Colonie Central High School student Meghan Mitchell. (Times Union photo)

Colonie High Senior Taking Part in Mission of Peace Trip to Nicaragua

Posted october 19, 2011

Colonie Central High School senior, Meghan Mitchell, is the only teenager from the Capital Region selected to take part in this year’s Mission of Peace trip to Nicaragua.

Read more about Meghan's story in a Times Union article

The 17-year-old will travel to Central America as part of a 30-youth group on her holiday break - December 28th to January 13th - as a delegate from Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham.

The fact that Meghan is going to Nicaragua for almost three weeks is a challenge in itself. She is traveling to a third world country to spend time at a place called Chacente. This community was established to bring families out of the dumps of Managua. The families are given land to farm, taught a trade and the children attend school.

Meghan has had Juvenile Arthritis for 10 years and in 2008 had her spine fused from the neck to the waist. Despite her physical challenges she wants to be a positive force in the world. Her dream is to become a teacher. She wants to be an example to others that you can live with adversity in a positive way.

To go on the trip, Meghan had to obtain letters of recommendation from three adults and take part in an interview in Syracuse. After being accepted for this trip she had to raise $4,000 to cover her costs.