Adventurous Baldwin softball alum to spend year in Thailand

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Gemma Stypula has been dreaming of this trip for what seems like forever.

She started to lay the foundation when she was 15 years old.

Now, 17, the 2024 Brentwood graduate is only days away from seeing it become a reality.

A four-year softball player at Brentwood, Stypula will be living in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, for a year as part of the Rotary (International) Youth Exchange program.

“Traveling has always been a dream of mine and when I had the option to choose countries, Thailand was something I had dreamt of forever,” she said. “I grew up surrounded by people who lived there for a part of their life and hearing their stories made me want to experience it for myself.

“My best friend’s family lived in Thailand and ever since then, I had the dream of visiting there. When I found out I could live there for a year, I jumped at the opportunity. My summer going into junior year, I thought about being an exchange student.”

It is a huge undertaking for both Stypula and her parents. The estimated out-of-pocket cost of the year-long excursion, including insurance and airfare, ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.

“I am being sponsored by the Pleasant Hills Rotary Club, District 7305,” Stypula said. “The Rotary helped with the entire planning process and helped to pay for the trip. The host rotary district in Thailand helps to fund as well.”

Stypula is not an experienced traveler by any means.

“I have only ever traveled to Bermuda on a cruise,” she said. “I’ve never even been on a train. As nervous as my parents are, they have been nothing but supportive and encouraging the whole time. My parents want nothing more for me then to live out my dream of seeing the world.

“I will be living with one and maybe more host families, and I will be taking high school classes again, but at the highest level.”

Stypula’s family, which is covering the bulk of the trip’s travel expenses, includes her mother, Mara, father, Michael, and three other siblings.

“We are more than excited for this amazing opportunity for Gemma,” Mara said. “She has always wanted to travel and when this opportunity presented itself, she worked tirelessly to achieve her goal of getting accepted into the Rotary Youth Exchange. We of course have some level of anxiety with the traveling alone part, but this program is amazing and there are countless forms of support and safety precautions in place to help her in her journey. Rotary International has been supporting this program for decades and has made us feel more at ease with the preparation and expectations for the year abroad.

“We will miss her like crazy, but I can’t imagine her doing anything else. She dreams big and she goes bigger. Gemma is extremely independent, brave, headstrong and determined. She is smart and confident and a loving and loyal friend. She is the perfect type of young adult to handle such an adventure. It takes a special person to be able to do what she is getting ready to do. Though we have never traveled abroad, Gemma has always dreamed of traveling the world, something I never imagined for myself.”

Stypula studied at and graduated from Steel Center Technical School with a completion in auto mechanics. She also received three academics scholarships.

She was National Honor Society member throughout high school, received high honors and was the only student in her graduating class to get accepted into the National Technical Honor Society.

“I went to a Vo Tech school for automotive tech,” she said, “so it would be amazing that no matter what I choose I keep that on the side. But a huge thought right now is to study forensic psychology.”

Stypula also served as senior class vice president and as president of student council and the Interact and garden clubs. She was a part of the school’s steering committee and graduated with a 4.1 GPA.

Stypula and first basemen Mia March were the only senior starters on the Brentwood softball team in 2024. The Spartans finished with a 5-8 record.

“I was proud of the team’s attitude no matter how many wins or losses we had,” said Stypula, who played third base. “We played with full effort every game and never gave up.

“I expected our (season) to be a bit rocky because there were a lot of new players and I didn’t know how we would all come together. But I was completely wrong. We all came together and played as a team every time (on the field).”

The Spartans were led by first-year coach Mike Spanos.

“I’m excited for Gemma,” Spanos said. “This is an opportunity that not everyone gets to do and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wish her the best, but I know Gemma will do a great job in Thailand and represent herself, family and the Brentwood community well.”

Stypula’s senior leadership proved invaluable this spring.

“Gemma had a nice season,” Stypula said. “She was amazing in the field, and I know her worry was hitting. I think she had some key hits at the right times, and she always brought a positive attitude.

“Gemma is a great leader in all aspects. She knows when things need to be said and when to just lets things play out. She also led by example. She knew what players she could say something to right away and which ones she would need to go to in private and talk to.”

The Brentwood teen has two brothers, Derek, 28, and Elliott, 22, who have left home, one being in the Navy who has been abroad, and one sister, Faith, 20.

“They are a very tight-knit group of siblings that support each other across the miles,” Mara said. “I will miss Gemma more than she will possibly know, but what she does know is nothing would have stood in our way to make her dream come true. I don’t think I can truly put into words how proud we are of Gemma for being so dedicated to her dreams.

“Gemma continues to amaze us and being not just a scholar and an athlete but all-around amazing young adult.”

Spanos agreed.

“Gemma’s personality is amazing. She always has a smile and likes to joke,” he said. “I wish Gemma the best of luck. I know she will do big things and make us all proud.”

Nakhon Si Thammarat is a city of ancient history and cultural heritage in southern Thailand. It is home to one of the most revered temples in the country, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, which features a towering white chedi and a museum of Buddhist relics.

“I expect the language barrier to be very hard,” Stypula said. “As much as I talk, I know it will be very hard to communicate with everyone. I expect to have such a great time but to also take such a long time learn the language.

“I hope to use the traveling experience to my advantage. I have to travel alone, so that will be useful for the rest of my life. I also want to use this experience to help me grow. I want to learn how to live within other cultures.”

Stypula already knows some of the traditions of the Thai people.

“I know that you can’t touch people’s heads,” she said. “You have be very respectful — no feet on furniture. And I can’t point at things with my feet.”

Stypula’s 18th birthday should be eventful. She will celebrate it Sept. 22 during her stay overseas.

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