tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50090287711917151082024-03-04T21:54:45.060-08:00In Service to MontanaThe Montana Campus Compact advances the public purposes of colleges and universities and educate students for civic and social responsibility.Josh Vanekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148511119823720697noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-66176047653828700682019-08-26T08:47:00.000-07:002019-08-26T08:47:41.560-07:00THE HEART OF SERVICE BY LONI NEILSON-KATTELL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xnXfXA1x9hChtRrCuXI-3YwTLDeH89rxTKFtRP_v8V0mhVCfFOYyD62DmTfcuq0KWdwRr6R1oQgflRIjqpiJ-PqNaypPhdQG0iapWG8UFaCOVyFalzsjvfVVdLsOxsxwYuJPLNqQSJVI/s1600/Loni+Neilson-Kattell+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+Empower+MT+camp+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xnXfXA1x9hChtRrCuXI-3YwTLDeH89rxTKFtRP_v8V0mhVCfFOYyD62DmTfcuq0KWdwRr6R1oQgflRIjqpiJ-PqNaypPhdQG0iapWG8UFaCOVyFalzsjvfVVdLsOxsxwYuJPLNqQSJVI/s400/Loni+Neilson-Kattell+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+Empower+MT+camp+2019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Sometimes the best thing that you can do is step back and look at the heart of the matter. Coming to the close of my service, taking a step back and remembering my original intentions for the project was something I wish I would have done more throughout my service. I know that all too often I get overwhelmed from all that is going on in the world and taking a deep breath to stay in the moment is the bravest thing anyone can do. Having a consistent reminder to view others through the strengths-based perspective and use the theory of change to inform my service is the foundation that holds space for the work. This reminder is a challenge all in itself! However, I quickly learned how reframing my mindset with these two tools set the tone for the youth programs I was serving with <a href="https://www.empowermt.org/">EmpowerMT</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-yrNopCdJRIcTivngsKIA-VaUHPo4VhFOFH6z9iDl45e9ZolAkVX9WqHRk9HIDfRuwSYCjaNbO6b4wD67G12RoQof1PtUsSJbV4XY2P5E8_XETAH-1lYY1RlDaqXUlfQr4jSGhBT5Xx/s1600/Loni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-yrNopCdJRIcTivngsKIA-VaUHPo4VhFOFH6z9iDl45e9ZolAkVX9WqHRk9HIDfRuwSYCjaNbO6b4wD67G12RoQof1PtUsSJbV4XY2P5E8_XETAH-1lYY1RlDaqXUlfQr4jSGhBT5Xx/s320/Loni.jpg" width="320" /></a> Our Youth programs here at EmpowerMT are geared toward providing a safe space to the most vulnerable populations in our community. Within this space, the youth build relationships with peers and adults through open non-judgmental dialogue, transforming conflict, learning how social groups experience mistreatment and develop their skills as youth leaders in action. All of these skills are backed by our partnership with Hello Insight and the Aspen Institute through Social and Emotional Learning. Incorporating theory, service learning, SEL capacities, and EmpowerMT’s mission into the work has been a very impactful experience on a personal and professional level.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AOWvLhSe8CrUbt4aao8EZ59b9D4UrmQchF_5Hw2UuAZCy4FujmXp4aWkEodB8rPbqheBHb1gQ-wVWx8UICut9fNrWAEo-Ysdoha4VGoyaIGQK1aGS2OdFQmmR2jnZOrLl3UtU8E9km7D/s1600/loni+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AOWvLhSe8CrUbt4aao8EZ59b9D4UrmQchF_5Hw2UuAZCy4FujmXp4aWkEodB8rPbqheBHb1gQ-wVWx8UICut9fNrWAEo-Ysdoha4VGoyaIGQK1aGS2OdFQmmR2jnZOrLl3UtU8E9km7D/s320/loni+2.jpg" width="320" /></a> Not only did I have the opportunity to learn about this curriculum and work with an amazing youth team staff, but I also facilitated the curriculum with the groups and watched the youth explore their curiosities, listened as they told their stories, and affirmed their experiences and leadership skills. The social and emotional wellbeing of our youth is a topic that often gets overlooked in comparison to academics. I’m a firm believer that Academic self-efficacy is as essential as a positive identity, contribution to the community at large, social skills with others, and critical consciousness of our systems. Working with EmpowerMT and youth programs have been a tremendous process to explore. My service term with <a href="https://mtcompact.org/">MTCC</a> has also allowed me to find my heart within the work and know what it’s like to give back, feel a sense of belonging, and love service.<br />
