The alternative break program places teams in communities to engage in community service and experiential learning during their breaks. “We have four meetings prior to our trips and a follow up meeting when we return,” said Cassi Mooney, interim coordinator of NSU student activies. “On every trip that NSU has been involved, we always hear how well our people work.” Adam Isack, Waverly, S.D. added, “We work fast and some can’t keep up, so NSU groups get picked up pretty fast!” Two groups spent their winter break volunteering in Los Angeles, Calif., with Aids Project Los Angeles (APLA), and Florida City, Fla., at Everglades National Forest and Biscayne National Park. “We spent two days in Everglades National Forest looking for the Brazilian Pepper plant, walking through heavy brush and using a machete to make a trail,” said Adam Isack. “It was like being explorers!” The group also spent time helping to beautify the grounds at Biscayne National Park by laying sod at the visitor’s center. Those working with APLA had the opportunity to work with Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, and bagging food at a local food bank. In early March groups traveled to Rapid City, New Orleans and Catalina Island. In Rapid City the group worked for three days at a Habitat for Humanity building site putting up siding and hanging sheetrock. Those who traveled to New Orleans worked with “Operation Nehemiah,” helping families rebuilding their lives after the destruction caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005. “Getting to see New Orleans through the eyes of those most affected by hurricane Katrina made a pretty big impact on me,” said Tiffany Thorne, Gillette, Wyo. “I would love to return in the future to see how the city is progressing.” At the Catalina Island Conservancy the group spent their time creating a trail under the direction of Kevin Ryan, trail coordinator for the conservancy. “Kevin named our trail “The NSU Trail” because he was pretty impressed about how efficient we were,” said Philip Mittleider, Tappen, N.D. Tigh Leibel of Timber Lake S.D., added, “We showed that trail who was boss!” The group also helped build nature fences to contain bison on the island. Workers from the conservancy welcomed ideas and advice from the NSU group some of who were familiar with ranching. THEIR ALTERNATIVE “Getting to see New Orleans through the eyes of those most affected by hurricane Katrina made a pretty big impact on me.” TIFFANY THORNE, GILLETTE, WYO. The sun, the beach, the late nights and the parties, are images that we associate with school breaks, but 55 members of the NSU community are changing the stereo-type by choosing to spend their breaks volunteering to make our world a better place. News NORTHERN “On every trip that NSU has been involved, we always hear how well our people work.” CASSI MOONEY, INTERIM COORDINATOR OF NSU STUDENT ACTIVIES 6 N O R T H E R N T O D A Y
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