Summer vacation is what we all wait for. It is the time to sleep in, go to the pool, and enjoy time off from school — for most people. Not for Linnea Skotte.

Squeezing an interview into Skotte’s busy schedule, wasn’t easy, but she found time to meet me in Mason’s crowded library during Mustang Block, where she began telling me all about her amazing experiences; all while standing up, of course (Skotte prefers standing over sitting.)

Many know her as a runner on the track and cross country team, a guard on the basketball team, or just your average hard-working student, but what many may not know is that she has spent two weeks during each of the past two summers volunteering at a project in Guatemala.

Skotte first visited Guatemala with Causelife in 2014. She spent two years fundraising leading up to that. The goal of the project is to help clean the water going to these people in each village by installing water purification systems. She went there with her dad, who if it weren’t for Skotte, would not have known about the program. There, they met with a group of experts that guide the two to install water purification systems for villages. The villages are just a little smaller than Falls Church, people-wise. Skotte and her group were able to complete installations for two villages just last summer.

“I just really like helping people — it’s satisfying work. … I want to feel like I’m making a difference.” she explained, with a big grin.

During her time there, she was also able to learn about the Guatemalan culture, and connect with other people there.

But it doesn’t end here. Skotte continues her hard work over the course of the year. Fundraising for Causelife and for her trip there is an ongoing process that requires a great deal of dedication.

So, how can one do all of this at one time? Linnea has mastered the art of never procrastinating.

“A lot of people complain about procrastinating… I’m naturally just not a procrastinator,” she says.

She never watches T.V., and therefore is never faced with the conflict of Netflix versus homework. So when Linnea has free-time, she will work on homework. This allows for her to work on the project and still have time for sports practice. The drive that she has to finish all of her work, allows more time for her to work on the things she loves, without sacrificing school.

With that, it makes sense that Linnea hopes to join the Peace Corps when she grows up. She wants to continue her passion to help others. She likes working in Guatemala, and knows some people and is familiar with the culture, but she would also like to help out in Haiti or parts of Africa.

Skotte’s experiences thus far have surely been unique ones, and we are all excited to see what else Linnea Skotte has in store, and will bring to the rest of the world.