My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Exploring History

Saturday was our last day in the Outer Banks, and we spent the day exploring the cultural history of the area. We started the day by climbing Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one of the five main lighthouses in the state. It took us 220 stairs to get to the top, and the view from above was breathtaking. Although we felt as though we could be blown away by the wind, the view of the area was unforgettable.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse

We made it to the top of the lighthouse after climbing 220 stairs.

Our second half of the day began by our visit to the Wright Brothers National Museum in Kitty Hawk. Here, we learned about Orville and Wilbur Wright and the birthplace of aviation in the early 1900s. We listened to a speaker explain the history of the Wright Brothers' invention of aviation and explored the meaning behind an iconic moment in history.

It was interesting to hear about the geographic symbolism of Kitty Hawk in relation to the birth of aviation. The first successful power-driven flight in world history took place on a sand dune in Kitty Hawk, NC by the Wright Brothers.

Wilbur and Orville Wright contributed greatly to the birth of aviation.

The iconic photograph to depict this moment in history is one of the most reproduced photos in history. It describes December 17, 1903 as the birth of aviation and the death of impossibility.

This iconic photograph is one of the most reproduced in history. The birthplace of aviation
was the death of impossibility.

Although the Wright Brothers significantly advanced the world of aviation, they also inspired others to believe in the impossible. They brought to light the idea that impossibility is not about failure, but rather, about something that hasn't been done yet. This idea stuck with me throughout the rest of the weekend and even back here at Ithaca College.

I think the idea that the Wright Brothers killed impossibility is one that is important to remember because it motivates us to better ourselves and our daily lives. The legacy of the Wright Brothers highlights the quote that 'nothing is impossible.' Hearing about how the Wright Brothers failed numerous times before they successfully tested a flight reinforced the everyday motto that everyone fails in life. Failure is not an option, but a key to success.

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Wildflower Preserves and Marshes

On our final day of service, Friday, we visited the North Carolina aquarium to help with outside renovations of a wildflower preserve.

We not only laid down gravel on the pathway, but also pulled out vines that were growing everywhere. Some of the vines, at least the ones growing on the ground, were Japanese Honeysuckle. Other vines included various types of ivies.

We cleaned out vines and weeds from the wildflower preserve

Our site supervisor was a botanist experienced in horticulture, so it was exciting to hear about her work with plants. I enjoyed listening to her speak because you could hear the passion she has for her work and her thirty years of experience working in horticulture.

I learned it is crucial to weed and pull out vines from gardens and wildflower preserves because it helps clear the path for budding flowers. In addition, without vines or weeds, insects have an easier time engaging with the plants. For instance, bees and butterflies have easier times pollinating flowers and helping them blossom. Without weeds and vines, the soil that is necessary for these plants is healthier and cleaner. We can protect the ecosystem by removing harmful weeds and vines from gardens and wildflower preserves on a regular basis.

In the afternoon, we explored a marsh on Jockey's Ridge State Park. Here, it was cool to see the wildlife and seawater animals that live in the lake. Our week's worth of work has resulted in our learning and understanding of how to protect the environment and its wildlife, and I think it was a unique experience to wade into the water and find wildlife we have been learning about every day.

The marsh we explored at Jockey's Ridge State Park

In the marsh, we discovered baby flounder, shrimp, blue crabs, mud crabs, and anchovies. Not only that, but we also saw the impact of our oyster shell bags. As we opened up a bag of oyster shells from last year, we saw how the oyster larvae attached to the shell, and thus, has been growing for the past year. Also, we learned that mud crabs and small shrimp like to live inside the shells as well.

Shells are an important part of wildlife, too

Visiting the marsh reinforced the impact of our work over the past week. For instance, bagged oyster shells are not only important for helping oyster larvae attach and grow, but it is also important for other organisms to thrive. Bagged oyster shells and the marsh are crucial for our food chain. They are environments for various wildlife, and without them, wildlife would be put on harm's way.

In addition, our planet ought to be well-maintained and protected because it is the environment that we live in. People not only benefit from a clean Earth, but animals do as well. Wildlife, mammals, insects, and sea life are all impacted by our actions. The next time we think about throwing garbage out a car window or letting pollutants enter bodies of water, we should think about how these actions will effect the life of an animal.







