Cassidy Troy

Professor McGovern

Honors Service Learning

26 September 2014

Day of Service

   On Stockton’s Day of Service, on September 6 2014, I had the privilege of working closely with The Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA). This organization is not government owned, and not considered a charity. The members of the group are unemployed or underemployed people trying to survive. Through this association, when one member is helped, it is asked of that person to help the next member if he can. These members almost form a community to combat poverty. Members who need the necessities that many have taken for granted, such as food, water, clothing, furniture, are offered if the members need them. Also, things such as medical and dental care are provided through doctors that volunteer their time to help the people who cannot afford this care.

The team that I was a part of went into the impoverished section of Atlantic City, a major city that has been affected by the increase in job loss because many of the casinos have been going out of business. We went door-to-door asking people to join and become members of the association. We had to state that there is a small monthly fee of $0.67, completely voluntary and asked of its members, but we also noted that members pay if they can and when they can.

This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized that obviously there are people struggling, but I was even more surprised at the fact that the people who answered the doors were not skeptical or rude, but rather positive and optimistic for the future that ESWA could help them work towards. We added around fifteen new members to the association, many with families, all willing to work to create a brighter future, an important lesson that everyone should learn. I truly enjoyed this experience because it was an active experience. I actually got to hear people’s stories and what they have been through, and what they want to do for the future, and how they want to get there.

On Saturday September 6, 2014, Stockton hosted its semi-annual Day of Service, an event in which multiple clubs and organizations gather together and allow students to participate in community service on or off campus. After arriving at the campus event room at 8 am that morning, we were provided with breakfast, a free “Stockton Serves” t-shirt, and choices to volunteer with one of many clubs/organizations attending the event.

My friends and I chose to stay on campus with WaterWatch for our first Stockton event (outside of Welcome Week). WaterWatch is a club at Stockton that focuses on service and keeping our campus and the surrounding community trash-free and environmentally friendly. Being freshmen, we had no idea what WaterWatch was or what we were going to be doing that day. We soon found out that we would be split into groups of about 10 people each and assigned different sections of campus to clean. My friends and I were grouped together and told to clean the West Quad and the area surrounding the Campus Center. Our group then split into two even smaller groups to cover our assigned ground faster and more efficiently.

Surprisingly, there wasn’t that much trash to pick up – Stockton is lucky to have such a clean campus. The only minor issue we encountered was the many scattered cigarette butts around the gazebos and in non-smoking areas.

Even though it was an extremely hot morning, we finished cleaning campus and helping other groups at 11 am. Lunch was then provided for us in the Campus Center, where we held a small reflection session. What this service project meant to us was central to our discussion. To me, this service project was a way to make a difference by doing something simple. In fact, since the Day of Service, I notice the trash around campus more and don’t hesitate to pick it up and throw it out. All in all, the experience was worth the effort and was a rewarding way to serve Stockton.

On September 6, 2014, Stockton’s 11^th annual Day of Service, I went with a group of about twenty girls to South Jersey Horse Rescue. Having seen signs all around the campus for the event, I was eager to sign up to volunteer. When the day finally came, I woke up bright and early and prepared for a hard day of work helping whatever organization I ended up with. As I had already taken a look at the organizations that would be represented at the event, I was especially interested in South Jersey Horse Rescue, not only because I am very close with the woman who puts her heart and soul into the rescue, Ellen Strack, but also because it is imperative to help those gentle animals who suffer so in states of neglect and mistreatment.

After floating down the steps in the Campus Center to receive our t-shirts telling of our participation in the event, eating breakfast, and filling out a short waiver, we made our way to the event room. I quickly found SJHR’s table, and despite not recognizing any of the people sat there, I had a seat and introduced myself. These fresh and friendly faces would become more familiar as the day went on, but in that room we were still unsure of what was in store, and certainly none of us could have imagined just how much we would be doing for the people and horses we met at the rescue.

