Alternative Spring Break- A Week of Service, Creativity and Finding Faith

ASB participants take an exciting group photo

    Every year approximately 1.5 million students across the United States and territories look forward to Spring Break, a week-long break from school to engage and participate in whatever they desire. While some students boarded a plane or boat to visit family and vacation, catch up on some much-needed R&R, or work on outstanding class projects and assignments; students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) on the Orville E. Kean campus decided to spend their week engaging in the 6th annual Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. 

 

    The UVI ASB program is a week-long theme-based immersive program which incorporates experiential learning, community engagement, personal, professional and or leadership development. Recognizing the challenges associated with COVID19, this year the Office of Student Affairs, based on students' interests, offered two unique and distinct programs aimed at fostering holistic health and wellness that fit right into the overarching theme to serve, learn and grow. “Paws for a Cause”was a choice for some while others spent their week “Finding Faith.”  

Finding Faith 

     Members of Finding Faith, an all-female group, explored what it means to believe in God while learning and educating themselves on the Christian faith. Throughout the week, members discussed a number of topics that currently affect young people or college students as a whole. Topics related to alcohol, sex, drugs, dating, music, marriage, and family. As they discussed these topics, they then used the bible as the source/answer to their lingering questions or concerns related to the topic at hand.

Finding Faith group displays artwork

    In addition to reading and studying the bible, the Finding Faith team went on a scavenger hunt while the campus, enjoyed a picnic on the beach and stretched their legs and rock climbed. They also played bingo and hosted a fashion show with the surrounding theme of modesty and discussed considerations for dressing appropriately. In addition, the Finding Faith crew also went out into the local community to feed the homeless, which is one of the many attributes of being a Christian. “Proverbs 22:9 states, the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor,” said student lead Ishara Jendayi. “So, in learning about faith we wanted to put into action what we were learning so we thought that feeding the homeless would be one of the best ways to do so.”

Finding Faith group enjoy John Brewers Bay Beach

    “It was honestly a great experience, because we were able to see there are so many people who are a lot less fortunate and I believe this activity taught us to be grateful for what we have and to sympathize with those in need,” added Jendayi. During the week of Finding Faith, Jendayi engaged in a form of “evangelism,” the act of preaching and sharing the Gospel and encouraged UVI student Liliana Familia to join their group for the week. “Before ASB I was doing some thinking and I asked myself, what exactly am I doing,” said Familia. “When I saw the ASB flyer I contemplated whether I should participate, but I didn’t really give it much thought. Then I was approached by Ishara and I am so thankful that she came up to me when she did. I have been on a journey to read my bible and pray more, Finding Faith really motivated me to keep on doing that.”

Finding Faith group, preparing meals for homeless

A major topic amongst generation-z and millennials is identity. To close out the Finding Faith journey, members discussed what makes them unique and who they identify as while painting pieces that expressed who they identified as in Christ.

Finding Faith group heading down to John Brewers Beach

“One of my favorite activities from Finding Faith was when we painted a canvas based on how we thought God views us, in other words our identity,” said Deanna Hunt. “I choose the quote, I am a masterpiece of God’s creation, because it reminds me that God made each of us uniquely,” added Hunt. “Although we may go through many ups and downs, we have these experiences to help us grow and develop into what God has planned for us. He will always be the Pilot in our lives, we just have to reach out to him in order to be directed.” Jendayi added, “what we learned in our discussion with identity, is no matter what we choose to identify as, whether that may be a proud St. Thomian, a UVI alumna, a Scorpio, or an athlete, the Finding Faith group came to the agreement that we can all identify ourselves as a child of God. So, no matter what a person may choose to identify as or whatever the world may say we should identify as, at the end of it all we will always be identified as a child of Christ.”

Finding Faith group having a picnic on the beach

After testifying before the ASB congregation, the Finding Faith group took everyone to church and raised the roof with their rendition of the viral “Faith Talk” rap by lead pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma Michael Todd. In addition to rapping, Liliana and Ricklia harmonized a beautiful symphony of praise to God to officially close out their Finding Faith journey. “It was a pleasure to be part of the Finding Faith ASB program,” said Rickila Hanley. “I was able to connect with lovely ladies who are proud of their faith journey. The activities were creative, the discussions were lively, and the fellowship was amazing.”

Finding Faith group giving our food and water to homeless

Before officially signing off from this year’s Alternative Spring Break, Verna Rivers, dean of Student Affairs on the Orville E. Kean Campus rendered congratulatory and closing remarks and presented the students with participation certificates. “I am more and more amazed about the diversity of these programs that still meet ASB’s goal to serve, learn, and grown,” said Rivers. “ASB could not have been possible without your participation, so I would like to congratulate and thank you all for embracing these principals and for giving up your traditional spring break to engage in ASB,” added Rivers. “So, I am truly hopeful that these experiences embodied UVI’s values and our expectation that you served, you learned, and you grew.” The Alternative Spring Break program is an annual program offered by the Office of Students of Affairs in alignment with its mission to provide a campus environment engaging student’s holistic human development through academic enrichment health and wellness, social, cultural recreational programs and services.

Alternative Spring Break- A Week of Service, Creativity and Paws for a Cause

 

Alternative Spring Break Participants take an exciting group photo

    

Paws for a Cause

    

Humane Society of St. Thomas

 

   Students in Paws for a Cause collaborated with the Humane Society of St. Thomas and became pet foster parents for one week. As pet foster parents, students spent time bonding with their chosen pet, taking them on walks, feeding, bathing them, cleaning their cages, and advocating for the dogs and cats in need of a permanent home. Since 1957, the Humane Society of St. Thomas has been sheltering animals, fighting cruelty, and animal neglect and working to create an environment of respect, responsibility and compassion for all animals throughout the territory. 

