Gretchen

Information de voyage

Actuellement, je suis

Description

I hope to see more of the world. I believe every experience we have expands us, and remaining a student to life and its adventures is the formula for deeper connection and understanding-- to others and myself.

I love all things art, whether observing or creating. I'm interested in all forms of art-- a jack of all trades a master of none. I particularly love playing guitar, writing, and photography.

I love exploring-- cities, historic towns, or nature, anything. A crowded street or a silent forest. Hot sun, freezing waters, endless rain... it sounds like an adventure to me.

I'm hoping that, through connecting with different people and witnessing the impact they make in their community, I may find inspiration as to what role I could play in mine. All this to say, I'm excited to stay curious, stay learning, and explore!

Centres d’intérêt

Bricolage / artisanat

Yoga / bien-être

Activités en plein air

Art et design

Arts du spectacle

Jardinage

Dessin et peinture

Randonnée

Photographie

Écriture

Musique

Histoire

Camping

Livres

Nature

Langues parlées

Anglais: Courant

Compétences et connaissances que j'aimerais partager ou apprendre

J'ai des connaissances :  

Travail associatif

Enseignement

Aider à la maison

Tenir compagnie à une pers. âgée

Home sitting

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Je peux apprendre aux autres :  

Projets artistiques

Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

Quelles sont vos compétences ?

My biggest strength is people, either in a position of leadership or a position of collaboration.

Growing up, I helped lead our church's Vacation-Bible-School Program for children grades K-5, teaching them principles of compassion and forgiveness through various story-telling activities, crafts, and games. I learned that to fully engage with children, you need to acknowledge their perspective, and in a sense, enter their world.

This love for story-telling continued, and I did theater throughout my middle and high school years. Through performing and technical work backstage, I developed courage, flexibility, and dedication-- skills that led me to become president of our theater company. Though a trivial-sounding position, it was a larger role than I anticipated, and I learned so much from the experience. Planning and executing workshops, events, and fundraisers taught me how to navigate collaboration, make compromises, and stay flexible-- while also standing up for the people I was representing. I quickly learned what it meant to be trusted as the main communicator between administration and students, and I did whatever I could to honor that trust.

When my local community was protesting to scrap the plans to renovate our auditorium, I knew I was responsible for fighting for our students. Benefits not for my reaping, as I was nearly graduated, not for my peers, and realistically, not for the underclassmen either. Really, it was the generation of students who were to succeed me. They deserved more than a space over 50 years old, with moldy smells lingering in the hallways and a rotting ceiling. I realized then that there was more to my role than aiding my current peers: I needed to maintain and strengthen this community with the intention that students, for years, could share the benefits. So, I nervously drafted and practiced a speech, encouraging my peers to as well. We then, one by one, spoke in front of our district's elected board at a community meeting. It was this testing moment that taught me bravery, public speaking, and trust in myself. I don't like to praise myself often, but I will now, because I can rest proudly knowing those plans were approved and are being enacted in the year to come.

Another important experience I got to have during my senior year was being a camp counselor. In my school district, every year, the 6th grade class takes a camping trip to research wildlife for their Biology class. Then, as a senior, you can apply and be chosen as a counselor for these students. And as much as I loved this trip as a child... I loved it even more as a senior! I, and three other seniors, bunked with a group of 30 girls. We played games with them, read stories, and led them to and from dining halls, bathrooms, and other congregating points within the forest. Facilitating exploration for these students was almost like re-living it, and making connections with the kids has brought me wonderful memories. We also had a second group of students, who we would stay with during the days. This was our "learning group", a mixture of 15 or so boys and girls, who would be led by two counselors. Similarly, we brought these students from station to station, in various parts of the forest, where their teachers would have an activity for us. There, we acted as assistant teachers, helping with materials, students who had questions, and students who were struggling.

There was one boy in this group I especially remember, Yaseen. On our first day, I noticed he seemed to have a difficult time with the other students and the activities. He was very kind and social but somehow seemed to off-put the others. And as for the activities... he was afraid of bugs, of getting lost, of the ropes course, of tripping! And goodness he was so afraid of canoeing! This activity the other 6th graders were most excited for, he dreaded, nervously asking questions about the whole way down to the water. I remember how my friends pitied me for being sent out in the canoe with Yaseen, among the lake of paired-off sixth graders, rowing so slowly, Yaseen nervous with every teeter. And yes, it was tedious, and it did feel a bit silly... but what I remember most is the look on his face as we stilled, the joy, the wonderment. Knowing that my gentleness and patience made his experience enjoyable was undoubtedly worth missing whatever the other counselors were doing on the shore. And still, nothing compares to the moment I unexpectedly saw him at the grocery store a few months later, seeing how he remembered me, how he eagerly introduced me to his mom as "the counselor". I hope dearly to never forget that moment. If I manage to do nothing in my life, I want to be able to at least say I gave others moments of happiness. Sometimes I think that alone would fulfill me enough... but of course, there's still more worth exploring!

I'd like to note that have other experiences with volunteer and community work-- I've served food at the Opportunity House, packed/delivered goodie bags with my church to the Women's Shelter in Philly, and went caroling with my school choir at the Reading Hospital, to those who couldn't be with their families on Christmas. All this to say, I do have some experience with giving back food and services to the community. I would go into more emotional depth about those experiences, as I did the others, but I worry that I'm rambling! I felt it was more helpful to give more background and character than a simple list of skills, so hopefully you will forgive my lengthiness! I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this and has considered me for what they are offering.

Âge

20

Informations complémentaires

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  Fumeur

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  Permis de conduire

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  Allergies
  Amoxicillin

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  Régime alimentaire spécial