Matt Turner:
I’m a University of Georgia graduate with a degree in Microbiology and a Public Health degree from Emory University on the way. I love adventure; from the pages of a book to the farthest reaches of the world, everything contains new things for me to see, experience, and learn. I love the outdoors, people, smiles, and the good things in life. I value knowledge and seek to make the most of it to help improve people’s lives. A few things I’ve learned: Everyone can teach you something, it’s better to listen than to speak, a little encouragement goes a long way, criticism goes nowhere, and while dreaming of a better world is great, making a better world is even greater.
Stephen Dupuis:
Raised in an Air Force family, my abroad experiences began at an early age. A total immersion within these different cultures around the world launched my love for travel. The many camping and hiking trips with my family spurred on my love for adventure, as well as a desire to explore the outdoors. Life brought me to Valdosta State University, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Mass Communications. Throughout my college years, I was blessed with a multitude of adventures in different third world countries, such as Ghana, Peru, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. With each new adventure I became more aware of the harsh realities of this world. My heart’s desire to bring hope to the hurting and love to the lonely only intensified as I encountered people across the world.
Returning to my reality of life in Georgia, I knew I could no longer talk about the hurting souls in our world. I had to take an active role and truly make a difference. Everyone has a gift to offer, however what matter is how you put your gift to use. Knowing this, Matt and I put our talents together by starting Defiant Missions, which is a 501(c)3 of Defy Thirst. Thus, our new adventure to change the world begins.
Monica and Fritznel Elveus:
Monica and Fritznel are proud supporters of The University of Kentucky! They are wonderful and comic as a couple, filled with “that good ole’ Haitian humor.” They met and fell in love in Haiti and now reside in the beautiful town of Lexington. They have a true heart for helping the Haitian people and in several years will move back down to be closer to where they can help, but for now they are doing everything they can here to improve the lives of the less fortunate!
Sylvia Maldonado:
I am a graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in Biology
and Child and Family Development. Big or small I'm in for any
adventure and firmly believe a day without laughter is a day wasted.
My passions are my niece and nephews and learning about anything and
everything. I have the most amazingly creative, inspiring, and
humorous friends a girl could wish for and strive to live each day
mindfully while spreading my own unique sense of joy and fun.
Shirah Darin:
There is nothing that brings me greater joy than giving! Helping others will always make my heart smile. I believe God plants people in our lives for a reason, that we are to learn and grow from them, and in exchange we end up receiving blessings of our own that we most oftentimes don't even anticipate. I'm so blessed to share in the excitement and joy that is Defiant Missions! The passion these guys have for helping others is absolutely contagious! To know that I get to be a part of reaching out to others, in mending pieces of their hearts in even the smallest of ways... I am so blessed!
Josh, Chad, and Trey:
This summer DefyThirst will be sending Eatonton, GA natives: Josh Ringer, Chad McLeroy and Trey McHugh around the country with the annual Warped Tour music festival. The three Valdosta State University students will be educating concert-goers from as close as Florida and the east coast all the way through the Midwest and Canada of the serious issue concerning the lack of clean water. During the tour they will also be selling Defy Thirst merchandise and raising money for future missions to install more clean water systems. The trio will be traveling in their own car and will be taking part in this endeavor as volunteers, so any support will be gladly appreciated. If the Warped tour is in your city this July, come out and see them, heck even come buy a shirt!
