Elizabeth Nordenholt
Name: Elizabeth Nordenholt
Age: 22
Hometown: Plano, TX
School: Oklahoma City University
Major/Minor: Theatre design and production, minor in religion.
Site/s where you have served: Oak Cliff ’08, ’10, St Marks ‘11
Q: Why did you want to serve full-time as a PT intern? Working with kids has always been something I enjoyed, but I had never worked in an underserved community. I thought it would be a good experience, and the idea of giving back to the community I grew up in was also exciting.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with underserved children/youth? Kids are so incredibly smart and creative. Sometimes it’s easy to assume since you’re the teacher you’re the one doing all the teaching, but they truly have so much to offer. I think too often we write them off because they’re young, but some of the wisest things I’ve heard have come from the kids at PT.
Q: How has Project Transformation transformed you? PT has renewed my desire to become involved in a faith community, especially a social justice oriented one. It has also given me a strong desire to stay involved with outreach and helping those around me, and to just be a more service oriented individual.
Q: How has your experience with PT helped you to better understand your gifts and your calling? Project Transformation has made it clear to me that I am called to work with kids, especially underserved kids. It has also challenged me and made me into a better leader and team player, which are skills that I’ve used over and over again.
Q: What is your favorite part of the Project Transformation experience? Community living! There’s something so amazing (and exhausting!) about living with 100 of the greatest people. There is always someone to spend time with, get programming ideas from, or go get ice cream with you. Some of my greatest memories are from PT social events like the Murder Mystery Party, or PT Prom. Living in a Christian-based community is also something completely different from anything else I’ve ever experienced. Working, playing, and worshipping with the same people is truly a beautiful and unique experience.
Q: What are your future vocational plans and how has PT helped to shape or clarify those plans? Right now my plans are to pursue a career working as a theatre for young audiences artist. Ideally I’d like to be able to work on plays geared towards young audiences, as well teach creative drama classes and camps. PT has made it clear to me that I need to be serving children on a daily basis, and I’d love to provide theatre and classes that are empowering to kids, especially those living in low income areas.
Q: What have you learned from living with other young adults in such a diverse community? I have gained so many new perspectives from my fellow interns and friends. I’ve been given new viewpoints to important issues, and introduced to so many new things, ranging from music, to food, to styles of worship. The diversity has truly enriched my life and made me a more open minded individual.
Q: What is the most important thing you will take away from serving through Project Transformation? Some of the greatest relationships I’ve ever formed. I have friends from my first summer in 2008 I still keep in touch with on a regular basis. I truly made life long friends who I know will always have my back. I remember finishing my first summer and realizing I felt close to my friends from PT, who I had known for two months, than friends I had known my entire freshman year of college.
Q: What advice would you give to a young adult who is interested in serving as a PT intern? Give over everything you have. Humble yourself and really take time to learn from both your peers and the kids you’re serving. Really invest yourself in the community and in the programming for the kids, and push yourself out of your comfort zone as often as you can. The more you give, the more you will receive.
Q: If you could tell one story from your experience at PT – what story would you tell? One of my favorite days in my three summers with PT was our Messy Day at St Marks. Allowing the kids to just be kids and get as dirty as they wanted was such a rewarding and freeing experience. The best part was unleashing my own inner child and getting dirty with them! It’s truly amazing how much you can bond with a child when all you’re doing is making shaving cream art.