Break With Spring Tradition

Each Spring Break at Trinity University, a handful of students pile into a white van headed to a destination that will spark a big conversation. Though temperatures are rising, and typical vacation spots are calling,  these Tigers are headed for the chance to immerse themselves in service, conversation, and community engagement. 

This is Alternative Spring Break, a Trinity tradition dating back to 1992 that has taken Trinity students to New Orleans, Native American reservations in Colorado and Utah, relief agencies in Mexico, and even to the Caribbean island of Dominica. This year’s path took them northeastward across Texas to the Mighty Mississippi and the city of Memphis, a place with a unique set of social, political and economic challenges. 

“This journey is really about being an active community member, across the board,” says Cleighton Schedule, assistant director for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. “The issues we're going to Memphis to learn about, to help with, we want to figure out how we can bring those lessons back to San Antonio in a way students can apply while they're right here at Trinity.”

Organized through Trinity's Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success, the weeklong trip challenged students to look beyond volunteering as a one-time act and instead engage deeply with the people and histories shaping the communities they served. Through Trinity’s Conversation initiative, the experience emphasized dialogue about civil rights, social justice, and what it means to be an active citizen.

Over the course of the week, students moved between moments of reflection and hands-on service, gaining a layered understanding of Memphis as both a historic and living center of civil rights work. A visit to the National Civil Rights Museum grounded the group in the city’s legacy, prompting discussions about identity, justice, and the ongoing struggle for equity.

From there, students partnered with organizations addressing immediate community needs. At a Catholic Charities mobile food pantry, they helped distribute food and household supplies to a caravan of local residents lined up in cars. Later, they worked behind the scenes at the Neighborhood Christian Center’s Spring Jam, building sets, crafting costumes, and preparing activities designed to create a free, welcoming space for children and families.

The group also spent time at Alpha Omega Veteran Services’ urban farm, digging their hands into the spring soil to plant crops that will eventually yield healthy food for military veterans reintegrating into civilian life. The half-acre farm provides fresh food, job training, and therapeutic opportunities, illustrating how service can intersect with long-term empowerment.

We talked with five of the students who went to Memphis about their experience:

Alyssa Martinez ’27, political science major

For Alyssa Martinez, the trip aligned closely with her upbringing and her desire to stay connected to community-centered service. Coming to Trinity as a first-generation student, she was drawn to an opportunity that emphasized human connection.

“I grew up around the idea of a city that has love for its people, and you express that love by volunteering for different things,” she says. “When I saw this Memphis trip meant (that we would connect) with people, too, it felt right to me.”

“I think everyone in Memphis had a really good understanding of other people’s struggles,” she says. “There was never a question of religion or beliefs.”

“The biggest thing about the Memphis trip was that I got to be curious,” she says. “Every time we walked into a volunteer space, I'm like, ‘Okay, how does this work?’ … I think as students, we need that curiosity. … We grow when we’re having uncomfortable conversations.”

Emma Pitre ’27, psychology major

Emma Pitre approached the experience with a focus on understanding the root causes of social issues and how meaningful change can take shape.

“Volunteering always just feels like a really meaningful use of time in that way,” she says. “I feel like you always learn something new, even if it's something really small.”

“Whether we were working at the food pantry, or helping create experiences for kids, I feel there’s so many ways that we can all add to people’s lives, if a lot of people are just willing to do it.”

Drew Norris ’28, communication major

For Drew Norris, the trip was both demanding and rewarding.  

“I feel like I was so exhausted the second half of the week, but I feel like that's when we were doing the most important things.”

“The conversations we had were about effective activism. How do we effectively support communities?”

“I feel like we had different insights based on our different experiences,” Norris says, “but the one thing we learned was that there are parts of the U.S. that really need more support.”

Elly Lominick ’28, environmental studies major

Elly Lominick initially connected to the trip through an environmental lens. 

“I wanted to see the difference in the gardens between San Antonio and Memphis,” she says. “But I think the biggest thing for me was learning how important community is,. We got to see how people were choosing to face their challenges head on and with a lot of positivity.”

“Every organization was very appreciative of our help,” she says, “but you could just tell that every volunteer was making a big difference in their own way.”

Sara Ellis ’28, marketing major

For Sara Ellis, the trip expanded her understanding of what it means to support a community, and how that support can take unexpected forms.

“This trip made me think more about community, and to start thinking about other ways I could be supporting other people in ways that I wouldn't naturally think of,” she says.

“This trip was important because we got to hear what other people thought, too. Sometimes it was different, and they would bring a new thought or perspective that I hadn't seen.”