Spring breakers enjoy an alternative lifestyle
Service: Alternative Spring Break program helps students help others around nation

By Carissa Hughes

For a majority of students, spring break is spent soaking up rays at the beach or skiing down snowy slopes. Places such as Cancun, South Padre, and Colorado are bombarded with college students looking for a good time.

This is not the case for 57 SMU community members who will participate in the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. ASB is a program designed to allow students to spend their spring breaks providing community service and improving the environment nation wide.

"ASB is a movement that is occurring across the nation. These are students who choose to do something different for their spring break," said Kathleen Edwards, ASB staff advisor and service house hall director.

This year SMU's ASB is sending students to six locations: Cincinnati, Elgin, AZ., Philadelphia, San Francisco, Shiprock, N.M., and New Orleans. At each of these sites, students will work with non-profit organizations in the area to help improve the community.

"ASB is a chance for students to aid the community. Typically students take spring break to go off and party. [ASB] is a chance for kids to grow and learn," Marietta Synodis, a sophomore said.

Synodis is one of nine students and one staff member going to Cincinnati. Synodis says the group will be working at soup kitchens, helping restore old buildings, and connecting with children in the after school program.

"It's an opportunity for students to get together and provide service; to give of themselves for a week," said Jimmy Tran, a junior economics and political science major.

Tran will be volunteering in San Francisco at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church. The Rev. Cecil Williams, a graduate of Perkins School of Theology, heads the church.

ASB affects not only the community that is being served but also the students who volunteer. Senior international studies and psychology major Rosalyn Kumar attended ASB as a first-year student. Before the trip, Kumar was unsure if she was going to continue her education at SMU.

"[ASB] has been a huge part of my decision to stay at SMU," Kumar said. "I had the most awesome time."

As the students interact with the community, a close bond forms between them. Kumar still remains close friends with the students she shared her first ASB experience with. Hoping to influence others, Kumar decided to work with ASB again this year in Philadelphia.

"I want to be a part of someone else's experience," Kumar said.

ASB hopes to challenge the common misconceptions and stereotypes that exist about impoverished communities.

"ASB is a wonderful opportunity to think outside of your comfort zone. It's an eye-opening experience," said Sarah Zorger, a sophomore English and German major.

Zorger is a member of the group going to Shiprock, N.M. This site is especially exceptional because students will be volunteering on a Navajo reservation.

"Shiprock is unique because it blends cultural diversity with social issues," Zorger said.