Morton, Mississippi Service Trip
Theresa Milazzo, Logan Schroeder, Mikhayla Kruse-Meek, John Stoppelman,
Brooke Boddicker, Abigail Oldham, Kylie Holubar, Jennifer Weber
About Excel Center
Excel was founded in Mississippi in
1988 with the purpose of furthering
education, community building,
encouraging community service and
fostering healthy lives. From its
beginning, Excel has been committed
to racial, religious and economic
inclusiveness at every level:
leadership, planning and participation.
Testimonies
This trip showed me that service
can take place in many different
forms, even a simple conversation
with a student going through a
difficult time can make a positive
impact.- Abigail Oldham (’19)
I had the opportunity to work
directly in an underprivileged
school system in the heart of
Mississippi and see first-hand all of
the challenges they face every
single day.- Logan Schroeder (‘19)
Spiritual Life
About the Mississippi Service Trip
Students volunteer with the
Sisters of St. Francis, based out of Dubuque,
at the EXCEL Community and Learning
Center. Students assist with outreach in local
middle and high schools and in an after
school tutoring program. Students learn
about the rich southern culture and the
differences and similarities in education
between the Midwest and the South.
Facts & Statistics
• 35% African American, 25% Latino,
and a growing Vietnamese population.
• Median household income- $34,000,
$23,000 less than the national average
($57,617)
• State education rank #47 overall.
• Average teacher salary- $42,500
(50/50)
• High school dropout rate- 78% (34/50)
Testimonies
One thing I learned on this trip is
that a little bit of love can move
mountains.- Brooke Boddicker (‘19)
I was able to observe this group of
students grow not only in their
relationships with each other, but also
as they began to recognize their own
strengths in working with the youth
from the schools and at the Excel
Center.- Jennifer Weber- Academic
Internship Coordinator (CEL)
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