Mission trips give Byron Center’s Ruiz good
cheer

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

By Steve
Ungrey

The Grand Rapids Press

Aubry Ruiz was a little bit nervous when she went on her first
mission trip after her freshman year of high school.

Cheerleading was a snap to Ruiz, now a junior at Byron Center High School. It was something she had done
for a long time.

What to expect on a church retreat was a different story.

"I was kind of nervous," Ruiz said. "Once you find out it's an
at-risk neighborhood you'll be in, it can be anxious. But, then, you find out
you'll be working with kids, and they make it easier. It isn't so
overwhelming."

Ruiz liked it so much re-roofing houses and working with neighborhood kids
for a week and a half in Tennessee that she took another trip after
her sophomore year -- to Nicaragua, where she helped build two churches
and worked with kids.

After this school year, Ruiz will join others in Washington, D.C., for a retreat that she hasn't
heard much about yet. The retreats and trips have been through her church,
Banner of Christ.

"I've heard it's a life-changing experience," Ruiz said.
"Faith is something that is really important to me."

Ruiz is one of the cheerleaders Byron Center will count on to have a good
year.

"Aubry has done some amazing mission work
through her church," Byron Center assistant coach Kelli Saunders
said. "She's traveled to many different places all over the world,
helping underprivileged children, among many other things. She's a great
teammate and she is always at practice for us ready to go -- she hasn't
missed a day yet this season."

Ruiz does volunteer work at her church involving basketball and cheerleading.

"I want to become a teacher and I hope the school has a cheerleading
coach," Ruiz said. "Teaching is something I've really wanted to do
all my life."

Byron Center

·
Coach: Amy Hass, 13th year

·
Conference: O-K Green

·
2007-08: O-K Gold champions, fifth place at regionals

·
Top returners: Seniors Abbigail Bylsma, Rachel Reynolds, Erin Murphy, Raquel Robinson and
Savannah Smith

·
Newcomers: Sophomore Emilee Umfleet and
freshmen M'Kyleigh Asper
and Kaitlyn Marr

·
Outlook: Byron Center should adapt to its new
surroundings in the O-K Green with relatively little difficulty.

·
Coach's comment: "We have a fantastic group of athletes this
season. We cannot wait to get out there and let everyone see their hard work
in action."

·
Key dates: Jan. 10, Byron Center Invitational