Service-learning enthusiasts presented their programs and shared theirexperiences at APPLES' fifth annual celebration of service Thursday atthe Campus Y.
About 100 people attended the event"" called ""Fruits of Our Labor""which included posters from nine programs displaying annual highlightsin addition to participants' experiences.
APPLES, an organization devoted to combining service and learning, alsopresented four awards that came with stipends and plaques to students,faculty and community partners.
It's a time for us to brag about ourselves and show all the hard workand the impact our volunteers have on the community"" said HillaryStoker, AmeriCorps VISTA for APPLES.
About 1,800 students participate in different APPLES opportunitiesthroughout the year.
Clay Vickers was one of 10 students who went on an Alternative SpringBreak trip this year to Robeson County, where many residents facehealth issues. As part of the program, he also participated in aone-hour pass/fail course.
I like the class component because it gives you time to bond with thepeople on your trip before"" he said.
While on the trip, Vickers helped organize a skit that taught residentsto read nutritional labels and gave other health tips.
APPLES also organizes alternative break trips during fall and winterbreaks throughout North Carolina and the eastern United States.
Another program, the service-learning initiative, is aimed at incomingfirst-year students. The initiative, which students must apply toattend, introduces them to a variety of service opportunities in ChapelHill, Carrboro and Durham.
We try to introduce the first-years to service learning ? integratingacademia with service as well as reflecting upon their serviceexperiences"" said Aisha Amuda, chairwoman of the service-learninginitiative.
Most students get involved in APPLES through service-learning courses.
APPLES offers more than 80 courses in which students use what theylearn in the classroom to serve the community. In these courses,students are required to perform at least 30 hours of community service.
In the fall, first-year student Kyrie Joyce took part in an APPLESclass integrating Spanish and entrepreneurship. She created a guidebookof resources to introduce Latino immigrants to Orange County.
Jones and two classmates also organized a weekly exchange in whichLatino immigrants and students could learn from one another. The groupdiscusses culture-specific issues and topics such as holidays andpolitics.
APPLES gave four awards to reward outstanding contributions to servicelearning. The Undergraduate Excellence Award went to Haley Koch, whohas taken five APPLES courses.
Koch has worked extensively with the Northside neighborhood to preserveits culture and also with local food banks. She is a strong believer inthe benefits of service learning.
I realized that it was possible to learn through my service and in myservice and with my service"" she said.
About 100 people attended the event"" called ""Fruits of Our Labor""which included posters from nine programs displaying annual highlightsin addition to participants' experiences.
APPLES, an organization devoted to combining service and learning, alsopresented four awards that came with stipends and plaques to students,faculty and community partners.
It's a time for us to brag about ourselves and show all the hard workand the impact our volunteers have on the community"" said HillaryStoker, AmeriCorps VISTA for APPLES.
About 1,800 students participate in different APPLES opportunitiesthroughout the year.
Clay Vickers was one of 10 students who went on an Alternative SpringBreak trip this year to Robeson County, where many residents facehealth issues. As part of the program, he also participated in aone-hour pass/fail course.
I like the class component because it gives you time to bond with thepeople on your trip before"" he said.
While on the trip, Vickers helped organize a skit that taught residentsto read nutritional labels and gave other health tips.
APPLES also organizes alternative break trips during fall and winterbreaks throughout North Carolina and the eastern United States.
Another program, the service-learning initiative, is aimed at incomingfirst-year students. The initiative, which students must apply toattend, introduces them to a variety of service opportunities in ChapelHill, Carrboro and Durham.
We try to introduce the first-years to service learning ? integratingacademia with service as well as reflecting upon their serviceexperiences"" said Aisha Amuda, chairwoman of the service-learninginitiative.
Most students get involved in APPLES through service-learning courses.
APPLES offers more than 80 courses in which students use what theylearn in the classroom to serve the community. In these courses,students are required to perform at least 30 hours of community service.
In the fall, first-year student Kyrie Joyce took part in an APPLESclass integrating Spanish and entrepreneurship. She created a guidebookof resources to introduce Latino immigrants to Orange County.
Jones and two classmates also organized a weekly exchange in whichLatino immigrants and students could learn from one another. The groupdiscusses culture-specific issues and topics such as holidays andpolitics.
APPLES gave four awards to reward outstanding contributions to servicelearning. The Undergraduate Excellence Award went to Haley Koch, whohas taken five APPLES courses.
Koch has worked extensively with the Northside neighborhood to preserveits culture and also with local food banks. She is a strong believer inthe benefits of service learning.
I realized that it was possible to learn through my service and in myservice and with my service"" she said.
""It's not about learning in the classroom and serving in the community.The classroom is everywhere.""
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
