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Congress Reps, Bonner Interns & Student Leaders
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ETTER
B O N N E R E -N E W S L
The wave of the future is not the conquest
of the world by a single dogmatic creed
but the liberation of the diverse energies
of free nations and free men.
- John F. Kennedy
Fe b r ua ry, a mo n th o f r e f l e cti on and acti on
T
he month of February marks a
time for people around the
country to reflect on the struggle, the
fight and the accomplishments of African
American people and the rising of the
black culture in this country and around
the world. It is a time for us to celebrate
the diversity that makes up our lives
ranging from ethnicity to gender. Most
importantly, it is the time for us to reflect
and continue to fight for social equality
for all people as we move forward to a
more just world. As a Bonner, it is our
social responsibility to serve others and
to fight for justice in our communities.
We must continue to push the envelope
NEWS
and create a culture of equality in order
to progress as a common community.
Through our service work and civic
engagement, we can get the job done.
In this edition of the newsletter, you will
find great reflections from your fellow
Bonners on topics surrounding Black
History Month, Local to Global issues
and some great events that Bonners are
doing in the network around social
justice and diversity.
Michael Richardson
Program Associate
Bonner Foundation
February 2011
13th edition
This mo
nth’s
Hot Top
ic s
Take Action
Big Idea Check-In
This month, the Bonner Advisory Board will
be checking in with Congress Reps on the Big
Idea projects at each school. If you have any
cool updates or you need assistance, share this
with your BAB member. For more resources
on the Big Idea, click here.
Reflections/Community
Partner Profiles p. 2 -3
Improving Community Partnerships
A series of reflections from staff journalists
(and BAB members) Chaz Barracks and
Shanell Ranson
Service and Events p.4
Social Justice and Diversity
Check out what other schools are doing on
their campus around social justice and
diversity.
Alumni Profiles p. 5-6
Bonner Alumni
Take a glimpse at our alumni for the month!
See what they have been doing since being
Bonners and how the program has impacted
their lives.
Resources p. 7
International and Diversity
Resources
Take a look at some great resources on
International service and diversity and social
justice training that you can use for your
campus and Bonner program.
 Discover the Large Within the Small
Community Partner Profile
By Maverick Marquardt, Stetson University

T hroughout the realm

of community
engagement exists a wide
margin of large and small-
scale activism. Stetson
University in Deland
Florida is fortunate enough
to have both. Two engaging
professors Dr. Anne Hallum
and Dr. Robert Sitler share
a unique passion for
empowering the Latin-
Hispanic communities both near and far, micro and macro. Dr. Sitler works hand in hand with the Bonner
program, operating La Plaza Comunitaria, a program designed to help migrate workers of near by Pierson.
Pierson, which is home to a dense population of migrate workers, has for a long time received help through
education and youth empowerment from the Stetson family. Daily trips to this rural area are filled with
heartfelt playtime with the youngsters while their parents learn English. This small-scale project has made a
large-scale impact on the Pierson community, allowing for more opportunities for the Hispanic Americans
working there. The empowerment through language resonates within this small community, allowing for
better living conditions and brighter futures for the up and coming generations.

Dr. Anne Hallum, founder of AIR, with a small team has in a large way created change in the country of
Guatemala. AIR stands for, Alliance for International Reforestation and for almost 20 years has helped make
a difference in 110 rural villages plant more than 3.8 million trees throughout Guatemala. Rooted deeper
than the newly planted trees, Hallum’s impact has sparked change throughout the social and cultural
community by not only preventing deadly mudslides, but also by raising standards of living, education and
farming far and wide. "When we started, it was all about fighting poverty," Hallum said. "We wanted to help
families farm better and feed their children better. But we started to notice that in the areas where (pine)
trees were planted, the mudslides were no longer occurring. So that brought a new focus for us. Food,
shade, fertilizer and mudslide protection -- the trees
can do it all.". A select few from Stetson’s own make
the journey to Guatemala every year to continue
the fight for a better standard of living for the
Hispanic population living in this region. Dr. Hallum
recently received the CNN Heroes Award for her
activism in South America. To learn more about this
project visit http://www.air-guatemala.org.

Projects, both big and small, make a tremendous

impact on the individuals involved. This effect on a
life can make a momentous change if nurtured
properly; no matter how large or small that effect
may be.
 The Art of Black History within Social
Justice
Unsolved Community Issues Section
By Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond
Interpretation is a movement, sprit, and diverse expression that lead many of our thought processes as
productive citizens. As students we interpret material in the classroom into real life experience and career
goals. As Bonners, we interpret a community need into an action, in which we commit to for duration of our
college career. Social Justice is all about interpreting need into movement. What motivates us as individuals to
go out and serve for change is the key recourse to lasting community change.

