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Alternative spring break trips popular option for UNT students
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Students at the University of North Texas will spend spring break rebuilding homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina, conducting environmental research at Goose Island State Park and spending time with sick children in Memphis. Gabrielle Loper, a UNT sophomore in early childhood education, will spend the week in New Orleans rebuilding homes. Loper's grandparents and other relatives live in New Orleans, so Katrina took a personal toll on her family. "Rebuilding this city gives you a whole different perspective on life," Loper, 20, said. "One day you can have everything, and the next day you can lose it all. "By spending a week there, we can get a very small idea of what people have been through." The New Orleans trip is one of six alternative spring break trips sponsored by UNT's Center for Leadership and Service. This program aims to raise awareness of social issues and injustices through education and intensive service learning experiences. Students will leave on March 13 (Saturday) and return March 20 (Friday-Saturday). "There are so many reasons students choose to spend their spring break volunteering," said Amy Simon, director of the center. "They do it to make a difference, make friends and travel. It's a powerful experience." In addition to the New Orleans trip, students also will: - Volunteer with sick children at the Ronald McDonald house in Memphis.
- Conduct environmental work at Goose Island State park.
- Rebuild homes destroyed by Katrina in Waveland, Miss.
- Care for and interact with pre school-aged children living in poverty in Memphis and in Kansas City, Mo.
Emily Moore, a sophomore in creative writing, is traveling to Goose Island, where she will help remove invasive trees and plants from marshes and swamps. The invasive species prevent other trees and plants from receiving sunlight and nutrients. "This is a natural habitat for many species of birds, and I hope we can help improve their habitat and make an impact," Moore said. "I wanted to spend a week immersed in nature instead of sitting indoors."
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Sarah Bahari (940) 565-4835
Email: sarah.bahari@unt.edu
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