Snap out of the ordinary trend and participate in something meaningful this spring break.
March 8-14, selected University of Memphis students will travel to Houston, Texas, to spend their vacation helping others.
The Alternative Spring Break Committee, a group sponsored by the Student Activities Council, is encouraging all students to apply.
“We’re really looking to take a diverse group,” Laura Pevahouse, one of last year’s site leaders. “Last year we were really fortunate. We had freshmen, graduate students, a student that was engaged and a brother and sister from Brazil who had not lived in the same country for eight years. This was their first semester to be together, and they wanted to take this trip to try to bond.”
Pevahouse and Angie Dunlap, a student activities coordinator, said ASB is a great experience and a learning process which students are certain to benefit from.
“It’s an exciting thing. They were all gratifying projects,” Pevahouse said of the 2001 trip.
During a four-day span, they were involved in multiple projects. Right outside of New Orleans, La., in the small town of Bay St. Louis, Miss., the group participated in various activities. These ranged from dealing with AIDS patients to helping to conduct horse therapy — teaching individuals with handicaps and brain and spinal injuries to ride horses. They also spent time at Hope Haven, an overnight emergency shelter for abused kids and supported Avenues for Success, a program dedicated to helping people receive their GED.
Last year’s students were the first group since 1997 to take part in the revived program.
As a result, they said they unknowingly took on several emotional tasks in a short amount of time. Although it allowed students to form relationships with those they were helping, it also presented a problem because they had to move on soon after.
Because of that, Pevahouse said this year they have narrowed it down to two, two-day projects. While the 2003 trip will be somewhat different, it will be just as worthwhile, she added.
For more information, contact Angie Dunlap at 678-2035 or Laura Pevahouse at 678-2052. Applications are available in the University Center, Room 425.
The deadline is Dec. 4.
