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

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Students listen to the guest speaker the Thursday before graduation. Due to Bridgeforth Stadium being under construction, the class of 2010 could not have a large graduation ceremony like graduates had in years past, photo by (gareth nermann} Wiley also appreciated his message about giving. She felt Mycoskie ' s main point to give throughout your lire will apply to us soon since we will eventually, finally be in the position to give. To each graduate, Mycoskie ' s message meant something different. I just liked his message about how vou can start with an idea — no matter how absurd it sounds — and you can make it happen, said graduate Julie Watson. The general consensus through the crowd of graduates leaving the convocation center was clear. That was the best speech ever and He ' s so genuine could be heard through the giggles about Mycoskie ' s decidedly favorable looks. From there, many of the seniors made their way up to ISAT to receive T-shirts and attend a candlelit ceremony to further prepare themselves for graduating on Saturday, May 8, and stepping into the world beyond the university. Strong winds blew hard against the graduation gowns and tassels as the 2010 graduating class took their seats. Many thought of their future, I while some thought of their past four years at the university. However, some remembered a promise made to them their freshmen year. I attended the Pep Rally at 1787 Orientation my freshman year and was told that it was the last time we would be with our class until graduation, said graduate Paige Abe. When I found out that we weren ' t going to be together on graduation day with our entire class and parents, ■ I felt sad that that promise was not fulfilled. Due to the construction on Bridgeforth Stadium, the typical graduation ceremony where all of the graduates gathered together with family and friends was cancelled. Instead, the class of 2010 had a special ceremony the Thursday before graduation, where relatives were not allowed to attend. Along with those relatives, were some graduates who couldn ' t fit the ceremony into their schedule. I wasn ' t able to make it to the speaker the Thursday before graduation and I feel like I missed out, said graduate Glenda Cosby. Graduation day didn ' t feel as important as it could have. Graduation day consisted of six separate graduation ceremonies that began at 9 a.m. and were spread out across campus.} Features } 23

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{ The Bluestone 2011 } ♦ Getting ready to walk across the stage, Media Arts Design (SMAD) majors sit with anticipation. SMAD was a department in the College of Arts and Letters, which graduated on the Quad every year. photo by {heidi Campbell) President Rose listens in as Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes, speaks to the graduates. Mycoskie began his business in 2006. For every pair of TOMS shoes that was sold, he donated a pair of shoes to a child in need. photo by {gareth nermann} 22 { Graduation He continued to tell of several events on that first trip that brought tears to his eyes, which in turn, evoked many sniffles from the audience. Mvcoskie stressed two main interrelated lessons that he learned through his experiences: sustainabiliry and giving. He encouraged everyone to adopt sustainable models for giving in their careers, arguing that business models have the ability to give more than fundraiser- and sponsor- dependent charities. Giving, he said does not just feel good. It ' s an amazing business strategy. It ' s an amazing life strategy. These themes made Mycoskie a fitting choice for guest speaker. 1 just think he was incredibly inspiring, said graduate Jess Hopkins. I know a lot ot JMTJ students have those same dreams and aspirations. What I ' ve always loved about I Ml is that everyone is so dedicated to gixing and he really embodied that.

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{ The Bluestone 2011 } Many took advantage of the Farmers Market by sarah lockwood {writer} he sugar)- aroma of kettle corn loomed in the air. The parking lot was full; bikes leaned against trees. The happy chatter of voung families, older couples, pets, farmers, crafters and bakers rose from what was once just a municipal lot. It was a tvpical Saturday morning at the farmers market. The Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers Market was established in 1979. Turner Payilion was built in 2008 and has housed the market since. A row of merchants under tents stretched beyond the payilion. The market ran through Thanksgiying on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Customers had a wide yariety of selections to choose from. The pavilion was lined with produce, cheese, sausage, baked goods, jewelry, photography, tie-dye art, knitting, candles and woodwork. While some venders sold their products for a living, Char Turner didn ' t take home a cent. Turner began her booth, Cause for Creation, three years ago and raised thousands of dollars for Liberian orphan relief. Her crafts included handmade paper, art cards and other handmade paper items constructed from plant materials grown on her farm. Many people try to do a lot of their gift shopping here because they want to support the cause, said Turner. The Doughnuts and More booth experienced a constant stream of business. Junior John Mills said he came to the market frequently just to pick up a couple oi freshly made doughnuts. Oddly enough, the well-known bakery items were originally meant to be raspberries. Well, we had extra raspberries in the garden so we thought we ' d sell raspberries at the farmers market, explained owner Rosalind Byler. Until the raspberries got ripe, we said we ' d sell doughnuts and pies. By the time raspberry season came around, eyeryone else had raspberries so we decided to just not do raspberries. Her six homeschooled children helped to make the doughnuts, beginning at tour in the morning Some were led to the farmers market by their sweet tooth, but others came with a healthy mindset. I like being able to know where my food comes from. I like to know how far mv food has traveled, who ' s handled it and what ' s going into it, because I ' m putting that into my body, which is important, said graduate student Kelly Patullo. Patullo shopped for vegetables, bread and cheese at the farmers market during most weekends and many Thursdays. She said these trips probably replaced 95 percent of her grocery shopping. Patullo brought her friend and fellow graduate student, Jessica O ' Brien, along for a visit to the market. I just typically go to the grocery store every week, but Kellv always comes to class with wonderful smelling bread and cheese and I just wanted to come, said O ' Brien, who liked the Harrisonburg ' s Farmers Market is located on South Main Street, less than a mile from campus. Voted Best Place to be on a Saturday Morning by the Daily News Record, students did not mind investing 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the weekly market, photo by {heidi Campbell) 2 { Farmer ' s Market