On February 17, 2006 students and staff went on a tour of the underground railroad in Burlington City and visited four different historical sites including Burlington Island which records show had slaves present on the island as early as 1664. We had lunch and continued on, ending our trip at Timbuctoo. This was an old settlement that still contains the graves of blacks that fought in the Civil War. It was a very interesting and knowledgeable trip and I learned a lot that day.
This year for Black History Month, I enjoyed learning about Jackie Robinson because he was a brave black man who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. He came from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues even though he had to put up with the ignorance and prejudice of others.
This month our studies and research centered on the era of time called the Harlem Renaissance. We visited the local library on several occasions, studying musicians, artists, poets, writers and activists that made a mark during these years. We read poetry, listened to music and viewed videos, as well as studied portraits by famous artists. For our program's Black History Month celebration, each of us presented an oral report and visual display. This project was a worthwhile learning experience for everyone.
It was Friday and I thought that it would be like any other, but I was surprisingly mistaken. A group of clients from Camden Day when across the street to Cooper Hospital's Trauma Unit. I had never been to a trauma unit. I was a little hesitant at first but as we proceeded I loosened up and actually learned something. Going to the trauma unit opened up my eyes to what was going on around me and motivated me to live right and safe.
While we were on the tour, we were shown pictures of different types of accident victims and other things the trauma team had witnessed. We learned about things that you can do to prevent you from ending up in there. Things like drinking and driving, selling drugs and something as simple as wearing your seatbelt. The trauma technician also told us that many people do not do anything wrong, they're just in the wrong place as the wrong time. We learned that in a split second a life can dramatically change. In the course of the time we were there, it happened to three people.
That day, we realized that we should be grateful for what we have now, and take advantage of what's good in our lives.
I have a busy day everyday. If it isn't one thing its another. An example of a busy day is Monday. I have three things I must do. I must go to Hudson day from 7:20 to about 3:30, then to Giant Steps from 4:00 to 5:00. Finally I go to football practice from 5:30 to 7:30. Every other day I just go to the Hudson Day and football practice.
Sometimes, when I have the time, I sit down and wonder what keeps me going. I can't come up with an answer because I look at everything I do and I'm amazed that I just don't pass out. I anything keeps me going it's the idea of me finally getting out of the program, my love for football and how bad I want to just go back to school and live my life.
I have learned a lot from this experience. That just one night or one thing you do has an impact on every aspect of your life.
