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JASON TORRES
Spring Arbor Retirement Center
"A Special Valentine's Day Dance"
By Bright Harper



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Jason was nominated for this website for his volunteer experience at the Spring Arbor Retirement Community on Daniel Island. When first meeting Jason, I was taken aback by the level of enthusiasm that he carried with him for life, Charleston, and his experiences and dedication to the College of Charleston.

We spoke at length before I could even begin to ask him questions pertaining to the Cougar Volunteer Spirit website. Jason was born in Puerto Rico, then lived in Miami for several years as a child. His family then moved to Summerville where Jason would go on to graduate from Summerville High School.

He has made the most of his College of Charleston experience, and many people are the better for knowing Jason and his benefitting from his many volunteer and community service efforts. He's one of the more recognized students on campus due to his residence assistant work in the dorms, his on-campus internships, his work with the student newspaper, his membership in the College's new fraternity, and, oh yes, he also founded the school's first hockey team.

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Jason Torres (front left) and fellow Phi Gamma Delta members entertained at a local retirement center
About Jason Torres...
Hometown: Summerville, S .C. Major: Communication Expected Graduation:Dec. 2009


Volunteer Activities: I, along with some other members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity went to Daniel Island to a senior citizen center to be part of a Valentine's Day event. It was the night before Valentine's Day and the set up was that we were to invite the ladies to a Valentine dance. The dance was held there in the center with food, drinks and a DJ. I, along with the other guys, were given roses and we went around to each room and extend an invitation to each lady. And they loved it! Many of them got up and wanted to dance with us. One lady, whom I will never forget, would not stop dancing. She had the biggest smile and I think had the most energy in the room that night. She must have danced with every person there.

What do you enjoy most about community service: Before that event, I had never been to a senior citzens home. The conversations and the stories were the things I enjoyed the most. I had a chance to sit with some of the ladies and a few gentlemen who where there and it was neat to see what kind of lives they have lived. For them, the event was a big deal! I could tell by the way they smiled and just the enthusiasm they had. Many of them were asking me all sorts of questions and it was just a pleasure to talk with them. It was very reassuring and I developed a greater appreciation of the lives they had lived.

How do you think your friends and family would describe you? Very enthusiastic! Always ready to get involved in things that interest me.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering? Participating in these activities and services have helped me find myself as well as develop a few extra skills. My advice is to be as involved as possible whether it's campus activities or volunteer work. It's all very rewarding!

What have been your most memorable experiences? The most memorable aspect of my college experience has been networking. I have been involved as much as possible in the opportunities that exist at this school. As a minor in theatre, I have been more comfortable at public speaking and have developed good writing skills as the peer editor for the college's George Street Observer. I was also a co-founder of the new C of C Hockey Program! We developed an in-line hockey team three years ago and made it all the way to the regional playoffs this year. We had an ice hockey team this semester.

What are your plans after graduation? I'm not really sure. For a long time I thought I wanted to get into sports journalism or sports marketing. But, over the last year I have developed a passion and love for the theatre, specifically in performance. I'm a late bloomer, but I really would like to pursue acting after college. I most likely will do graduate school for theatre while also pursuing entrepreneurship opportunities.

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