About Us

Who We Are

Leaders:

Sam:


I'm in my eighth year teaching, coaching, and leading trips at Scattergood.  I have previously led three trips to Honduras and Costa Rica, as well as a canoe trip down the Mississippi from Lake Itasca to St. Paul.  My mother was born in Mexico City so I'm looking forward to visiting this city for the first time as an adult (and Spanish speaker).  I look forward to spending time with this group of young people, and seeing Mexico through their eyes.





 

Lynn:

My harp has brought me on travels to perform all over the world: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France (x 12!), Holland, Belgium, Greece, Germany, the Caribbean (x3), Argentina (x2), Colombia, French Guiana, Luxor in Egypt and Kathmandu in Nepal, as well as many places in the States. I've traveled without it in Italy, Spain, the Canary Islands and both sides of Canada, but Mexico with Scattergood on Tour is about as much fun as anyone could dream of having on the road since we are blessed with such a bright, funny and thoughtful group of young people plus two intrepid fellow leaders. I have always maintained that the base of the food pyramid is made of chocolate, and in Oaxaca I intend to uncover that truth for the rest of the world.


Seth:
My name is Seth Wenger. This is my first official outing with Scattergood, and wow what a doozy. I am a carpentry contractor and highschool teacher with interests in language and making personal connections in a global way. I have traveled to many Spanish speaking countries and have called Spanish my second language for 15 years. I look forward to learning in a group fashion as well as eating my way across Mexico

 

Trippers:

Sawyer:


I am Sawyer, and I am a 17 year old junior at Scattergood. I came to Scattergood this year. This is my first time going to a South American country, but not my first time leaving the country. I am very nervous and excited for this trip. I hope to learn many things while I’m in Mexico and I also hope to have this be an experience that will help me understand more about myself.











Sophie:


My name is Sophie, I am a junior at Scattergood. I’ve lived here since I was in seventh grade. Before Scattergood I went to public school, and before that I was home-schooled. The last time I left the country was when I was 12, and I’ve never been to Latin America. I am not particularly comfortable in cities, so I’m most looking forward to homestays, even though my Spanish is far from fluent. 








Oriana:


I am an eighteen year old life enthusiast finishing off my senior year at Scattergood. I love traveling and speaking Spanish. I love my city Pittsburgh. This will be second to Mexico but my first time to Oaxaca. I hope to live up to the impression my mother left in Oaxaca when she traveled there when she was my age. Luckily my Spanish is much better than hers was/is. I love to meet new people, dance, swim, eat exotic fruits, and be in the sun. Que les vaya bien.






Alan:


I am an 18 year old senior from Paullina, Iowa. This will be the first time I leave the country and I'm pretty excited. I hope to further develop my Spanish skills and become more comfortable in unfamiliar settings.









Shane:


I'm a 19 year old senior from Port Wing, Wisconsin. I enjoy hanging with friends and being super active. I am really excited for this trip. This will be my second time out of the country and it will be my fifth time on the plane.










Bradley:


I am a young senior high school student at Scattergood Friends school, heading out of the country for only my second time, yet still feeling prepared and ready for the new experiences. After two and a half years of formal Spanish study, I am yearning to delve deeper into the language and culture. My methods are varied from playing soccer with whoever will play, playing guitar to sera are locals, or engaging in political discussion in my third language (well, at least trying to anyway)

Drew:


I'm an 18 year old senior at Scattergood Friends School. This is my first time traveling to Oaxaca and I'm excited to experience the culture and practice Spanish. I hope to come out of this trip with improved Spanish and a better understanding of Oaxacan culture.








Rachael:


My name is Rachael and I am a seventeen-year-old Junior at Scattergood Friends School. I am interested in the sciences and enjoy going to school. I enjoy reading, writing, and spending time with my friends. I have had some experience traveling in the past but I was very young the last time I was in Mexico, so I do not remember it well. I have lived in four states and visited fifteen countries. I am super excited to travel to Mexico and meet new people, as well as bond with my fellow Scattergood residents. 





Caleb:

I am a 17 year old senior and in my fourth year at Scattergood, originally coming from New Hampshire. Though I haven't traveled out of the country in the past four years, in the past I traveled a lot. Though I have been studying Spanish for the last four years, I am still apprehensive of my ability, but I am willing and excited to give it my best. I am really excited to work, play, learn, and meet new people in Mexico City, Oaxaca City, and Teotitlán del Valle. I plan on taking lots of pictures and recording our trip as much as possible, and can't wait to report back on the amazing journey we are going to have.






 
Liadh:


I am an 18 year old senior from Ireland with some above average Spanish skills and deep love of music. I am especially looking forward to this trip because of all the time I will get to spend with great people and the new cultural experiences I will have. My Spanish still has a long way to go and I'm sure there will be a sufficient awkward moments when interacting with Natives so I'm excited for that??? I love being in forests, the ocean and mountains so this trip will hopefully fulfill some of my nature dreams. I'm also stoked to share this journey with the world!








Anna:

I'm a 17 year old junior from Minneapolis, MN. This is my first year at Scattergood and it has been awesome. My first time out of the country was this past winter when I traveled to Costa Rica and since this is also my first year of Spanish  I wasn't able to practice my skills much especially since I was with my family who also don't know much Spanish. Now that I've finished a year of Spanish I'm still going to struggle trying to communicate but I'm up for the challenge. I've been working hard this past semester practicing the little Spanish I know and trying to acquire more. I'm so excited to spend time with all the people on the trip outside of Scattergood and I'm glad most of them have a pretty high level of Spanish and can help me with mine. I'm also really excited to see Mexico city and Oaxaca and learn more about and see the culture and history that we've been studying the past quarter. I think this trip is going to be a great experience and I'm so glad to be a part of it!