All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Highway Clean-up

Thursday provided me with the opportunity to clean up a highway, yet another new experience I have not done before.

Prior to cleaning up the highway, we learned about the length of time it takes for different items to decompose. 

For example, I learned that it takes a glass bottle, if littered, takes one million years to decompose. That is such a high number that I can't even imagine, and it is unbelieveable to think that a glass bottle can harm wildlife for one million years. 

This activity reinforced the importance of reduce, reuse, and recycle.

As we set out on the highway to pick up litter, I was shocked at the amount of trash that existed on the highway. For instance, there were items I would not have expected, like hypodermic needles and a car tire. Not only that, but for such a small strip of highway, there were a lot of items that served as a possibility to harm wildlife. I was surprised at the amount of trash that we collected within three hours. 

The amount of trash and recyclables we
found littering the highway after a half
day's work

Picking up litter from the highway made me realize how much trash people improperly throw away. As I saw the amount of trash we collected, I became disappointed in the fact that there was still so much trash left to be picked up. I became more aware of the fact that recycling and desposing items properly could change the life of one wildlife animal. It frustrated me to think that people toss trash out their windows without thinking about the impact it has on the environment. Prior to working on this highway clean-up, it has never occurred to me how much of an impact throwing away trash in proper disposal cans has on the environment. Not only am I working to protect wildlife, but I am helping to maintain a clean planet Earth. 

After the highway clean-up, we had the opportunity to speak with a commercial fisherman. He brought us out onto his boat and shared with us his life as a commercial fisherman. 

We learned about the fishing industry from a commercial fisherman.

It was interesting to hear about the work of a commercial fisherman because fishing is such a large employment sector for the Outer Banks. I was amazed at how he told us the migration pattern of fish has changed within the past few years. It made me realize the impact of global warming and how crucial it is for us, as citizens, to protect the Earth to help fish and other animals remain in their natural habitats. Furthermore, I was surprised at the fact that there are only 80 boats along the Eastern coast that go out and fish for one type of fish. For a large coastal line, it is hard to believe that there is little appreciation and understanding for fishermen and what they do. I have much appreciation for fishermen because they provide is with the fresh seafood we eat and make sure we are eating safe seafood. Talking with the fishermen has also made me realize the greater need for protecting wildlife because without a thriving wildlife, there would be a lack of reason for fishermen. If all the fish migrate elsewhere, then what will happen to the fishermen along the East Coast working to make a living? 

Both the litter clean-up and the opportunity to speak with the fisherman brought my attention to many issues, as I now have a greater experience with protecting the environment. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Oyster Restoration

Wednesday began with a new experience as we worked with the NC Coastal Federation to bag oyster shells.

Oyster larvae, which attach to hard surfaces in order to mate and grow, enjoy attaching to the empty oyster shell.

Before we bagged oyster shells

In order to help facilitate the development of oyster larvae, the NC Coastal Federation bags empty oyster shells to put back into the ocean.

It is important to contribute to oyster restoration because it helps protect the baby larvae during its development stage. Bagging oysters shells was a unique experience for me, one that I have never done.

Our finished bagged shells

We worked with the Eastern Kentucky University students

The day's work highlighted the importance of teamwork and showed me the effects of utilizing everyone's strengths to the fullest. While working with students from the Eastern Kentucky University, I learned that teamwork is a valuable asset when it comes to bagging 500 oyster shells. The team got together and helped us achieve the task within a matter of three hours. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Rain Gardens

On Tuesday, the group headed out to two local elementary schools and helped clean up their rain gardens that are a part of the Schoolyard Rain Garden Project. 

Tuesday consisted of working at two local elementary schools

These rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from entering nearby bodies of water by trapping litter and other various pollutants. 

First, we traveled to Kitty Hawk Elementary School. Here, there was a small rain garden filled with trash and weeds. 

We picked up all the litter, raked dead leaves, weeded the entire area, and put down a fresh bed of mulch. 

