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October 14, 2009 -
Mount Olive College Students Spend Fall Break in Maine
MOUNT OLIVE - Driving through scenic mountain passes sprinkled with fall’s magical colors, visiting coastal villages, hiking through national parks, sightseeing, and shopping – sounds like a travel brochure doesn’t it? Four Mount Olive College students recently experienced a quintessential weekend trip to Maine during fall break. The trip was planned and led by Julie Beck, student activities director at Mount Olive College. The students participating were Kimberly Ramirez of Leland; Jack Pate of Newton Grove; Olivia Jones of Benson and Matthew Nealey of Thomasville.
“Julie made the trip so much fun,” said Ramirez, a freshman biology major. “Her laughs are contagious.”
During the five day adventure participants visited the Portland lighthouse and observatory; toured LL Bean headquarters; traveled to Boothbay Harbor; toured Acadia National Park; hiked in Baxter State Park; walked across the University of Maine-Orono campus; and ate fresh lobster at the Lobster Pound, a popular restaurant in Bar Harbor.
“The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the fall colors on the mountains and seeing the different kinds of animals that are native to the area like moose and seals,” said Pate, a senior biology major.
“The most memorable part of the trip for me was when we went to the top of Cadillac Mountain,” Ramirez said. “In the distance Bar Harbor looked so small. It was a wonderful view.”
The students experienced many firsts during the trip. Nealey, a freshman criminal justice major, experienced his first flight. Jones, a freshman visual communications major, had been to Maine as a child, but on this trip she saw a moose for the first time.
Others ate lobster for the first time and really enjoyed it.
“The food was great,” said Nealey.
Ramirez agreed, “The lobster was amazing.”
Trip leader Julie Beck said, “My goal is to expose students to various locations in the USA and around the world. No matter where we visit, I plan activities that are unique to the destination…like riding a lobster boat, eating lobster and wild Maine blueberry ice cream, seeing wildlife (moose, seals) in their natural habitats, visiting lighthouses, climbing to the top of a mountain (Cadillac) where the sunlight first reaches on the East coast and meeting the locals. Ency, the mother of one of my friends, invited us to her house for breakfast and afterwards, she taught us about minerals (gems) that are unique to the state of Maine. The purpose of my trips is for students to gain knowledge about a region while having fun.”
Mount Olive College is a private, liberal arts institution dedicated to the total development of its students in an environment nurtured by Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington, and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.
