Susanna Seibert, 23, grew up in Towanda, Pennsylvania. She attended Villanova University, graduating with a major in communication (interpersonal specialization) and a minor in peace & justice. She thinks chocolate is one of the major food groups, and loves reading and running when she isn’t eating it. Susanna is excited to serve as the UN Liaison in the Bronx this year.
Commitment Statement
I, Susanna Seibert, commit myself to be an Augustinian Volunteer, to be fully present in my community and in service, and to serve God and my neighbor with love. I commit myself to learn and grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually, to never be satisfied with doing “enough.”
Favorite Quote
"But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul...And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race. “ –Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire
How did you find your love for volunteering?
I found my love for volunteering by watching other people volunteer: parents who came in to play review games with us in elementary school; my mom, who would run Vacation Bible School because she wanted kids to learn about Jesus; our youth group beautifying a cemetery or moving tables in the school (okay, we got free pizza out of it); church members of multiple denominations spending a week in the summer cleaning, building, painting and anything else that was asked for residents who couldn’t do those jobs themselves. I saw all these people spending so much time and energy, not just in the actual job itself but also in the preparation, and all because they wanted to help someone else. They didn’t do it for a monetary reward (although they certainly gained personally and spiritually), but simply because someone needed help, so they found a way.
Favorite Song
Great Things by Matt Maher
Most interesting book you've read
Zazoo by Richard Mosher
Issue you're most passionate about
Life issues: abortion, euthanasia, torture, the death penalty, nutrition, access to water. All of these issues concern the inherence of human dignity, from conception till natural death—life is precious.
If you could be any food, what would you be and why?
Potatoes, because they can be prepared in so many delicious forms but are still the same starchy yummy food underneath.
Best AV Moment, thus far
Hearing the producer of the documentary Women, War and Peace talk about empowering women around the world, and bringing them into peace negotiations to make the process more effective and comprehensive.
What do you enjoy most about the new city you're living in?
Central Park. Discovering tiny parks or gardens or fountains flourishing between buildings in unlikely places.