a lot of progress. By lunch we had about half the court done. For lunch we had spaghetti which was really good. All afternoon we worked on the court in the rain. We finished almost three-quarters of the court. We should finish tomorrow. For dinner we had rice, carrot salad and fried chicken. After dinner, I showered in the very cold water, but it felt pretty good! During a game of Mafia, the gang surprised Nicci and I with cake. Today is a birthday I will never forget and a pretty good one. I got a surprise gift from (Rachel Rabinowitz) and it was a corgi hat. (Lauren Wasko) wrote me a card and so did my parents. All of it was hidden in my duffel bag. Can't wait to finish this court!"
Shelby Foyer (Volleyball):
"Day 2 complete and the court is almost finished! I am so proud to be a part of this group! The effort and energy is great. I am encouraged by the way we have come together to accomplish this court. We will most definitely finish the court tomorrow, which will allow us more time to help the community with other projects!
Today, while I took a break from working, I went down to the river with Henry, a local boy. He wanted to use my GoPro and test out the waterproof capabilities it has. Believe it or not, my Spanish-speaking abilities are not fantastic. I was trying to tell him to put the camera in the water and video his face. Well, I apparantly told him to put his face in the water and video it! Haha. He loved experimenting with the camera. Many of the ideas I had about the locals have turned out to be complete misconceptions. I did not think they were dumb or stupid, but they have thoroughly impressed me with their knowledge and skill! I have learned so much on this trip already, and we still have so much time left. I pray we continue to have a great trip and foster great relationships."
August 8, 2016
Fifi Ndour (Women's Basketball):
"Today has been amazing so far. I am so impressed at all of the work we got accomplished, especially while mixing all the sand, rock and cemente. In my mind, we were just going to come to Panama and build a basketball court, but it is more than that to me. I am getting the opportunity to discover a new culture, meet new people and experience a different reality. I also got the chance to realize that we are not the only people who want this court. The community here is a big part of our accomplishment of the day. They were so helpful as far as helping us mix the concrete and guiding us. I am so grateful that the women were able to sacrifice their time and make meals for us. It makes me feel like we are doing this for the right reasons, because they care about the success of this project as much as we do."
Danielle Taylor (Rowing):
"It's only the first full day and this place has far exceeded my expectations. When we woke up this morning we had a funnel cake type thing and something resembling beanie weenies for breakfast. The kids all came and sang and danced for us. It is honestly really amazing how excited and grateful they seem to be for us to be here, even though we are staying at their school, forcing them to learn from home for the week. When we started working, we found out we would be mixing the concrete ourselves. This required shoveling sand, rocks, mixing cement and fibers. I don't know a single thing about construction, but props because that stuff is hard. I honestly didn't mind the heat - my excessive sweating problem really cools things down - but the work was fun because I got to joke around and get to know some of the other athletes. Being in this place makes me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have things that I would normally consider to be a necessity. I'm really excited for the rest of the week and seeing the final product."
August 7, 2016
Samantha McCloskey (Softball):
"Today was a very long day, but I'm so excited to be here and to get started. I really didn't know what to expect for today because we're not getting a schedule so we are living in the moment, which is really different but awesome. It's definitely going to be an adjustment with the obsticales we will be facing, but on top of that no scheduling...something all athletes know and have lived by since we were little. I think this is going to be a challenging yet life-changing and eye-opening experience. I can't wait to look back and reflect on everything I am going to learn. The people here were so inviting and so kind as soon as we got here. Trying to communicate with them is going to be extremely interesting, especially with the language barrier, but I'm looking forward to broadening my Spanish vocab and creating relationship with the Tecuesitians!"
Bailey Ranson (Track and Field): "I woke up at 3:45 a.m. excited and nervous for the day. Never having been to Central America, I wasn't sure what to expect of the culture. Also, never having been on a work trip, I was not sure what to expect of the intensity. The flight and bus ride went smoothly without any memorable problems, and we had a few food stops along the way. It's a good thing that I love rice and beans, because that seems to be the staple food. They are a bit different than Chipotle, but still good none the less.
Once we arrived to the town and me the people, I felt at east because we were greeted with such kindness. The language barrier is a bit difficult for me, but I hope to improve my Spanish as the week continues. Tomorrow we begin work on the court and I know that it will be hard work. The beautiful mountain backdrop and kind Panamanians will make all of the labor woth it. I am excited to get started and see where this journey takes us."
August 6, 2016
For the next week, 30 student-athletes and staff will work with Courts for Kids in Panama. Courts for Kids is a nonprofit organization that takes teams to economically disadvantaged areas to partner with local organizations and communities to build multi-purpose courts that provide kids with the opportunities to play sports.
This is the seventh trip of Knights Without Borders, which has also visited Costa Rica, Ireland and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and worked locally in Orlando.
Track and Field
Amy Ankli
J'Nea Bellamy
Claire Castillo
Ashley Jocelyn
Kayla Pritchett
Bailey Ranson
Softball
Samantha McCloskey
Courtney Rotton
Brittany Solis
Taylor Wagner
Cheer and Dance
Stephen Hood
Kyle Jaimes
Jazmine Passley-Jones
Rowing
Grace Lindberg
Paula Parks
Danielle Taylor
Men's Basketball
A.J. Davis
Matt Williams
Women's Basketball
Joslyn Massey
Fifi Ndour
Baseball
Brooks Morgan
Men's Tennis
Reece Acree
Volleyball
Shelby Foyer