Carroll Community College
Commencement 2008, No. 36



Contents

Dr. Robert Massa Addresses Graduates at 15th Commencement

President’s Column

Pinning Ceremony Honors Nursing Graduates

2008 Graduate Wins Civil Air Patrol Award

Waddell Receives President’s Award, Addresses Graduates

Michael Kiphart Appointed Dean of Student Affairs

Class of 2004 Graduate Reflects on His Carroll Education

Student Spring Break Trip Blazes a Trail in Tennessee

Info

 

Student Spring Break Trip Blazes a Trail in Tennessee

A group of ten Carroll Community College students participated in an alternative spring break trip this March, learning teamwork and leadership skills while offering their time and service. The students spent the week working side-by-side with volunteers from other colleges in the Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee, building the Cumberland Trail. There were 18 colleges from across the nation in the four-week program, and Carroll was the only community college.

The Cumberland Trail is a rugged, historic trail celebrating the heritage of Tennessee. When completed, the trail will cover 303 miles beginning at Cumberland Gap National Park on the northern border of Tennessee/Kentucky and ending in the "Grand Canyon" of Tennessee, the Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga. The Cumberland Trail was designated a State Scenic Trail in 1971 and a state park in 1998.

“The students built part of the trail from scratch,” said Michele Lenhart, who guided the trip with Kristie Crumley. Lenhart is director of Co-Curricular and First-Year Programs. Crumley is coordinator of Honors and assistant professor of math.

“We cut into the mountain and scraped dirt and roots, thanks to the tool training we received,” said Lenhart.

“Our students found purpose through their service,” said Crumley. “This was worthwhile and interesting work.”

“I feel like I made a positive impact on the environment,” said Jenna Myers, a student who participated. “I also learned how to build a maintainable hiking trail. It was a great experience, working side by side with people from Minnesota and Ohio.”

“I was really amazed by the staff and volunteers of the Cumberland Trail Conference,” said Stephanie Ducker, a student who said she was looking for a new experience. “They showed us many of the physical aspects that go into trail-building. Even more, they gave us a wonderful example of hard work and dedication.”

“I was very impressed by the togetherness the students demonstrated on this project. It was labor- intensive and they worked hard. The students gleaned quite a bit of insight into group dynamics,” said Crumley.

“During my time on the trail, I learned about all the hard labor that went into creating a hiking trail,” said Marie Figueroa Ocasio, a student who said she was seeking an enjoyable spring break experience. “I always thought that they took a machine and did it. From the rangers that talked to us, I learned about the local history, culture, and information about the plant and wildlife. The other students I met gave a different spin to the experience of helping the community.”

Sean Drawbaugh, a student who participated, said, “The alternative spring break trip to Tennessee was a great experience with a little bit of hard work attached. I was assigned as a site leader so that I could fulfill my service-learning requirement for the college’s Advanced Leadership Challenge. I was happy to be a part of a very cooperative and enthusiastic group of individuals who worked together and became one strong force.”

“This experience will stay with me forever,” said Ocasio.

Front row left to right: Michele Lenhart, Jenna Myers, Stacey Throndset, Stephanie Ducker. Second row: Becca Hanzchse, Marie Figueroa Ocasio, Varuna Chadha, Jenny Knight, Michelle Smith, Sean Drawbaugh, Kristie Crumley. Back row: John Farb

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