a cultural exchange program between JMU and Thomas Harrison Middle

School Latino students

AMISTAD has been made possible by an Internationalization At Home Grant through

James Madison University

Director, Karina Kline-Gabel

Activities

Since September 2005, JMU student volunteers have met with select THMS Latino students and have participated in workshops focusing on:

Self Identity Importance of cultural

heritage Role Models

Special Events

AMISTAD participants attended a poetry/story reading by well known Chicana author, Michele Serros on November 2, 2005. Students enjoyed her humor and were inspired to follow their dreams and go to college…..even if it takes seven years as it did for our guest lecturer!

Fun and friendship

Participants enjoyed a party on December 2, 2005 at UREC to show off their soccer and climbing skills!

Students have enjoyed their first semester together and were eager to be able to see their mentors’ campus at the “AMISTAD fiesta”.

AMISTAD – art projectStudents worked on collages that reflected their identity and heritage.

OASIS – Harrisonburg, Va.December 6 5:00-7:00pm

Students visited local art gallery to celebrate the opening of the first annual AMISTAD art project and to thank our JMU volunteer participants.

Here is a preview of this work.

Press The Breeze 12/2005

Press Daily News Record Dec.2005

Spring 2006

March 15, students will attend a Latino film event at Court Square Theater screening the popular soccer movie, “Atlético San Pancho.”

Sponsored by:

AMISTAD spring soccer game

Students will get the chance to play on a real soccer field at JMU on April 21, 2006!

Teams will include members from AMISTAD and the JMU soccer club.