Spring Break \’08: Arkansas

I have been struggling to find the words to articulate what I have encountered on this trip to Arkansas.From the incredibly hospitable student leaders like Brad, Kyle and Cory to the enthusiastic and humble principle at Stephens, to the gaiety and heartfelt sentiments of the students at Stephens, and of course, my always interesting fellow Wake peers, I can honestly say that coming out to the “straight up” country for spring break has made me remember why I came to Wake.

 Listening to the conversations and reflections of my peers, I was taken back to my first day of college.(As many of you know, I am the youngest of the group: sophomore status).I walked around the quad at Wake and wondered what things were awaiting me in the coming years.What did this school of Pro Humanitate have to teach me about serving Humanity? I’m not trying to plug Wake, because everyone who knows me knows that I have strong opinions about Wake, negative and positive, but stepping back and hearing the star basketball student state, “I wish ya’ll were staying another day, because I would’ve had a fish cooking in my crib for ya’ll. I’m for real, you guys have no idea how much ya’ll have touched my heart,” I am offering a thought of contemplation for all those already in intuitions of higher learning, no matter if it is a community college or a tech school or an Ivy.

 This gentle giant of 6’2 with an infectious smile and humor sat before my colleague and I, grasping on to each word we said about college and Fafsa and scholarships and college life and anything and everything. He filled out 6 applications and each time, he remarked, I’m going to college with a smile that would break any person’s heart.

 Yea, call me sentimental and maternal and emotional and naviee, but it doesn’t matter, I’m not going to internalize the labels of others.I know I have no idea what long-term impact, if any, I have made on this student and or any other person I have encountered in this small town of Arkansas, but “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” – St. Francis of Assisi

 In quoting St. Francis, I feel a pressing need to clarify.On the 2^nd day at Stephens, my Wake peers and I sat in classes with the students.After the advanced American history class was dismissed, we spoke with the teacher.He asked us why were we here in Arkansas? What were we getting out it?I remarked “I am my brother’s keeper” without hesitation.This might mean many things to different people, but to me this statement means that I am bounded to the suffering of my fellow human being and if my fellow man/woman is suffering than I too am suffering if I do nothing to help ease his or her suffering.But ya’ll! This student was my keeper, I was not his.He was my sunbeam. Yes, I was benefiting from these students.I came here drowning in confusion and these students pulled me out of the shadows of disempowerment and empowered me by giving me their trust and their hearts.

On Tuesday, we took a group of Stephen students to SAU to sit in on class and have lunch on campus. One of the girls asked me why we had chosen Stephens instead of one of the larger high schools. She stated that Stephens never gets this sort of treatment or is seen as important in comparison to the other schools. This statement took me back, because I realized the education disparity that I’ve been wrestling with in my paper for Social Problems was taking place in Stephens. It’s one thing to read about these under-resourced schools and poverty stricken communities, but to see it is a completely different experience.

The same girl then asked for my contact information. I hesitated because I knew coming on this trip, I would be giving these students hope but I also knew the reality of the situation and my role. I would more than likely not be coming back to Stephens any time soon and though I want to keep in touch with this girl, I know that I can’t possibly do anything to truly help her in the long-term except to be honest with her and state that there is more to life than what you have been exposed to.

As the day continued, our conversations took a personal turn. She had recently moved to Stephens and struggled with her many  issues at home and in finding her voice that I did and still continue to struggle with…Here was a girl who has so much to  give to this world, but lacked any sort of positive influence and guidance.  Wow…makes me think about how lucky I was in having mentors and my support system.

I don’t think this blog is truly able to capture these last few days…but I welcome any dialogue when we return to campus.  I don’t even know the true impact this experience will make on me.

Benny called to tell me that I was late this morning. We left Wake at 5:45am. We discovered having blood flow to the gluteus maximum was vital; therefore, we adjusted our sitting position as often as we could, despite the mountains of luggage surrounding each row. As we entered Alabama, a somewhat heated discussion about marriage took place. A persist prenuptial agreement was a major “non-negotiable” prior to union. This argument was responded with various comments: what was the point of marriage, how do you define a marriage, do you believe in joint-checking accounts, how vital is the symbolism of wearing white, etc.”I can tell already this trip was going to be quite interesting.