Web Connection

By: Maria Johnson

When the end of school comes around, students can practically smell the sweet summer days taunting them with visions of all-nighters, breakfast at 3 P.M. and sun-soaking fashions. But contrary to the classic summer expectations, some people actually spend those free couple months doing productive things. Using their blessings to bless others, these students made the best of the time they were given. 

Encouraging Integration

“It changed the way I perceived people,” sophomore Amber Bowling said. “I didn’t feel like I was giving up my summer. It wasn’t work, just hanging out.”

Bowling volunteered with the Floyd County Special Student Summer Program, a program that helps young adults with disabilities successfully transition into adulthood, every Friday of her summer. She was involved in skill and friendship-building activities and field trips.

“The most difficult part was that on the first day I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.

She also adds that sometimes there were communication barriers, but she got used to it and learned how to communicate differently. Bowling said the program made a positive impact on both the students and the volunteers.

Participating as a student, junior Sean Smith also spent time at the FCSSSP. From his point of view, they went on fun trips, made arts and crafts, and learned about college.

“My favorite part was seeing all my friends from New Albany and Floyd Central,” Smith shared with a smile.

A clash of cultures

When Northside Christian Church joined Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in July, Madison Sanders, though only a sophomore, was ready to help. The group led a Vacation Bible School, participated at a sports camp (where the Haitians kicked their butts at soccer, she says), organized a Just Dance Tournament, handed out TOMS shoes, and started building a church.

“It was an incredible learning experience, and really showed me how God works in mysterious ways!” Sanders said.

Being that it was a Christian mission trip, it was difficult for Sanders when the shoe drop rules prohibited her from talking to the shoe recipients about her faith. But even so, she says it was totally worth her time.

Sanders shared more of her favorite parts of the trip which included praying with prostitutes at a brothel and distributing food at a jail.

“I thought I was going to see a lot of things I really didn’t want to see, but instead I saw some women who had a lot of struggle in their lives, and were going to the ends of the world to get what their family needed, even if it meant selling their bodies,” Sanders said. “The women there were the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met, and all of them were so happy that we were visiting them and praying for them. You could really see that God was starting to work through them.”

Music to my ears

Happy to take a week-long volunteer opportunity, senior Zack Rhoades worked at Ichthus Music Festival for the Coffee Crossing booth in the Indie tent. He very much enjoyed hearing music like Josh Garrels while he worked, although he says that starting the brew at 4 A.M. wasn’t too fantastic. Rhoades appreciated the large variety of music including indie, electronica, techno, dubstep, rock, and death core.

“There was something there for everyone,” he said.

Taking time for Tuscaloosa’s tornado trash

Stepping right into NAHS, freshman Antwan Thompson shared his experience to Tusculoosa, Alabama. He traveled there with his youth group from First Baptist Church of New Albany and worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help rehabilitate people and families who were affected by the recent tornado. Some of the work included boxing up, bagging, and moving donations in a warehouse. Waking up early was not exactly fun, Thompson said, but when all was said and done, it was definitely worth it.

Avoiding despair by helping repair

Junior Dyllyn Nevitt was working hard in the hot summer sun, but it was all worth it to her. She went to Chicago with Park Memorial United Methodist Church and helped people whose houses needed attention.

“The most rewarding part was knowing that I had done something for someone that they really needed,” Nevitt said. “They were so appreciative, and it just made me feel happy to know that I helped somebody. It was definitely the highlight of my summer.”

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