HANNAH'S ANSWER TO "WHY VANGUARD?"

A Vanguard Gap Year Story

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

January 9^th, 2024

Hannah grew up in Amman, Jordan. In recent years she often saw herself living in the States after high school. Interested in a change of scenery and eager to make the jump to living in the U.S. for college, Hannah decided to pursue a gap year. She acknowledged that “one of the reasons I came to Vanguard was to be in a place that was different from where I grew up.”

"I knew it would be hard to adapt to new things ..."

Hannah also mentioned that she knew a year of transition time, to bridge that gap between life in Jordan and adjusting to life in the U.S. would be important. Hannah pointed out that she had a fairly good idea of some of the things experience might entail, and as we spoke, she reflected on the expectations she had for leaving Jordan. Hannah elaborated, “I knew I would experience homesickness and loneliness, and I knew it would be hard to adapt to new things, especially the climate. But I have experienced some of those difficulties in other ways and felt ready to embrace the challenge.” Knowing some adversity might come her way, Hannah still stepped out in confidence by taking a gap year with Vanguard, and she explains how her foundation of faith has served as a guide, supplying her with resilience as she adapts to life in the U.S.

The Power of Friendship

“When I was applying for colleges, a big thing that was on my mind was that I just didn't know what I was going to do next,” Hannah said. “I had heard about other people taking a gap year, and so that was a possibility that was on my mind,” Hannah noted that her school experience felt taxing, which she believes contributed to her decision to take an academic break and focus on personal growth and vocational discernment.

Hannah had heard about Wheaton College’s Gap Year Program from a friend of hers who was a Vanguard alum, Davis Dunlap (Vanguard '23). Hannah and Davis both graduated from the same international school in Jordan. Davis’s friendship and influence helped Hannah pursue her interests in taking a gap year with Vanguard. Intrigued by the spiritual formation Davis recounted about his Vanguard year, Hannah began researching the program more. Hannah explained, “I was really excited about the outdoor experiences in a purposeful, intentional Christian community that was full of nature and creation.”

Feeling encouraged as she read about the intentionality of the schedule, the wilderness skills and trips, and the Equestrian Track, Hannah became more motivated to apply and pursue Vanguard. Hannah’s words were potent when she named that she knew she needed a gap year: “I needed a year to spend with God, and with others who were pursuing God in a place where I could rest in creation.”

Hannah and Calvary Sposato (Vanguard '24) sport their slumber-party themed Halloween costumes as the HoneyRock Halloween Costume Party.

“I needed a year to spend with God, and with others who were pursuing God in a place where I could rest in creation.”

Finding Joy & Camaraderie

“There is a lot of opportunity for conflict [in community], but there's just as much opportunity for forgiveness and for resolution.”

Through the social dynamic of the Vanguard and HoneyRock community, Hannah has seen growth in herself and her peers, “it's been a lot bigger of a learning curve than I expected it to be, and it can be intimidating at times,” she said, “but it can also be really fun.” Hannah explained that all she has encountered thus far through Vanguard has had massive impact on how her faith is being formed and in how she lives in relationships with others.

Rock Climbing Influences Faith

“It struck me that I could just lean on the rope and not hold on to anything and be totally fine. I can very clearly see the correlation between that and my relationship with God..."

Our conversation led Hannah to reflect on the fall Outdoor Rock Climbing Course Intensive. She remarked, “It struck me that I could just lean on the rope and not hold on to anything and be totally fine. I can very clearly see the correlation between that and my relationship with God, and how it's easy for me to cling to things in my life and needing to have control over everything, but then I realized that I can just lean back into his arms and not hold on, he still has me - which is really amazing.” Hannah expressed that the Rock Climbing class was extremely formative to her faith, it helped reframe how she can begin to build a stronger trust in her relationship with God.

“I believe God is drawing me into a place of greater trust in Him, and to trust to the point of surrender, dying to self, so that I can enjoy Him and love other people to the fullest.”

Hannah, Bella Frey, and Christina Basara (Vanguards '24) pose for a photo along the North Country Trail while on the Pictured Rocks backpacking trip.

THE TAKEAWAYS FROM FORMATION AND GROWTH

As we were wrapping up our conversation, Hannah’s final thoughts struck me, especially when she began to voice what God had been showing her through her time at Vanguard. “I think HoneyRock has challenged me to think, to push myself in figuring out what my beliefs are... It's [Vanguard] brought me to places of challenge, places where I need to depend on God.”

“I think HoneyRock has challenged me to think, to push myself in figuring out what my beliefs are... It's [Vanguard] brought me to places of challenge, places where I need to depend on God.”

Hannah feels that the time spent immersed in the rhythms of Vanguard has been incredibly helpful and meaningful to her personal growth. She feels she has used these rhythms as tools to connect with God in times of seeking or discernment. The flow of the Vanguard week: meals, devotions, class, activities, or vocational tracks, morning, midday, and evening prayer; are purposefully built into the Vanguard year to guide students in a routine that will benefit them (ideally beyond their year).

Hannah’s closing thought was something I related to, and was grateful to hear a peer think in a similar way, “I believe God is drawing me into a place of greater trust in Him, and to trust to the point of surrender, dying to self, so that I can enjoy Him and love other people to the fullest.”