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STUDENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT Abby, currently a Junior majoring in Photography, has been at Watkins since Fall 2003. Like many of our students she combines an artistic sensibility with a strong commitment to society. She and one of our photography professors, Robin Paris, recently volunteered their time and efforts in New Orleans, working with Common Ground on the aftereffects of Katrina. Below is her statement: Robin Paris and I went to New Orleans 2.25.06-3.1.06 to work with a group called Common Ground Collective. While we there we worked in the garden that Robin's daughter, Jenny Paris, is overseeing. They are planting certain species of plants, like mustard greens, that absorb the toxins in the ground. The technique is called bioremediation. We mainly helped prepare several locations for the 1200-1400 college students they were expecting throughout the month of March for alternative Spring breaks. We helped waterproof the area around a huge tent used for housing at a place called Art Egg (see photo). It was an egg warehouse that was bought by a woman pre-Katrina then converted into artists' studios. We also did grounds work around the main housing facility at St. Mary's School. The reason why we chose to go help with Common Ground as opposed to other organizations is because at Common Ground there is a real sense of community and everything that they do goes directly to the community. The founded the first clinic ever in Algiers, and it is a free clinic. They also created a place for people in the community to use computers, to have free access to the internet to get in touch with family and to be helped with paperwork regarding FEMA and insurance companies. They do much, much more. I am planning to organize more trips with students and within the community over the span of the next year or so. I gave a presentation including a slideshow last Monday March 6th. I plan to do another one soon. Anyone is more than welcome to contact me if they would like for me to come talk to their organization or group - abbywhise@aol.com.
If you would like more information on Common Ground, please check out their web site http://www.commongroundrelief.org. or contact Abby at abbywhise@aol.com Check out Abby’s work at http://students.watkins.edu/awhisenant/index.html ............................................................. |
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