Arts Alive helps students transcend the terrestrial

NEW YORK — "It feels like they're coming down on me," Carl Wu said as his eyes widened and his arms stretched up to the illuminated night sky. Carl and 30 other students from Public School 234 had the chance to reach the stars in the Hayden Planetarium on Feb. 1 with the help of Arts Alive.

The program is one of four created and funded by the University to aid public school students directly affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.

The University created the program after Sept. 11 to use the University's human resources to help stimulate the New York City economy. The program will continue through late April.

"Our peer institutions Harvard [University] and Yale [University] just wrote checks," said Maureen Monagle '04, class secretary and student organizer. "Princeton wanted to be more proactive to help the children affected."

P.S. 234, located blocks from the disaster site on Greenwich Street in TriBeCa, closed after the attacks, and students were forced to attend classes at St. Bernard's Parochial School.

"These kids have been through a lot," said Diana Wu, Carl's mother.

During the next few days the students will return to their old school. With the help of Hospital Audiences Inc., a non-profit organization, and University student volunteers, Arts Alive will sponsor trips to the Natural History Museum and Broadway productions such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "42nd Street." HAI selects the public schools and arranges for tickets and transportation to the appropriate arts events.

"There is enormous satisfaction in knowing how much this program means to those who are participating and what a difference it can make in at least some of their lives," said Bob Durkee '69, University vice president for public affairs.

An e-mail to the sophomore and senior classes asking for volunteers yielded 51 responses, Monagle said. The program has been adopted by the sophomore class and the Performing Arts Council.

"The schoolchildren and their families seem to deeply appreciate the recognition that this program provides of what they have endured, the cultural opportunities it offers and, perhaps most importantly, the fact that Princeton students care enough to commit their own time and talents," Durkee said. "In the long run, the personal interactions that take place may have just as much of an impact as the opening of eyes and the expanding of horizons."

Because the last memory the students have of the school is that from Sept. 11, HAI representatives encouraged volunteers not to mention the attacks and to focus only on providing an enjoyable experience for the students and parents.

"I want to go places where I can contribute," Iskra Strateva GS said. Strateva, who is an astrophysics student, said she hoped she could answer questions about the planetarium.

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But "it was more important to be there for the kids," she said.

The children and parents enjoyed the interactive exhibits in the museum and appreciated the knowledge and kindness of the 15 University volunteers. The event worked well because it brought people together from two age groups, Diane Wu said. Susan Charter's 10-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, eagerly explored a rainforest display in the museum.

"The only thing Mackenzie wanted to do was to come here and go to the planetarium," Charter said.

Tatiana Cordoba '04, a Princeton volunteer, led Mackenzie and Carl through various exhibits and the hands-on Discovery Room in the museum before leading the small group to the planetarium.

"I really enjoyed Carl's enthusiasm and his adamant desire to visit the gift shop," Cordoba said. "I had fun looking for the moon scale in the planetarium with Mackenzie and joking with Carl. I'm glad that I got to participate in the program and share a few hours with the kids in the city that I love."