We worked on the rain garden
at Kitty Hawk Elementary School

Our work at Kitty Hawk Elementary School prepared us for our next stop, the First Flight Elementary School. Here, we tackled a larger rain garden by raking away dead leaves, picking up trash, picking out weeds, and using about 15 bags of mulch to make the rain garden look fresh. 

The end result of our work at First Flight Elementary School

Although we were tied down by monotonous work, I realized how beautiful nature can be. For me, the past year has been one filled with experiences of exploring nature and getting to know the environment around me. The best part of Tuesday was seeing the end product and realizing the impact of our hard work. So far, through Altetnative Spring Break, I have been able to appreciate the beauty if nature and become more aware of how to preserve and protect our environment. As we continue to explore different aspects of nature, I hope I can create new goals to maintain my role is protecting nature. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Protecting Water Quality

Monday was the first day of volunteering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The organization works to protect wildlife and provide clean water quality.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation

We started the day refreshing our minds with the water cycle and learning about the causes of water pollution. A fact that stood out to me was when we discussed how stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in the United States and in North Carolina. Not only that, but other factors, such as oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and litter, al contribute to water pollution.

A new lesson for me included our discussion of ways to prevent these runoffs and pollution for entering bodies of water. 

One item that helps prevent stormwater runoff and water pollution is a rain garden. 

Rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from the roof and other nearby surfaces. Rain gutters are connected to a drain buried underground that lead to these gardens, where plants capture the stormwater runoff deep in the ground. Rain gardens prevent the spread of pollution into nearby bodies of water. 

One of the rain gardens at the North Carolina Coastal Federation 

Another interesting item to help intercept runoff are pervious, or permeable, surfaces. While impervious pavements, like common druveways and roads, push runoff and debris into nearby bodies of water, perviois pavement allows for the layer of compacted soil to trap pollutants and reducd stormwater runoff. This type of pavement includes a base and a sub-base with compacted gravel or soil in between so runoff gets soaked and intercepted. 

Pervious pavement

After learning about these items to protect water quality in the area, we got to work weeding the rain gardens, picking up litter, and raking leaves.

I felt satisfied after seeing the difference we made at the NC Coastal Federation through weeding and cleaning the rain gardens and area. The day provided me with a new insight into how a simple rain garden or a certain type of pavement could contribute to providing clean water quality. 

River behind the NCCF where runoff and pollutants end up

After hearing that stormwater runoff, pet waste, fetilizer, oil, and other everyday items contribute to pollution and poor water quality, I realized that everyone can play a role in reducing the amont of stormwater runoff to maintain a clean water quality and to protect wildlife. We can pick up pet waste, compost food, build rain gardens, implement green roofs or pervious payments, and reduce the amount of fertilizer and oil spills. If we can be mindful of how our everyday actions effect clean water and wildlife, then we can help protect bodies of water from being polluted. 

All photos are my own

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Getting Around

Sunday provided us with the free time to explore the area around house. And of course, we couldn't help but take advantage of that fact, especially with the sunny and warm weather.

On our free day, we traveled to Kill Devil Hills, NC, where we visited sand dunes and Jennette's Pier. Both locations served as prime locations for scenic tours and picture taking.

The view from the top of the sand dunes.

Walking barefoot up toward the mountainous sand dune and hiking up the dune allowed me to entangle my feet in the sand and explore nature's wonder.

I made it to the top!

Of course, climbing up the sand dune was difficult, but the view from the top was breathtaking. The crisp, Spring air and soft, warm sand brought me a bit closer to the feeling of Summer.

Exploring the land of sand dunes

Afterwards, our journey led us to Jennette's Pier, where we saw the ocean traveling beneath our feet at the end of the pier. Jennette's Pier is a hot spot for fishers who are seeking to catch a variety of fish. The pier is lined with bench chairs facing toward the sea and with engraved stone pathways leading to the center.

Jennette's Pier

Today's journey gave me just what I needed to clear my mind and get motivated for tomorrow's busy work day. My encounter with the ocean provided me with a calm peace of mind and allowed me to begin my journey to seek new knowledge about nature's wonders. I much appreciated the ocean and the sunlight on the pier.

