The ceremony, organized by the volunteer center, began with the lighting of one candle, which shared its flame until over 75 candles were lit.

Workers from the volunteer center opened the program by sharing their inspirations to hold the ceremony.

“We decided that we wanted to do something more than the David Garcia project or the Nick Pietrunti project to celebrate the tenth anniversary,” said Illinois senior Taylor Galmarini. “Candlelight ceremonies have become an iconic image after the terrorist attacks. Light represents hope.”

The David Garcia project is CMU’s disabilities awareness program, and Nick Pietrunti was a World Trade Center worker who inspired the Ribbons for Remembrance program. Each of these were influenced by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, who started an initiative to name university programs after the families of 9/11 victims in remembrance.

The programs themselves were established in cooperation with the Points of Light USA initiative and the CMU volunteer center.

Later during the ceremony, students were given a opportunity to speak about what 9/11 meant to them. Some students spoke about how it affects them, while others spoke about what inspired them to attend the remembrance event.

“The fact that it’s been ten years is a really big deal,” said Oak Park senior Alyssa Ozrovitz. “This happened during our time, it’s something that most of us remember. So, I feel that we need to celebrate the lives of those who passed away.”

Coordinator of the Volunteer Center Shawna Ross was happy with the turnout.

“This was an opportunity for students to come together and remember this day,” Ross said.

The remembrance ceremony closed with a moment of silence followed by blowing out of all the candles.

Issue Day, a Volunteer Center-run program designed to cover issues on a broad scale and encourage participants to become more active in their communities, brought 122 people into Moore Hall throughout the day.

“Issue Day is a great way to educate and empower the people that come and help them to be more passionate,” said Royal Oak graduate student Caitlin Cavanaugh.

The event commenced with keynote speaker Ben Falik in the Townsend Kiva. Falik co-founded his own nonprofit, Summer in the City, out of Detroit.

Afterward, participants separated into sessions. The sessions were held in Moore Hall classrooms and addressed several different issues. The event was free for students, faculty and staff. This year marked Issue Day’s 10th anniversary.

Some session choices included “The David Garcia Project,” “How the Hell Did We End Up in Iraq” and “Infrastructure in El Salvador.”

“I’m a part of the Alternative Breaks program and we can learn more extensively about that program and it helps us learn more for when we start to work,” said Allen Park senior Luke Docherty, who attended Issue Day for the third year.

The event began as a way to assist students in the Alternative Breaks program, but has since expanded to cover a wider range of topics.

“Issue Day really helps shine a light on important issues in the community,” Docherty said. “Learning about issues that I hadn’t known about before helps make me a better citizen.”

The most important part about tackling the issues is educating people and encouraging them to be passionate about fixing problems in their community and the world, said Commerce Township senior Elizabeth Sullivan, student coordinator of the event.

“We’re really excited that it keeps going and I wish more of our campus took advantage of it, because it’s a great opportunity and it’s free,” Sullivan said.

The David Garcia Project helps over 800 students a year at CMU better understand what disabled individuals are going through on a daily basis. It started six years ago in honor of a man who worked in the World trade center and passed away on 9/11.

Garcia was blind because of degenerative eye disease. When he died his family decided to spread awareness in his honor by helping universities to expand awareness programs for visual disabilities.

The Central Michigan University program has expanded to include auditory and physical disabilities, said Project Facilitator Ashley Stephen, Freeland senior.

“Spreading awareness for persons with disabilities is my passion,” said Student Coordinator Jennifer Jordan, a Bellevue senior. ”I can directly relate to this event because my cousin has dyslexia and I get to see many of his struggles and how he deals with everything.”

Each group at the University Center Monday night had a 15-minute chance to see hardships some people with disabilities have to deal with on a daily basis, hopefully creating new insight and realization, Stephen said.

“If we can spread awareness to at least one student, we’ve done our job,” Stephen said.

Students like Detroit sophomore Jessica Henry see the program as a huge learning opportunity.

Henry’s mother was paralyzed on the left side of her body and this program made her realize how important it was to be around when her mother needed help.

