L I ‘Not FE so spring break’ Page
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Thursday, March 22, 2012 • The Flor-Ala
Contact Life Editor Andy Thigpen at 256.765.5233
photo courtesy of morgueFile
File photo by Darrick Dawkins
Above left: Payton Edmiston works with Alternative Break Board last fall in an effort to provide relief to victims of last April’s tornadoes. Several students are opting for a less traditional spring break in order to give back and serve their communities locally and abroad.
Some students choose community service over traditional break 2IKWJ ?ITTIKM
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The traditional spring break beach vacation is not the only option for college students. With plans for the upcoming spring break at the end of March, some UNA students are changing the stereotypical idea that the beach is the only option. Freshman communications major Samantha Hammond said she plans to use her spring break as a much-needed break from classes, but also to give back. She is going with The Well as a part of Highland Baptist Church on a trip called “Road Rules.� “We are given a list of things we need,
and then we get on a bus having no idea where we will be going,� Hammond said. “We do domestic mission work throughout the week. We could be working at a children’s home one day and helping with Habitat for Humanity the next.� Hammond said she wanted to use her spring break to get away from her everyday routine and rest her mind. She wanted to get involved in something bigger than herself, though, which is why she chose to spend her break doing community service. “I really expect just to experience the joy of selfless giving and really see how God will use me,� Hammond said. “I decided to go on the trip because I really thought
it would be a great opportunity to serve and to have an unexpected spring break.� Junior interdisciplinary studies major David Johnson said he also plans to use his break to engage in community service. He said students would get more out of helping others than with the traditional spring break experience. “I have done the traditional spring break vacation,� Johnson said. “It’s good, especially for students to take a break from classes and re-energize, but it is not going to hurt anyone to give up that beach trip and make an impact on someone that can change their life.� Johnson is going to the Dominican
Republic with UNA’s Alternative Break Board. Johnson and others to teach English and literacy to orphans through Outreach 360. “I feel like I have been given a lot of opportunities in my life, and I’d like to give back and share those opportunities with these kids who need positive influences in their lives,� he said. Other options for spring break include looking ahead to the future. Senior Elizabeth Nichols, a professional biology major, said she plans to use her spring break to hopefully solidify her plans for the next few years.
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ZTA partners with Kilby School to help clean, organize ;PMTJa *WUIV
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photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer
Maghan Youngblood helps sort and organize old computers in the Kilby School library. Youngblood is one of the members of ZTA actively involved in helping Kilby get organized and stay up to date.
Partnering with Kilby Laboratory School, the girls of Zeta Tau Alpha have made it a priority to help their neighboring school with any thing they need. Sorority members said they not only want to focus on supporting their philanthropy of breast cancer, but also on serving others. One of the ways they said they are supporting Kilby is by cleaning out the school’s library and getting rid of all outdated and unused materials. “All of the books that we are taking out of our library are getting sent to Collier Library,� said Shelly Hellums, media specialist for Kilby’s library. “From then on, the faculty of Collier will decide what to do with the books, whether it means recycling them or getting rid of them.� Hellums said that the school takes pride in the material that Kilby’s library has and wants to continue replacing old books with new ones so that the library will be relevant
and up to date for years to come. “I thoroughly enjoy helping out Kilby,� said Tosha-Paige Brewer, a member of ZTA. “I went there from kindergarten through fifth grade, so it means a lot to me to be able to help keep the library in good condition for upcoming students.� The service that ZTA is doing with the Kilby school library is one of several. Other projects in which the sisterhood will be helping Kilby include Gardening Day and the Kilby School 5K run. All proceeds for the race will go toward building a safe track for the students. “Kilby is the only lab school left in Alabama, so us Zetas wanted to play our part in supporting them in every way possible,� said May Clouser, service director of ZTA. “Zetas volunteer weekly by doing things such as reading to students, working on bulletin boards, tutoring, and assisting students and faculty in any other way needed.� Clouser said ZTA is excited to be working with Kilby and hopes to continue the partnership for years to come.