| | |
This summer’s trip to Aliquippa was nothing short of an adventure. While the weather certainly challenged us…with rainstorms that turned tents into puddles and limited us to just one campfire — what stood out most was the spirit of our students. They met every challenge with grace, grit, and heart.
Watching them care for one another, serve the community of Aliquippa, and show up fully—no matter the conditions—was deeply inspiring. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t complain. They simply got to work, and in doing so, they made a real difference. These students reminded us all what it means to lead with integrity and compassion.
As we continue our work together, I want to invite you to Save the Date: Thursday, September 5 for our annual Rivalry for a Reason Golf Outing at Glenmoor Country Club. This event is more than just a great day of fun and friendly competition—it’s our most important fundraiser of the year and a powerful way to connect with CAST’s mission. Come join us, hear stories that matter, and invest in the future of our students.
With gratitude,
Sonja White
Executive Director
| | | | |
CAST in Aliquippa: Serving with Purpose, Growing in Faith
Our recent trip to Aliquippa was one to remember…not because of perfect weather, but because of the incredible heart and resilience our students showed. Despite relentless rain, a flooded tent, and just one campfire, our team pressed on with unwavering attitudes of flexibility and the highest level of work ethic!
Throughout the weekend, our students made a meaningful impact in the Aliquippa community. Their service met real needs and brought real hope to families. And just as importantly, this time away also impacted our students in profound ways.
Each student received a Bible, and our daily devotions centered on the story of the Good Samaritan—sparking reflection, honest conversations, and thoughtful questions. We shared moments of worship, deepened friendships, and had plenty of fun with s’mores, ice cream, hiking, and canoeing.
The rain may have poured, but so did the love, joy, and purpose that defined our time together. Aliquippa changed us—as we worked to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we were reminded that every act of service is also a chance to grow in faith.
| During my time at Aliquippa, I really enjoyed taking time out of our day to help families around the area and getting to meet new people while overall expanding my comfort zone. The best way I experience Jesus is when whatever we worked on something difficult it suddenly felt much easier. I felt like Jesus was coming to give us a hand. I can not wait to experience the feeling of happiness I had at Aliquippa all over again next summer. -Jah'Ziah, 11th grade | |  | Aliquippa was a great experience this year. I loved hanging out with the families and hearing their stories. We did some yard work, played games with the kids and ate some good food. Jesus was definitely in the middle of it all from the beginning to the end of the trip. -Zaryiah, 12th Grade | Aliquippa was the most fun thing to help serve at. I am still connected with one of the women that I helped. She has became one of my many mentors.-Alaina, 12th | | | Being able to send our CAST Leaders to Wildside each summer is an opportunity we are so thankful for. While volunteering on the wildside work crew our students spend nearly 12 hours a day, for 7 days, volunteering their time to help make camp run smoothly. During their time at camp our students not only play a pivotal role in helping middle school students meet Jesus but they also have opportunities to grow closer to Jesus themselves, work on a team and develop leadership skills. It is a week FULL of crazy fun, hard work, unforgettable summer memories and the love of Jesus. | | | |
This summer we were thrilled to be able to send four of our upperclassmen leaders to wildside!
Taylor, Alania, Davie and Zaryiah all had an unforgettable week while volunteering alongside the RippleFX Crew at Wildside!
| Wildside was truly an amazing experience that was life changing for me. During Wildside, I was able to grow in my faith while also watching the middle schoolers grow in their faith. It was amazing to connect with them and get to know them. I was able to watch them grow as people and in their faith throughout the week. -Taylor, 12th Grade. | | |
| |
CAMP Award Ceremony
The May CAMP Meeting marked a special occasion as CAMP and CAST proudly presented the first-ever Ken Brunner Scholarship to Tooba Sindhu. This new scholarship is dedicated to recognizing the CAMP student with the highest number of volunteer hours for CAST.
With a remarkable academic record, graduating with every honor, and her consistent dedication as a leader for CAST, Tooba Sindhu is an incredibly fitting and inspiring choice for this inaugural award.
| | | | 2025 CAST Leadership Council! | | |
We're thrilled to introduce the 2025/26 CAST Leadership Council! This council is made up of Early College High School Juniors and Seniors who've consistently shown a heart for service and a deep dedication to CAST throughout their high school years.
We couldn't be prouder of this particular group of leaders. They lead with love, compassion, and maturity, and they've grown immensely during their time at Early College. These students were truly part of the crew that rebuilt CAST post-pandemic, and we're incredibly thankful to have them as our core leaders for the upcoming school year.
| | |
Zaryiah Williams
CAST Co- President
| |
Zaryiah is an Early College High School Senior who has been a pivotal leader within CAST since her freshmen year. Zaryiah has spent time leading at The Refuge of Hope, alongside RippleFX at various camps and as a Junior Vice President of CAST Last School Year.
In addition to holding the student CAST record of having over 300 volunteer hours Zaryiah is also student government president and holds a 4.4 GPA and is on the Stark State Presidents list.
| | |
Alania Thorne
CAST Co-President
| |
Alania is an Early College High School Senior who has been an active leader in CAST since her freshmen year of High School. Alania has been a leader at Whispering Grace Horses helping to recruit student volunteers and has spent time leading at various RippleFX camps.
Alania is currently the “runner up” when it comes to the most CAST volunteer hours Having over 200 hours served with CAST. In addition to being a consistent CAST Volunteer, Alania is also actively involved in interact club, Soccer, NHS and holds a 4.1 GPA.
| | |
Taylor Burton
CAST Co-President
| |
Taylor is an Early College High School Senior who has a huge heart for CAST and love for helping others. Being an active member of CAST Taylor has attended the Aliquippa Missions Trip twice and has spent time leading at Wildside alongside RippleFX.
Taylor has earned her CAST graduation cords, an honor given to students with 50 or more CAST volunteer hours. In addition to CAST Taylor is also involved in the following, interact club, tennis, the cotillion, and holds a 4.7 GPA.
| | |
Chris Marco
CAST Vice President
| |
Chris is an Early College High School Junior who has a certain personality and spunk to him that makes him such a fun leader to serve alongside. Chris has a huge hart for CAST and has served as a leader at The Refuge of Hope and Love the Children Ministries.
Chris is currently the only student from the class of 2027 to have earned his graduation cords, doing so during his sophomore year! In addition to being one of the faces you see time and time again at Saturday morning service opportunities Chris is also the Science Club President, and is involved in Cheer, Marching Band, and Choir.
| | Volunteer alongside our CAST Students | | Want to make a difference and volunteer with our CASTkids? This summer is the perfect opportunity! Take a look at our July and August service calendars, then simply email Taylor with the days you're available to join us | | | | |