Throughout the entire process, I’ve had to remind myself that I will most likely not see the impact of my service. However, this work is still essential. Serving your community matters. One quote that often brings a new perspective during my time of service is from MLK Jr. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I have faith that I am probably at the beginning of something truly amazing and don’t even know it yet. I can’t wait to see how the youth leaders that I have the pleasure to serve with will shape the future impact and make our communities safer and more inclusive for all.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV1afUL5se9bW825eA64NDema4mrtduQ1oVwquo9-72_Av7a_lAqgm-4dxUMpc0nZ86WMchOtYBImm1p_0EaWZOOGUf7M45uZGxWGOsf8zZH9JDJHTIqbOU4xPA1MPq9suTjo9WZsjSsm/s1600/loni+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV1afUL5se9bW825eA64NDema4mrtduQ1oVwquo9-72_Av7a_lAqgm-4dxUMpc0nZ86WMchOtYBImm1p_0EaWZOOGUf7M45uZGxWGOsf8zZH9JDJHTIqbOU4xPA1MPq9suTjo9WZsjSsm/s640/loni+3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-8791821594023430962019-08-19T09:16:00.000-07:002019-08-19T09:16:06.192-07:00DON'T UNDERESTIMATE US: THE POWER OF TEEN GIRLS BY CLARA MOSER <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn8RHxbuG83klDywZYz3ti2AGNCz1PkZGnoIS7sjmPr_ySfjieCgoitgw_ZLLhL8f5lz0h62sefrU6ydUSMWgY2Pv7iE__E1tk0PAZ6G3j2MBk6jvuMYY-xnLpBmy6Sp9H3h4h6ovocuK/s1600/Clara+Moser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn8RHxbuG83klDywZYz3ti2AGNCz1PkZGnoIS7sjmPr_ySfjieCgoitgw_ZLLhL8f5lz0h62sefrU6ydUSMWgY2Pv7iE__E1tk0PAZ6G3j2MBk6jvuMYY-xnLpBmy6Sp9H3h4h6ovocuK/s400/Clara+Moser.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUTS campers and Clara at the summit of their hike to Blossom Lake</td></tr>
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This summer I had the opportunity to continue my work with the <a href="https://ywcaofmissoula.org/services/girls-empowerment-guts/">YWCA’s GUTS </a>(Girls Using Their Strength) program as a Summer Adventure Leader. On the Summer Adventure trips middle and high-school aged girls and gender diverse youth explore the backcountry of Montana on week-long backpacking trips. During the trips participants engage in activities that delve into issues around body image, healthy relationships, gender identity, sexuality, and activism. The goal of these trips are not only to provide participants with a basic knowledge of backpacking, but also to develop leadership skills and social-emotional well being in an active and supportive environment.<br />
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Last week, I served as a leader on a seven day backpacking trip with ten high-school aged girls on the Flathead Reservation.<br />
That’s right -- seven whole days in the backcountry with ten teenagers and no showers, no toilets, and no cell phone service for miles.<br />
The trip was a reminder of my own capacity to grow and learn, and of the power I sometimes forget that I house in my legs, arms, and heart. A power that allows me to haul heavy loads up mountains while singing and laughing, and to connect with girls ten years younger than myself.<br />
I knew already that teenage girls are powerhouses of creativity, empathy, and unabashed joy, but this trip reminded me of the power and strength that can be found in the goofiness of girlhood and in close-knit bonds that young people form with one another.<br />
Whether it comes from cracking each other up over the dinner of beans and rice that made everyone run off into the woods to poop IMMEDIATELY, or from stopping during a challenging hike to support a group member who is panicked and out of breath, these girls put their whole selves into creating a momentary family of support and love.<br />
On our van rides to new locations I acted as the DJ; fielding requests for every kind of music under the sun-- from Disney’s “Tangled” to (yes, you guessed it) Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and, at my insistence, a very important group introduction to TLC and Destiny’s Child.<br />
Each night we gathered in a closing circle to discuss the trials and triumphs of the day. The girls had “courage beads” that they could give to one other group member to show their appreciation for something that happened over the course of the day. During these evening circles I was amazed by the vulnerability each girl would show in their willingness to discuss their personal struggles. I was careful to notice if the beads were repeatedly given to the same person or used to exclude anyone, but instead they surprised me by giving “courage beads” to new people each night just for the comfort of sharing a laugh, having a good conversation, or making it through a tough day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS301j6zHcYZdL6eFigFBokSQxWPvf2Mc7PExz4jDrtMZ9wMP1iII8YWojoL29wnxF-eu9IcUrfwbkUWsBD5gBKU99zpDI-8ufuJQp9OoARv4U1n5yQ8C7Kz12hxK5ZWZlyNpb1s5wVLiJ/s1600/Clara+Moser+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1053" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS301j6zHcYZdL6eFigFBokSQxWPvf2Mc7PExz4jDrtMZ9wMP1iII8YWojoL29wnxF-eu9IcUrfwbkUWsBD5gBKU99zpDI-8ufuJQp9OoARv4U1n5yQ8C7Kz12hxK5ZWZlyNpb1s5wVLiJ/s320/Clara+Moser+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our group came from a range of different economic backgrounds, various living situations and life experiences over the course of their 14-15 years. In response to these differences the girls came together and cared for each other with tenderness, laughter, and a great sense of empathy. I had thought that a major challenge on the trip would be working with the group to bridge divisions, but the girls began that work themselves before I or the other leaders had to step in. They did not shy away from difficult conversations, but rather asked questions of one another and made a conscious effort to include everyone into all activities and conversations.<br />
