Residential Life

Kevin Linker, Director of Residential Life

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. ~William Shakespeare

On campus spring has started to finally appear. We have shaken off the bitter cold of winter and the rainy, cold days of early April. We've had our first weeks of sunny weather and around the campus there is a spirit of youth in everything.

This is my second spring at ASR and it is wonderful time. During the harsh winter months we are often restricted to indoor activities except when we have down hill and cross country skiing. Though I really enjoyed cross country skiing with the students this winter, the spring opens a lot of opportunities for all of us to get out and enjoy our favorite outdoor activities.

We have already had our first bonfires of spring where students had the opportunity to gather with each other by the fire and show off their best techniques of building the ultimate 'smore (Mmmm, make mine a double!).

The mountain bikes have been pulled out and our first mountain bike rides have taken place. Although the trails can still be a little muddy in some spots, it only adds to the adventure (ON YOUR LEFT!).

The outdoor basketball court is now in full use. Staff and students have cleared off the sand and we have replaced the two nets on the rims. Students have already played several games and we definitely have a lot of students with some skills in the game (Swish!).

Spring kayaking and rock climbing with Bill Killough-Hill has begun. Both climbing and kayaking give students an opportunity to experience some of the area's great natural surroundings.

Looking ahead we are planning a lot of great activities for the students. Fishing is right around the corner (Look at the size of that one!!) as well as the start up of our outdoor movie night on our big screen we built last year (Pass the popcorn!). I love spring and this spring and summer looks to be packed full of adventure and fun.

Clubs

Clubs are in full swing and we have some really great ones run by equally great staff members. Here is the run down of what clubs are currently running on campus.

Yoga Club with Alex Bartlett and Will Berger - The goals of yoga may range from improving health to achieving an eternal relationship with oneself. I have had the privilege of watching (yes, watching, because my body no longer bends in some places!) the yoga class in session. Alex has been offering his Jedi, or should I say Yogi, skills at ASR for a long time and students always leave yoga with something new.

Drama Club with Erica King and Rich Anderson - This club was a real hit last session so we brought it back. Students participate in drama activities such as "Who's Line is it Anyway." I have had the pleasure of participating in this group, and it is just full or laughs and fun. I really enjoy watching the students creating different characters to express themselves.

Cooking Club with Iris Martin - Iris really knows her way around the kitchen and used to work for our dinning services before coming to residential life. Cooking is a newer club we have not had for a while but have revived because the students love it. Iris and the students of cooking club have whipped up so many homemade delights. You have to try the cookies.

Film Making Club with Clayton Salem - NEW. Students in this club are working on creating a low budget horror film that can be shown to the community at the end of this club session. I can't wait to see it—I am a huge movie buff.

Community Service Club with Traci Gould, Madison Wroblewski and Bethanie Beausoleil - Our community service program has spun off a club. Students in this club have been focusing on how to help the environment and our campus "go green." Students look at recycling on campus and better ways to save resources.

12 Step AA Group with Shelly Hughes and Bob Sulewski - This is a volunteer group that several students take advantage of. Bob has done this group for the second time and Shelly has now joined it, creating a spectacular team to work with the students.

Gardening Club with Chris Kuzmeskus and Mike Rich - Last spring we went out and purchased all of our plants for our community garden. This year we are starting many of our crops in this club. Many of our cucumbers, tomatoes and pepper plants are ready to go. We will have a community planting coming up soon when our starter plants and other plants will go in.

Music Video Club with Mark Piaget - Student in this club are creating music and once the music is set they will shoot their own music video. Mark is our technical genius on campus when it comes to video, computers, and music. MTV music awards, here we come.

New Residential Mentor
Bethanie Beausoleil came to ASR in January of 2009. Born and raised in New Hampshire, she needed a change and moved to Brooklyn, New York, to attend Pratt Institute. While studying poetry, Bethanie began tutoring students in neighborhood schools through the program "America Reads." Her experience with the program was transformative, and in her senior year Bethanie was the recipient of Pratt's "Tutor of the Year" award. Bethanie also volunteered with a non-profit organization that strives to incorporate poetry into public school curricula throughout Brooklyn. After earning a BFA in creative writing in 2006, Bethanie moved to the Pioneer Valley to study education at UMass Amherst. There she tutored and assisted undergraduate athletes. Bethanie has also tutored high school students through Northfield Mount Herman School's Upward Band Program. Her student teaching was conducted at Amherst High School and in May of 2008 she received her M.Ed. in English Education. She has a continued interest in both writing and education. Bethanie finds her time with the students at ASR to be enjoyable and rewarding.

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