Destination: Dominica

Morning to night as an Alternative Spring Break leader

Energetic, curly-haired junior Diana Sierra puts new meaning in the well-known phrase, "Busy as a bee." But she’s not your typical busybody. Sierra is an interesting, articulate individual, a part-time employee, and a gospel-singing, Puerto Rican social work major. A day in Sierra’s life includes buzzing around campus and barely pausing to alight in her own house at the end of the day.

Even during her most chaotic moments, Sierra has something to look forward to: she plans to co-lead an ASB trip to Paixe-Bouche, Dominica over spring break with her co-leader, senior Sarah Axelson.

"I thought [being an ASB trip leader] would be a great learning opportunity," Sierra said. "Also it’s something to help me grow in leadership skills and allow me to give back to the JMU community."

As if Sierra needed more things to occupy her time.

The sun is still thin and the air is cold when Sierra hits her snooze button at 6 a.m. After morning quiet time with God and a healthy breakfast, Sierra is out the door, around 8 a.m. Social work classes and work at the Office of Sponsored programs takes up the majority of the day, "with a little food thrown in there somewhere," Sierra said. By dinnertime, Sierra is off to attend meetings and do homework, the combination of which usually lasts until about midnight.

"It’s not that bad," Sierra said. "I’m socializing the whole way through."

The clubs and organizations Sierra is involved in are more numerous than pigeons in New York. Her list of responsibilities include: Latino Student Alliance (where she is vice president), Contemporary Gospel Choir, Campus Crusade for Christ, bible study, discipleship, Habitat for Humanity, Asian Student Union and Roundtable.

Penciling ASB leadership into the margins of her busy but organized life is not only personally but also academically challenging for Sierra.

"This trip is for social work [majors] only," Sierra said. "The learning partner for this trip [Dr. Karen Ford] asked me because she wanted a social work leader. It’s the first ever trip for credit. We’re trailblazing."

Between coordinating present events and planning ahead for March, Sierra and Axelson have been awash with a wave of responsibility. The group raises money for their trip by writing letters to family members, churches and organizations, manning concession stands and clean-ups at the convocation center and planning a Variety Show which will take place in February.

"Being completely responsible for the success of the trip, the group dynamic and the individual growth [is the hardest]," Sierra said. "And keeping participants motivated and excited … once we get there."

When the JMU students touch Dominican soil, they will help with construction-related service, but the plans are still fluid.

"The needs [in Paixe-Bouche] are always changing," Sierra said. "Last year they built a new library in Paixe-Bouche."

At the end of the day -- or rather, the very beginning of the next morning -- Sierra lies down in her maroon-sheeted bed with her stereo on softly and feels content.

"I didn’t choose [this trip]," Sierra said. "It chose me."