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WRUS students volunteer for post-Katrina clean-up
WYE MILLS — Thirteen Wye River Upper School (WRUS) students and four faculty members will depart for Long Beach, Mississippi on Oct. 1 to assist with post-Hurricane Katrina clean-up volunteer work. Over a year since Katrina’s rage swept the Gulf Coast and long after the camera crews have left, the need for help continues. The students of Wye River Upper School are excited to be part of the continuing effort to rebuild the Gulf Coast |
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communities. WRUS junior Quint Suss first proposed a school sponsored service trip to Head of School Chrissy Aull, after returning from a spring break volunteer trip to New Orleans in April 2006. “It was a great experience, but I left |
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knowing they still really need help,” reports Suss. Aull eagerly seized the momentum. “Quint’s enthusiasm for the value of the trip was obvious. Everyone, students and staff, could see that he was sincere in his desire to return. The students played off his energy. These are the meaningful learning experiences we value, so, off we go.” Aull leads a group of four faculty, one parent and thirteen students. The students will reside and work out of Camp Coast Cares, a mission camp affiliated with the Episcopal Church in Mississippi. Two other WRUS students are already familiar with the camp, having worked there earlier this summer. WRUS school counselor Darra Kell is organizing the trip, which includes air flights in both directions. To prepare for the trip, teachers Nicole Sophocles, one of those traveling, and Kathleen White, have custom tailored the school curriculum to focus on the theme of overcoming obstacles. “Our English classes will all be studying ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ which takes place in the Deep South and our Civics and American History classes will start the year by studying civil rights issues of the 1960s,” said White. Photography teacher James Martinez will be leading instruction in documenting their journey through digital photography, movies and podcasting. WRUS co-founder and Development Director Patricia McGlannan is seeking the support and sponsorship of area civic organizations. “We welcome and need the support of any group who might like to help the students or faculty make this happen,” McGlannan says. “However, the students and their families are so committed to this experience that they are preparing to cover the costs themselves, which will amount to approximately $350 each. For our faculty, this is a particularly significant commitment.” Kell has arranged for the continued support of the Kent Island Lions Club, an active community partner with WRUS. They are arranging for the support of the Long Beach Lions Club, upon the student’s arrival. Wye River Upper School is a college preparatory high school for grades 9-12. WRUS offers a supportive, yet challenging curriculum for students with a wide range of learning styles and needs. WRUS is located in the Higher Education Center on the campus of Chesapeake College. The school provides a comprehensive program including state of the art technology, digital photo and movie making, environmental science instruction, interscholastic sports and opportunities to dual enroll at Chesapeake College. For information, please contact: Chrissy Aull 410-827-5822, chrissyaull @wyeriverupperschool.org |