Amanda Mays

Old Red Kimono

Non-Traditional Students

‘Tree hugger’ out to change the world

By Brian S. Armstrong
Staff writer

Amanda Mays is one of those people who are described by her friends as “busy.” Mays participates in Make a Difference Day at Winthrop Manor.

She is currently employed as the Volunteer Services Coordinator on campus. It’s a job that gives her a medium for achieving some of her goals.

Not the typical 20-year-old college student, Mays is a person with strong feelings on environmental and social issues and a positive attitude that is sure to change the world.

Mays was born in Sacramento in 1982. Life in California didn’t last very long. She soon began a stream of moves that included Connecticut, Mexico, Canada and Idaho before finally settling in Rome.

Her high school diploma was earned from Model High in May 2001. That August her career as a college student began at Georgia Highlands College.

Amanda has worked hard to put her “stamp” on FC, and the results are evident.

Her desires to help the needy, make life more pleasant for the unhappy, stop racial inequality and feed the hungry are all driving forces affecting the many things she is involved in on campus.

Mays has not decided what her steps after FC will be, but she does say that they will involve “learning and fixing things.”

“I want to help people become aware and accepting of diversity. I want people to be aware of how their existence affects their surroundings,” said Mays. Her goals include raising awareness on issues such as chemical and nuclear weapons, racism and hunger.

She has protested the Y-12 nuclear weapons facility in Oakridge, Tenn., and continues to inform people of the potential danger and uselessness of such a facility.

Mays has started the local chapter of “Food Not Bombs,” which is an organization that provides food services to people protesting around the region. Her chapter has fed protesters at three major protests, and there are plans for more.

Along with the activism she also enjoys artwork and poetry.

Her artwork and her poetry have been published in FC Bytes, the college’s online magazine.

Mays intends to bring more volunteer opportunities to the students of FC this semester. She has many events planned, including a writing event in conjunction with the Writer’s Collaborative for Black Awareness Month. Also, she has been collecting clothing for donation to local charities.

Her contributions to the community are many. With her desire to improve situations and to help any way she can, she is soon to bring to the world what she has brought to FC.

“She is very ambitious in her desire to spread peace to the world,” said Ken Sheppard, art major. Sheppard is not alone in his view of Mays. Though some jokingly her describe her as “an environmentalist,” “hippy tree hugger” or “busybody,” beneath all the good-natured kidding is an underlying recognition that Mays intends to change the world for the good.

Mays invites anyone interested in volunteering to call (706) 295-6361 or stop by the Office of Volunteer Services, which is located inside the Office of Student Life.