Ray goes on alternative spring break trip and helps out with Habitat for Humanity

(Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of features on Franklin Pierce student-athletes. In this installment, student writer Morgan Miller sits down with volleyball's Natasha Ray, as she talks about her trip to the North Carolina over spring break and worked for Habitat for Humanity.)

By Morgan Miller (FPU Athletics Feature Writer)

Spring break is different for every college student-athlete. Some spend it competing or training for the upcoming season. Others take the long awaited time off after their dedication to the previous season.

Sophomore volleyball player, Natasha Ray, spent her spring break in late March working for Habitat for Humanity on an alternative spring break trip, sponsored by Franklin Pierce University.

Ray, along with 13 of her fellow students, traveled to Monroe, N.C. for a trip which would undoubtedly change their lives. Upon arriving in Monroe, the group of Franklin Pierce students met Mike Reece, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, and he shared the mission for what they would be doing and how it would be changing people’s lives for the better.

Ray, as well as the other students, spent the week sleeping in a room with 14 mattresses and ate meals provided by the community during the trip. During the five-day excursion, the group built two sheds, a deck and tore down trees that were blocking the Habitat for Humanity sign on a local highway.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Ray. “I even had an epiphany about my future while I was there.”

The epiphany that Ray had was that she discovered she might want to join the Peace Corps after graduating from Franklin Pierce. Another option that crossed her mind was going into public relations with a non-profit organization and helping to spread news about all of the good deeds those types of agencies provide.

Ray’s favorite part of the trip was being able to meet the families they were helping. It helped reinforce her commitment to the project and how she would like to help in more ways in the future.

“Working with the actual families was amazing,” she said. “ I wouldn’t take that back for anything.”

Ray definitely plans on taking part in next year’s alternative spring break trip and even is thinking about getting involved with something similar over the summer.

Ray strongly encourages other students to get involved next year with the trip as it provides memories that will last a lifetime.

“I went on the trip not knowing anyone and came back with so many friends that I wouldn’t have made before,” she added. “The experience is definitely worth looking into. I’m already looking forward to next year and all the memories that will be made and all of the people that we will be able to help.”