This club has given me that community. It鈥檚 really helped me find my place at Bridgewater.
As a new transfer student, Rachel Moore sought to quickly become involved in the Bridgewater State community. When she couldn鈥檛 find a club that satisfied her itch for scrapbooking and junk journaling, she decided to form one herself.
Rachel co-founded the Cut and Paste Club last fall. Its weekly meetings often draw more than two dozen students who laugh and socialize as they turn scraps of paper into treasured keepsakes.
鈥淲hen I came to Bridgewater, it was really hard for me to make friends,鈥 recalled Rachel, an English and secondary education major and psychology minor who is the club鈥檚 president. 鈥淭he best advice given to me was to join a club. Because of that, I鈥檝e been able to make so many lasting friendships.鈥
Through junk journaling, students turn everyday materials that would otherwise be thrown away into handmade journals and scrapbooks. Club members use concert tickets, photos, receipts, packaging and a wide variety of other scraps in their creations.
At a recent meeting, mathematics major James Szczypien, 鈥29, used a CharlieCard and photos to pay homage to the MBTA.
鈥淚'm a very creative person,鈥 said James, who learned about the club through Instagram. 鈥淚 figured I might as well try my hand at this. I get to hang out with my friends and do arts and crafts.鈥
Expressing his thoughts through journaling is also an important stress reliever, James said.
The supportive environment helped Avery Wronski, 鈥28, break out of her shell and assume her first leadership role as the organization鈥檚 treasurer.
鈥淭his club has helped me to express myself more,鈥 said Avery, who is studying communication and media and journals about her favorite musicians. 鈥淕etting to be in a group of people who have a similar interest as me has gotten me to talk to a lot more people.鈥
Communication sciences and disorders major Danica Shanahan, 鈥28, can relate.
鈥淭his club has given me that community,鈥 said Danica, who is the vice president and a co-founder. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really helped me find my place at Bridgewater.鈥
Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.