 

At the ASB closing ceremony on Friday March 11, inside of West Hall, participants in Paws for a Cause expounded on their experiences while working with the humane society. 

Destinee Turnbull

Berlin

 

    

  “I’m more so a dog person, I like cats too, but I like dogs because they are more active, but I fell in love with this one cat named Berlin,” said Destinee Turnbull. Throughout all my cat experiences, this was the first cat that allowed me to give them a belly rub. He was very loving, affectionate and sweet. I enjoyed my time with all the animals, but Berlin and I made a really great connection.” 

Lamar

Kahlifah Powell

 

 

 Kahlifah Powell spent her week bonding and building a connection with her “Pitbull furry friend Lamar”. “Lamar loves to run and jump with excitement when he sees me,” said Powell. He was actually the first dog I saw that I got an instant connection with. We spent a lot of time walking up and down the hill, and just honestly enjoying each other’s company.”  

 

Frenchie

Angelisa Freeman

 

Angelisa Freeman spent her time with a terrior by the name of Frenchie, a total lady as she described. “Frenchie loves the outdoors and exploring and just loves her belly rubs,” said Freeman. When Angelisa and Frenchie went on walks, “she never pulled on her leash or chased cats. She is very calm and pleasant to be around. An overall a very lovely dog.” 

 

Wind

Teh'Rhon Rabsatt

 

  

For The’Rhon Rabsatt, although cats aren’t necessarily his favorite animal, he spent his week learning the ways of all things cats. Rabsatt’s foster pet was a cat by the name of Wind. “Wind was the cat that changed my opinion on how I felt about cats. He’s really chill and gentle, he never once tried to scratch or bite me or run away,” said Rabsatt. “Basically, I love this guy, if I could adopt him I would, so if you or anyone you know happens to have a home and nice place for Wind, I would encourage you to adopt him.” 

 

Leilanni

Lianni Gardner

 

 

 

While mostly all participants expressed how much they loved being foster pet parents, for Lianni Gardner her time with her dog Leilanni was a little bit of an emotional one. Before the end of the week, Lianni learned that Leilanni was adopted and would be flying out to a permanent home. “I fell in love with Leilanni the moment I saw her, she was the sweetest thing ever,” said Gardner. “I tried my best not to cry when I found out she was being adopted, but I knew she would be with a family who will love and take care of her.” 

After breaking the stereotypes of stray dogs and cats, inside of the West Hall courtroom, Paws for a Cause counsels Tevin Lettsome and Joleen Buchanan presented closing arguments before the ASB jury on why a dog or cat is the better animal. 

 

 

 

Tevin Lettsome

 

“I have three dogs at home, by heart and nature I am a dog person,” said Lettsome. “I can deal with cats but to the degree that I had to deal with cats this week, I think I will stick to the dogs.” The ASB jury let out giggles and loud laughter in response to Lettsome’s statement. 

 

Joleen Buchanan

 

“I am a cat person, cats are the best animals in the world,” said Buchanan. “Now the opposing counsel can express whatever he wants about cats, but cats are unique and different. I do understand that people have their preferences, not everyone is going to like the same things and that is fine. My only problem is that some people like to present cats as bad or scary animals, but cats and dogs are different. I think once a person takes the time to get to know their cat you will realize that cats are not that bad.” 

 

After presenting compelling arguments, student lead Celestial Dazle and the ASB jury only saw it fit to declare a mistrial.  

Sarai Hutchinson

 

Nichel Daniel

 

  In addition to volunteering their time at the Humane Society, student participants also designed baseball caps, created animal paintings, and hosted a cat adoption event, which led to one cat adoption and two potential adoptees.  

 

Participants design baseball caps

                 

“I would have never imagined myself coordinating the week for Paws for a Cause,” said Dazel. “However, I am happy with the outcome of the program. I enjoyed planning the week of art-filled activities and I loved helping my peers learn more about the animals at the Humane Society of St. Thomas,” added Dazel. “Not only did I make meaningful connections with my peers, but I also gained more leadership experiences.  I am thankful to Director Rogers Charles for helping me create the idea of Paws for a Cause, the behind-the-scenes staff that helped with the events, the participants of Paws for a Cause, and the Humane Society of St. Thomas for partnering with us.” 

Celestial holding a puppy as other participants look

“For me the experience was more eye opening than ever before,” said Adina Browne. “I learnt how much of an impact we can make in the lives of animals on a daily basis.” It showed me that we need to try harder to care for them and not just focus on ourselves because they matter too.” 

Adina Browne and Ava

 

Before officially signing off from this year’s Alternative Spring Break, Verna Rivers, dean of Student Affairs on the Orville E. Kean Campus rendered congratulatory and closing remarks and presented the students with participation certificates. 

Participants give a puppy a bath

 

 “I am more and more amazed about the diversity of these programs that still meet ASB’s goal to serve, learn, and grown,” said Rivers. “ASB could not have been possible without your participation, so I would like to congratulate and thank you all for embracing these principals and for giving up your traditional spring break to engage in ASB,” added Rivers. “So, I am truly hopeful that these experiences embodied UVI’s values and our expectation that you served, you learned, and you grew.”  

 

The Alternative Spring Break program is an annual program offered by the Office of Students of Affairs in alignment with its mission to provide a campus environment engaging student’s holistic human development through academic enrichment health and wellness, social, cultural recreational programs and services.