NCSU students have different notion of Spring Break

The sounds of hammers were heard from the front lawn of Donna Lattimore's house in Forest City as seven North Carolina State University (NCSU) students were working on an assignment away from the college campus. The students, joined by Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) staff and the Women Roofers, put a new roof on the Lattimore home.

For several years a group of NCSU students have come to Rutherford County for their "spring-service break" where they have partnered with RHP and the Women Roofers to roof homes or to make other repairs.

Roofing the Lattimore home on Forest Street was a bit "of a challenge" said Seth Shumaker, RHP's Repair Manager. The job was stalled for several hours on Monday as all the sheathing needed to be replaced, explained Nell Bovender, member of the Women Roofers.

Arriving on Sunday, March 9, the students immediately began to work that afternoon and by Saturday morning they were ready to go back to classes in Raleigh and Lattimore had a brand new roof.

Lattimore, who bought the home from her parents years ago, said she had several different jobs during her lifetime and is glad now to be retired.

Shumaker, Tricia Wheat, RHP's program manager, and the Rutherford Women Roofers spent six days with the students with the roofing project.

"It's important," said Shumaker, "to send them back with a completed project."

NCSU freshman Wesley Laborde of Atlanta, Georgia joined the service break group knowing the volunteers were going to stay in North Carolina. Last year service break students traveled to the Dominican Republic and some parts of North Carolina, but Wesley wanted to get a better idea of the "rural cultural" in this part of North Carolina, so he signed up for Rutherford County.

Growing up, he said his mother volunteered on Habitat builds at least twice a year and he was inspired by her work. He also joined some of the work with her.

Laborde has a long college future ahead of him as he is studying animal science with plans to become a veterinarian.

Graduate student Jordan Birkner and others did the cooking at First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton where the group was housed. On Wednesday night the students joined the congregation for the regular weekly meal.

Jordan has also cooked for students at NCSU on a larger scale and has done various roofing projects for about six years with her Methodist church volunteer group. She comes from a family of volunteers and plans to continue.

A Behavior Health major, Jordan wants to make a difference as an advocate for mental health. She's also a journalist for the school's newspaper where she shares her health care concerns.

"I actually have about six jobs," she said.

Josie Bouchard, an Economic Engineering major, said, "There is not a better place to be if you have time to do this. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this," she said.

It will not be her last.

Lillie O'Neil of Greensboro was among those traveling to the Dominican Republic last year but wanted to be in North Carolina for this year's project.

For Kaitlin Harvey, 19, the service break was her second time to come to Rutherford County and hopes she's made a difference.

Political science major Leanne Hilou of Raleigh also traveled to the Dominican Republic last year but says coming to Rutherford County was "more community minded" and she has thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Amy Le of Charlotte and Alondra Badillo, both grad students, signed up for the trip because they wanted to make a difference, especially in the aftermath of storm Helene. For Alondra, the week's work was also a part of her internship in her higher education administration courses.

As one of the NCSU students was climbing the ladder on a warm 70-degree-plus weather afternoon, she was asked if she preferred the cool, damp, yucky weather they experienced on their first work day here or the summer-like temperatures.

"The yucky weather", she said. "It's hot" she said, climbing the ladder with a bundle of shingles across her shoulders.

RHP's program manager Tricia Wheat, who was on the scene every day, was quick to add, "And when I get home in the evening, I'm ready for bed."

The students were housed at First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton during the week.

"It's beautiful" Wesley said. He's been on some mission trips where volunteers stayed in small church buildings where the basement always seemed dark. He thoroughly enjoyed the brighter atmosphere of the Family Life Center.

As Lattimore was leaving the house to run errands on Wednesday she looked back at the volunteers on the roof. "I love it. I couldn't have asked for anything more. They've done a great job," she said.