Beginning on Sunday, May 19th, 22 Husker student-athletes and two Life Skills staff members embarked on an eight day trip to Panama for the annual NoFilter Service Abroad Trip. NoFilter is an all-expense paid service abroad trip designed to open minds to new perspectives, change views, and make a difference beyond borders. Through partnerships with local organizations in the area traveled to, each trip has a unique and relevant education-based service project. In addition to furthering the efforts of local non-profits, student-athletes have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture, unique history, and natural beauty of each country.
Through a partnership with the Give and Surf non-profit organization, group members visited Bocas Del Toro and Isla Bastimentos in Panama to serve the Bahia Honda community and school each morning by building a bathroom and sidewalks for students and local residents. Participants also assisted in the Bahia Honda preschool each morning by helping with daily lesson plans and serving as positive role models to the children in the school. Additionally, NoFilter participants immersed themselves in the Panamanian culture through daily activities in the afternoons including a field day with the Bastimentos Community Center, a visit to Red Frog Beach, a tour of the Cristobal Cacao Farm, an authentic Panamanian fishing excursion, and boat tours of the Coral Key and Zapatilla Islands.
Student-athletes must apply to be considered for the NoFilter Trip. A selection committee reviews applications and selects participants for each trip. The student-athletes selected are required to attend a meeting once a month leading up to departure. While in country, the group meets every night to reflect and discuss the daily activities and takeaways from the trip. Nebraska Life Skills will be leading an additional NoFilter trip this upcoming August for a new group of 21 Husker student-athletes in Ecuador.
2024 NoFilter Service Abroad Panama Participants:
- Jahmal Banks, Football
- Katelyn Barth, Gymnastics
- Derek Branch, Football
- Alexis Buchert, Bowling
- Caitlin Cairns, Swimming & Diving
- Laney Choboy, Volleyball
- Asher Cohen, Gymnastics
- Martina Comin, Gymnastics
- Emily Haimes, Swimming & Diving
- Tyler Knaak, Football
- Toby Liang, Gymnastics
- Leo Lopez Linquet, Tennis
- McKenna Lovehaug, Cross Country
- Lucy Loy, Tennis
- Kael Miedema, Track & Field
- Hamish Murray, Golf
- Maja Pietrowicz, Tennis
- Marissa Popoola, Soccer
- Abbey Schwarz, Soccer
- Michaela Vavrova, Golf
- Kayla Verstraete, Bowling
- Cece Villa, Soccer
- Stacey Burling, Life Skills
- Tom Lemke, Life Skills