Monica:
Hello! What began as a narrative background of my life quickly turned into a reflection on how I came to be sitting in the kitchen at Windward, writing this introduction. :)
Backpacking through Canyonlands, Spring 2013
The majority of my life has been spent living in Pennsylvania (both for childhood and college.) Always surrounded by a rural, farming community, yet always separate and a part of the suburban, rather ignorant of the parts of the world not impacting you.
A few years in Connecticut and having attended Bucknell University helped open my eyes to the benefits of following the footsteps of the majority of folks these days (work towards a high paying job; get outside only on the weekends if you're lucky; buy a house with a mortgage; etc.)
I graduated in 2013 with a degree in physics, with the original intent of finding a career in astronomy after approximately seven more years in a graduate school.
What changed though, was my relationship with the University's outdoor education and leadership program. Originally a hobby of spending extended periods of time outside, morphed into a possible career when the elements of group management, conflict resolution, therapy, and other personal improvement programs are joined with a jaunt in the wilderness.
Suddenly, the world became an oyster; I could have a life doing what I enjoy, connecting people with their environment, and helping them (and myself) grow in character!
This is where Windward comes into play. The field of outdoor education and experiential education is a heck of a lot broader than I originally thought. Before committing to a more permanent career path, I realized I should better understand my interests and myself.
Sustainable living and community were always on the outskirts of my life (discussed in classes, mentioned in passing with friends, so on and so forth), but never a focal point, which I desperately wanted to change. Plus, there were a number of life skills I felt my education disregarded (such as how to use power tools, how to form and defend personal opinions on social constructs, how to tend to a garden and care for livestock, how to commit to community, essentially the integral parts for surviving in a sustainable world.)
So who am I you may still be wondering? I am searching for a more meaningful method to life. I am doing my best to appreciate the environment around me, and share that awe and respect with others.
I am still learning, growing, and understanding where best my talents are put to use while never inhibiting my personal development. I am consistently challenging myself with new projects and experiences. I am Monica.