Senior Class

Alicia Thomas

 

Hy Huynh

 

The Senior MLK Scholars Class of 2008 was the third class of MLK Scholars at Ithaca College.  Over the past four years in the program, they have traveled internationally to London, England, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and soon, Spain & Morocco to focus on case studies of global justice.  Their talents are reflected in their choices of community service and after for yours, the senior class has been able to find an organization to volunteer for that uniquely compliments their academic background and passion.

Alicia Thomas, a senior Anthropology major, spends her free time as a volunteer at the Ithaca Free Clinic and the Ithaca Health Alliance.  The organizations have introduced her to many of the health resources for the Ithaca community.

“Not only do I feel like the IFC and IHA is helping those in need of immediate medical assistance, but I feel as if they are helping to find lifelong connections to health care for those un- and under-insured."

Between the other volunteers, office managers, and patients at the Ithaca Free Clinic, Alicia has learned so much.  Whether it be how a medical office works, how much integrative healing modalities are being used by the community, or how important an establishment like the IHA or IFC is to so many individuals, she says she has gained a mountain of knowledge that she can use when applying to her career.

"When I was freshman I had no idea what major or career I wanted to study.  The different volunteer opportunities I found and became involved in really helped me narrow that search down.  From a museum, a school, and now a health clinic, my volunteer experiences have not only helped me become involved in the Ithaca community, but they have helped me begin my path for the future."

After graduation, Alicia plans on going back to school for naturopathic medicine.  Naturopathic medicine has emerged as the health care profession best suited to meet society’s request for “safe, effective, and cost-effective natural healthcare.”

Hy, a senior Anthropology major, is currently volunteering at O.S.V.S. (On-Site Volunteer Services) a volunteering service dedicated to several  organizations in the Ithaca community.  Every week there are different volunteering opportunities for all kinds of organizations such as Loaves and Fishes, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross.  The town of Ithaca also needs volunteers for annual festivals such as Applefest as well as help for public maintenance of the community.  For some projects, Hy has volunteered cleaning local parks in Ithaca, where funding for restoration is minimal.  By volunteering for O.S.V.S, people will help save these organizations valuable time and funds so they can focus more on bringing their important services to the Ithaca community.

“I’m really glad I found this program because it really emphasizes the importance of community and allows others to see what a strong, united community can actually accomplish by working together.”

After graduation, Hy is planning on giving a year of service, specifically, abroad.  With the help of his Anthropology background and his prior experience living abroad in Vietnam, he plans on collaboratively working with the community in order to diminish a self/other duality that is associated with many Western volunteers.  “I think it’s very important to understand the difference between working together with and working for a community; only the former can truly bring you into the community. “