For senior Jordan Johnson, the mission trips NDA offers are not just community service, but a source of personal growth and faith. 

Johnson has participated in the spring break mission trip as a sophomore, a junior, and plans to continue the tradition this year. 

“I do the mission trip because it is very fulfilling for me to help others in need in our country,” Johnson said. 

She enjoys being able to make a difference, even in small ways, because it reminds her why service matters. 

Johnson also emphasized that the trips not only benefit the communities they serve but also provide valuable life lessons for participants.  

“They teach us how to become better and more mature people while we are on them,” she explained. 

The experiences of working on service projects alongside classmates and community members allow students to develop responsibility, empathy and teamwork skills. 

Furthermore, it allows students who may not know each other very well to become friends. 

“I feel like during these trips I have the opportunity to know people from the school better. I also keep in contact with most of them after the trip,” she said. 

Faith is also a central part of the mission trips. 

“The trips have helped me grow in my faith a lot because they are centered around helping others, and we attend Mass often while we are on the trips.” 

Beyond personal growth, Johnson hopes to inspire other students to participate. 

“I encourage others to join because the experience is incredibly rewarding. You also get to see the impact of your work firsthand and grow in ways you don’t expect,” she said. 

For Johnson, the mission trips are more than a tradition; they are a way to give back, live out her faith and meet new people. 

She cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this year’s mission trip in New Orleans and encourages others to sign up next year.