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Jade Kluver: MVP Off The Field
By Sarah Lagasse
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The famous artist Vincent Van Gogh once said, "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." Our own local artist and senior soccer player, Jade Kluver, has fully embodied this statement within her time here at Bridgewater State University. Her presentations within her major as well as her concern for others in her community have earned her this month's honor of MVP Off the Field.
Jade is an Anthropology major with a Cultural Anthropology concentration. Anthropology "not only allows me to become more informed on the lives of others, but it also helps me better understand myself and the world that I live in through my studies," Jade explains.
Among her academic highlights are her participation in the 2010 Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Research Symposium and achievement of a spot on the Dean's List on multiple occasions. This past semester, Kluver was also a participant on a student panel session at the Experiential Learning Expo. She spoke about her study abroad trip to Nicaragua this past winter where she learned about the coffee trade in Central America and how coffee farms operate under different licenses and programs.
Jade is a member of the Social Justice League and held the position of public relations chair her junior year. Currently she is serving as the treasurer and public relations chair of Bridgewater State University's chapter of Free the Children. Additionally, Jade has participated in events such as Just Trade Fair and Tent City. As an artist, Jade has presented her pieces at Annual Arts for Advocacy events.
"I love working with these groups because they focus on social justice issues that I am passionate about; including but not limited to children's rights, poverty, homelessness, and fair trade," said Kluver, "and they bring about awareness to others students on our campus."
"I hope that bringing about awareness and action to these issues will continue to be a large part of life in the future," Kluver added.
Jade has also been heavily involved in the Bridgewater State University Community Service Center and their Saturday of Service projects. Some of these projects have included painting jobs for Mainspring House, cleaning a plot of land with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and helping out with the Boston Salvation Army. (If you wish to get involved with BSU's Community Service Center, please visit http://www.bridgew.edu/CommunityService/)
Jade has played Intramural Soccer at Bridgewater State University for three years. Her team, the Spitting Llamas, won the Intramural Indoor Soccer Championship in the spring of 2011. This past fall was her first season playing varsity soccer for the Bears which she describes as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of her college career.
"Each girl on our team works so hard to play great soccer on the field and to be great students off the field," noted Kluver.
"Each one of my teammates inspires me, and I am just so honored to be able to say that I am part of this team," added Kluver. "I will never forget the experience of being part of the Women's Soccer team at BSU."
Jade has many goals for her future including becoming a Cultural Anthropology professor, joining the Peace Corps., participating in the Master's International Program, and playing soccer for the Boston Breakers. We will be watching as she demonstrates the same level of excellence to all her future plans as she has towards her interests here at Bridgewater State University.
