Alexis, from Brighton, CO, spent 10 days in July learning, working and teaching as a motivational counselor to teens at Winners' Camp, held at Kamehame Ridge on Oahu, Hawaii.

According to its Web site, Winners' Camp is a week-long learning program that strives to "provide cutting-edge leadership trainings for teens, their families and teachers; and to awaken teenagers to their highest personal and community potential."

Alexis said the camp was an "eye-opening" experience, and she formed close relationships with campers like Nawai, a Hawaiian native who had all the odds stacked against him: "both of his parents were in prison," said Alexis, and "he didn't answer to anyone."

The change in Nawai, and Alexis, came one night after a heart-to-heart conversation about negative influences and positive attitudes. "He cried, and I cried," said Alexis. "I told him, ‘don't give in,' and said I was proud of him. And he said he'd never heard that before."

Campers also heard speakers, attended etiquette classes, practiced study skills and participated in activities.

"The physical activities were used as a metaphor," explained Alexis. For instance, the climbing wall and ropes course were combined with academic goal-setting exercises to help campers experience the hard work they were committing to.

Alexis learned about the camp from motivational speaker Bill Cordes, who spoke during last year's orientation week activities at Bethany. Alexis approached him after his talk. "I said, ‘I want to do what you do,'" she said.

The two learned they had both attended the same life acceleration seminar for adults - 20 years apart. Cordes helped fund Alexis' room and board at Winners' Camp, and encouraged her dream.

Alexis explained that she wants to "give self-esteem to those who don't have it."

At Bethany, Alexis is studying communications and psychology. She's also a resident assistant in Anna Marm Hall, and a member of the Swedes volleyball team.

"I needed a smaller school where I can get one-on-one attention…where I can go up to faculty and talk. I like to build close relationships," she said.

For more information on Winners' Camp, visit www.winnerscamp.com.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they live lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.