Bonner Scholars' service felt around the globe

BY ALISSA M. POOLE ’94

When Kate Simma, ’09, arrived in Guatemala in June 2007, it was the first time she lived alone in a foreign country—and she didn’t know the language. Simma, who previously studied French and Italian, took a week-long Spanish class, then began working with women from five mountain communities as part of her first Bonner Scholars summer experience.

Simma joined the Bonner Scholars program as a sophomore, offering training skills and encouraging women to become more independent through the Highland Support Project. She also compiled a domestic violence resource book.

“It really opened my eyes to seeing another perspective of women,” said the Dallas native, who’s interested in human rights work.

Simma also wrote grants with the Highland Support Project as a sophomore intern and brought Alternative Spring Break, a program where Richmond students spend a week in Guatemala building stoves, to UR during her sophomore and junior years.

Last spring, the political science major and history minor began teaching English as a second language to Latin American immigrants through Refugee and Immigration Services.

“I learned so much about Latin immigrants in the United States and got a different perspective than what you see on the news,” Simma recalled.

Last summer, Simma traveled to Paraguay to teach English to disadvantaged children so they could continue their educations instead of working to support their families. She also assisted a women’s microenterprise group as they turned making jewelry and jam into profitable businesses.

“The Bonner program is a fantastic program to have in college,” said Simma.  “The students are diverse and bring unique and different perspectives.”

Bonner beginnings

The Bonner Scholars program began at UR 15 years ago, three years after the first program was initiated at Berea College in Kentucky. Today, the University’s program, with 100 students, is one of 25 Bonner Scholars Programs and the largest in the country.

A part of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, it was made possible by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation and is coordinated by a three-person staff.

“The program has evolved so much since the time I came in,” said Kim Dean, ’97, its director and a former Bonner Scholar. “Now civic engagement, community engagement and service learning have become more pervasive in higher education.”

In exchange for 10 hours of community engagement activities each week during the school year and during two summer breaks, Bonner Scholars receive financial support during the academic year, summer living stipends for two summers and post-graduate loan reduction. Their 10 hours include direct service, educational and enrichment activities and time for reflection.

For Kelly Behrend, ’10, the financial component has allowed her to attend her top choice university and support herself through college. Behrend, a self-designed peace and conflict studies major studying in Spain this semester and Northern Ireland next spring, said the people she’s met through the Bonner Program have been the most important part of her experience.

As a freshman, the Eastampton, N.J., native volunteered with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and Cross Over Health Ministries. Last year she taught a beginner’s English course with Refugee and Immigration Services, an experience she called “life-changing.” She said her students, who represented all ages and nations, displayed a passion for learning that was astounding.

Behrend spent 14 weeks with the Bonner Foundation over the summer, planning two conferences, writing a Bonner student handbook and working with Bonner students from across the country as part of the Bonner Student Congress.

“I think my experience with Bonner has helped me realize who I am and how I can serve others,” said Behrend, who plans to pursue refugee rights, global policy, United Nations, translation, peacekeeping or peace education work after college.

Bonner success

While there is no typical Bonner student, Dean said most were active volunteers in high school. As Richmond students, they work with one of 30 community partners including schools, social service agencies and medical sites. After graduation, most go into teaching, nonprofit work, graduate programs or corporate jobs.

This year, first-year Bonner scholars are required to take the “Justice and Civil Society” course through the Jepson School, something Dean said “equips students early on with the tools they need to succeed in their Bonner experience.”

Jaime Calero, ’11, said his service projects have helped him learn his strengths and weaknesses as well as more about himself and others. The Port Chester, N.Y., native spent the summer in Argentina working with children from low-income families. This year he’s working with National Student Partnerships, the nation’s only year-round, student-led volunteer organization linking people in need with resources and opportunities to become self-sufficient.

“I love the environment and all the different types of people that come to us,” said Calero.