A creative teenager’s artistic talent and perseverance have earned her a special place in the hearts of fellow Pathfinders across Minnesota.
Patience Menge, a 15-year-old member of the Southview Sabers Pathfinder club, designed the winning pin for the Minnesota Conference, specifically created for the 2024 Pathfinder International Camporee, an event that gathers Pathfinders from around the world every five years. Her design features the state bird (loon) and the state flower (lady slipper), combined with camporee Moses imagery.
Patience, who attends Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, joined Pathfinders just two years ago. Despite her relatively short time in the organization, she has made a significant impact with her winning design. Her journey to this achievement began when Lynette Nyabuto, the Pathfinder director at Southview, noticed Patience’s artistic abilities through her WhatsApp profile picture. Ms. Nyabuto encouraged Patience to enter the design contest.
“I just assumed that she knew how to draw based on her profile picture,” Nyabuto recalls. “I encouraged her to submit a design, and she ended up creating four different ones.” Out of over 30 entries submitted by Pathfinders across the state, Patience’s design was selected as the winner.
The contest challenged Patience in new ways. Though she was accustomed to traditional drawing on paper, the contest required her to create a digital design, which was a first for her. “I usually draw on paper, but they wanted something online and in color,” Patience explains. “I had to learn a new skill and technique, but I was excited to take on the challenge.”
The winning design wasn’t a solo effort, though. Patience credits her brother for helping her brainstorm ideas, particularly the inclusion of the state bird and flower. “He helped me think of the idea, but I did everything else,” she says. The design also includes five butterflies, which were added later based on a suggestion from Adriana Sanchez, a Pathfinder area coordinator.
After submitting her designs, Patience faced an anxious wait as conference officials deliberated. “It took them a few months to respond, and I was nervous because I thought I’d be up against many pros,” Patience recalls. But when she finally received the news that her design had been chosen, she was filled with joy. Her hard work had paid off, and she was recognized during a special presentation at the Pathfinder Fair in May, where she was given a full display case of the pins.
“It feels great knowing that hundreds of people are now purchasing and trading my pin,” she says with pride.
Beyond the pin design, Patience’s time in Pathfinders has been transformative. “Pathfinders has given me a community of people who understand and share my beliefs,” she says.
Nyabuto, who has been the director of the Southview Sabers for three years, emphasizes the importance of Pathfinders in nurturing young people’s faith and leadership skills. “I believe that spending time in Pathfinders sets up a stage for the children to stay in church and take up church leadership,” she says.
The success of Patience’s design has not only highlighted her artistic talents but also underscored the value of the Pathfinder program in fostering creativity, leadership and a sense of community. As Minnesota Conference’s youth director, Shelina Bonjour, reflects on the contest, she notes that the final pin design—a combination of Patience’s work and Adriana Sanchez’s butterfly elements—has become a symbol of unity and pride among Minnesota Pathfinders.
Pastor Shawn Lee of Southview Church further underscores the critical role Pathfinders play in the church community. “The Pathfinder program is an all-encompassing ministry that doesn’t just engage the youth, but also brings together the parents and the entire church community,” he says. “It creates a healthy ecosystem within the church, where everyone is involved and connected.”
For Patience, the journey from a simple WhatsApp profile picture to designing a camporee pin has been a memorable one. It’s a story of discovering new talents, stepping out of comfort zones, and finding joy in the community. And as Pathfinders from around the world trade and cherish her pin, Patience’s contribution to the 2024 International Camporee will be remembered for years to come.