Black History has been interpreted throughout the years as a motivation to uplift communities around the
world. Through the arts especially, Blacks history has remained powerful in it’s impact on the community far
beyond it’s designated month of February. This month is just a highlight for the many interpretations of Black
History and it’s variety of contributions to social justice. Students, especially Bonners, are motivated everyday
to serve because of the struggles and accomplishments to social justice that Black leaders left in their legacy.
The unsolved community issue at hand is how do we
preserve Black History in our service to the community,
far beyond February.

Bonner Student Katherine Blanchard identifies her

service connected to the arts within Black History,
stating, the art in Black History are a testament to the
strength of the human spirit that inspires her to service
despite any barriers.

Kiara Lee, a Bonner student and published writer

describe Black art within social justice as producing “high
energy and inspiration that stays with me all year
around”. She goes on to say that the art in Black history
displays perseverance and illustrates motivation from those who have taught her to jump over the many hurdles
in order to actively serve in the community. Although there is no precise method of integrating black art into
social justice, it has proven to be an effective tool through performance, writing, and images representing the
individuals who lead our communities. It has also opened the eyes of those with racist vision in spite of
injustice, discrimination, and oppression. Whether through song, a photo found, and a poem read, or an image
viewed, art within social justice will continue to serve as a mechanism to improving the unsolved the community
issues we face.

A modern example of this movement lives in organizations like Drums Not Guns, started in Dallas, Texas who
has utilized the power of percussion and performance art to combat street violence. With tribute
performances to African American leaders, this non-profit gives children the opportunity to channel energy
through performance rather then through gang involvement, and other sinister activities. Art can be used to
stop violence, and “increase the peace”and as showcased throughout communities, it can touch someone to feel
the rhythm within social justice and find the motivation that leads to life changing community empowerment.

Whether through ending violence with the musical sounds or painting a mural at your service site-this February
find a way to utilize the Arts to display how community issues impact your life. Art celebrates the social justice
movement that has swept through our communities and paved the way for advocates such as the African
American artists and social activists who helped create the foundation of social justice that we strive to
promote.
 Social Justice and Diversity Events
by Mauro Cantatore, Middlesex County College

As Bonners we are called to help stop the social injustice in

this world. Although we are in a modern society, there are
many social injustices happening around us. There is also a lack
of the spread and acceptance of diverse cultures. Bonners,
however, are participating in events to learn and tackle the
issue of injustice and lack of acceptance of diverse cultures.


Tammy Hsu from Rutgers University shares on what her
school is doing to combat social injustice. The Bonner Scholars
at her school will hold an experience called Bonner week!
During this week events will be held at their campus to spread
the word about what is going on in their community. Advocacy
is a very important part of expanding the knowledge base of
our peers in relation to issues and the diverse cultures
surrounding them.

At the beginning of the spring semester students typically fantasize about their next break. As some of us
are combating the snow and cold we wish to go someplace warm for spring break to just relax. But many
students are considering an alternative spring break that includes working at a MDA Camp. MDA, Muscular
Dystrophy Association, will hold a week long program during the week of spring break. The children at
these camps face adversity every day because they are not able to do everything that children without this
disability can do. With over 80 of these camps all
around the country, serving thousands of children who
suffer from Muscular Dystrophy, this week long
program helps children to escape the grips of reality
and be the same as everyone else. Many camps are still
looking for volunteers to help serve over spring break,
so instead of doing nothing at home or relaxing on a
beach, why not spend a week tackling diversity to make
these kids feel like a million bucks. More information
can be found at http://www.mdausa.org/
clinics/camp/

"Just the experience

with the
other campers has
changed my
life and has given me
life-long friends."

Mauro Cantatore
Middlesex County
College
 Alumni Highlight: Rajai Bimbo
Unsolved Community Issues Section
DePauw University Class of 2004
By Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond

What is one of your best

Bonner memories?
Bonner enhanced my life in so many
positive ways and continues to today.
One of my best memories was the time
I directed a play that brought awareness
to rape and sexual assault issues. The
troupe of 10 actors toured local
schools and engaged students on
multiple levels. Our impact was clear;
the audiences' responses were
emotional, reflective, and sincere. The
experience stretched my definitions of
activism and community service. The
community's positive reaction to the
piece showed me how difficult issues
could be tackled with imagination and
creativity. I also learned how employing
my own unique talents and passions can produce more meaningful results, not only for myself but also for
the community at large.