After arriving at the site, we were greeted by an exasperated and jolly Ellen bearing a checklist to be completed. The friendly sharpie on the orange poster board spelled out tasks ranging from relocating a tent that had sheltered a horse brought to the rescue only a few weeks before whose body was completely emaciated—scoring 1 on the horse body scale—who died there shortly thereafter, to replacing plastic insulators on the electric fence that keeps the horses from wandering away , to shoveling horse manure into empty feed bags to garner donations from local residents who fertilize their gardens with it, to sorting through trash, left from a huge fundraising concert Ellen had hosted, for recyclables and cans. She appeared a bit disheartened at the lack of male muscle-power present, but our group of strong women put all of our hearts into helping Ellen and by two o’clock, all of the tasks she had set out had been completed. Even our bus driver, Ray, helped massively by fixing Ellen’s broken lawn mower just enough to be able to mow the entire property before it broke down again, this time, for good. It was an extremely hot day, but having the horses as well as so many positive, hard-working people around all the time gave us the strength to power through the hours we spent there.

Personally, I feel this is definitely an organization I would help again, after seeing first hand just how much Ellen gives to her horses, and seeing the massive amount of work that goes into keeping the rescue running smoothly and helping as many horses as possible. Despite the lack of glamour in the tasks on our plate, we finished essential jobs that would have taken their few regular volunteers so much time to complete. If such a large group of people went in to help the rescue on a more regular basis, it would be possible to give the horses even better care—all the brushing and riding they could ever ask for—and perhaps even expand the site to be able to facilitate more horses. In addition, this would increase awareness for this organization that should be given unlimited spending to help those gentle and mistreated creatures.

September 5th at 6:00pm the ladies of D100 and D200 met for a movie night program organized by RA’s Julie and Susan. Building-mates came in p.j.’s with snacks, stuffed animals and pillows prepared to enjoy “13 Going on 30”. The film was selected for this program due to the “coming of age story”.

Just as the main character Jenna, new students at Stockton have entered adulthood “overnight”. Jenna is thrust into becoming an adult in a far more magical way then the ladies of D building, but we can all relate to many of the struggles she faces as we begin to live on our own for the first time.

I personally feel that this was an excellent choice of movie, especially considering the meaning behind it. The film not only follows Jenna threw her sudden entrance into adulthood, but also explores the struggles we each face every day involving staying true to ourselves. We watch 30 year old Jenna pick up the pieces of a life so different than she had ever dreamed. Jenna spends a large portion of the film trying to right wrongs and go back to the way things were when she was 13. I find the movie itself very heartwarming and filled with life lessons. About half the girls attending the program had never before seen the pop culture classic prior to this viewing. The vast majority of girls in attendance truly seemed to enjoy the flick and appreciated the relevance to our current situations.

After the film, Julie held a brief Q&A session for all the ladies of D building – with question topics ranging from Whose Line to the Honors Program. It was extremely helpful as Julie is so open, genuine and willing to help with whatever anyone needs.

It was very nice getting to bond with my building-mates while pigging out on snacks, laughing, and even crying. This movie is and will always be one of my favorites. This was a fantastic program and I look forward to future movie nights and the Q&A’s that follow. Thanks Julie and Susan!

Blog 15: Stockton Shootout

            On April 26^th, the Stockton Shootout took place in the I-wing gym from noon until 4:00. This event was made for children with disabilities to play basketball with honors volunteers, who all decorated a Stockton Shootout 2014 green t-shirt for the event.

During the reflection session that was held afterwards, we were asked about the deeper meaning of the program, as well as any improvements that should be made for next year’s event. For the deeper meaning, I wrote down that taking a few hours out of someone’s day to participate really pays off, and it makes the volunteer feel as if he or she made a big difference in doing so. There were six athletes that came to participate, all ranging from the age of twelve to forty-one. Their names were Jeffrey, Dylan, Natalie, Dan, Chris, and Joe. Starting with stretches, jumping jacks, several dribbling drills and lay-ups, we were all ready to be part of a real basketball game! It was so much fun, and we were helping the community in doing so. What I loved about this event was that it didn’t feel like service.

