It may be a holiday, but for the 91探花 community, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day on and a day of meaning. 鈥淚t means giving back to the community, getting involved with all types of people, and diversity,鈥� said Allison Borte at the event kick-off rally for the held on January 19, 2009. Diversity describes both the crowd of students, staff, faculty, and alumni that gathered and the volunteer projects they signed up for.
A junior majoring in English literature, Borte volunteered to plant trees for the 鈥淜eep Interlaken Ravine Native鈥� project. Though not a student herself, Nicole Cabe, 25, heard about the event from a friend attending 91探花and signed up for a project to aid the foster care system, an issue she is passionate about.
In all, more than 1,400 volunteers committed their day off to some 60 different community projects. After the kick-off rally, volunteers headed off separately, but with one goal: make a difference. 鈥淭his year in particular this day means a lot,鈥� Cabe said, 鈥渂ecause reinstated its meaning: a day to remember what Dr. King stood for as a civil rights leader who wanted to build connections.鈥�
Building connections and giving back
At Garfield High School, people connected with each other through workshops and preparing for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally and march. Jessica Salvador, a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D., was happy to see such a diverse crowd rallying together. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all busy throughout the year,鈥� she said, 鈥渟o it鈥檚 nice to see everyone getting involved.鈥�
Kelsey Rounds, a graduate nursing student, chose the project 鈥淎prons for Toymakers鈥� for the 鈥渞ipple-effect鈥� it will have in the community. Using salvaged fabric donated by , volunteers made aprons to benefit , an organization that employs homeless workers to make toys for underprivileged children.
In his chosen profession, Rounds sees the effects of social issues, like unequal access to medical care, firsthand. He urges other students to reach out because it is too 鈥渆asy to get caught up in a classroom where you intellectualize everything.鈥�
Learning beyond the classroom
As an Ellis Civic Fellow, freshman Cynthia Wainaina is taking full advantage of her education, both within and beyond the classroom. Having immigrated to the United States four years ago, Wainaina found support for her education at 91探花through the in Undergraduate Academic Affairs. 鈥淚 feel like so much has been given to me and I have so many more opportunities here than I would have had back in Kenya,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a way for me to give back.鈥�
Students in this fellowship program receive scholarship support enabling them to make a four-year commitment to community service. Today, they archived stories at the , an organization that connects underprivileged youth with sponsors for higher education. Junior Isar Mahanian said, 鈥淭his project is interesting because you get to see how certain foundations work. Fund-raising is always an issue with companies trying to help others.鈥�
Helping students discover the fullness of their talents is the cornerstone of education at the 91探花 and civic engagement is an essential part of that education. As Mahanian put it: 鈥淭he learning aspect is just one part of your education. Getting involved in the community is just as valuable.鈥