Meet the 2019 LLA Religious Life Intern, Ricky Sammartino:

Name: Ricky Sammartino
College: Ohio Wesleyan University
Major/Minor: Double Major in Religion & Classics
Hometown: Boardman, Ohio

How did you hear about Lakeside, or what is your Lakeside story? When I was 14 my Pastor insisted I attend Lakeside Institute, which began a love affair with Lakeside. The following year I became involved with the East Ohio Annual Conference, and have been coming to Lakeside for at least 2 or 3 weeks every summer since.

What are you most looking forward to this summer at Lakeside? I am most looking forward to getting to know the fascinating people that make up the Lakeside Community and working with the staff, like Dr. Charlie Yoost, who make Lakeside what it is every summer. And of course, eating Patio doughnuts every morning and Patio ice cream every evening.

What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a sense for how ministry works outside of the traditional settings (such as a parish or a university chaplain’s office). Given how few and far between Chautauquas are in the 21st century, this is an especially unique experience that will give me experiences that quite literally could not happen anywhere else.

Name one goal you hope to achieve this summer. This summer I want to meet as many people as I can, and listen to all the best life stories Lakeside has to offer.

What are some of your hobbies and what do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love reading (especially theology), taking walks by the water, biking, baking cookies, and playing cards.

What is one of your proudest moments or major accomplishments you have achieved thus far in life? One of my proudest achievements thus far in life was my initiation into the OWU chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for students of Religion & Theology.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to be an ordained Methodist minister and serve as a professor of religion at a small liberal arts college. If that doesn’t work out, becoming the King of England might be an acceptable second choice.

Tell us a fun fact about you. A sorority at Ohio Wesleyan once held an event called “Baking with Ricky” and we made brownies and apple cake. I also once spent a week off school with Benedictine monks in Michigan.