These last five weeks have been jam-packed with class, speakers, trips, and fun adventures. Throughout all of this, the students have formed strong friendships. Here at the end of the program, it is wonderful to see how they interact with each other, exchanging affectionate glances, love-filled hugs (but manly pats on the back between the guys, of course), and promises to keep in touch. The students have all come from a variety of backgrounds, so it has been amazing to see how they have come together despite their differences! It is also wonderful to know that, besides the heaps of knowledge that they have gained from our organized activities, they have all learned much from their new friends. Getting to know each other has opened their eyes to understanding, accepting, and appreciating diverse ways of living and thinking.
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This year we had six service teams who all worked on amazing projects in and around Gainesville. The first team, staffed by Lara, worked with the Alachua Conservation Trust. These students learned all about Florida ecology and helped restore several nature preserves and parks in the Gainesville area. The second team, staffed by Virgil, helped maintain the grounds of historic farms such as Fair Oaks Farm, so that they can continue to be a safe haven for both animals and visitors. Our next team was with the Citizens Co-Op of Gainesville and was staffed by Amanda. These students helped establish a cooperatively-owned food market to aid in the growth of a community-based food system; we even helped them prepare for their grand opening event on July 15th!
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This year’s students have had the amazing opportunity to be taught by two great UF professors: Dr. Kristin Joos and Professor Bill Rossi. Dr. Joos, or “Kristin”, as she prefers, teaches the Social Problems & Solutions course (SYG2010), in which the students have learned about issues ranging from poverty to discrimination to sustainability. Meanwhile, Professor Rossi’s Exploring Entrepreneurship course (ENT4934) has taught them how to “never miss an opportunity to be awesome,” and how to make an elevator pitch about their amazing new inventions!
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During our time here at YELS, we have heard from many entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, and leaders in our speaker series, and we have taken field trips to places all over the Gainesville areas. We have accomplished so much, from speaking with brilliant entrepreneurs (from companies including Grooveshark, TutoringZone, NobleHour, Fracture, OrigAudio and Citizens’ Co-op) and working at sustainable farms (Fair Oaks, Swallowtail CSA, and Siembra Farms) to cleaning St. Augustine Beach and creeks in Gainesville and floating down the Itchetucknee Spring Run. These field trips and speakers have allowed us to explore a wide variety of activities and places, in order to serve and to learn—and in some cases, to play!
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