“If I had to deal with any of these disabilities on a daily basis I wouldn’t know what to do,” she said. “I’ve always been a very stubborn person so asking for help if I had a disability would be a problem because I’m such an independent person. Seeing my mother go through all of this never made me realize how difficult a day in her life is.”

She said the program taught her to not take things for granted.

“School would be torture if I had any of these disabilities I would feel so lost,” Henry said.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is investigating a larceny reported at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at 1208 Burch St., in which jewelry valued at $4,586 was taken. Police are interviewing a group of high school students that were at the residence Monday, said MPPD Public Information Officer Dave Sabuda. The mother of one of the students noticed the jewelry was missing after the group left.

Debate on tanning beds

There will be an hour-long public debate on “Should the U.S. outlaw tanning beds?” from 7 to 8:15 p.m. today in Moore Hall Room 105. This issue will be debated by Central Michigan University students from COM 267: Introduction to Debate. They will debate both sides of the issue on tanning beds. The arguments are followed by questions/discussion from the audience. For more information, contact Jeff Drury in the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts at 774-3950.

Scholarship Exhibition

Central Michigan University students who are recipients of Art Department scholarships are featuring their work from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the University Art Gallery’s West Gallery. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, contact the art gallery at 774-3800.

Issue Day

Issue Day provides resources to the Central Michigan University community through a one-day conference. The presentation covers a wide range of topics that will allow attendees to increase their knowledge about certain issues from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. For more information, contact the Volunteer Center at 774-7685.

Turkey Trot

Fabiano Hall is having its annual Turkey Trot on Sunday. It is a 5k walk/run around campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting in the Fabiano Hall lobby. After the walk/run, participants will be served a pancake breakfast. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. and the race starts at 11:11 a.m. Registration and race starts outside Fabiano Hall by the fountains. There are gift certificate prizes available. Runners/ walkers can sign up by e-mailing turkeytrot2009@yahoo.com with their name, contact number and shirt size, or just register that morning. For more information, contact Celani/Fabiano staff Steve Wincent at (517) 936-8438. Admission is $10.

Box Stuffing

Volunteers can help stuff Thanksgiving boxes at the Salvation Army from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at Salvation Army, 1308 Burch St. Contact Erin Herrington with questions at the Volunteer Center at 773-4663.

In Whose Honor

“In Whose Honor: American Indian Mascots in Sports” is a documentary on the Native American groups and their struggles, followed by a discussion. The event takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. This event is a part of Native American Heritage Month and sponsored by the Native American Programs. For more information, contact Native American Programs Director Colleen Green at 774-2508. Admission is free.

David Garcia Project

Training for David Garcia Project facilitators will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the Lake Michigan Room in the Bovee University Center. Training is sponsored by the Volunteer Center. For more information, contact Jenny Jordan in the Volunteer Center at volunteer.center@cmich.edu.

Instead of holding the brush with your hand, try gripping it with your mouth.

Can you write your name?

Flint senior Emanuel Sledge traces an image at the learning station during the David Garcia Project Friday night in the Bovee University Center’s Terrace Room. The David Garcia Project was founded in honor of David Garcia who lost his life during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. (Paige Calamari/Staff Photographer)

“It’s really hard, but a lot of fun at the same time,” the St. Clair Shores sophomore said.

Troyer said she does not just recommend this for fun — she wants to show students what the world would be like if they really could not paint with their hands.

Troyer is a facilitator for the David Garcia Project, a series of exercises in which participants are broken into groups and faced with various simulations representing different disabilities.

The simulations represent auditory, physical, visual and learning disabilities.

They include climbing in and out of a wheelchair using only your arms, navigating your way through a maze while blindfolded and playing Simon Says while wearing ear plugs.

About 25 students attended the first workshop of the month Friday. The next open session takes place at 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in the University Center Isabella Room.

Jenison sophomore Holly Witte tried walking through a maze of construction cones blindfolded Friday.

