BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
What comes to mind when someone mentions spring break to a college student? Most likely warm weather, big parties, and far away destinations. When Ashley Wilson thinks of spring break, helping others is her first priority.
For the second year in a row, the 2002 Clarkston High School graduate will join other Michigan State University students in Alternative Spring Break, a program that provides students with community service opportunities throughout the country and in parts of North and South America. This year Wilson, a medical technology sophomore at MSU, will travel to San Francisco to work with residents living with AIDS.
‘I’ve really never known anyone personally who has AIDS,? Wilson said. ‘Going to San Francisco will let me find out what it’s like to live with the disease everyday.? She hopes to pass the information she gains on to others.
The group will work with various projects that benefit area residents dealing with the disease. One aspect of the trip involves working with Project Open Hand, an organization that provides hot meals to patients daily. Other volunteer possibilities for Wilson’s group include working with younger patients and helping out in the AIDS Memorial Garden.
Wilson found out about the trip from announcements in the MSU Union and her involvement with the program last year on a trip to Puebla, Mexico. During that trip, Wilson and her group volunteered at an orphanage. The experience was rewarding but a little difficult because of the language barrier.
‘When I went last year, it was really hard at first. My shampoo exploded on the flight, I was in a new country, and it was really hard to communicate,? Wilson said. ‘But then I went to our project site and met the kids we worked with and saw that you really can make a difference.?
Students are responsible for the costs associated with the trips. This year Wilson needs to raise $775 to make it out to San Francisco. Currently she’s earned more than half by way of donations from local companies, family, and friends.
Raising awareness about the cause has also been a crucial aspect of the trip. Wilson helped distribute red ribbons on MSU’s campus for National AIDS Day. Her group plans to do more volunteering before they leave for the trip in March.
‘We really want to raise awareness,? Wilson said. ‘AIDS can affect so many people, especially on a college campus.?
Besides helping others in need, Wilson is looking forward to learning more about herself and possible plans for after graduation.
‘Working with AIDS patients might be something I’d like to involve into my career,? said Wilson. ‘It can be really sad and hard at times, so I want to see if I can do it.?
A desire to help others guided Wilson’s decision to participate in the program again this year and make a difference in both the lives of others and herself.
‘My friends asked me if I partied in Mexico last year,? said Wilson. ‘I had a lot of fun, but there’s more to life than just partying. You can really help out others, and it’s really important to realize that.?
The guiding principles that drive Alternative Spring Break include social change, student leadership, empowerment, working together, and heightening individual awareness. Such philosophies are evident in Wilson’s passion for the project.
‘I hope that people will want to volunteer more,? said Wilson. ‘You’re missing out on a lot.?
If you’d like to help contribute to Wilson’s trip, contact her at wilso467@msu.edu. To learn more about MSU’s Alternative Spring Break, visit www.msu.edu/~asb.