VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Andrew Luksik is a graduating senior at Ocean Lakes High Schoollocated in Virginia Beach.
He is a well-rounded student, as he balances both academics and sports.
What truly makes Andrew unique is his love for the global nonprofit organization Operation Smile.
The organization specializes in expert cleft surgery and care.
Luksik first started volunteering with Operation Smile in the sixth grade.
He tells News 3 after attending their event he had to get involved.
"They had people come and tell us about missions or surgical programs that they went on and in these surgical programs after hearing about it, I was hooked. I was like woah that is so cool, I wanted to do something like that," said Luksik.
As the years went on, Andrew remained active with the organization. He even attended a mission trip in the summer of his ninth grade year to Panama.
Recently, he had the opportunity to attend the surgical program in Raipur, India, which truly changed his perspective on life, he said.
"It was surreal to see, you notice that you are so lucky and everybody whose kind of complaining about their lives now in the United States, you're like really it is not like you have a great life in the United States right now and you need to realize that there are other people who don't have access to the technology and the opportunities that we have here in the United States," said Luksik.
Andrew's love for the organization inspired others around him to get involved.
Ocean Lakes Operation Smile Chapter Vice President, Ralitsa Hovanessian, tells News 3 it is a pleasure working with Andrew as he brings a ton of excitement to the chapter.
"Honestly he excites everyone and it's such an awesome opportunity to have him in our club and I am so thankful he goes here because honestly without him it would not be the same," said Hovanessian.
And just last week, during National Student Leadership Week, Andrew was highlighted by the national Operation Smile team for his outstanding commitment to the mission.
In a phone interview with Mansi Shah, associate student programs for the Northern Region, she says Andrew was a delight to work with in India.
"Andrew was a pure joy to have on this surgical program in Raipur, India working in the care area, where patients were waiting for their surgeries, Andrew connected with the patients and helped to comfort them. We train our students on how to interact with patients and families with compassion and empathy," said Shah.
As Andrew gets ready to close out his high school chapter, he is looking forward to bringing an Operation Smile chapter to his college, The University of Colorado, this fall.
He says he is grateful to the Operation Smile organization and his school, for their continuous support in his endeavors.
To stay connected with Operation Smile and the Ocean Lakes Chapter follow them on social media.
Instagram
@operationsmile
@opsmile.olhs