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While laying in my sleeping bag one night I thought to myself, “this is what community accountability and responsibility can look like.” There were tough moments; plenty of tears and squabbles, yet a fierce dedication within the group to work through these hardships together. They made sure to check in with one another every day with attentive and open hearts.<br />
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There is something so special about that time in life right before adulthood when your emotions are raw and relationships feel especially fragile. Your relationships with others are what begin to help you make sense of yourself as an individual within a collective. I feel so fortunate to have been with these girls for a week-long journey and to have witnessed them work together through their struggles. Teen girls are a force to be reckoned with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AwKFpP1cKnS5400TLC9mFLBGOkJS-rL8hyphenhyphenYSnKmljlewurO3v6KLTOg4pYfOngEoaRZafYCZ-dEA0qllvViD7-zrAjap9IdjpPOcUSJqL1EnVlpmekOK7h6cWrOiAUh6ugm5LSFMXMf_/s1600/Clara+Moser+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1053" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AwKFpP1cKnS5400TLC9mFLBGOkJS-rL8hyphenhyphenYSnKmljlewurO3v6KLTOg4pYfOngEoaRZafYCZ-dEA0qllvViD7-zrAjap9IdjpPOcUSJqL1EnVlpmekOK7h6cWrOiAUh6ugm5LSFMXMf_/s640/Clara+Moser+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUTS Leaders posing on a mountain top</td></tr>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-768456762601660282019-08-12T07:34:00.000-07:002019-08-12T07:34:24.624-07:00LEGACY BY EVERETT WALKER <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-8nPFSauOW6tIT4dUUTDPfn3RwczPbfoyXb0MGFyDsPp4gGr-8BLzjxwu1UDKy875DzLZiH1ni0xmMYtXPMf0Uxx2AUSkX-wDUQ52EdIQkxhdgaBytfCdO8CDSOWxBxndMtWZJNe0AOQ/s1600/Everett+Walker%252C+AmeriCorps+Leader+engaging+with+youth+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-8nPFSauOW6tIT4dUUTDPfn3RwczPbfoyXb0MGFyDsPp4gGr-8BLzjxwu1UDKy875DzLZiH1ni0xmMYtXPMf0Uxx2AUSkX-wDUQ52EdIQkxhdgaBytfCdO8CDSOWxBxndMtWZJNe0AOQ/s320/Everett+Walker%252C+AmeriCorps+Leader+engaging+with+youth+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I near the end of my first year of service, I’m looking at this paper and quite frankly I’m at a loss to capture it all. There have been numerous things that have had an impact on me both large and small. There have been days of questions like, “ what am I doing?” and days of breakthroughs where a small encounter helps me feel reassured that I am in the right place at the right time.<br />
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I’m late writing this mostly because of all the summer activities that have been happening at the Fort. We have had two of our own summer camps, the annual 4th at the Fort even, and numerous days and multiple times per day of other area summer camps being involved with many exhibits at the Fort, I sit and look at that and think of all the lives I’ve had 1-3 hours to impact.<br />
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Most days, I spend being watchful, caring, warm and educational. I find myself most comfortable with the individuals dealing with some degree of autism or other learning deficiency. They tend to be my favorite, mostly because when there is finally a breakthrough it’s such a great victory and I can share in their joy and build that bond with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgscGy-jB5cY1DdpE-wSQchsOMeioi5wZq-P4sbQaXO-Brn2J72rfNgRK-qvFPWUhJKNkbiakJfODpl4t5nw0-Y-8n_nLsbk2XJDGS7MDymiQOFS4RGYYJVE7g394xw2zv_M5i6I_yZXw/s1600/AmeriCorps+Leader+Everett+Walker+hosting+an+event+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgscGy-jB5cY1DdpE-wSQchsOMeioi5wZq-P4sbQaXO-Brn2J72rfNgRK-qvFPWUhJKNkbiakJfODpl4t5nw0-Y-8n_nLsbk2XJDGS7MDymiQOFS4RGYYJVE7g394xw2zv_M5i6I_yZXw/s320/AmeriCorps+Leader+Everett+Walker+hosting+an+event+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" width="240" /></a>One of my happiest moments has been in getting my new tame tag at the Fort. It no longer says, “AmeriCorps” it says “Volunteer” a title I earned through sweat, long days and weeks, countless programs and wild days with even more wild children. I now am finishing up the Legacy, a few more pages some