About Us

Jaynie Kokkola

Trips: Tonga 1 & Belize 3

Jaynie will lead trips to both Tonga and Belize for AYS this summer. She currently works as a therapist with at-risk youth and is pursuing a master's degree in social work at the University of Utah. Jaynie returns to AYS after leading two AYS expeditions to Tonga last summer.

Jaynie is a former EFY counselor, ski instructor, and has worked in many schools. Jaynie often says that her passion in life is working with youth. She enjoys water skiing, snow skiing, rock climbing, biking, running, reading, traveling, trying anything new, and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is often found finding genuine fun in every situation. 

Before Earning her undergraduate degree from BYU in sociology,she attended BYU-Hawaii where she claims she "fell in love" with the Polynesian culture and people. " I can't wait to get back to serve the most Christ-centered people I've ever met. This year is going to be yet another testimony building experience!" 

James Funk

Trips: Belize 1 & 2

James will be leading Belize trip 1 & 2 this year, he is excited to meet and serve the people of Belize. James grew up in California and Utah and recently graduated from BYU with a major in Business Management. Currently James works as a manager at the Hampton Inn in Provo where he continues to speak Spanish to manage his employees. He enjoys reading books, doing anything sports related, and spending time with his family.

This is James' first summer with AYS, he says, "Belize is going to be a blast! I love the Hispanic culture and I'm excited for the chance that we're going to have to serve together. We can learn so much about ourselves as we forget about our needs and focus on serving others with all of our heart. I love this gospel and the opportunity we have to share it with the world. I'm blessed everyday with a sure knowledge that our Heavenly Father will bless us as we follow His commandments. I can't wait for the adventure that awaits us."

Tedi Searle

Trips: Fiji 2 & 3

Tedi Searle (pictured right) will lead trips to Fiji this summer. Tedi is a University of Utah graduate student studying exercise and sports science. Tedi has been a PE & health teacher at schools in both the Los Angeles and Salt Lake City areas. 

A former EFY counselor and returned missionary (Birmingham England), Tedi serves as a course manager for the Ragnar Relay, one of the most prestigious relay races in the nation. Her hobbies include wake boarding, snorkeling, horseback riding and rock climbing. 

Of her summer expeditions to Fiji, she says, "It's going to be a screaming fun time! I'm way excited to be part of this experience, to meet new people, and to serve others in a beautiful country. It's going to be a great way to live the gospel and to experience some joy in the journey!"

Nate Justis

Trip: Tonga 1

Nate grew up in Wyoming and Utah and served a mission in Bordeaux, France. He loved his mission and returned home to teach French at the MTC while attending BYU. Nate majored in physics teaching and math education and later earned his master's degree in physics teaching at Arizona State University.

Currently, Nate teaches high school and physics. He also enjoys working as the student government adviser at Riverton High School in Riverton, Utah. He was awarded Jordan District New Outstanding High Schoool Teacher in 2004-2005 and Micron's Physics Teacher of the Year in 2006.

In addition to his love for teaching, Nate enjoys playing and recording songs on the guitar, fly-fishing, traveling, swimming, reading, learning about almost anything and living the Gospel. Nate participated in leading the first AYS group to Tonga last summer and says, "I am thrilled to be retuning to those blessed islands where the Spirit of God is found in such great abundance."

Mary Wollenzien

Trip: Fiji 1

Mary Wollenzien is a senior at BYU studying Communications and Latin American Studies. She currently works as an associate producer for BYU Television. Mary has been a trip leader on 3 different AYS expeditions (Bolivia, Fiji, Peru) and also went on an AYS expedition to New Zealand after graduating high school.

"I love being around the youth of the church and seeing the amazing interaction that occurs when AYS volunteers meet and work with their LDS peers in the different cultures of the world."

Mary served an LDS mission in Mesa Arizona an speaks fluent Spanish.

Kelly Stoddard

Trip: Brazil 1

Kelly Stoddard works as a speech language pathologist for the Salt Lake City School District and Primary Children's Hospital. 

Having grown up in the small farm community of Salmon, Idaho, she was active in playing basketball, volleyball, softball, and running track. Today, Kelly enjoys running marathons, triathlons, tennis, and she recently competed in a dodgeball tournament with Kyle Korver and the Utah Jazz for charity.

Kelly attended Ricks College (BYU-Idaho) where she had the opportunity to complete a semester abroad at the LDS Jerusalem Center. After serving a full-time mission in the Brazil Fortaleza Mission, she completed a bachelor's degree in speech language pathology at BUY and a master's degree at the University of Utah.

"I love working with the youth, meeting new people and living life to the fullest," Kelly says. "The people of Brazil are some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I'm excited to return and serve them again. Brazil will change your life forever!"

Kamden Hainsworth

Trips: Peru 1-3

Kamden grew up in San Diego, California, as the oldest of seven kids. From childhood, Kamden carries with her a love for soccer and music, and she enjoys playing the guitar, writing music and performing at every opportunity. 

After beginning her college at BYU and serving as an EFY counselor, Kamden was called to the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission (Spanish speaking). Following her mission, she says she knew she wanted to serve others for a living and was inspired to become an elementary school teacher. Currently, Kamden teaches sixth grade in Orem, Utah and says, " I am amazed by my students every day!"

Kamden married her husband Tyler at the San Diego Temple. The couple enjoys a love for the Hispanic culture and is excited to be able to serve together on one of the Peru trips this summer- Kamden will be leading each of the 2010 AYS trips to Peru.

"I am so looking forward to the amazing experience ahead," she says. "I look forward to getting to know each participant and serving our brothers and sisters in the beautiful country of Peru!"

Regiane Dean

Trip: Brazil 3

Regiane Custodio Dean will lead Brazil 3 this summer. Regiane has been involved with AYS from the very first AYS trip to Brazil in 1999.  At the time she was working for the host organization in Brazil.  From her contact with AYS, Regiane moved to the US, enrolled in BYU and joined the Church. Regiane, age 28, has been married for six years, and describes that she has two "beeeeeeautiful daughters!"

 From Santarem, Brazil, Regiane says she enjoyed opportunities as a teenager "to share my time with service organizations and host groups of volunteer students that came to help improve lives in my hometown." She calls Santarem "a paradise in the middle of the Amazon" and says she both loves and misses her Brazilian home.

"I am very excited to get to know the youth of AYS and the community we will be serving," she says. "Brazil, here we come!"