One thing that ties the human race together is that sense of belonging you get when you surround yourself with a group of close-knit friends. A group that consists of people with the same interests. Beliefs. Humor. 

Faye Hansel (10) found that within the early days of her first year of middle school, when she made the decision to attend a church camp with people she had never met. 

“I really branched out and I met new people” Hansel said. “I found some of the people that I’d be the closest to for the rest of my life” 

Hansel is now a sophomore, and in her continuation of highschool she is pursuing her interest in design and the process of putting a magazine together. Hansel is beginning her journalism career as a staff writer, and cheering her on from the sidelines– whether it’s for journalism or volleyball– is her close group of friends from her church. 

“I grew with them, and now I really feel that I have my place, and have a family kind of relationship” Hansel said.