Alternative Spring Break: Benedict College Students Work At East Elementary

By Betsy Finklea
While many college students were spending their spring break at the beach or relaxing, a group from Benedict College came to Dillon this past weekend to donate their time and talents working at East Elementary School.
The students were taking part in Benedict College’s Service Learning program’s “Alternative Spring Break” in which students may “volunteer their time to travel and serve a deserving agency.”
When the group of 30 students and 10 staff members arrived on Friday, they had an orientation with Principal Bobbie Walters in the school library and then toured East Elementary School.
After the tour of the school, the presented two boxes of brand new books from Scholastic, with a $2,000 value, to Principal Walters, who received them on behalf of the school.
Director Tondaleya G. Jackson said she came in December to meet and see what they could do to help.
She said the students have “willing hearts,” but not necessarily many maintenance skills.
One of the art professors, Wendell Brown, came and brought along some art students to work on the mural.
In addition to the mural, some of the projects that the students took on included putting out pine straw around the school, fixing up the garden which was redesigned by Julie Hatcher, raking and picking up debris from the grounds, and painting the doors and rails to the mobiles.
Several of the students who chose to come to East Elementary had seen “Waiting For Superman” and “Corridor Of Shame.”
Aubury Cox-Todd, an education major, said he had heard of the “Corridor of Shame” and wanted to come and be hands-on in a place like one he may eventually be a teacher or administrator in.
Loretta Johnson, a graduate of Creek Bridge and student at Benedict, said she felt like giving back. Student Jairen Lewis agreed saying that he has a child and wanted to make a difference in the lives of other children.
Student Annette Stidham said she wanted to give back to the young children and to help them have what other public schools have.
Theresa Hill, student, said she felt this was a good service learning project and that she had enjoyed the project. She said hopefully the children will enjoy it too.
Principal Walters was complimentary of the students and their work. “The students from Benedict College were fabulous! They worked diligently cleaning the grounds of our campus, planting and sprucing up the garden area, and painting a “Mighty Wild Kitten” mascot on the third grade wall. They were inquisitive, polite and well-mannered and we truly appreciate all they have done here at East Elementary.”
The school was given a sign to display showing that they are a partner of the Benedict College Service Learning program.
Students from Benedict who participated in the alternative spring break at East Elementary were Nykia Johnson, Loretta Johnson, India Generette, Amber Wilder, Justin Wilson, Aubury Cox-Todd, Veronica Brown, Bennard Franklin, Bridget Starling, Anthony Rodgers, Vernon Thompson, Brandie Miller, Sanquetta Daniels, Annette Stidham, Rominic Moze, Tia Frazier, Willard Evans, Theresa Hill, Steve Simon, Jairen Lewis, Lyndon Alexander, Alise Bethea, Sakynia Jacobs, Shaquille Person and Taylor Williamson. Staff included Director Tondaleya Jackson, Keisha Webb, Angela Woodard, Katrina Pitts, Ayanna Mayes, LaMyra Sanders, Wendell Brown, Sharon Brown, Tyrone Murray and Charita Perkins.

About The Program
(Taken from the program’s brochure)
The Benedict College Service Learning Program is designed to build leadership by developing academic-based opportunities to enhance students’ intellectual growth, civic responsibility, and career exploration. It is designed to foster the leadership potential in all of its students which enable each student to become “a power for good in society.” The program extends the curriculum into the community and vice-versa through academic-based programs and activities, which engage students in service and learning simultaneously.

About Alternative Spring Break
(Taken from the program’s brochure)
During the annual spring break, Benedict College students may volunteer their time to travel and serve a deserving agency. Service projects include painting, landscaping and other labor-intensive tasks. Past destinations include New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Laurinburg, North Carolina; and Stone Mountain, Georgia.

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