Building Bridges is out to dispel the concept that one individual is too small to make a difference. On Saturday, March 14, the Building Bridges conference will present this year’s conference on “Liberation Through Education.”
This conference focuses on educational disparities in the U.S. and around the world. “Education is something that clearly everyone at Gustavus values. We are all very fortunate, and [Building Bridges] wants to help those who weren’t given such opportunities,” said Rita Stevermer, a senior psychology major and Building Bridges co-chair.
Erin Gruwell and Maria Reyes will be giving the keynote address. Gruwell began her student teaching at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA. In her classroom were students with some of the lowest performance rates in the nation. They were thought to be “unteachable.” Maria Reyes was one of the students in Gruwell’s first class. When Erin Gruwell began teaching Reyes’ class, many of her students had seen acts of hate, rape, gang violence, drug abuse and a host of other crimes.
Though the tension from her students was palpable in various forms, Gruwell helped them to rethink their lives and ideals and spurred them on to brighter futures. While they were once a class that few thought would graduate high school, they became a class that went on to gain numerous college degrees. Today, many of those students, like Reyes, have stood up to demand a change.
Following the speakers, Building Bridges has organized several workshops hosted by various social activist organizations, including Invisible Children and Teach for America. Marcia Nelson, one of the first graduates of a teaching program designed by Gruwell, will also participate in the workshops. “We are really excited for [Nelson] to come,” said Stevermer. “She is one of the first teachers to go through a teaching program designed by Gruwell and now actually teaches in Coon Rapids.” These workshops are designed to help students act on what they have learned from the keynote address.
“You go to the keynote and you hear about the issues, but the workshops are meant to give you an idea about what exactly you can do,” said Alli Linn, a senior biology major and the other Co-Chair of Building Bridges. Each of the workshops focuses on a slightly different side of the issue by highlighting the particular organization hosting the session, as well as how one can get involved. Sessions will be held more than once to ensure that students can make it to each one.
Once students have completed the workshops, Building Bridges allows individuals to put what they learn into practice. The second part of the program focuses on action and combines 70 elementary school students visiting Gustavus with an interactive literacy program. Paired with a “Gustie Guide,” these elementary students will be led through various stations that go along with the book Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar. At the end of the program each of these students will receive a copy of the book.
The week immediately preceding the event is packed with various activities to raise awareness about the conference. On Monday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. “Is Gustavus Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” will take place in the Market Place. This game is modeled after the TV series Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? Members of the Gustavus staff will be opposite eight fifth graders from North Elementary school in a battle of wits. Those participating are Richard Leitch, associate professor of political science and environmental studies, Richard Aune, senior associate director of admissions, and Megan Ruble, director of student activities.
Wednesday brings a presentation of the 2007 film Freedom Writers, a movie based on the story of Gruwell and Reyes. At 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room, this viewing will give the context of Gruwell and Reyes’ story to those who are not familiar with it.
Thursday, at 7:00 in the Heritage Room, there will be a showing of a documentary by Invisible Children, GO!: The Schools for Schools Movie. “The book drive we did last semester ties in with this movie,” said Linn, “and there will be free popcorn.”
Friday will feature good competition and a wealth of entertainment for all as Building Bridges hosts “Gustavus Idol” at 7:00 p.m. in the Market Place. Gustavus students will be showcasing a wide variety of talents, including rapping, singing, break dancing and other artistic flair. Performances will be presented in front of a panel of judges of Gustavus faculty members. Cash prizes will be awarded. Following the competition there will be karaoke in the Dive along with free Coldstone and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Building Bridges is a student-initiated and student-led diversity conference. Each year the conference focuses on a different social issue. The mission is to increase awareness among the Gustavus community and the surrounding community, and to increase activism. “We want to defeat the notion ‘I can’t do anything to make a difference in the world,’” said Stevermer.
Although most of the work has already been done and no more volunteers are needed on the day of the conference, there is one thing the Building Bridges Committee wishes Gustavus students would do: “We would love it if everyone picked up a ticket outside the [Market Place],” said Linn. Tickets to the conference are free for the Gustavus community.
“I’m really excited for the speaker this year,” said Nicole Soiseth, a junior biology major. “Last year the speaker really [reached] out to the Gustavus community, connecting it to the bigger picture, and it will be really interesting to see what [Gruwell] has to say.”
The Building Bridges Committee hopes to empower students to make a difference. “We want to defeat the notion ‘I’m just a college student, what can I do?’” said Linn. “There is a lot that each individual person can do. Even just changing someone’s mind by talking to [him or her] about a certain issue is making the world a better place.”
The conference is sponsored by the Building Bridges Committee, CAB, Student Senate and Gustavus Adolphus College.