Collegians' service projects assist them in interacting with others

February 22, 2008 03:29 pm

— BY SISTER HELEN MARIE BURNS
HBURNS@MTALOY.EDU
Medical imaging students at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson are accustomed to visiting the Ebensburg Center for mentally handicapped persons as a learning requirement and a community service project.
The visits provide the students an opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people and helps prepare them for the situations they may encounter during their future careers.
Usually students simply spend the day with a few individuals.
This year was different.
“Every semester we visit the Ebensburg Center. Why don’t we do something different this year?” asked Kristi Kowalcyk, a sophomore. “Let’s have a party.”
Thanks to Kowalcyk, the students will hold an Easter party.
This “party with a purpose” aims to bring enjoyment to the residents of the center, but it will also extend the students’ learning for their radiologic procedures lab classes as they develop creative and organizational skills in planning and executing the event.
By spending time with the residents, the students will become more comfortable and confident in their interactions with the mentally handicapped in the community.
Monies available through a Service Learning grant fund will help students create personalized baskets for about 30 residents and provide prizes for games such as a hard-boiled egg race and an Easter egg hunt.
“This is our final semester at Mount Aloysius College for these students.
“I think this party will give the students and the residents of the Ebensburg Center a memorable experience,” said Paula Scaramozzino, medical imaging instructor.