Appalachia Trip 2025: From New Orleans to the New River

In the month of July, a group of Jesuit seniors led by Mr. Michael Prados made a service trip to Fries, Virginia, a tradition started over 30 years ago.

Over the summer, ten Jesuit seniors made a two-week service trip to Fries, Virginia, a small town in the heart of Appalachia. This year marks the thirty-fourth trip to Fries under the leadership of Mr. Michael Prados ‘83, this year assisted by Mr. Hunter Hoffman ‘21. I was fortunate enough to go on this trip, and I had a great experience, learning new skills and seeing the impact even a small group can have on an entire town.

Fries is a town in the western part of Virginia with under 500 residents. It was heavily dependent on a cotton mill for most of its history, and when the mill shut down in the late 1980s, many were left without jobs. Jesuit began helping the community of Fries in the early 1990s, focusing on assisting the town’s large elderly population.

After two days of travel, our group began working. We lived simply, sleeping on the floor and going without much access to technology. People from the town provided their cooking for our meals, and we quickly settled into a routine. Throughout our stay, we spent time doing anything the community needed: painting houses and public buildings, clearing out overgrown gardens, and working in local schools and churches. One of the most memorable jobs involved digging through thick mud to help clear the town’s water supply, an all-day effort that was simultaneously exhausting and enjoyable. I especially appreciated that we were totally immersed in the community, away from distractions and concerns back home.

When we were not working, we got to experience the natural beauty of the land around us. On the weekend, we hiked to the highest point in Virginia on Mount Rogers, biked on the Appalachian Trail, and went canoeing on the New River. After days of work, we would swim in nearby creeks, rivers, and waterfalls. We also got to spend time listening and dancing to bluegrass at the town theater, which was a highlight of the trip for me.

Beyond the hard work and exciting excursions, the most important part of the trip for me was interacting with the people of Fries. Some of the people we worked for had had difficult lives, and seeing their perseverance and optimism was inspiring. Doing something as simple as cleaning someone’s gutters or stopping to have a quick conversation can have a significant impact, and I was surprised at the gratitude they showed for our relatively simple ways of helping.

During our time in Fries, we started each day with prayer and a reading from Scripture and concluded each day with prayer and reflection. It was helpful to remind ourselves of the importance of the work we were doing and of the ultimate goal of putting those in need above ourselves to become true men for others. Service is a crucial part of Jesuit’s mission, and this trip is a perfect example of what it means to put that service into action.

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