Spring Break Service

Spring Break Service

Ohio Wesleyan Students Work for a Week in Florida and South Dakota

DELAWARE, Ohio - Two teams of Ohio Wesleyan University students spent a week helping others as part of OWU's annual Spring Break Service Week program.

Before the teams left, and again at a return celebration, they received blessings from University Chaplain Chad Johns, director of Spring Break Service Week. A 2002 Ohio Wesleyan graduate, Johns annually shares a traditional Franciscan blessing to guide the teams in their journeys:

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships … with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people and the earth … with tears to shed for those who suffer so you will reach out your hands to offer comfort and walk in solidarity from pain into joy," Johns said. "And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so you will do the things which others say cannot be done."

The teams traveled between March 7 and March 15, and gathered together March 25 to share images and insights from their experiences. The 2026 teams, including their destinations, missions, and members, were:

Disaster Recovery with SBP (Tampa, Florida)

In response to devastating hurricanes, this team worked with SBP, a nonprofit co-founded by 1995 OWU graduate Zack Rosenburg, to aid with the clean-up process as residents seek to rebuild their homes and lives.

• Emma Luft (student leader) of Columbus, Ohio
• Bilal Ahmad of Lahore, Pakistan
• Sophie Buco of Pleasant City, Ohio
• Claire Coleman of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Alyssa Gregory of Hubbard, Ohio
• Abrianna Hite of Delaware, Ohio
• Hina Ishii of Shibuya-Ku, Japan
• Mayu Saito of Tokyo, Japan
• Layah Stoutamire of Upper Marlboro, Maryland
• Akiilah Whitfield of Columbus, Ohio
• Newton Kimberly (advisor)
• Kerri Robe (advisor)

Building and Rebuilding (Lakota Nation, South Dakota)

This intentionally interfaith team worked with Lakota Youth Development, continuing Ohio Wesleyan's long-term mission to rebuild Lakota-Anglo relationships through respectful conversation, deep critical reflection, and dedicated service.

• Josie Uemura (student leader) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio
• Ash Brown (student leader) of Delaware, Ohio
• Nana Adjei of Columbus, Ohio
• Samantha Allen of Miamisburg, Ohio
• Ally Gerty of Plain City, Ohio
• Teodora "Téa" Ilic of Delaware, Ohio
• Morgan Langa of Columbus, Ohio
• Rhys McCain of Milford Center, Ohio
• Nikita Ogata of Osaka, Japan
• Rahnney Woodfork of Hilliard, Ohio
• Azariyah Polk of Mansfield, Ohio
• David Soliday (advisor)
• Christopher Mickens (advisor)

Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan's annual Spring Break Service Week program at owu.edu/SpringBreakServiceWeek.

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.