At the end of my fifth grade year at Edison Elementary School each student was instructed to choose his or her unique “Fifth Grade Word.” I remember my best friend choosing the word “bubbly,” as well as the competition between numerous girls and boys for the use of “athletic.” While telling my mom about the project, she suggested that I use the word “inquisitive.” My fifth grade vocabulary was not familiar with the word, but after she helped me understand what it meant, I thought it was a perfect way to describe myself. Looking back, I think her suggestion came mainly from her exhaustion with my constant questioning and ongoing monologue.
On a recent hike at Castle Rock State Park in Saratoga, CA.
I was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, a unique city where people value individualism, the outdoors, and the University of Oregon. I developed a great appreciation for personal health and self-reflection and I feel that I have already spent a great deal of time working to develop my personal vocation and life goals.
I am very close with my parents and my siblings and I don’t think I can accurately describe myself without acknowledging the various roles they have each played in my life. My parents are my best friends, my biggest fans, my mentors, and my support system. As I have grown older I’ve greatly enjoyed discovering the ways in which I am both similar and different to each of them, as well as being very grateful for all they do for me.
I have also been greatly influenced by my three siblings, who are 29, 37 and 40. They are all married and two of them also have children, which gives me one angelic niece and two rambunctious nephews. Growing up with siblings that are so much older than me has helped me to always look ahead in my future and think about where I want to be and who I want to be. I have been able to observe, be a part of, and learn from their personal, college and work experiences and learn from their good decisions and a few of their mistakes.
College has been an incredibly formative time in my life because it has been heartbreakingly difficult for me to be away from my family for such long periods of time. My strong relationships with my parents and siblings are double-edged swords that give me much to be thankful for and also much to miss. College has forced me out of my comfort zone in more ways than I can describe, but it has also taught me how to make new friends, how to be open to new experiences, and how to handle difficult situations on my own. The most interesting part of college has been my ongoing journey to discover who I am, where I am comfortable, and what I want out of the next few years of my life.
My parents and siblings at my sister Petrel’s wedding in Ojai, CA.
I am a Political Science major and have loved learning about other cultures through the study of history and government. However, after several interesting political science classes I started to become very frustrated with the amount of things in the world that seem to be going wrong. Studying social entrepreneurship has allowed me to learn about the things that are going right, and participating in this Fellowship gives me an opportunity to play a role in these positive efforts.
I feel blessed to have a supportive family, a great education, and a healthy body. I am unnerved by the fact that many people lack one or all of these things, which I think is the overall catalyst for my desire to work in social entrepreneurship, politics, and public service. I would like to help people have healthy and fulfilling lives that will allow them to develop themselves and contribute to the world in a positive way. I was born with many advantages and I hope to provide opportunities to those who were not born in similar situations.
I am a very introspective person, which I believe will help ground me while I immerse myself in a new country and try to understand a different culture. I am very conscientious and enjoy having time to work independently. However, I also enjoy having substantive conversations that allow me to understand others’ opinions. I am a goal-oriented, meticulous planner so I am very attracted to the idea of having a set research plan and tangible goals.
While I greatly value down time that allows me to reflect and unwind, I don’t think I will ever be truly satisfied with my life unless I do things that are a bit out of the ordinary, unpredictable, and perhaps life changing. I hope to one day settle down and live a calm life, but I think I must first push myself out of my comfort zone and experience more of the world.
My mom/best friend and me.