What kind of work have you been involved with since leaving college?
After college, I did more community theatre and I joined the United States Peace Corps as a health
volunteer in Niger. In Niger, I worked on community garden projects, radio programs for health
education, and worked as a teaching assistant for handicapped children.  After the Peace Corps I was
delighted to spend two summers as the Program Director for a summer day camp where I completed my
Bonner service in college. I also served for 3 years as the branch president of my local NAACP chapter.
Today, I continue to stay involved in the community by sharing my Peace Corps experience and getting to
know the African immigrant community in my city. I currently work in the field of international education
at my alma mater, DePauw University.   

How has the Bonner Program impacted your life?

It has made me realize the importance and power of community. I learned that an individual’s positive
contributions, no mater how small can have infinite consequences.  

What is one piece of advice that you would leave for current Bonner Scholars?
Own your experience. Bring all your passions and unique ideas to everything you do. If what you love and
believe in does not exist, create it. Be a visionary. “Do not ask yourself what the world needs but ask
yourself what makes you come alive, because what the world needs are people who have come alive” --
Howard Thurman

If you had one word to describe Bonner, what would it be?

Purposeful.
 Alumni Highlight: Jerome Goings
Oberlin College Class of 2010

What is one of your best Bonner memories?

One of my best Bonner memories was during my senior year when we visited
schools with Bonner Programs to make a new Common Commitments video.
Two other Oberlin senior interns and I took a road trip, visiting fourteen
colleges and the Bonner Foundation to interview students, administrators, and
service partners about the value of the Common Commitments and what they
mean to each individual. The trip was eight days long! We took film footage
the whole way, and we created a compendium of videos (which you can find
on the Bonner channel on YouTube). We were able to meet so many Bonners
at these schools; hearing these stories about what Bonner and community
service meant to them was very enriching. Bonners from all the schools
accepted us with open arms, and I really felt the whole Bonner Love thing too.
This trip really made me reflect on my experience as a Bonner and changed my outlook on what the Bonner
Program really stands for and means. It was a great experience and a trip that I will never forget.

What kind of work have you been involved with since leaving college?
I am currently serving as a full-time Bonner AmeriCorps member for the Rutgers Future Scholars Program in
New Brunswick, NJ. Since my graduation from Oberlin College in May of 2010, I have continued my work in
the non-profit sector as a grant writer for the Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation in Las Vegas, NV and now as an
AmeriCorps member serving in New Jersey, addressing college access issues. I am looking to gain as much
experience as I can before I go back to school in the hopes of attaining an M.B.A. in non-profit management in
a few years from now. My ultimate goal is to run my own non-profit organization focused on youth
development and education.

How has the Bonner Program impacted your life?

The Bonner Program was a great experience for me as I went through college. It shaped my perspective on
how I view the world and what my role is as a citizen. By gaining knowledge of the social injustices that occur
across the world and serving as a Bonner Scholar, I realized that I have a true passion for service and that I can
always contribute back to the community. Bonner has helped shaped my career interests as well as provide me
with the necessary experience of working in the non-profit sector serving various organizations and
programs. The people that I have met through the Bonner Program have also been some of the most unique
individuals that I have ever met and I have built strong relationships with many of them. In all, Bonner was a
great experience and life changing in many ways.

Where/how do you see the Bonners impacting the future?

Bonner Alumni can be very useful for current Bonners by sharing their stories and experiences with them and
taking on mentor type roles for local Bonners. Bonners are very diverse in so many ways and this collective
network of different experiences is very unique in comparison to what other programs and organizations have
to offer. As educated individuals, Bonner Alumni have academic backgrounds and service experiences that can
really help current Bonners prepare for life after college.
I would like the opportunity to network and connect with other alumni living in my region. I also think it would
be great to have Alumni speak as panelists at Bonner events like Summer Leadership Institute and to reach out
to alumni near Bonner schools to meet and speak with students about their experiences as a Bonner and life
after college. Establishing communication within the network is important; let’s do it!
 Resources: International

Series
Student Handbook ¦ how to plan and prepare for your international service

Administrator s Guide ¦ tips and tools for Bonner administrators

Guide for International Service Partners ¦ introducing the Bonner

program to a potential site - features a CLA workbook!

International Partner Directory ¦ a searchable database of international

organizations that Bonners have served with in the past

http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/Service-Abroad-Handbook

Resources: Diversity
Need some ideas for integrating awareness about diversity
issues within your program? You can find several training
sessions that address race, class, gender, and homophobia.
These can be easily modified for a Bonner Meeting or
reflection session. Check out some of what we have to offer
on our wiki below (click the sessions below to access links):

Introduction to Diversity 

Gender 101: Building Gender Awareness

Gender 201: Deepening Gender Awareness

Homophobia: Recognizing and Addressing It

Racism: Deconstructing It

Four Corners: Building Appreciation for Diverse Ideas and Dialogue