Pandora teen enjoys service to others

PANDORA - Some learn by example, others through doing. Nikki Klingler has done both. She has taken the lead from her parents in their mission work and focused on helping others.

"I love volunteering. I've gone on a few mission trips," said Nikki, a senior at Pandora-Gilboa High School.

She belongs to St. John Mennonite Church in Pandora and is a member of its youth group.

Nikki said she remembers the guidance and support her parents gave to others when she was young.

"They did prison ministries. They would go into prisons and talk to the inmates and encourage them and build them up to be everything they could be. That was cool," she said.

Nikki said her father also traveled to Africa twice to volunteer.

"He helped build two churches in Mali and did a lot of welding," she said.

Nikki has lent her own services on three mission trips. Last year, she traveled with a group of 15 from St. John, including her mother, to Romania, where they visited an orphanage for abandoned, disabled children.

"CNN had gone there and put down Romanian orphanages, so it was very hard for us as Americans to get in, but they let us see the kids," Nikki said. "It was really sad, but amazing. I'm glad we got to give them attention. There were so many kids, and they only have a few helpers."

In Romania, Nikki also assisted with the construction and painting of new buildings.

"They're really trying to improve their economy, and they were really surprised that we came over and worked," she said.

Nikki's group attended services at a local church in Romania.

"Hearing them pray in a different language and hearing us pray at the same time, it made me think, ‘Wow. God is everywhere.' It was awesome," she said.

On previous mission trips, Nikki has helped rebuild a house in Mississippi and worked on a ranch in Wyoming.

The St. John youth group does mission work locally, as well. This summer, they will coordinate the vacation Bible school at their church.

"I love working with kids," Nikki said.

One Sunday a month, she leads 2-year-olds in reading, Bible lessons and other activities in the children's church at St. John.

At Pandora-Gilboa, Nikki serves as president of Student Council, vice president of the National Honor Society and senior editor of the yearbook.

Through seventh grade, Nikki was schooled at home.

"It was awesome for the basics because I could learn at my own pace," she said. "The switch to public school was kind of rough, but I found I'm a very social person. I've developed that over time."

Outside of school, Nikki works part time at Greg's Pharmacy in Pandora and plays indoor soccer at the Bluffton Family Recreation Center.

She said she plans to attend Rhodes State College for an associate degree in physical therapy and possibly continue her education at another university.