As the school year comes to a draw, seniors taste the closeness of graduation’s savory connotations. A buzzing fills the halls, and excitement claims the class of 2016 as the end and beginning simultaneously lies only a few weeks away. Opportunity flourishes and chance rises; high school’s claustrophobic monotony no longer chokes the seniors as decisions surrounding the future lie solely in their jurisdiction. Although scary at times, the purity and hope for change, for renovation, for life on one’s own terms prevails as the summer approaches with overwhelming velocity.

For senior, Madison Duly, the options seem endless as she plans to embark on a one and a half month long missionary adventure in Thailand as well as a brief stint in Cancun, Mexico. Freedom never tasted so blissful as Duly greets her new beginnings with vigor and an insatiable craving for adventurous spontaneity and cultured tolerance.

“The mission trip in Thailand is more like a church internship working under people who have lived there the whole time,” Duly said. “We are going out into the city offering hope to people struggling while also helping with physical [aid]. We are going into orphanages and physical disability centers where people are [barely surviving].”

With Thailand acting as an outlet for service and happiness, Duly also recounted the openness and humanitarian comprehension fulfilled through traveling in general.

“I enjoy traveling because I really like to learn about other cultures and religions,” Duly said.  “It’s always been a passion of mine to go and learn about others, and it makes me feel a sense of purpose and hope when I’m pouring into other people’s lives that seem to be struggling or hurting. It’s awesome to see that I can make a difference and give people hope.”

However, this lighthearted and charitable benefit is not reaped without previous planning and experienced fundraising tactics.

“The main way I afford these trips is through basic fundraising. I had a coffee house fundraiser for Thailand and we took donations at the door and sold art with live music and I raised $1,900  just doing that. But other ways that I fundraise include selling shirts and getting support through people at my church,” Duly said.

Although Duly handles the planning and financial side of traveling like a seasoned pro, she also manages to balance responsibility with a carefree outlook.

“Let loose,” Duly said. “I know a lot of people, when they travel, think they have to have a plan and do all these things [that abide by a schedule], but I found it best when I was travelling to go with the flow.”