TEENS WESTWARD BOUND 2023: TRIP 2 :)
Hello America, meet your 2023 Trip 2 counselors and directors! We are so excited to learn everything there is to know about you while traveling America this summer. For now, here is a little information about us. We cannot wait to see you on June 19th! Let's go west!!
Grant Deaton - Program Director
HELLO AMERICA! My name is Grant Deaton and this is my 23rd year traveling across this amazing country with TWB. I started going out west in 1996 and 1997 as a participant. In 2001, I began traveling as a counselor and became the tour director in 2003. It was such an honor and privilege to take on the role of Program Director in 2016. Words cannot express how excited I am about traveling out west again this summer with such an incredible group of young people. We are going to have a blast!
I have worked as a Marketing teacher for 13 years in North Carolina. I enjoy golfing, mountain biking, backpacking, as well as hanging out with my family and dogs. My wife, Kitch, and I are extremely blessed to have four wonderful little boys in our lives. Connor (12 years old), Brandon (10 years old), Samuel (8 year old) and Grayson (4 years old) bring so much joy to our family. I will miss them so much this summer.
Enjoying every minute of life is so important to me. Going out west every year with the best young people God has to offer is the best way to spend a summer in my mind. I can't wait to see you soon!! LET’S GO WEST!!!
I am the V, aka Ms Beautiful, my students call me by that name. I am Vickie Wilkins, indeed a blest woman and a proud Deaton family member, and you may ask how did that happen? I had the phenomenal experience of traveling with Grant’s dad, the BIG D, Dennis Deaton who began these adventures years ago, and now I have the unbelievable opportunity to travel with his son Grant. I have traveled with TWB for 35+ years, we quit counting at 35 years. Every trip is unique, no two
could ever be the same, and I am soooooooooo excited about meeting all of you.
I am a Health and Physical Education Instructor at Southern Lee High School, and I also teach 2 elective courses that go off campus. I coach Girls and Boys Tennis and I am an advisor for SGA. I have an exciting part time job at THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL where I am an Usher Supervisor in football and basketball, and other Olympic Sports when needed. I never have tickets if you might be thinking about a game that you would love to be there to see!! I teach a Sunday School class of wild women, and they wish they could travel with TWB!
Start making your preparations NOW because our departure date will be here before you can say WYOMING multiple times. If you see me with FRITOS, any kind of FRITOS, that’s my all time favorite snack. I love fruits and veggies, and peppermint gum, soooooooooo if you have some carrots or blueberries, I will be coming your way - THANKS so much for sharing! Here we go, I can pack my bag in 30 minutes, and before you know it, we will be rockin’ and rollin’ our way across AMERICA with TWB! FUN OUT WEST - I am so eager to meet you and your family!
Maddi Hatfield (TWB 2016-2) : Cooks
HEY TWB TRIP TWO!! First off- CONGRATULATIONS!
You have no idea how lucky you are that you get to travel the great U.S.A this summer and get to participate in what will be the trip of a lifetime.
I’m Maddi Hatfield and I am from Denver, NC! I graduated from Francis Marion University in 2021 and have been an ICU nurse in Charlotte, NC for 2 years now (now you know who to call if you need a band aid). Fun fact: I actually just QUIT my job (just for you guys…that might be a stretch) because I’ve wanted to get back on that TWB bus since I got off of it in 2016.
After getting back from traveling across America with you wonderful people, I am going to be a camp nurse in Michigan for a month, be spending 3 weeks in Italy, and then will begin my journey as a Travel ICU nurse starting this fall!
More fun facts about me- I never say no taking a road trip or any trip for that matter. I love to eat (ice cream is superior), live music is my favorite(looking forward to our nightly sing alongs) and I just got a new car that I am IN LOVE with. She is a 4Runner and her name is Roxy!!
Get ready TWB…You don’t know it yet, but your life is about to change forever for the better. P.s- get a journal, be yourself, be open to making new friends, and seeing new places. This trip will be what you make it! Here is to having the best summer EVER!! I can’t wait to meet you all!
Jonas Nielsen (TWB 2017-2) : Bus Cleaners/Bus Packers
Now for a little bit about me! I just graduated from UNC Charlotte with a B.S. Mechanical Engineering (whoooo NINERS). I am a huge fan of tennis, both playing and watching. I also love to travel. I am up to 21 countries right now with plans for more in the very near future. Finally, I am a bit of a foodie and I will try any kind of food once. Have you ever tried kangaroo?!? I HAVE!!!!
After TWB, I am planning to start working full-time (where exactly is TBD) and eventually going back to school to get my master’s degree. I am so so so ready to meet you all on June 19th. In the meantime, get ready and get excited for a trip that you will never forget!
Elizabeth Foy (TWB 2017-2) : Bloggers
HELLOOOO TRIP 2!!! My name is Elizabeth Foy and I was born and raised in Gastonia, NC. I recently graduated from East Carolina University (GO PIRATES!) with a degree in Psychology and will be attending school AGAIN soon to further my career within healthcare. Ever since I stepped off the bus in 2017, I have been dreaming of the day when I could return as a counselor. I am so excited to be traveling out west with all of you this summer!!
A few of my favorite things include… Pirate football, sundrop, cheesy dad jokes (ready to hear the best ones you’ve got!), and being at the beach!! In my free time, I love spending time with family, having game nights with friends, and of course traveling! I have been to 11 other countries but none of them compare to the good ole U.S. of A!!
Some advice… Be silly, be weird, be loud, don’t be afraid to crawl out of your shell. Also, you’ll be exhausted from those before sunrise wake up calls (I know I was... not a morning person here), but don’t sleep the day away on the bus/vans! Look out your window and take in the sights, get to know the people around you.
This trip is truly a once in a lifetime experience. TWB is something you will remember and talk about for the rest of your life. Enjoy every single moment because, believe it or not, 23 days go by really fast!! Can’t wait to meet you all and get ready for the BEST. SUMMER. EVER.!!!!
Carter Williamson (TWB 2019-4) : Bus Packers/Dishwashers
Sup! My name is Carter Williamson, 21, and there is no one more excited than I am to be able to go back out west this summer with you guys! The last time I went out west, I was on Trip 4 in 2019. This year is my first time as a counselor.
I am currently a senior at Liberty University in the middle of earning my “premed” biomedical sciences degree. I attended Rockingham County High School and graduated in 2020. I was born and grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina, where I learned over the years that Jesus is King and that fishing is my favorite pastime.
My other favorite hobbies and pastimes include spending time with Jules and Goose (my gf and her cat), soccer, basketball, and video games. I have a lot of goals and love the hardwork and process it takes to reachthem. I have a few additional hobbies that I also enjoy. Just recently, I turned my love for vintage clothing into an up and coming small business through my love of thrift shopping. I also have a passion for reading, movies, and research. (Indiana jones and star wars 1-6 is peak cinema).
I love asking questions, notetaking, journaling, and love learning how things work. I also enjoy being able to help people, in any way I can. This is what led me to take an interest in the study of natural science and the study of medicine. My dream is to own a natural medicine center as I also have a love for nature, and eventually I want to specialize in research for natural treatments for diseases. I also love hiking and often go for long hikes on the Liberty Mountain trails.
I am super excited for this amazing opportunity to be a role model and leader, two things I do not take for granted. My goals for this summer as we go out west are to make many amazing memories, learn more about the amazing land we call America, and hike the 3 mile Grand Canyon trail without throwing up lol.
