submitted by P. Harvey
What happens when you mix students with service, a bit of fun, and some excellent company? A two-day blast of bonding, learning, and giving back, that’s what!
This year’s events with Alternative Spring Break students were a hit – not only with the alumni but with the students who took a break from the usual spring break to dive into outreach activities across the city. Some of our student volunteers rolled up their sleeves on farms, others spent time in elementary, middle, and high schools, food pantries, and nonprofit organizations. These were just a few of the impactful ways they gave back!
On day one, we had a special treat with former Law School Dean and esteemed lawyer, Alice Gresham Bullock. The students walked away a little wiser (and possibly considering a career in law). We can’t confirm or deny that a few future lawyers were born that day!
The next evening, we kicked off the fun with a poetry and game night! It was the perfect way for our students to wind down after a day of service. It was a fun surprise when Jeri Groce, Chair of the ASB Committee, led an opening dance activity to get everyone moving. When she asked, “Do you want a song from my generation or your generation?” the students, almost in unison, shouted, “Your generation!” And so, the classics rolled, and the group danced to old-school tunes that had everyone moving!
Frances Washington, class of ‘71, also shared some wisdom about her journey through school and how she made her career choices.
The night took an even cooler turn when Drew Anderson, an alum and current educator, graced the event. The students loved him. He had this to say about their decision to spend their spring break giving back: “I’m proud of you all for choosing to serve during a time when most people are out partying. That speaks volumes about your character, especially in today’s world.” Drew then wowed the crowd with his original spoken word performance, which centered on the importance of reading Black History books. But it wasn’t just a performance – Drew engaged the students, encouraged them, and even thanked them for their service. The poetry portion was well received, and several students even performed their own spoken word pieces!
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any more fun, we wrapped up the evening with a trivia game on our university’s history!
The students couldn’t stop talking about the lasting impact the Alternative Spring Break experience had on them. They thought they were just giving back, but in the end, they walked away with so much more – a sense of purpose, camaraderie, and a deeper appreciation for community service.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made this event a success – from the Alternative Spring Break committee who planned tirelessly, to our amazing guest speakers, Dean Bullock and Drew Anderson. Most of all, we want to thank our students who truly gave their all to serve our DC community. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things they will accomplish next.