Young Life at Kiski Area High School was inspired by the life and faith story of Jenna Prusia. Jenna was a junior at Kiski Area High School when she lost her life on December 28, 2012 in a sled riding accident. Jenna had a deep faith in God and love for her friends and classmates at Kiski. Jenna kept a prayer journal that inspired and comforted her family and friends in their loss. Jenna had a deep love of Jesus and a desire to see her fellow students come to know His love and grace. Her prayers of faith originally led to the creation of the Kiski Area Youth Network (KAYN) in 2013 which transitioned to Young Life in 2025. The mission has remained the same; to share the message of love and hope in Jesus Christ.
Below are a few excerpts from Jenna’s journal.
“Dear God, 6-23-12
I feel like often times I don’t put my faith in you in situations I know I should. Please help me to know that you will help me accomplish whatever it is YOU want me to. Help me also to not focus on this “tent” I am living in now, but more on the house that you have made eternal for me in heaven.”
“Holy God 7-31-2012
Please help me to seek you with my whole heart. Lord, I think that one of the problems is that I don’t necessarily feel an overwhelming need for you in my life, and I want to. Thank you that you are always there and you will never forsake me. Help me to know and feel like I need to seek you with my whole heart. Help me remember that everything in this life is temporary and that you are the only thing that matters.”
“Dear God, 8-27-12
Today was the first day of Junior year and I don’t really know what to think of it, but thank you for being right there with me the entire time. I pray that all the new students this year would just feel welcomed into the high school and wouldn’t feel too overwhelmed with the fullness of it all. I pray for the teachers at Kiski, that they would not get frustrated at teaching any of the students, but that they do their jobs to the best of their ability. Please help the lunch situation work out so that we can all sit together without leaving anyone out. In Your name, Amen.”