The view from Jennette's Pier

Of course, tomorrow will be the beginning of a busy week that will push me to step outside my comfort zone.

All photos are my own. 

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: A Birthday Gift to Myself

After pushing through midterms and completing papers, exams, and projects, it's finally time for every college students' vacation: Spring Break. 

Usually, with the craziness of the semester, I relax at home and enjoy the beginnings of Spring; however, this is the year, I have decided to do something for myself and for the community. 

With that, I am kicking off my 21st year of life by traveling to Kitty Hawk and Outer Banks, North Carolina to volunteer with an awesome group of people. 

In North Carolina, we will be working with a local organization to help with coastal clean-up and to learn about wildlife preservation. 

Our journey began with a 10-hour road trip down to the coast of NC. Though it was a long car ride, it was nice to enjoy the bonding experience with my new peers whom I will be volunteering with. 

To me, service means more than just giving back to the community. It allows me to learn not only about a particular community, but also about myself. Through this experience, I hope I can reflect on my goals for my 21st year and explore the community that thrives in the oceans around us. I hope that I can continue to learn about my own dreams, passions, and goals for who I want to become. I see Alternative Spring Break as an opportunity that will provide me with the outlet to grow as an individual and as a member of the community. 

Photo credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=quotes+about+living&oq=quotes+about+living&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.8676j0j4&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=c7nO-mS_b5K3bM%3A

In Touch with Nature

It's been such a busy summer and a long semester, and my blog posts have not been up to par! But I'm back at it just in time for 2016!

To recap my last volunteer experience, I went to the Cayuga Nature Center through Service Saturday. This experience was far different than any other volunteering experience I have ever had! It was the first time I was working outdoors at a nature center to rake leaves and remove trees. The group and I moved piles of tree branches and cleaned the landscape around the center to make it a bit cleaner as winter approaches.

At Cayuga Nature Center, I was able to help with raking the fall leaves and cleaning up some of the outgrown trees and weeds surrounding the yard. Although the weather was chilly and summer was certainly over, I had come to realize how much of a difference raking leaves makes to an organization such as the nature center. And, of course, I got to see how fun raking leaves can be!

Raking leaves at Cayuga Nature Center

As I spoke with the facilities manager, he informed me that having a group of people - no matter how small - help with cleaning up the yard and preparing nature for the winter ahead was a really large help. For him, it is often difficult to maintain all of the yard work and the indoors facilities and maintenance around the center so having volunteers to complete tasks he had wanted to complete, but hasn't had time to, means a lot.

My volunteer group had much fun exploring the wilderness and maintaining the environment. 

Through my day at the nature center, I recognized the need for more volunteers at nature organizations. It is important to clean and maintain not only the yards, but also the hiking trails in order to create a more clean environment for the people who visit. In a scenic place such as Ithaca, many of the trails call for beautiful hikes. It would be a shame to let these trails go to waste just because there weren't enough volunteers to help with the maintenance of them. At my time with the nature center, I got in touch with nature and worked to improve the environment for environment-enthusiasts and hikers. My advice for those seeking a new experience volunteering would be to definitely try working at a nature center. It allows a new perspective on caring for the environment and why maintaining nature is such an important aspect to our lives. After all, we want the Earth to be around for future generations, right?

"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" ~ David Brower

Leading the Way Through Jumpstart

Jumpstart is a program that provides incoming first-year students with the outlet to transition well into the college life and learn about their community which they will call "home" for the next four years. As a participant, I felt grateful for the opportunity to engage in both community service throughout the city of Ithaca and learn about the Ithaca College experience from my leaders and staff members. Not only that, but for me, Jumpstart resulted in my three best friends today. The Jumpstart program eased the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of college classes and has helped me easily transition to connecting with my peers and making connections with my community and my campus. 

I decided to take upon the role of becoming a Jumpstart leader as an upperclassman because I wanted to provide incoming first-year students with the resources that Jumpstart has given me as a first-year student. For the past two years, I have participated in the same Jumpstart track - Community Plunge - and have bonded with several peers and future colleagues. Being a leader with my best friend whom I had met on Jumpstart one year earlier was a fun and nostalgic part of the experience. As I helped organize the students into groups and sign them in on their first day at Ithaca College, I felt that I had the capability to utilize my leadership skills to grow as a peer mentor and resource for students. 