touches to a few pieces here and there. It is truly a legacy, we have built awesome partnerships, programs and ideas. I have found new ways to bring the stories of the Fort to children that allows them to connect through art to those have been stationed here or imprisoned here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgVnb7AImEI9xWA73aK2LKoCAXQasG7myhav_UD1ccRrWe3yZa8lfcwxaH1xzg_N2jLxPzOHM9IgANaugVD-GML9tzYkx6rlkwvMC_AiKCDzh_cj-1oRz-XzQNZsdYcP6JXXaaqSOTQyE/s1600/Summer+camps+lead+by+AmeriCorps+Leader+Everett+Walker+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1184" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgVnb7AImEI9xWA73aK2LKoCAXQasG7myhav_UD1ccRrWe3yZa8lfcwxaH1xzg_N2jLxPzOHM9IgANaugVD-GML9tzYkx6rlkwvMC_AiKCDzh_cj-1oRz-XzQNZsdYcP6JXXaaqSOTQyE/s320/Summer+camps+lead+by+AmeriCorps+Leader+Everett+Walker+at+Fort+Missoula.jpg" width="320" /></a>I still believe that the service is the greatest reward but beyond that I have come to appreciate the smallest hellos, the opportunity to help someone who may not be exactly the demographic of student looking for college access. I find a great amount of joy in the days where I can give an impromptu tour of an exhibit and open someone’s eyes. I interpret well, I use my voice and energy to captivate the audience I use visceral words to bring the emotion right to the core of the audience. I want them to connect to the story, I want them to feel what the people in the Bella Vista Concentration Camp felt, how the people who traveled west during the expansion, the Natives who felt such pain and anguish at the loss of culture and land. I want them to feel Corporal Howards extreme tale of Vietnam and how it on a much larger scale than just he affected our country so deeply that we are still following policies written then.<br />
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At the museum, I have made a small home, a bag of preferred coffee in the freezer, my hot fries on the shelf, lunch in the fridge, the front desk volunteers who have met my family and I. The list goes on for how I have built such a place of belonging here. I’ll miss the fort but I’ll be here when I can afford to be and when I can manage a second year of AmeriCorps with wanting to still be active at the Fort. I am grateful for this experience and hopeful for what the future will bring during my next year of service with Broader Impacts.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-77855616685201765602019-08-09T07:56:00.001-07:002019-08-09T07:56:39.782-07:00TRANSITIONS BY NICOLE LEMASTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEtmJFI97TdOPflTSzV6ilOvX2az96P6tPqNBwS3F0YuIWNm_kU2NJGGJ5pt-nOWlNlf4xk4OhTh915CeYt8rmG1TdhHVtUDDpKediN3Zqrtc73qB7rFQQ3_XCHgPzbyvCK9tkXh0abvC/s1600/60508952_324270088491447_5565799302288113664_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1440" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEtmJFI97TdOPflTSzV6ilOvX2az96P6tPqNBwS3F0YuIWNm_kU2NJGGJ5pt-nOWlNlf4xk4OhTh915CeYt8rmG1TdhHVtUDDpKediN3Zqrtc73qB7rFQQ3_XCHgPzbyvCK9tkXh0abvC/s400/60508952_324270088491447_5565799302288113664_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As my AmeriCorps service year nears its end, I try to piece together all the new ideas and skills that I've learned and package them into just a few sentences. How do you compact a whole year’s worth of experiences into a few words? Without cutting corners and truly giving it the meaningful praise it deserves, I choose the word "transitions" to perfectly convey what this year as an AmeriCorps Leader at <a href="http://spectrum.umt.edu/">SpectrUM Discovery Area</a> has meant to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAODJCKogWxvtvPRuCQd6Q3t_2l86CddikbQTLP9o1V_bqVjws0wiIx6tDHkfU629EVrJQBLT7_ocOxx68cZzn1rk-aHevC19Yim3MvXFiNFnYS-O4T04W6mD4bKS6IPUHDcd9-YOoLEp_/s1600/65279723_356607498591039_2618616473467224064_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAODJCKogWxvtvPRuCQd6Q3t_2l86CddikbQTLP9o1V_bqVjws0wiIx6tDHkfU629EVrJQBLT7_ocOxx68cZzn1rk-aHevC19Yim3MvXFiNFnYS-O4T04W6mD4bKS6IPUHDcd9-YOoLEp_/s320/65279723_356607498591039_2618616473467224064_o.jpg" width="256" /></a>We all transitioned into new lives when we made this commitment to serve. We left our families and our comfort zones to see new places and faces while trying to make an impact. Personally, I transitioned into a hand holding, spaceship engineering, crime detective, potion making wizard play buddy. On Wednesday I could a brain surgeon then on Friday be a computer programmer designing the next big app. SpectrUM Discovery has allowed me to wear so many hats this past year and learn so many new things, I feel that this place has a magic that not only the kids feel but the adults too. Not only in the museum with our interactive activities and playful exhibits but our traveling projects too. We somehow transform a school gym into a learning place that is disguised as a colorful play area with giant puzzle pieces, spinning chairs and rideable hovercrafts. The smiles and joys these experiences give people are immeasurable.<br />
