"You take things for granted a lot of the time. And you don't realize that other people are just happy with what they have. And just be appreciative that you're born with a nice smile and everything," said Michela Catena, Amsterdam High School Student.
At just 17-years-old, Catena is trying to change the world one smile at a time. Michela is one of three students in the country to be chosen to participate on a mission with Operation Smile. They returned from a two week trip to Cambodia just last week, helping young children born with cleft lips and palates with corrective surgery.
"A lot of the times the kids are so withdrawn, they don't like to leave the home a lot because they are embarrassed about their face," said Catena.
But thanks to the help of Catena and others, these kids will smile proudly. While trained professionals performed the surgeries, Catena concentrated more on education.
"We did presentation for kids on dental hygiene, gurn care prevention, good nutrition," said Catena.
In order to go to Cambodia, Catena had to be sponsored by an Operation Smile club right here at home. The high school didn't have one. So she took the initiative and started the club herself, having more than 100 students attend the first meeting.
"I thought it would be amazing to be able to help people out that are in this situation and other countries," said Heather Graff, Amsterdam High School student.
Now other students are following Catena's lead, training to also attend missions with Operation Smile. Catena said she's proud and hopes that they each learn the same valuable lesson that she did.
At just 17-years-old, Catena is trying to change the world one smile at a time. Michela is one of three students in the country to be chosen to participate on a mission with Operation Smile. They returned from a two week trip to Cambodia just last week, helping young children born with cleft lips and palates with corrective surgery.
"A lot of the times the kids are so withdrawn, they don't like to leave the home a lot because they are embarrassed about their face," said Catena.
But thanks to the help of Catena and others, these kids will smile proudly. While trained professionals performed the surgeries, Catena concentrated more on education.
"We did presentation for kids on dental hygiene, gurn care prevention, good nutrition," said Catena.
In order to go to Cambodia, Catena had to be sponsored by an Operation Smile club right here at home. The high school didn't have one. So she took the initiative and started the club herself, having more than 100 students attend the first meeting.
"I thought it would be amazing to be able to help people out that are in this situation and other countries," said Heather Graff, Amsterdam High School student.
Now other students are following Catena's lead, training to also attend missions with Operation Smile. Catena said she's proud and hopes that they each learn the same valuable lesson that she did.
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