Theresa Dunne
Features Editor
With all of the mid-term exams, papers and possibly a looming little thing called I.S. due in the upcoming weeks, it may be difficult to see that Spring Break is just around the corner. In these two weeks, students have the opportunity to relax, recharge and prepare for the rest of the semester. The lengthened amount of time also allows many student groups to take trips off-campus related to their clubs’ focus. This year, Wooster’s Model United Nations team, ultimate frisbee teams, WOODS club and a group of service-involved students sponsored by the Wooster Volunteer Network (WVN) and Office of Interfaith Campus Ministries (OICM) plan to participate in off-campus experiences during the two weeks.
Joining over 5,000 college and university students, The College of Wooster’s Model United Nations Team will attend the National Model UN conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City. The team will represent the Lebanese Republic on various UN committees and tackle challenging global issues from an international perspective. In the weeks leading up to the conference, the Model UN team works diligently to prepare for this year’s discussion on pressing matters currently affecting world affairs.
“I’m really excited to see our members in action; to see their hard work pay off and watch them be successful,” said Model UN team President Liz Kittner ’16. “Personally, I’m very much looking forward to participating in this adrenaline-fueled, complex environment where I have the opportunity to debate about topics I’m passionate about.”
To escape the possibility of facing a wintry March, C.O.W.’s men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee teams will travel down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to compete in the annual High Tide Ultimate Tournament for the first week of break. Despite the competitive atmosphere at the tournament, the teams try to focus on improving their personal Frisbee skills while remaining true to their overall goal that ultimate should be fun.
“I look forward to all the quality time I get to spend with my Frisbee Fam and playing Frisbee on the beach,” said co-captain of the women’s team Natalie Rummel ’18.
Another student group venturing off-campus for spring break is WOODS, Wooster’s outdoors club. Advertising this trip as their “Best of West” tour, the group plans on visiting Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada, Sequoia National Park and Death Valley National Park in California, and finishing the trip at Zion National Park in Utah. Not only are these parks great hiking destinations, but WOODS selected locations that would be ideal for rock climbing as well. Laura Leventhal ’18, co-president and treasurer of WOODS, said that besides the beauty of the parks, she looks forward to bonding with members of the group on the trip.
“You get to know so many different people so well through car rides, long hikes and campfire hang outs. There is a strong feeling of community created through being really smelly, eating lots of beans, bathing in rivers and being in nature for so long,” said Leventhal.
In an effort to offer an alternative break trip to students, WVN and OICM sponsor a service-oriented trip to West Virginia. Partnering with the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps Inc., C.O.W. students spend their week volunteering in a local community as they fix houses for its residents and perform tasks like painting, deck repair and building handicap ramps. Over the week, students live together in a house and participate in nightly reflections led by Professor Charles Kammer in the religious studies department.
When reflecting on her past experiences on the trip, student coordinator Evangeline Smith ’16 said, “Every year I get something different out of the trip — but I’m most looking forward to being in a house in rural West Virginia, filled with quality Wooster people who are forced to bond over service, cooking and reflection because there is neither internet connection or cell reception where we stay.”
As a whole, these Spring Break trips give C.O.W. students the chance to pursue their interests whether that be discussing international affairs or Frisbee to the outdoors or service.