Spring Break: a time off from school for relaxing and sleeping in. This year, however, freshmen Dawson Depperschmidt and Emilee Peloquin’s definition of spring break changed dramatically.

When they left Saturday, March 9, the girls had no idea what they would experience in the small Belizean community they traveled to.

“We saw the mission trip as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we decided that we had to take it,” Emilee said.

The girls assisted other churches from the United States that came together in running an after-school program for underprivileged Belizean students. Many of the children were either living life in poverty or were orphaned.

“We got to bring the kids meals that they might not have been able to receive otherwise,” Emilee said.

While most American high school students were at the lake or concerts, Emilee and Dawson found themselves building relationships with not only the children, but other volunteers from all over the United States.

“We got to meet amazing people from Minnesota,” Dawson said. “It was really amazing because I know we will be lifelong friends.”

Staying in a underdeveloped community opened up the eyes of Dawson and Emilee, who were accustomed to the suburbs. Despite the new set of problems presented there, the Belizeans’ attitudes reflected a life of optimism.

“The people in Belize were always so warm and welcoming, no matter who you were,” Dawson said. “I know now that I shouldn’t take anything for granted, because I saw people who had less material things than I do and more joy as well.”

The girls created relationships with many of the children. Smiling faces and big hugs greeted them every day after the kids got out of school.

“When we first got there, all of the kids just ran up and gave us these huge hugs,” Emilee said. “At first we were confused, but one of the guides said it was because they normally don’t get this kind of attention. Our hearts just went out to them.”

Bittersweet joy filled the girls’ hearts as they boarded the plane home. They knew they had helped kids and changed lives forever, but they did not want to leave the new Belizean friends they had made.

“The most important thing I learned was that no one’s life is going to be perfect, but your attitude towards a situation is what really matters,” Dawson said. “The people in Belize had nothing, but they smiled bigger and brighter than I’ve ever seen.”