As for improvements to be made, there was one major problem that everyone agreed on. For the event to be more successful, there should be much more advertising, since it is a great cause and a lot of fun in the meantime. The flyers that went out for the event were also misleading, stating that the volunteers would be playing basketball with honors students rather than honors students playing basketball with the athletes that came.

All in all, the event showed that people with disabilities are fully capable of doing the same things that everyone else does, and that these disabilities shouldn’t be a label to anyone. My mom works with children of special education, and I remember watching them play in gym class separately from most of the other kids. Playing basketball with everyone today really showed that we can make a big difference.

Blog 14: NAMS Poster Viewing

On April 26^th, several students presented their research and findings on the projects they’ve been working on for anywhere between one semester and three years.

After walking around the atrium about three times, a few posters caught my eye, especially the one that focused on the effect of a protein called TACE of Alzheimer’s disease. Another poster focused on the mathematical aspects of ecology by representing graphs, both 2 and 3 dimensional. Several equations were used to calculate different aspects of an environment. In addition, there was another student who focused on raccoon diseases, but more importantly, the vaccines that help prevent these lethal diseases. Finally, there was one student who focused on coral and their growth. Two years in the making, this poster was called, “Analysis of the Effects of External Electrochemical Charge on the Astrangia poculata Transcriptome.” The student took the DNA sequence of the coral at several stages in the experiment to find out the effect of injecting electricity into the coral.

Apart from making advancements in fields of varying fields of research, the posters also allowed students, especially freshmen, realize the extent to which Stockton can reach out to a multitude of ideas and interests. The poster that caught my eye the most, I realized, was the one most related to the medical field and mental illnesses, and this helped me ensure that I’m making the right decision in going into the medical field after graduate school ,medical school, or wherever else I may wind up.

This event covered biology topics (which I found to be most interesting), as well as chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Walking by all the posters inspired me to do research of my own, which would help me in deciding on a future career.

Blog 13: Taylor II Ballet

            Lights, camera, action! After everyone settles in, the music begins and the curtains open, revealing six dancers, dressed in either flowing white dresses or white leotards. The excitement begins right off the bat, with upbeat music to get the ballet started. Beginning with a classic ballet, Aureole set the stage for the remaining two pieces, one entitled Company B and the othe entitled Esplanade. Each dance flowed together perfectly, transitioning from one “scene” to the next by gracefully running on and off stage. The three dances, although they consisted of the same style of dance, captured my attention in different ways. The distinguishing feature of being theatrical is what drew me to the second piece.

On February 6^th, a story was told on the stage of the Performing Arts Center. The Paul Taylor II Dance Company put unique twists on ordinary ballet techniques in attempt to capture the attention of the audience, while being dramatic enough to give their dances a theatrical theme. However, a ballet doesn’t just consist of dancing; there are a variety of factors that go into producing an effective ballet. For example, the costumes must be reflective of the piece in which they are paired with. If the performers wore their 1920s outfits in the first piece, I doubt I would think the ballet was affecting. There would be a sense of confusion, since the costumes and dancing would represent two different styles of ballet.

Each piece consisted of its own style and technique, which is how the dancers try to capture the attention of the audience and to keep them on the edge of their seats. I was able to realize how much work goes into each and every skill. Flexibility, as well as strength is needed to perform in a ballet, as well as a theatrical appeal. Taylor II successfully executed every aspect of a ballet, despite any viewer’s preference of one over the others.

Blog 12: Get Involved Fair

            At the Get Involved Fair, several tables are set up in order to get students involved on campus. Although the fair is open to anyone who is interested in joining clubs, I found the fair extremely useful as a freshman, since I was not too familiar with the clubs here at Stockton. I signed up for the American Sign Language Club, fencing club, the Biology Society, and Occupational Therapy Club.

