Congratulations to Kellenberg alumna Anie Jamgochian, class of 2010, who has recently chosen to forgo Ivy League graduate studies at Harvard and Yale in order to serve on mission for a year with Rostro de Cristo.
Jamhochian, who graduated magna cum laude from Cabrini College this past spring, recently applied to Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools and was accepted to both, however she also considered taking a year away from studies in order to cary out missionary work abroad.
“I decided I would also apply for a one year international volunteer position. I was absolutely sure service was something I was extremely passionate about and something I really wanted to do,” said Jamgochian. Anie decided to apply to Harvard for a deferment so that she would be free to pursue her desire to serve on mission, however, Harvard did not accept her deferment application. Anie explains, “My deferment was not accepted, which left me with a very difficult decision. Do I follow my heart and go to Ecuador to volunteer for a year? A place I can really feel God is calling me to? Or do I not give up the great opportunity to study at Harvard and plan to do service another time?…I could bot ignore the stirring in my heart to do service.”
Anie chose to accept a volunteer position with Rostro de Cristo, a volunteer immersion program which focusses on helping the poor in Ecuador (http://www.rostrodecristo.org/about-us). Anie said that, “In the end, I couldn’t deny where I knew God was calling me to.”
Anie’s story was featured in Cabrini College’s newspaper, The Loquitur, which you can read at the following link: http://theloquitur.com/what-cabrini-offered-me/
NBC’s local Philadelphia affiliate also interviewed Anie on her decision. That interview may be found at the following link: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Local-Student-Defers-Ivy-Leagues-for-Service-Trip/259075721
You may also follow Anie on her missionary journey by following the blog she has setup entitled, “In love, faith, solidarity and peace: Discovering the Face of Christ in Ecuador,” at the following link: http://ifollowedmyhearttoecuador.wordpress.com/
The Kellenberg and Marianist families are very proud of Anie’s decision to volunteer a year of service to the poor in Ecuador. Congratulations on your achievements at Cabrini College.