By Jillian Hammell
Staff Writer
The words on the pages of this year’s All Bonaventure Reads selection, “In The Sanctuary Of Outcasts,” took on new meaning in the Doyle Dining Hall on Wednesday.
Freshmen students filled two conference rooms with their “In The Sanctuary Of Outcasts” projects. The poster conference contained more than 25 groups of students and their PowerPoint, video, poster and other innovative presentations. This marks the third year of the poster conference for All Bonaventure Reads.
Prior to attending the poster conference, freshmen students learned about the life of the book’s author, Neil White, over the summer. “In The Sanctuary of Outcasts” tells the tale of White’s one-year federal prison sentence. White was forced to live in a community of prisoners and Leprosy patients.
Incoming students were required to read and reflect on the memoir for their University 101 class. To help express the different themes and viewpoints in the piece, students were assigned a group project about the ABR selection.
Kirk Windus, a freshman journalism and mass communication major, believed the project helped him further understand the memoir.
Windus, a student in Disability Support Services Coordinator Adriane Spencer’s University 101 class, helped create a video project, which displayed students’ thoughts about the novel. Through the video project, Windus was able to reflect on White’s morals as well as his own.
“I learned not to judge people on their appearance,” Windus said. “This project helped me have a better understanding of this because many students mentioned this argument. After reflecting on this idea, I can say I am more open-minded.”
Another member of Spencer’s class, Vinnie Bellardini, a freshman journalism and communication major, was able to conclude other thoughts after interviewing his classmates.
“Neil was less quick to judge people by the end of the story,” Bellardini said. “I did not catch that the first time I read it. By observing other people’s reactions, I learned that White believed in second chances.”
Giving second chances seemed to be a common theme at the poster conference. Craig Sinesiou’s class gathered plastic coke bottles and used them for different purposes. In the memoir, the inspirational and wise character Ella Bounds explained the different uses of a coke bottle.
“Coca-Cola bottle still a Coca-Cola bottle. Just found ’em a new purpose,” said Bounds in the novel.
Students made a piggy bank, ship in a bottle and flower vase out of the old pop bottles and various other items.
Ann Sitter’s University 101 class asked “Who Are You?” The group prompted students to select a plain mask and write positive descriptive words on the disguise.
Carly Miraglia, a freshman education major, talked about the unique idea that was created by Sitter’s class.
“We wanted people to recognize the good in themselves,” Miraglia said. We all put on masks, but we must find our own positive personality traits that shine through.”
Christina Webb, a freshman accounting major and member of Joseph Coate’s class, sat behind a booth labeled “Sweet Flaws.”
“For our project, we want the participants to write down their flaws,” Webb said.
Along the booth’s table, candy, a mirror and an empty Coke bottle could be found.
“We want the students to look into the mirror, recognize their flaws then write them down on a small sheet of paper. They would then put the flaw into an empty Coke bottle,” Webb said.
Students were able to browse the poster conference and stop at each individual booth. Each group educated their fellow students passing by through their theme and connections to the memoir.
According to Director of First Year Experience and Orientation Abby Cohen, students connected through the thought-provoking tale’s themes.
“The most rewarding part of the conference was to see all of the students come together. They all shared a common bond and knowledge of the book. It was a great sight to see,” Cohen said.
hammelljl12@bonaventure.edu
