2009 Alternative Break Project
During his State of the Fraternity Address during the fraternity's annual National Convention and Grand Chapter, National President Jonah Goodman announced the location of the 2009 Alternative Break Project. The Project would take place at Shelby Middle School in Shelby Mississippi and was given the name "Playing to learn at Shelby Middle School."
Shelby Middle School
Shelby Middle School, located in Bolivar County Mississippi is a Public School with approximately 253 students. Currently, 99% of students within the Bolivar Country School district is eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program.
Shelby Mississippi
Shelby, Mississippi is a city located in Bolivar Country on the western edge of the state. According to the 2000 census, the city had a population of 2,926 with the city itself covering a total area of 2.7 square miles. The population density was roughly 1,079.5 people per square mile with a predominantly African American local population. The median income per household in the city was $17,798 and the median income per family being $20,368.00. About 39.9% of families and 44.5% of the population were below the poverty line. The city of Shelby is served by the North Bolivar School District. Notable people who were born here include Fred Barnett (Philadelphia Eagles player,) and Emma Franklin (Aretha Franklin's sister).
The Trip
On January 5th, 2009, 13 brothers as well as Director of Member Services Anika Jackson arrived in Shelby. The participants in the years' trip included:
- Tamara Arredondo (Beta Chapter)
- Denise Cavanagh (Alpha Epsilon Chapter)
- Avery Cootes (Gamma Theta Chapter)
- Joey Grissom (Beta Chapter)
- Julia Hansen (Beta Chapter)
- Lacy Kelly (Gamma Phi Chapter)
- Steve Mikkelson (Gamma Theta Chapter)
- Lauren Millerd (Beta Pi Chapter)
- Michelle Rodgers (Delta Kappa Chapter)
- Mallory Stites (Beta Chapter)
- Natalie Swierzbin (Gamma Epsilon Chapter)
- Rebecca Torres (Alpha Iota Chapter)
- Kyle Williams (Gamma Delta Chapter)
Between January 5th and January 10th, the corp members would begin set up of the educational pond, shadow Teach For America Corp members, assist in the organization of dominoes for an after-school mural project, have pot-luck dinners with the town of Shelby, Mississippi and TFA corp members, and tour the BB King Museum.
