Participants Reflect on Service Experience in Western N.C.

NEWLAND, N.C. — The western North Carolina Alternative Service Break trip included five students, two co-leads, a graduate advisor and a married alumni couple, John and Lisa Vance, who first met as NC State students on a similar trip to the Dominican Republic more than 20 years ago.

Their reflections show the profound impact this particular ASB trip has made on them, as has been the case in the 25 years Student Leadership and Engagement has offered similar local and global trips for NC State students during spring, fall, summer and May breaks in the academic calendar.

In all, NC State sent out 15 Alternative Service Break trips — to four continents (Africa, Europe, North America and South America) and 9 countries (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Panama, Peru, Rwanda and the United States (U.S. destinations included Alaska, Orlando, Maryland and Puerto Rico, and Rutherford and Avery counties in North Carolina).

Some of them wrote about their stories and experiences below.

Susannah Weaver, co-lead
Greensboro, N.C.
Senior
Parks, Recreation and Tourism

When I was first asked to lead the western N.C. trip, I was hesitant. I had always viewed breaks as a time to rest and reconnect with friends and family — especially since this would be the last year that my oldest brother and I would share the same spring break. At the time that the hurricane struck, I didn’t know how to respond beyond checking in with friends. 

Since I was young, my parents have instilled in me what it means to lead with a servant’s heart and to be an engaged community member. Growing up, I was surrounded by community members who invested in me. Whether they were timing swim meets, organizing international nights, building a community learning garden or simply showing up time and time again, they modeled what it means to make personal sacrifices for the betterment of the community. They taught me what it truly means to be a citizen of the spaces I inhabit. 

After some thoughtful consideration, I realized this service trip was the perfect opportunity to give back to the state of North Carolina, which has given so much to me. When a place or its people take the time to invest in us, I believe it’s only right that we take the time to invest back in them someday.  

This service trip gave more to me than I gave to it. The people of western North Carolina inspired me with their resilience, deep faith, gracious hearts and unwavering love for their neighbors. In a world that can often feel divisive, I was reminded daily that community matters above all else. I saw it in the way Suzanne, who is in the midst of rebuilding her campground, stepped away to take her neighbor down the road to the hospital. I witnessed it in the Vance family’s decision to return to the place that shaped John, and in the way food pantries were always full — staffed by locals who saw a need and stepped up to meet it.

I also felt incredibly blessed to share this experience with such a fun and dynamic group. Some of my favorite moments at NC State have come from working on interdisciplinary teams, where each person brings a completely different perspective to the table. This trip was no exception, and I’m grateful for the laughter, insights and connections we shared along the way.

Haley Berland
Yorktown, Va.
Sophomore
Psychology

During our six days of service, we learned the value of an honest day’s work, saw the resilience of the Appalachian culture and community, and gained a greater ability to truly empathize with the survivors of natural disasters. We will be returning to Raleigh with many meaningful friendships and with greater knowledge and sensitivity to mobilize change within our community at NC State. Through spontaneity, determination and openness, I believe we fostered lasting connections, personal growth and invaluable memories together.

Monica Jin
Park Scholar
Cary, N.C.
Sophomore
Computer Science

I was extremely impressed by the tenacity and strength demonstrated by the individuals we visited while volunteering. I ended up learning a lot during this experience, especially in watching the community in Avery County be so willing to help others. The people of western N.C. really are the embodiment of service, and I was so glad to have been a part of that during this trip.

Annie Allen
Wake Forest, N.C.
Freshman
Horticultural Science (Landscape Design, Gardens and Urban Environments)

This trip has allowed me to make new friends, and I had a lot of fun getting to know them. It has also brought me closer to the real people behind the news stories of the hurricane destruction. I am very happy this program was made to organize the efforts of a few people and make them worthwhile and meaningful.

John Vance, M.D.
Trip organizer
Residence: Bristol, Tenn.
Hometown: Crossnore, N.C.
Religious Studies ’07

Our ASB experiences are some of our fondest memories of our time at NC State, traveling and getting insight into new communities and making a difference (even if just a small one) for a week. Lisa and I fell in love serving beside one another and learning to be flexible in unfamiliar places and situations. We had the great fortune of serving both domestically and abroad, and we found each ASB experience to be life-giving. Serving others brings fresh insights, clarity and perspective. Twenty years after our first ASB encounter, there is still something uniquely salient and powerful about serving alongside one another.

Lisa and I hoped that by partnering with NC State and SLE we could, in some small way, bring together our love for all things ASB and my love for the communities and people of the western N.C. mountains that nurtured me in my youth. I have never seen such desolation in these beautiful communities as that brought by Hurricane Helene and the resulting floods. Mountain people are strong and are often reluctant to ask for help, but the needs were undeniable. If I’m honest, I think I was wrestling with some survivor’s guilt and not knowing what to do or how to help. We donated money and resources where we could and talked with folks back home about what they were going through, but it didn’t feel like enough. We just knew, deep down, that we had to be there on the ground, serving alongside the people of Avery County, even if only for a brief while. My wife, eldest daughter Abby and I had planned to go out of the country for spring break prior to the havoc of Helene, but in the wake of the storm we knew that we needed and wanted to be in Avery County during this time of heightened need.

In returning to Avery County for ASB I hoped simply to serve and to connect. I hoped that by bringing like-minded young servant-leaders to the area that relationships would be forged and spirits lifted. Many of our fellow citizens have lost a firm sense of home, community and what it means to be in or from a particular place. The North Carolina mountains still retain a distinct sense of place. I was brought up to be proud of where I come from. That has never left me. Lisa and I, being in the medical field, possess a unique skill set, but none of that was particularly helpful to those impacted by Helene. In thinking about how to leverage support for my hometown we immediately thought of relationships forged with service-minded people and organizations at our alma mater.  Mike Giancola and the crew of what used to be called the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (now Student Leadership and Engagement) came to mind immediately. Our story is also profoundly tied to a sense of belonging to the NC State and ASB communities.  

So many service-minded leaders across NC State serve and celebrate the diversity of people and places across the Old North State. We knew, if called upon, the Pack would respond.  

This past week was incredible. It was at once both challenging and refreshing. I was renewed and reinvigorated by seeing our young people working tirelessly to clear debris, organize donations, feed the hungry and lift the spirits of the people of Avery County. It was especially powerful to see the students show kindness to my daughter and nephew who served on our team. I was both proud and humbled all at once. There is so much still to be done and so much left to do, but the impact was undeniable. I was full of what the Church calls the “bright sadness” of this Lenten season. There is both sadness at what (and who) was lost and great joy of seeing the sacrifice of incarnational service. 

Our team came from all across North Carolina (with South Carolina and Virginia also represented), and several nationalities were represented. It was a great joy to be able to share with them some local history, language, culture and geography. My heart was full, sharing with them the many aspects of the place I call home. I’m very thankful for so many things: family, friends, community, teamwork, relationships (new and old), connection and meaning.

This was such an incredible opportunity, one full of meaning and one for which I will forever be grateful.