Waldo students learn about community service from guest speakers

Guest Speaker Evelyn Martinez talks about volunteering in her home country of Honduras at Waldo Middle School

Willamette University MBA Student Evelyn Martinez talks with Waldo Middle School students about the benefits participating in community service on Sept. 16.

It was only the fourth time Jillian LaRaut-Renfro’s social responsibility class met since the start of the school year and her students were already challenged to get involved with their school and community. Willamette University students presented to LaRaut-Renfro’s class at Waldo Middle School on Sept. 16, sharing their experiences with community service in Central America.

“I got involved in community service while I was in middle and high school in Honduras,” Willamette University MBA Student Evelyn Martinez told students. “It can help you on college applications to get scholarships.”

Martinez was one of the guest speakers from the university’s Language in Motion program. Language in Motion aims to connect international and study abroad returnee students with public schools to demonstrate the importance of learning about other languages, cultures, and places.

“The Language in Motion program connected the bridge to other cultures in my class,” said LaRaut-Renfro. “It taught the students that even living miles apart we still can connect on many levels, share similar interests, and work together in school and in life.”

Martinez began her presentation talking about the geography, history, and culture of her home country, Honduras. She then discussed her involvement in community service, which tied into LaRaut-Renfro’s social responsibility curriculum. Sam Menefee-Libey, study abroad student, presented on his volunteer efforts in Nicaragua.

“The presenters also do activities with the kids,” said LaRaut-Renfro. “When we studied ancient China last year, a student taught my kids some Chinese calligraphy. They can really curtail the presentation to fit the class needs.”

Request a presenter
If you are interested in having a Language in Motion presentation in your classroom or after school program, contact Beth Kowal (2009-10 coordinator) or Chris Andresen (LiM supervisor) at limprogram@willamette.edu. They can also be reached at 503-375-5493 (Office of International Education at Willamette University). More information can also be found at Willamette University's Web site.