Welcome to the Rural Poverty Break Trip Blog! We, your leaders, are Xylina and Teresa, and we are thrilled to be sharing this experience with you and learning what it really means to be a Tennessee Volunteer. This March, we depart for a small rural town--Greenville, Mississippi! The Delta region has a poverty rate of almost 20 percent, which is six points higher than the national average. We will be working with community organizations that promote Greenville’s housing, education, and youth development initiatives.

To get us a started, here’s a little bit more about the two of us!

Teresa and Xylina

Teresa

GO VOLS! My name is Teresa Slade, I’m a junior, and I’d like to welcome you to the Alternative Break Program! My major is Audiology and Speech Pathology with a minor in Psychology, and I was raised here in Knoxville, although my parents now live in Orlando, Florida. Some other organizations that I am involved with are Leadership and Service Ambassadors and Sigma Phi Lambda. Some of my favorite activities are attending UT sporting events (it’s my goal to make an event for every sport!), playing frisbee, reading while sipping a hot cup of coffee, and exploring local eateries here in town. I studied abroad in Cambridge, England, last summer, which was a highlight of my UT career. Fun fact: I love to scuba dive and have gone a few trips dedicated to just that. This is my first Alternative Break trip, and I am SO excited to experience our Spring Break adventure!

Xylina

Hello all! My name is Xylina Marshall and I am a graduating senior here on Rocky Top. I am majoring in Italian and World Business and I am originally from Newport, Arkansas though I now love to call Knoxville my home. I love to explore new opportunities within the UTK and Knoxville community. As such I am involved with the Leadership and Service Ambassadors and the Leadership Knoxville Scholars program. Learning is one of my greatest passions so I read often, follow blogs on the Knoxville food,coffee, and music scenes, and regularly try to acquire new skills from rock climbing to throwing pottery. Knoxville is not the only place I like to explore as I have a serious affinity for travel. I have been to Italy for the last two summers and hope to go back soon! For me the third time’s the charm, as this is my third ever Alternative Break trip. My first two trips to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Trelawny, Jamaica were some of the best experiences of my college career. I cannot wait to delve into another adventure in service and learning.