NATCHEZ — A mission trip to Chicago this summer had two Natchez students thinking about growing up and moving on.

Rachel Benoit, 18, and Trey Hand, 17, are members of the Jefferson Street United Methodist youth program, who traveled to Chicago this summer.

The group went to work with children at the city’s YMCA. The teens set up obstacle courses and face painting booths for the children to have a memorable experience.

“I was at the obstacle course the whole time, I know they loved that,” Hand said.

The group traveled as part of the United Methodist Youth Federation at Jefferson Street, which go on mission trips and youth retreats each year.

Benoit said she had been on countless youth trips, and Chicago was her last with the youth program.

“It was really bitter sweet, because I knew this was my last time with all these wonderful people,” Benoit said. “But it also meant I was going on to bigger things. That really excites me.”

Wednesday was Benoit’s last service with the group she has been with since seventh grade, and Hand is preparing to hand off his responsibilities as president of the UMYF at Jefferson Street.

“It’s exciting, and makes me a little bit anxious too,” Benoit said.

Friday, Benoit left for Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. The soon-to-be freshman said packing and leaving was nearly as difficult as saying goodbye to the youth group.

“No one ever prepares you to leave your best friends for a few months, they’ve always had my back,” Benoit said. “They’ve become, what I’ve considered, my second family.”

Benoit recently returned from her last summer retreat with the youth group members.

Hand, who is a senior at Cathedral School, knows he’ll also soon be leaving.

Friday, Hand went to a retreat with his other UMYF officers to plan out the group events for the next year. Hand said knowing this is his last year made him thankful for the time he still has.

Hand said last year he was more concerned with getting through the day instead of enjoying his time, but not this year.

“It makes me want to take it all in when I do it,” Hand said. “Just enjoy it, and not let everything pass me by like last time.”

Hand is not sure where he’ll be next year, though likely at Southern Methodist University or University of Mississippi. He is sure the youth group he has put nearly five years into will go on.

“I have no problem leaving, because I know that they will do what’s good for the group,” Hand said.

Hand and Benoit both said they will be involved in the church, but they will not forget where they came from.

“I honestly don’t know where I’ll be without Jefferson Street, or a church in general,” Benoit said.