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Journeys Students Shine at Royal Oak Board of Education Meeting
March 17, 2025
On March 13, 2025, five students from Journeys: World Religion in Metropolitan Detroit (formerly Religious Diversity Journeys) were invited to speak at the Royal Oak Board of Education meeting, sharing their heartfelt reflections on the program that deeply impacted their lives. Their testimonials offered powerful insights into the value of learning about different faiths and cultures.
Vinnie Dziengowski summed up the experience, saying, “All the Journeys were amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.” This sentiment was echoed by his peers, especially Natalie Carpus, who shared how the program helped her forge lasting friendships. “At RDJ, I met lots of friends and cool people. I actually met one of my best friends, Israh, during RDJ. My favorite place to go to was the mosque because my friend Israh is Muslim, so I got to learn more about her religion and culture.”
Natalie also reflected on how the program shaped her worldview: “RDJ is an amazing program, and to learn about different religions firsthand can help me connect to the world around me as well as my fellow peers.”
Brendan Hardy was equally enthusiastic about his experience. “It was absolutely wonderful learning about the different religions and learning about what different people believe in and put their faith in. As my grandmother told me, ‘It’s always good to have a little faith no matter what it’s in.'”
He added, “I absolutely loved learning about different religions, whether it was a religion that I practice or that my friends practice. I absolutely loved it and I wish I could do it again and again and again.”
The impact of the program was also recognized by the Royal Oak Board of Education. Maryanne VanHaitsma, a Royal Oak School Board Trustee, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide such experiences, stating, “I’m glad we can provide these experiences for our students and that there’s people that are running these programs for so many kids because it’s important to know everybody and where everybody comes from and to know people’s motivations to do what they do.”
The support of the Royal Oak Board of Education, along with the dedication of teachers from the school system, has been instrumental in making the Journeys program available to students. Their commitment to providing excellence in diverse educational experiences and offering personal, individualized support ensures that students have the opportunity to engage in impactful learning. The teachers were also present at the meeting, showing their continued dedication to supporting their students’ growth and educational journey.
The students spoke confidently and from the heart, and their comments left a lasting impression on all those in attendance, demonstrating the profound impact that religious and cultural exploration can have on young minds.