The fair is handy in that you can sign up for as many clubs as you want, and this gives you a way to find what fits into your schedule for the upcoming semester. When I first decided to come to Stockton, I knew there were lots of clubs, but I was not aware that some clubs aim to help aid the decision of a career.

I’ve developed an interest in occupational therapy ever since my high school anatomy teacher recommended it to me, but it was hard to have my own opinion on it just by looking at the Wikipedia page for occupational therapy. After going to a meeting for the club, the graduate students answered any and all questions I had for them, like the aim of an occupational therapist or the types of classes they take as graduate student. There was strip the club went on, but I was unable to participate, and therefore I have even more of a reason to put my email address on the list to re-join the club.

As a sophomore, I plan to join the Quidditch team, which I would never think of joining before coming to Stockton. I also plan to work my schedule around the Biology Society and Occupational Therapy Club, and it would be extremely difficult to find out information about either of these clubs if I couldn’t put my name down on the sign-up list at the Get-Involved Fair that occurs at the beginning of each semester.

Blog 11: Woodstockton: Goo Goo Dolls

            Toward the end of the Spring 2014 semester, the Goo Goo Dolls came to Stockton! The Goo Goo Dolls had perfect timing; just as the workload is getting heavier in classes in preparation for finals, they gave students a way to free their minds of biology, chemistry, or whatever else is becoming more stressful than usual.

In addition to the lesser known songs, the Goo Goo Dolls performed songs that are commonly heard on the radio. The only concert I’ve been to was Maroon 5, and from the lawn seats, it was hard to even tell that it was them singing. However, at the Goo Goo Dolls concert, I was able to get much closer.

Personally, my favorite songs were “Iris” and “Slide.” Whenever I’m in the car with my mom, 106.7 is playing on the radio. For some reason, it always seemed as if “Iris” was the most popular song on the station. To see them in person (as well as video tape a few songs to show my mom), reminded me that some of the artists I hear on the radio still sound the same way in person. The ten dollars was absolutely worth it, and I was shocked to find out that the Goo Goo Dolls were the ones singing familiar songs like “Iris;” it was not expected at all!

After the concert, t-shirts and CDs were sold, not just for the Goo Goo Dolls, but for one of the groups that went on as an opening act as well as the Battle of the Bands winner. One of the opening acts included a violin, which I found surprising. However, I thought it was a great addition to the group.

SET did a great job organizing the event, and I can’t wait for next year’s Woodstockton concert! Not only did this event show me the awesome things the Stockton Entertainment Team is capable of, but it allowed me to forget about all the studying I’ve been doing, and to remind myself that having fun is also an important part of being successful at Stockton.

Blog 10: Civil War Reenactment

            A former student of Stockton College came to Freshmen Seminar to show off his hobby of Civil War reenacting. As part of a reenactment group, the actor explained to the honors freshmen what his hobby is like.

As a biology major, I’ve never really had an interest in history. However, bringing history to the present gives new perspectives on the history lessons I’ve learned about countless times from a textbook. The actor, who was completely open to answering any question we had, notified us of the accuracy, down to his uniform. Apart from the heavy clothes he had to wear and the bag he had to carry with false weapons, for some reason I remember the shoes the most clearly. They were big, clunky, and they must have been difficult to walk in. Not only does the Civil War Reenactment give an extremely accurate portrayal of the factual history, but it also provides a fun way of learning.

In addition to learning a lot about the Civil War, this class was a great way to change it up a little, rather than having discussions only on the books we read in class. This was a perfect example of a more hands-on activity that is educational without even feeling like it’s a lesson. In high school, I usually just read the history textbook to learn, and then the teacher would spark up a discussion on the material. If the teachers took a break from this every so often, I probably would’ve found history class much more enjoyable.

If the actor comes back for the next freshmen honors classes, I would recommend that the actor brings a video or two of his work to show the class exactly what it’s like, and to give a better idea as to what it’s all about. When the actors was talking about his hobby, it seemed as if the actors joked around a lot while learning about history, and I thought that would be a great way to present history to a class a non-history buffs like me.