“It’s really hard to trust somebody to tell you where to go,” Witte said. “I just felt very scared, like I would run into things and hurt myself.”

Keep the memory alive

The David Garcia Project is named after a computer programmer who worked at the World Trade Center and died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Garcia suffered from a degenerative eye disease, and his family started the project to keep his memory alive.

Troyer attended her first session as a participant last year and her heart was instantly touched. She knew she had to become a facilitator and spread her passion.

One of her close friends in high school was born without a left forearm. Troyer wanted to learn what life is like not only for her friend, but also the others with disabilities.

“Every time I see someone else on campus, I want to empathize with them,” Troyer said.

Saginaw freshman Eric Conley was inspired by the program.

“It was interesting to see what they go through day in and day out,” Conley said. “I’d like to learn how I can help them out more.”

Farmington Hills freshman Kathryn Sheldon said she never thought the simulations would be as difficult as they were.

She was especially challenged by the auditory station, which required her upmost attention.

“I didn’t think it would be that hard when they explained it but, when you actually do it, it’s a lot harder,” Sheldon said.

The City of Mount Pleasant is removing two flashing red lights at two intersections today — Main and Broadway and Main and Michigan. The Mount Pleasant City Commission approved the removal of the lights at its Oct. 12 meeting. The lights were installed in 2005 to help drivers adjust to the intersections being four-way stops, but now the lights are being removed to save on electric costs. The intersection of Broadway and Washington also is a four-way stop. The flashing light will remain there to allow drivers to adjust. The Commission will evaluate the need for the light in the near future.

David Garcia Project

The David Garcia Project presents a disabilities awareness open session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today in the Bovee University Center Isabella Room. The event is meant to give knowledge to people about the effects of disabilities. For more information, contact Jenny Jordan at the Volunteer Center at 774-7685 or volunteer.center@cmich.edu.

Dance marathon

Individuals will participate in a dance marathon starting at 10 p.m. today, with check-in beginning at 9:30 p.m. The cost is $7 for pre-registered contestants and $10 at the door. Elimination is based on lack of continuous dance movements. Contestants will compete for a grand prize while dancing to popular music, enjoying food and hanging out with friends. All proceeds go to United Way. For more information, contact Jackie Heiss at (313) 550-6280 or heiss1jk@cmich.edu.

Men, Women and Ghosts

Ghost stories and tales of the supernatural will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. today in the Moore Hall Theatre-on-the-Side. The supernatural stories are presented in an intimate, original theatre piece, featuring works from Shirley Jackson, Elia Wilkinson, Peattie and Pulitizer Prize winner Edith Wharton and Amy Lowell. For more information, contact Betsy Richard at 774-4299 or richa1ej@cmich.edu.

On the Rox concert

On the Rox performs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. today in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Central Michigan University’s premiere all-female a cappella group presents its fall concert and also features the Michigan State University Accafellas. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. For more information, contact Nicole Bouman at (231) 250-2259 or bouma1na@cmich.edu. For a full story, see cm-life.com.

Art exhibit

The sculptural works in Ritual Regalia for Contemporary Living are displayed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the University Art Gallery’s Main Gallery. These items are wearable and conceptually wearable garments. They are designed to illuminate contemporary society’s need for ceremony and ritual. The garments are constructed with a sense of irony and humor. For more information, contact Anne Gochenour 774-3800 or goche1as@cmich.edu.

Race for Second Base

The Central Michigan District Health Department Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program is holding a 5k run/walk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Finch Fieldhouse Room 110. There is a raffle, as well as prizes for the top male/female participants. Registration is $15. For more information, or to become a sponsor of the event, contact Sarah Cardon at (989) 506-3199 or raceforsecondbase@gmail.com.

Family Adventure Night

Family Adventure Night is taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. today in Finch Fieldhouse Room 112. This adventure night is presented by Adventure Seminars. It features rock climbing and zip lining. The event is $10 for the entire family with all ages welcome. For more information, contact Jordan Bruursema at (616) 994-2694 or bruur1jr@cmcih.edu.