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FYE CEL Days: 2008-2009 Academic Year
First year students at The College of New Jersey devoted more than 10,000 hours this year to volunteering through Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) days. On a typical CEL day, students gather with others from their residential floor to learn and serve together, as well as to reflect on their experiences and find out how they can sustain their involvement. Through their CEL day efforts, freshman students have cleaned up parks, enhanced learning in elementary school classrooms, built houses, battled hunger and much more. Below is a sampling of CEL day experiences. For more detailed CEL day experiences, visit the Bonner wiki here.
Clean Ocean Action Day |
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On April 25, 2009, over 50 freshmen joined Bonner Scholars from the Environmental Team to help clean up the beach and bayside of Island Beach State Park.
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Taking a Stand Against Racism |
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On April 3, 2009, 40 fourth grade students from Trenton's Grant School spent the day in the Kidsbridge Museum on TNCJ's campus learning about racism. Bonner scholars Lauren Serrano and Rachel Stenftennagel along with 10 other TCNJ students led the children through activities that included literally shredding bad names to discussing anti-bullying strategies and putting on skits. Click here for more information. |
Environment Park Restoration |
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On March 21, 2009, a group of 60 TCNJ freshman, led by 6 Bonner Scholars, spent the day cleaning at the Trenton Greenway along the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Click here for more information. |
Dr. Seuss Day |
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On March 4, 2009, TCNJ Bonners led Dr. Suess Day, which focuses on literacy, as part of Read Across America. Brittany Aydelotte, a senior Bonner and student teacher, organized a group of 40 first year students to Mott Elementary School in South Trenton, where they led workshops for three grades. Meanwhile, Kathrine Avila, a freshman Bonner from the Trenton school system, led 15 first year students to Columbus Elementary School to participate in similar workshops for students in Pre K-Grade 5. Other Bonner Scholars participated as well. For more information, click here. |
Hunger CEL Day |
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On February 4, five freshmen students had their CEL Experience at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (T.A.S.K.). Students helped to prepare food for the clients, tutor for the GED Program, and prepare hygiene bags. They were led by Bonners from the Hunger Tean, including Brian Hackett, Rana Shariatdoust, and David Karas. T.A.S.K. helps Trenton residents by providing meals, hygiene products, and tutoring as part of their GED program. |
Neighborhood Beautification |
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On February 4, 2009, 18 first-year students transformed the gym area of the West Ward Recreation Center in Trenton after painting a massive mural on one of the walls. Led by Bonner scholars Liz Moody and Suzette Martinho, TCNJ students spent more than seven hours on the project, which began with a talk on the importance of after school programs and safe spaces. Center director Ron Clark explained that more than 50 students use the facility on a daily basis, from after school until it closes. Click here to view video footage from the day. |
Salvation Army |
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On October 11, 2009, 70 patrons of Trenton's Salvation Army were treated to a home-cooked lunch, courtesy of six TCNJ students. Led by Bonner scholars John Cross, Ashley Covella, Alissar Jaber, Natasha Perez and Justin Bryant, the students started their day at 7 a.m. in the Salvation Army's kitchen, where they whipped up chicken wings, garlic bread, pasta and brownies, all from scratch, before serving it to grateful patrons. As a special added treat, TCNJ's gospel choir serenaded participants as they dined. |
Heart of Camden |
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On September 13, 2009, 40 TCNJ students worked on renovating the abandoned Star Theatre in Camden, which was being converted into a children's community center. Students also helped rebuild a house destroyed in a fire. The project was a collaborative effort with the Heart of Camden, a non-profit housing and community development organization in the Waterfront South neighborhood. Bonner student Brittany Aydelotte, along with other Bonner crew leaders, led this first CEL day of the academic year. |
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