Staff Scholarship Honorees

2021 Staff Scholarship Honorees

We are grateful to all of our 2021 staff for all their hard work in order to create an amazing summer experience for our campers! Staff scholarship is the highest honor a Camp Wise staff member can receive. Staff members are able to nominate their peers who have gone above and beyond to make The Home of Happiness a special place each summer. Staff scholarship honorees receive an additional bonus at the end of the summer, from funds raised through staff contributions. Additionally, a portion of these funds are donated to the future camper scholarship! The staff members that have been nominated for this honor this year are known across camp to be supportive, compassionate, enthusiastic, and positive role models even in the most difficult times. Our 2021 honorees were: Noah Appel, Jenna Cahn, Shayna Kling, Gabe Perla and Rachel Weisman. NOAH APPLE is a Junior at Kent State University studying Human Development and Family Studies. “All my summers at camp are the best, but this summer was truly special! It was my 10th summer, I was a Cornerstone Fellow, I was a Maccabiah Judge, and I was a counselor in Solel!” Noah is known for bringing positivity, fun, and energy into everything he does! When asked how he felt about camp, Noah shared, “Camp is the Truly Most Amazing Place on Earth! The welcoming and incredible atmosphere allows me to be fully myself and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without camp! These past 10 summers have been The Greatest Summers Ever, full of wonderful memories that I will never forget! and I hope to come back and continue on these memories in the years to come!” JENNA CAHN is a Junior at The Ohio State University studying Early Childhood Education. She began going to camp in 2011 and immediately fell in love with the place. This summer, Jenna was the Ohalim Programmer and put her heart and soul into programing for the village! Jenna loves camp because of the community and the friends she’s made over the years. Camp is a place where she can unwind and truly be herself. “It makes The Home of Happiness my Home of Happiness. I am so grateful for all of the amazing memories and opportunities Camp Wise has given me!” SHAYNA KLING is a Junior at The Ohio State University studying Psychology with minors in Spanish and Business. She celebrated her 11th summer at camp this year as the Noar Programmer and Head Songleader! According to Shayna, “My little Chalutzim self would never have expected how much of an impact Camp Wise would have on me. I am the person I am today because of camp in all realms of life: confidence, my love for Judaism, my ability to live in the moment, leadership skills, my continued relationships with camp friends as well as my staff members, my love for a Crazy Go Nuts evening program, and so much more!” On campus, Shayna is involved in The MeshugaNotes Jewish a cappella group, College Mentors for Kids, an OSU Tour Guide, Hillel, and Alpha Chi Omega. She’s also a big fan of cricut-ing and crafting! “I am so thankful for the opportunities camp has given me as a staff member and how much I’ve grown and learned and grown every summer. I am so honored to have received the staff scholarship and to have been able to impact my campers as well as other staff this summer.“ GABE PERLA is a junior at Vanderbilt University studying Mathematics and Environment and Sustainability. At school, he is a tour guide, Service and Philanthropy chair for Sigma Nu, and a member of the club tennis team. This summer, Gabe celebrated his 12th summer at camp. He took on a completely new role this summer

L-R: Shayna, Rachel, Gabe, Jenna and Noah

as a counselor for the brand-new village of Tosafot (our 11th grade campers). Gabe provided this group of campers the special summer they deserved. He created inside jokes, fun and engaging programming that geared towards every type of person, while also caring for his campers who needed some extra support. Gabe can always be found up on his bench cheering his head off or busy brainstorming creative programs to wow both campers and staff. “Camp will always have a special place in my heart as a true home of happiness.” RACHEL WEISMAN is a junior at the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) studying Biology, Health and Society with a minor in Intergroup Relations. In addition to academics, she plays club soccer, acts as the social chair for her hip-hop dance team, works as both a student tour guide, and a cycle instructor. This summer was her 11th summer at Camp Wise. “Camp has always been on my list of cherished places for the atmosphere, crazy wacky activities, and most importantly the friends I have made throughout the years. Camp has helped me to learn a great deal about the environments that make me happiest and allow me to be my best self. I do my best to perpetuate those feelings and connections into my, slightly less chicken tender and mud-filled, everyday life.” Camp Wise will always hold a special place in her heart and she thanks her campers and co-staff who made the past few summers such a blast!