Me and my co-leader whom I met through
Community Plunge one year ago

On the first day, my group and I volunteered at the Tompkins County Public Library sorting books and celebrating its 50th anniversary. During our time at the library, I was able to speak with individual students one-on-one and learn about their interests, hobbies, and successes. I wanted to implement a one-on-one meeting with each of the students because I feel that it would allow for introverted students to speak up and connect with me. Not only that, but the leadership position I held with the one-on-one mentorship helped me understand the characteristics of my group members so I can figure out the best team bonding activities that would allow them to connect with each other throughout the course of the program. By dinner time, I was able to engage the students in conversation and facilitate relationships that would turn into acquaintances and potential friendships. 

By the end of the second day of volunteering, the group had become one family. Although the second site, Caroline Elementary School, prompted each of us to labor outdoors pulling weed and transferring piles of mulch and gravel, the group was able to bond whenever there was free time. During lunch, we all sat outside and learned about each other and our journeys to get to Ithaca College. The hardest part about being a leader during the second day when we had tedious volunteer work was working to motivate and encourage all of the students. One of the ways I motivated students was through fun music and exciting topics of conversation. During the times we were transferring the mulch and gravel, I turned on different genres of music so everybody could have the strength to continue with their work. 

       

          My Jumpstart group after volunteering at the Tompkins County Public Library on Day One

I am grateful for the opportunity to act as a Jumpstart leader for first-year students over the past year because I have learned much more about myself, the students, the campus community, and the city of Ithaca. I learned that I have the capability to lead a group of younger students and take responsibility over the proper procedures. During the time that I was a Jumpstart leader, I have grown as a community member and a peer mentor; for, the students today still come to me with questions. When we see each other on campus, we make a point to say "hi" and catch up on each other's schedules and college experience. To me, being a mentor and resource is the most rewarding experience of the Jumpstart process. I am happy and proud to have given back to the Jumpstart program, especially knowing that I have made the transition to college a bit easier for the students new to the Ithaca community. 

The team after volunteering at Caroline Elementary School on Day Two

Photo credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d3/23/9b/d3239b7b73e6a38f454961a36b1ad985.jpg

Serving Others...And Yourself

Over the past few Service Saturday weekends, I visited the local Salvation Army and helped prepare and serve food to members of the community.

The Salvation Army of Ithaca is a space for community members to find hope, solace, and faith through religious services and community meals. My most memorable volunteer experiences have resulted from the time I have spent working with the Salvation Army staff. 

Through my time at the Salvation Army, I have not only prepared and served lunch, but have also had the privilege of interacting with the community members, my favorite aspect of working with the organization. I enjoy engaging with members of the community because the experience strengthens my knowledge and bond with Tompkins County and the city of Ithaca. 

I believe it is important to engage with members of the community in order to facilitate communication and discussion about current events and issues. I have learned that through dialogue and interaction with the residents who live in Ithaca, I can shed light to the social and unjust issues currently lingering in the city. 

With my involvement in the Salvation Army, I have seen how the organization is making a difference in the community by providing the necessary resources, such as food, to those in need.

I am preparing lunch with my Service Saturday team to serve to the members of the community

To me, volunteering at the Salvation Army is especially important during the winter season because it allows for me to share the spirit of the holidays with families and residents who do think they have a very joyful holiday. When I volunteered during the month of December, I helped decorate the sanctuary with holiday decorations and then served hot meals. Many of the residents asked for second meals, and with our preparation of an abundance of meals, we served more than one hot meal to each resident. After the experience, I felt proud and relieved to know that I contributed to the holiday celebration for several families. 

The Salvation Army has taught me the need to address the issue of poverty in Ithaca. Not only that, but the organization has provided me with the space to interact and engage with other populations outside of the college campus, which allowed me to grow as an individual learning to venture in the real world. Fortunately, the organization has brought to my attention its goal in becoming a source of strength to various residents of the community. 

