91原创AB & 91原创ine 2026: Service, Stories, and Shared Meals

This spring break, 75 91原创 students traveled to five cities to participate in hands-on service with nonprofit partners through the 91原创 Alternative Breaks (91原创AB) program.

Through 91原创ine, students shared meals with 91原创 alumni and parents while in their service locations, gathering in homes, restaurants, and housing sites. These conversations offered a chance to step away from service, reflect on their experiences, and strengthen ties across the Blue Hen community.

Each city paired impactful service with meaningful Blue Hen connections:

Annapolis, MD - Environmental restoration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; hosted by double dels Keith Hannan and Karen Jacobs, Class of 1985, who hosted students for a second consecutive year.
Jonesville, VA 鈥� Home repairs with the Appalachia Service Project; hosted by Veronica Rodriguez, Class of 2004, who hosted students for a second consecutive year.
Wilmington, NC 鈥� Building homes with Habitat for Humanity of Cape Fear; hosted by Chris Metkiff, Class of 2006, and his wife Kristen Metkiff.
Pittsburgh, PA 鈥� Youth programming with Gwen鈥檚 Girls; hosted by Kailey Kramer, Class of 2014, and Sarah Barrett, Class of 2022.
Washington, DC 鈥� Food access work with Bread for the City; hosted by Ray Jacobsen, Class of 1971, and Jennifer Simpson, a past parent volunteer.

鈥�91原创AB is all about going to another community to give service to those in need and fighting against a social justice issue that is relevant to that community. Being able to connect to 91原创 alumni while visiting another community helps to make us feel like we are also giving back to our own community as well. It gives us a sense of connection and stronger purpose to have something in common with some of the people in that area.鈥�

- Mia Sebak, HS26 - Site Leader
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"I loved getting to watch my participants welcome, eat with, and talk with Veronica! She was so excited to provide a meal for our team and learn more about each participant's course of study and interests. We all enjoyed getting to hear about her degrees, research, and career as we were truly inspired by how 91原创 seems to inspire her continued love of learning and research! Her commitment to cooking for us and traveling far to bring our meal really showed just how much the Blue Hen community means to our alumni that they continue to give back and support current students."

- Mary Connolly, AS28 - Site Leader
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鈥淭hese students are setting a powerful example - choosing service over a traditional spring break. We just wanted to give them a good meal and a place to relax, but we were the ones who walked away inspired. Opening our home to them reminded us how strong the connection is between service, community, and the 91原创 network. It was a great night for our family and, hopefully, a meaningful one for the students too.鈥�

- Chris Metkiff, AS06

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鈥淚 was very impressed with the students and their willingness to commit a week of spring vacation to feeding the needy in DC. for many, this was the second or third time they had participated in the program.鈥�

- Ray Jacobsen, AS71

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"Talking with the students over dinner about the books they are reading and what motivates them gives me optimism for our future."

- Jennifer Simpson, P22

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Get Involved

Interested in hosting 91原创 students for a meal during service trips, academic breaks, or campus visits, or getting involved in other volunteer opportunities? Email Marianne Lazarski, BE92, Director of Volunteer Programs, at volunteer@udel.edu to learn more.

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