Ferris State Cheer & STUNT Student-Athlete Makes a Difference on Mission Trip to Guatemala
BIG RAPIDS, MICH. - For Ferris State Cheer & STUNT student-athlete Julia Priestap, service extends far beyond the football sidelines and the STUNT competition mat.
This summer, Priestap spent eight days in Guatemala on a mission trip that provided life-changing vision care to under served communities. Joining a team of volunteers committed to serving others, she traveled to several villages where access to health care, including routine eye exams and prescription glasses, is often limited or unavailable.
Throughout the trip, the team conducted six eyeglass clinics, welcoming hundreds of community members seeking help with their vision. Volunteers tested eyesight, helped determine prescription needs, and fitted individuals with glasses that would allow them to see more clearly for the first time in years. In some cases, recipients had never owned a pair of glasses before.
By the end of the mission, Priestap and her team had served nearly 600 people and distributed almost 1,200 pairs of eyeglasses. The impact was immediate and emotional. Children were able to read classroom materials more clearly, parents could perform daily tasks with greater ease, and elderly community members experienced improved independence and quality of life.
"One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was seeing the reactions of people when they put on their glasses and could finally see clearly," Priestap said. "Something that many of us take for granted can completely change someone's life."
The experience also provided Priestap with a new perspective on gratitude, service, and the power of giving back. Beyond the clinics, volunteers-built relationships with local residents, learned about their culture, and witnessed firsthand the challenges many families face in obtaining basic health care resources.
Priestap's commitment to service reflects the values embraced by the Ferris State Cheer & STUNT program. During the 2025-26 academic year, members of the program collectively completed more than 785 community service hours, earning the 2026 NCAA Award of Excellence for their dedication to community engagement and servant leadership.
The Ferris State Cheer & STUNT program, the university's first new varsity sport added in 25 years, has established a culture that emphasizes excellence both on and off the field. Student-athletes are encouraged to use their talents, leadership skills, and platform to make a positive impact in their communities, whether locally in Big Rapids or internationally through service opportunities like Priestap's mission trip.
As a member of a program that proudly serves others, Priestap embodies the Bulldog spirit of leadership, compassion, and commitment. Whether cheering on a four-time national championship football program, competing on the STUNT mat, excelling in the classroom, or helping individuals thousands of miles away gain the gift of sight, she represents what it means to be a true student-athlete.
Her efforts in Guatemala serve as a reminder that the influence of collegiate athletics extends far beyond competition. Through service, empathy, and a willingness to help others, Julia Priestap demonstrated that making a difference does not require a grand stage—only a servant's heart and a desire to impact lives.
The Ferris State Cheer & STUNT program is proud to celebrate Julia's dedication to serving others and the lasting impact she made on hundreds of individuals and families in Guatemala. Her experience stands as an inspiring example of how Bulldogs continue to change lives both at home and around the world.