I also learned the importance of religion during my time with the organization, as the community members would engage in a short prayer and worship before being served their meals. Observing and participating in the prayer and worship circle, I was able to reflect on my own religious views. 

Faith, I saw, is an important aspect of many lives. Faith provides people, including myself, with a sense of hope during the low points of life. With the Salvation Army's prayers and worship circles prior to serving meals, I was able to sense the importance of faith for everyone in the room, no matter what his/her religious views were. 

I hope to work closer with the Salvation Army in the future; for, the organization teaches me the importance of engaging with community members and helping serve hot meals to those in need of a little extra resources. Through the experience, I have grown to understand another part of the Ithaca and Tompkins County community outside of the college atmosphere.

Group picture after a day's work of giving back

"The more generous we are, the more joyous we become. The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become. The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become. The more serving we are, the more prosperous we become" ~ William Arthur Ward

Your Legacy Continues, Dr. King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist fighting for the equality and justice for all people. His famous speech, "I Have A Dream," has been widely read and his message continues to unite us all for racial and social justice. 

On Martin Luther King Day, I had the privilege to celebrate Dr. King's message through various presentations and events conglomerated under the theme, "Whose Dream Is It Anyway?" As I attended the sessions, I learned that although Dr. King rose to prominence during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, his message and mission have yet to progress towards success by the people of the United States of America. 

His message, to combat discrimination against race, ethnicity, origin, religion, sexuality, gender, and exclusion of special persons, continues to live in the back of our minds instead of thriving in the forefront of our minds. 

The various educational sessions and presentations throughout the day spoke to Dr. King's legacy and allowed for the audience to think about inclusivity. I was privileged to attend some of these sessions and learn about ways to progress Dr. King's legacy of equality and racial justice. Before we can implement change, it is important to change the way in which we think, specifically when it comes to making pre-judgements among others and holding prejudice against those who are different. One of the biggest mistakes we make that drive us further away from achieving inclusivity and equality is our inability to be confident when speaking the truth and challenging the issues we face.

For example, Ash Beckham, a TedTalk speaker and keynote presenter of the night, discussed the importance of having the ability to speak the truth and be self-confident. Beckham's presentation was well-worth attending because it presented ways in which we, as citizens, can help inspire others to work towards equality, acceptance, and inclusion. She taught us the importance of knowing one's own identity and encouraged the audience to not be afraid to speak up for what is right. Beckham focused on gender roles, identity, and how society teaches us to conform to the truth from a very young age. I learned that it is important to understand yourself and your actions because it is a step towards understanding others and the world around you. Not until Beckham's lecture did I understand that by being silent, you are taking your stance on an issue and speaking out. Actions, as well as words, affect the way others think about you and see you. 

MLK Day never fails to teach me the most important lesson for turning Dr. King's dreams into a reality; for, it is important to learn and understand the history of racial injustice and exclusivity of certain populations to make sure that history does not repeat. 

Photo credit: My own; presenter Ash Beckham

The Importance of Literacy and Education

Happy November! After a long break away from writing (it's been crazy busy with school work and co-curricular activities), I just have to tell you about my incredible experience at this month's Service Saturday event. 

Over the weekend, I volunteered at the Family Reading Partnership's Kids Book Festival, which works to promote early literacy for young children.

My job for the day was to help out at an activity station in which children could enter into a fake grocery store in order to shop and learn about the importance of fresh vegetables and fruits. Sponsored by the Cornell plantations, the fruits and vegetables that were set-up allowed children to easily scan the aisles for items that matched the colored sticker on each of the five dollar bills they received. Once they finished picking out their five items, they took the fruits and vegetables and checked out at the cash register. 

Although this task seems menial compared to past volunteer activities, it was a rather complicated task that involved good organization of the products, as well as efficient communication with my partner. 

With about six volunteers at the station, it was difficult to hear and communicate with each other, especially with young children running around the market. One of the ways we became organized and performed our roles effectively was through a routine procedure in which two people worked with the children, four people helped out at the cash register, and two people who organized the aisles and filled them with fruits and vegetables. 

