Who is she?
Julia Shmoys is one of the student coordinators for this week’s JAM-balaya. She got involved with JAM-balaya when she first got an e-mail inviting student leaders to the meeting. She became passionately involved after seeing the destruction that took place and realizing that Hurricane Katrina couldn’t be just another headline lost in the news. She is able to work with a great group of people who really share the same vision – that UR can, and should, make a difference.
What is JAM-balaya?
JAM-balaya is both a dinner and a show to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The dinner is at Douglass Dining Center and the show is at Strong Auditorium.
The dinner menu includes Zydeco Salad, Jerk Rub Pork Loin, Jambalaya, Southern Tofu with Okra and Tomatoes, Collard Greens, Macaroni & Cheese and assorted desserts. The show later that night features Vocal Point, Korean American Students’ Association, UR Hip-Hop, Radiance, Yellow Jackets, Ballet Performance Group, Sihir Bellydancing Ensemble, Yasokoi, Midnight Ramblers, Spanish and Latino Students’ Association and UR Bhangra. The dinner and show combo cost $12 and the show alone is $5. Tickets can be purchased at the Common Market using cash, Flex or declining. This provides the UR community with the chance to help out in the relief efforts.
What role has she taken in
JAM-balaya?
She has been the main point of contact for getting the JAM-balaya event organized in terms of the performers and some of the decorating and volunteer efforts with the dinner, which will take place before the show.
What does she want to happen through JAM-balaya?
Their primary goal is to raise much needed financial relief for the affected area. They’re also going to be going over other Hurricane Katrina relief efforts that they plan on having throughout the year in hopes that students will both attend and volunteer at the events.
Where else have you seen Julia?
Julia participates in Bellydancing, Women’s Caucus, Campus Activites Board, Leadership Rochester and she works for the Rochester Center for Community Leadership.
What else about Julia?
At the age of 16, Julia graduated from Fairport High School in Fairport a year early. She started taking college courses at Monroe Community College when she was 11 due to a bet she had with her brother. By the time she was 16, she had earned her Associate’s Degree in business administration. Thus, when she came to UR, she was reclassified to the Class of 2006.
What can we expect of Julia in the future?
She is applying to the Take Five Program. She wants to pursue a Ph.D. in women’s studies.
Buitrago can be reached at jbuitrago@campustimes.org.
