Julia Ledwith (front row, far left) pictured during the trip to Maryville, Tenn. Photo Contributed
James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break program celebrated its 20th year by sending teams of students to locations in the United States and abroad to immerse themselves in a different community, live simply and offer service.
This year three students from Burke participated in one of JMU's Alternative Spring Break trips March 3 – 10.
The students have been working in teams since early November to organize their trip, choose a faculty or staff learning partner and fundraise. All their planning culminated in a week focused on social issues and service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group.
The following students from Burke traveled on a JMU ASB this year:
Lauren Cooper was scheduled to travel to Joshua Tree National Park, Calif. for a week of environmental-service related activities in the high-desert environment. Students participated in trail maintenance, landscaping, invasive plant removal, mapping and surveying and data collecting.
Julie Ledwith traveled to Maryville, Tenn. to work at Once Upon a Time Homestead. Volunteers participated in both environmental and humanitarian service projects. While on the trip, students worked with the Cherokee people, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest and Sequoyah Museum.
Andrea Harmon, a trip leader, was scheduled to travel to Atlanta, Ga. to participate in Essential2Life, an organization whose vision is "to see a generation of urban youth move beyond poverty to discover a direction in their lives." Students were working to enhance the local community by completing basic repairs, cleanup efforts, engaging in after-school mentoring programs and working with the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
The JMU Alternative Break Program is the Break Away National Program of the Year for 2010 in recognition of the university's commitment to active citizenship. The program earned the same award in 1999 from Break Away, a national nonprofit organization that supports the development of quality alternative break programs at colleges and other nonprofit organizations.