As I worked with the children and explained to them and their families the directions to the activity, I learned that I truly have a passion for working with children. I found myself to be engaging and enthusiastic when it comes to taking care of children. 

Through this activity, I have also learned that there are many different ways of classifying fruits. For instance, a member from the Cornell plantations explained that fruits come from seeds; thus, vegetables such as the corn kernels, cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash could also be known as fruits. 

My experience at the book fair allowed me to realize the illiteracy issues that Tompkins County faces. I learned that there Tompkins County has several resources for low-come families, one of them being the Family Reading Partnership. Although people see the city of Ithaca as a small college town, many fail to recognize the social issues that plague the area. Volunteering with organizations that work to address specific issues help me develop an open-mind and become a person who is more aware of her surroundings. 

This Service Saturday was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever participated in. Not only did I discover that I have a true passion in working with kids, but I also learned about an issue that will certainly cross my mind the next time I volunteer in Ithaca --- literacy. I think that tying in reading with other important components to a healthy mind, body, and spirit is a great way to teach young children to become academically, emotionally, and physically healthy from a young age. It is important to promote healthy lifestyles and have children develop a love for reading at an early age because healthy lifestyles allow them to develop critical and analytical skills to become successful students and citizens.

IC Spreads Awareness to Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month and there are several ways to bring attention to both hunger and poverty. Many may decide to host month-long fundraisers in collection of donations to local food banks while others may choose to volunteer at a community soup kitchen. Whatever actions you decide to pursue in working to fight poverty and hunger, every donation (whether it's time, money, or campaigns) makes a difference. By teaching others the art of volunteering and giving back to those who are in need, we can work to combat the social issues rooted within our communities.

Below is an excerpt from an article I wrote for The Ithacan about a local radio host who decided to walk 100 miles around Tompkins County in New York in order to raise money for a food bank that works to stop childhood hunger.

Check out the full story at http://theithacan.org.

*********************************

In recognition of September as Hunger Action Month, Ithaca College supported Q103.7 radio host Chris Allinger as he stopped by the college Sept. 12 for the last leg of his 100-mile walk around Tompkins County.

Allinger’s walk, called “Walkin’ the Country,” is an annual event he began in order to raise money for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s BackPack Program, which puts food into the backpacks of kids, Allinger said.

“They don’t give kids backpacks; they put food into the backpacks while other kids are at lunch so that nobody knows who gets it,” Allinger said. “And this could be the only food they have in that home for the whole weekend or [during school] holidays.”

For the third year in a row, Allinger said, he walked the county asking for donations from the people he encountered along the way. This year, he said he hopes to have raised more money than last year’s estimated $30,000 total.

“Each year is a little bit different, but it’s been great,” Allinger said. “I asked for $3 from every person I meet, and when we tally up all the money at night, we have fewer dollar bills than we have larger bills. People are generous.”

The college's dining services presented Allinger with a $2,300 check to donate to the BackPack program.

"Stand By You"

As move-in day creeps in for many college first-year students, it is no surprise that everyone is nervous, anxious, and shy --- it's a big step into the "real world". In honor of my role as Jumpstart leader and a fun weekend ahead, I chose to share with you guys a song by Carrie Underwood called "Stand By You," which was originally performed by The Pretenders. I am beyond excited to act as a peer mentor and a role model for those looking to start off their college experience with a whole lot of memories. 

This weekend is dedicated to upperclassmen helping first-year students move-in, get settled, and make friends. I believe this song expresses the true meaning of giving back; for, we don't only have to give back to the community at select times for a set number of days per year, but we can count on each other through community service and through the everyday connections we make with those around us.

Here are the lyrics, enjoy! 

"I'll Stand By You"

[Originally performed by The Pretenders]

Oh why you look so sad
The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don’t be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
Cause I’ve seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I’ll stand by you
I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you

So if you're mad get mad
Don’t hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide
I get angry too
Well I’m a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads 
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
Cause even if you're wrong

I’ll stand by you
I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you
Take me in into you darkest hour
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

I’ll stand by you
I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you
Take me in into you darkest hour
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you

Oh I’ll stand by you
I’ll stand by you

Lyrics credit: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/illstandbyyou.html