James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Surrounded by mountain scenery, women cross country runners make it the top 01 the hill. Runne trained to maintain stam in different climates nd terrains. Photo courtesy i lessica Hoppe Front row: lessica DeLosh. Kini Daniels, Tessa DuBois, Laura Bryant, Leah Raskin, Anne Ralston, Laura Lascio; Second row: laitlvn Berkovvitz, Andrea Wolff, Matthew Harmon, Sarah Verne, Brittany Burke, Tina Dilegge, lessica Hoppe: Back row: Patrick Deal, Eric Schramm, Danielle Haas, Cash DeWitt, Ryan Cury, David Frazier, Michael Breslin Club Crodd Country cvid (JracKM 2

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picking up the pace Pic king up the pace . g,lub cross country and track added to its members itle IX may have cut men ' s cross country from the university ' s roster of varsity sports, but many members from the eliminated team found a home in Club Cross Country and Track. The close-knit group of runners welcomed the influx of newcomers. This allows us the opportunity to attract fast runners to our club and have input from faster runners of what workouts would help our club best prepare for races, said Treasurer junior Brittany Burke. But with faster runners came a few social obstacles. Since there are different levels of runners, we don ' t always have the opportunity to chat it up with everyone on a run, said President senior Jessica Hoppe. We are able to engage with everyone as we go bowling, out to student discount night at IHOP and have pre-race pasta parties. While bonding experiences were important for cultivating unit) ' , the group thrived on their different abilities when they competed in races. There is no real pressure to get a certain time or place, said Burke, a three-year club member. These races are about having fun and running to the best of your ability while enjoying the company of your friends. Even if members chose not to compete in races, they were still an integral part of the team, according to Hoppe. After coming back from an away race, the team is always closer from the traveling and team camaraderie during the races, said Hoppe. The organization expanded greatly and began to make Charging the course, a Club Crofs Country and Track athlete tackles the terrain. The Club prepared tor races with a variety of local runs, ranging from 4.23 to 10 miles. Photo courtesy of lessica Hoppe a name for itself at the university. As new inductees into the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA), the team members hoped to be able to soon host club regional meets. They hosted their first cross country invitational and continued the tradition of a Turkey Trot 5K in November. Cans of food were collected for the Blue Ridge area food banks, and the event allowed them the pleasure of not only help- ing our club earn money from the race, but to also do a good thing for the community, said Burke. The club was also very involved with helping disabled adults in the Harrisonburg area by holding dances and volleyball nights for them. We enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces as they dance and show us their volleyball skills, said Hoppe. It ' s nice to be able to give back to the community. While the organization grew in the past few years, it was always looking for new, dedicated members to add to the family of runners and community service activists. Because they did not have coaches helping with organiz- ing, planning and executing race strategies, they relied on each other for support and they didn ' t back down from challenges. We still compete with high levels of competition during NIRCA events as well as in varsity races, said Hoppe. Burke added, I would recommend to someone that would like to join the club that it is important to just like to run and be committed. 2 0 CJrganizationti

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praise singers singers by Meg Streker contemporary gospel singers united in faith Contemporary Gospel Singers (CGS) was an organization created not just for gifted musicians, but also for those with strong faith and appreciation for life. We are a gospel choir and a ministry and the way in which we minister is through song, said Corresponding Secretary sophomore Erica Ponder. CGS, the university ' s only minority gospel choir, had a religious focus and its members represented a wide range of faiths. Gratefulness was a theme among the singers this year, not only as a song they frequently performed but also as a way of living for members of CGS. The song ' s lyrics echoed the singers ' passions: I am grateful for the things that you have done 1 am grateful for the victories we ' ve won 1 could go on and on and on about your works because I ' m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord. CGS Director sophomore Demetrius Lancaster believed this song embodied the beliefs of the singers because of the way they lived their lives. When we take the opportunity to show appreciation to our Creator for all that He has done for us, the stresses of being students become so insignificant and we ' re able to work with new motivation, said Lancaster. Members of the organization showed gratefiilness to their femilies while en route to a concert at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. Broken down on the side of Interstate 64 East, the singers were concerned about making it to their performance. It was scary, but so many members were from the Gathered on Homecomint; weekend, CCS members siiij; along with .ilumni following trndition. The focus for ICGSI this year is to show the love of lesus Christ on IMU ' s campus and in the surrounding communities, said sophomore Demptrn Lancaster. Pholo courtesy m Charell Wingfield Richmond area, and they called their parents, and family members, and we were still able to get to the event on time, said senior DaNae Colson. This is memorable because to see how strangers came together to make sure we got to our destination safely (especially on a Sunday) touched my heart. According to CGS ' constitution, its mission was to promote and cultivate spiritual and mental growth by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through song at James Madison University and the surrounding communities. The group performed three to four times a month and some of their most notable performances included off-campus concerts at Sunnyside Retirement Home and an AIDS Benefit Concert. On campus, the group performed at its annual family weekend concert, the Homecoming concert, the Gospel Extravaganza and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. At Homecoming we always do a few songs at the end with alumni members of CGS on the stage, said Vice President senior Michael Frempong. It ' s always fun to see what songs they remember and meet more alumni members. Before every rehearsal, the group held small Bible studies called devotionals. Divine Unity Righteously Applying God (Du RaG) ministries ' founder Troy Burnett would speak to the choir and set the atmosphere for the practice, CGS is a way to take a break from the hectic college life we live and also a way to praise God and I can appreciate CGS for that, said Colson. 2.C U iJrgcmizationd