#UTSpringBreak Provides Pivotal Experiences for Some

After a semester filled with group projects, all-nighters and presentations, Griffin Guinta ’16 was looking forward to relaxing on spring break. But, like many UT students, he did it in a nontraditional way.

Guinta, a writing major and member of the UT Chamber Choir, decided to join the 25-member choir on an extensive recruiting and performing road trip to New Orleans, with stops at three historical churches and seven high schools along the way.

“Most people would scoff at the idea of spending their coveted break singing 17th century madrigals, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend my free time,” said Guinta, of Bradenton, FL.

“Seven high school visits and three church concerts were tiring, but the level of music making the students achieved was remarkable,” said Ryan Hebert, director of choral studies and University organist. “I'm proud of the way they comported themselves, but more over I'm very proud of their exquisite musicianship and maturity.”

A group of 11 students drove to Biloxi, MS, to work on the damage from Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Gulf oil spill in an environmentally focused break. Twelve UT volunteers headed north to Baltimore for a week of service and social justice education regarding food insecurity and sustainable agriculture in urban settings, then travelling to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives from government agencies working with food legislation.

“One cannot truly experience life if they never leave the confines of familiarity and comfort. Make no mistake — your home is irreplaceable. Your family is irreplaceable. But it is the road that opens our eyes to life,” Guinta said. “Ultimately, you learn that everyone has a story to tell, and that everyone has the capability to come together to make something beautiful if each person just buys in and pours their soul into it.”

Twenty UT students spent the week at Walt Disney World learning the role human connection plays in leadership. They participated in two Disney-run workshops, Leadership Strategies and Techniques in Teamwork, and created videos reflecting the theme of human connection in leadership.

“I was hoping to have the students gain a deeper understanding on how critical it is to not just learn about leadership and teamwork but to actually apply it,” said Shannon Calega, director of UT’s Leadership Engagement, who accompanied the students on the four-day trip. “The students engaged in great conversations on how they can apply the strategies back at UT, whether it was through their student organization, class project or as they are beginning to pursue internships and first jobs out of college.”

Meredith Brown ’15, a marketing major from Hanover, PA, has dreamed of working for Disney to understand how the company raises the bar when it comes to marketing. When she heard about the alternative break, she didn’t have to think twice.

“In order to become a better leader here on campus with my current initiatives and after graduation, I wanted to continue to expand my knowledge of the Disney business model and their leadership methods,” Brown said. “Alternative breaks are a great way to put yourself out there and take an opportunity to grow yourself and your campus network. The relationships I have made through this trip are now ones I will have forever and can help me and my organization better integrate into the campus community.”

Jennifer McElroy ’17, who attended the Disney break, said she learned how everyone in an organization, regardless of their title, has a leadership role.

“I now understand that I am constantly leading others even if it does not seem like I am at the moment,” said McElroy of Sarasota. “We all have the power to impact and change each others lives for the better, and that is what I want to continue to do here at UT.”

Kelsey Rudder’s New Orleans experience went beyond enriching the skills of choral composition, strengthening harmonies and her sight singing skills.

“I learned how important it is to live in the present,” said Rudder ’16, a musical theatre major from Orlando. “You must learn you are at your full potential right here, right now. Not after graduation or five years, now. This trip opened my eyes to my talents and capabilities, and I know I am not the only one on the trip who felt this.”

For a photo collage of UT students’ social media photos depicting their spring break adventures, visit Spartans on #UTSpringBreak.

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