Florala

Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Life

Media Credit: Maggie Hogan WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK - D'Aria Booker and Toneshia Bradley paint a house during their Memphis trip.

Media Credit: Maggie Hogan

Media Credit: Maggie Hogan

This fall break marked a memorable trip for the leadership floor of LaGrange Resident Hall to Memphis, Tenn. for community

service for the mentally disabled, a seminar to address key social issues, and development of their leadership abilities.

Maggie Hogan, the floor's RA, acted as the coordinator of the trip for her residents.

LaGrange's leadership floor houses approximately 50 residents including one international student. A service trip is required for admittance on the leadership floor either in the fall or spring semester.

"This was one of the most fulfilling and challenging experiences I've had so far in my life and my college career," said Hogan. "It opened my eyes to a myriad of issues I didn't know existed and extended my understanding of other issues. It was great working and bonding with my residents

over the trip."

The group left UNA on Friday morning

on Oct. 17 and arrived in Memphis at around 8:30 in the morning. A hostel built onto a local church served as their living quarters for the weekend as the group worked in the local Memphis area.

The first task was to aid the West Tennessee Family Solutions with house painting for mentally

handicapped persons. The West Tennessee Family Solutions organization exists to allow mentally handicapped patients to live independently

with the aid of local volunteers. Since their houses often fall into disrepair,

the leadership team met their needs by painting their homes and seeing to maintenance.

On Saturday, the group attended the 2008 Gandhi-King Conference, which addressed social issues with keynote

speakers on racism, including Amy Goodman, Father Roy Bourgeois, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Ruby Nell Sales, and Michael Nagler.

On the final day of the leadership excursion, LaGrange lent their support to the National Down Syndrome Association of America. The association hosted a citywide

"Buddy Walk" on Oct 18. Children and adults with Down Syndrome walked a route through the city to raise awareness and donations.

The LaGrange group aided the walk early in the morning with setup and decorations.

During the walk, they acted as encouragers for those who participated and even walked alongside some participants.

Entry to LaGrange Leadership is through an application and interview process.

Those interested in applying should contact housing at 765-4100.

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