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

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mfWM i OPENING A COCOti : with an islonder, an ASB participant learns about Jamaican cul- ture first-hand The team worked in Montego Bay with the Mentolly III program. • Photo courtesy o( ASB WORKING WITH AN agency that extended opportunities to children and their families, two students create a positive influence. Winter Pork, Flo, trip members involved children in sports and field trips, • Photo courtesy of ASB, cry and when asked why, she replied, ' He is the first man to hold my son! Tlie child was 1 5-months-old and it was truly moving. Trips outside the United States were an opportunity tor students to learn about a new- culture while helping a commu- nity. An ASB trip, co-sponsored through UREC, traveled to the Bahamas to work with primary school children. There, participants played games with the children that focused on trust, listening and problem-solving skills. Senior Jamie Short Duncan said, I never realized that Bahamas was a third- world country; I actually thought it was pretty wealthy because of the tourism, but in reality, its not. Duncan added, When the hur- ricanes swept through the Bahamas this past summer and did a tremendous amount of damage, I could not help but wonder it these children still had their one-room tin houses. For five days, each ASB group immersed themselves in situations ditterent than that which they were used to. Each group returned home with different experiences and lessons that they learned. Bourne, who went to Faith House in St. Louis, Missouri, worked with children who were exposed to drugs or alcohol at home. She said, Being a freshman, I wasn ' t really sure what to expect out ol the experience; although I did have a general idea, it was greatly surpassed through all that I learned while spending a week with 1 1 soon-to-be triends. She added, I have met so many amazing people through the pro- gram and it has opened my eyes to situations that are present outside of where I live, giving me a passion to help wherever I may be needed. Sophomore Jessica Schudda, a participant in the New Orleans, Louisiana trip, also appreciated the benefits ot her trip and said, ASB was an amazing time to meet new people, form bonds that will be everlasting, and learn a lot about yourself just by helping out in the community. Graduate Michelle Moravec led a trip to Chicago, Illinois, where participants worked with women battling breast cancer and an inner-city yoLith theater. Moravec said, Intense. That ' s the w ird for ASB. It gets people in olved that usual!)- wouldn ' t be involved in commimity service, and in turn makes you learn so much about yourself. Goodman said of her Missouri trip, It strengthened my morals, values and goals I have for LU U- 26

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atlanta they did not seem to mind, as it was all part of the experience. One group worked in HUlsboro, West Virginia at the Ge- sundheit! Institute, made famous by the movie Patch Adams, where they helped with facility upkeep and maintenance. Following her time at Gesundheit!, senior Kristin Von Kundra said, There is a purposeful focus on the individual, giving them the space and time to explore new ideas and reflect on themselves. Every volunteer, thousands over the decade, who passes through Gesundheit! not only helps maintain the land there, but returns to their lives feeling refreshed and energized, with new ideas about health, society and the rest. ' Trips to Atlanta and Kansas City worked with the homeless, while trips to Boca Grande, Florida and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia focused on the environment. ASB trips offered a unique way to spend spring break, al- lowing students a chance to give back to their country and the world. Stepping outside their comfort zone and gaining a new perspeaive on life, participants spent a week with 1 1 other students, two student leaders and a faculty-learning partner. Over 26 groups ventured to different cities in the Western Hemisphere, with trips focusing on children and women, health issues, homelessness and even the environment and recreation. Senior Leah Goodman led a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, where she and other participants performed maintenance work at a transitional-living shelter for battered women and their children. Spending her week painting and performing spring- cleaning activities, Goodman said, It was such a life-changing experience. Nightly, participants also entertained the children, read to them and played. Senior Sean Lambert also went to Missouri and said, It was so amazing to see how bright these children were, many of them overcoming such huge odds already, and it was even more amazing to see that they were going to make it. Volunteers were essential to keep the shelter functioning day-to-day and help mothers and their children recover their lives. Lambert said. At one point another guy on the trip held an infant for the first time. The mother began to wms ji ' L .z ' ' Tiy ' ' ' m- . 4 mm -. ' , H . B i HPK. ' - ..-- :- ;.-:Mi Jj w ■ A at ' ' ' - 0is k mn , PLAYING WITH A baby, an ASB participant works at Faith House in St. Louis. The students spent time with children exposed to substance abuse. Photo courtesy of ASB. FOCUSING ON HOMELESSNESS and mental illness, an ASB student is embraced by several children. On the Kansas City trip, participants worked with homeless women and their children. • Photo courtesy of ASB. READING OUTDOORS TO children, on Atlanta, Go. trip member spends quality time with local youth. Students worked ot a homeless shelter and an after-school program. Photo by Casey Templeton. Z Z o 25

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READING WITH SOME children, a Dominica trip member focuses on cul- tural understanding. The international trip to the West Indies worked on community development. • Photo courtesy of ASB. AS POTENTIAL ASB participants wait in line hours, they were able to compare the c each trip to make their final decision, Md ASB trips were affordable and fundrais helped lower costs. • Photo by Lindsey f PASSING TIME BEFORE ASB signup students catch up on some homework. , were at night, so many students skippa to sit in Wilson Hall and ensure they c first hoice trip. • Photo by Lindsey f CURLED UP IN her sleeping bag, aJ ASB hopeful uses time before signups to ralax and read o novel. Some students woitedfilmost 24 hours. • Photo by Lindsey Barnett. myself... it taught me that love for your family conquers all and that when you fall there is always someone willing to help you back up. Pain:icipants also learned valuable lessons from the people with whom they worked. Working with the patients at Project Lazarus made me grateful for how amazing my life truly is, and taught me to never take life for granted said Schudda. The fire in those patients ' hearts was one of the most remarkable things I have ever witnessed. They knew they were dying; yet they stLU knew how precious life was, and never let a day go by that they didn ' t enjoy themselves. It was just an incredible and inspiring thing to witness. For spring break, 308 students dared to make a difference. Senior Rebecca Berry man of the St. Louis trip said, JMU ' s Alternative Spring Break program is one of the best things that this school has to offer. ..the impact it has made on my life will stay with me forever. You ' d be amazed what one week can do! ASB was all about friendships and relationships. It was about sharing and bonding. It was about mak ing a difference. • 2004 Alternative »lnternatJonal Spring Breal Long Distance Destinations Dominica, West Indies Jamaica »Domestic Bahamas Atlanta, Ga. Dominican Republic Boca Granda, Flo. Eureka, Calif. Chicago, III, Brownsville, Texas Columbus, Ohio Islomorado, Fla. Detriot, Mich. Hillsboro, W. Va. .-:-, ffi ' lCl ' 9d Jacl sonville, FL Boston, Mass. Kansas City, Mo. Guatemala Nevj Orleans, La. Baltimore, Md. Okefenokee Notional Belmont N. C. Wildlife Refuge, Ga. Philadelphia, Pa. St Louis, Mo. Sovonnoh, Go. Winter Pork, Fla, Ooxoco, Mexico kansas city z Q 27