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In between those smiles are a few logistics and, the real nitty gritty of it all. The hours of planning and organizing are what make those beautiful things happen. Our wonderful SpectrUM team make magic every day, they are the true wizards of this place.<br />
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As I embark on another transition into the unknown future, I hold back tears when thinking of leaving all the kids and people I’ve met in this mountain town. What SpectrUM and AmeriCorps has given me is more than all those smiles and good times, but a true sense of giving and what small gestures can do for a person. After this year I hope to keep with me my sense of wonder and curiosity, high regards for education for all and need to keep moving forward. On to the next transition, thank you AmeriCorps.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-37992120536143723102019-07-23T12:37:00.000-07:002019-07-23T12:37:19.242-07:00SPEAK UP BY ASHLEY HETTLERI served with the International Rescue Committee during my 2018-2019 service year. In April, we received an Iraqi family of two parents and their two children who were going to be in middle school. I picked them up and drove them to their enrollment meeting at the local school district. They were excited to attend school, and were kind and attentive to the teachers and staff. They asked questions, were lighthearted and laughing, and being respectful to everyone. During the meeting, the kids were practicing their English with their ESL teacher, and their mother was trying to give them little hints to help. It was obvious how important education was to the whole family.<br />
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The next day, I picked up the family in the morning to go on a tour of the children’s middle school. There, we met with the school counselor and the ESL teacher. School tours are often overwhelming and confusing for refugees. There are people talking at you in a different language, trying to explain the whole U.S. school system to you in an hour. Between explaining school bells, lunch and recess, and how many teachers they’ll have - it’s a lot to process. Halfway through the tour, I saw the children looking around, looking a little intimidated. Some kids were walking past us, staring at them. The family stood out, being the only people of color in the school, and the mother and daughter were wearing hijabs. Yet, they continued to be polite, smile, ask questions, and say “good morning” to everyone – even to the kids that were staring.<br />
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After the school tour, the counselor was trying to explain that there was an event going on that night, and that the family should come. Understanding the overwhelming nature of school tours and language barriers, I politely tried to tell her that they wouldn’t go, and that that’s okay. After explaining their schedules and what time the students should get to the bus stop, we were ready to leave. The counselor turned to me, a few inches from my face and said “Mm, they look like troublemakers to me”.<br />
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Something I’ve worked on in my life, and that I’m continually working on, is to speak up. I wish I would’ve responded to her, asking what she meant by that. I wish I could have called her out on that statement, in that moment. I’ve replayed it in my head on how that situation could’ve gone. Instead, I was silent. I was stunned. We were on the same school tour, and I saw the family being polite, kind, and enthusiastic the entire time.<br />
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As a member of the International Rescue Committee, and as an advocate on behalf of the family, I failed them. It’s a continual process to learn how to speak up and confront issues that are, literally, in front of your face. After thoughtful conversations with peers and coworkers, I am more prepared for the next time I face a situation like that because there will be a next time.<br />
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vistaleaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15343448794049568460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-64076480755990048912019-07-11T08:05:00.000-07:002019-07-11T08:37:02.273-07:00COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACCESS BY DAYTON SMITH<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2g3ZXlVtmWLMfH2WcmbDq0SECtJ5oFisX2Oj5V8-x5HsHXOF5zQHCGpLg-2GMQk1NwG9sv2lH1MCuQLPzXdeid1E6V_UAp-nmNjwUYGtpn-hDOMqvZiGvQ3mADaZE5uE8qnFaNT7vUV5/s1600/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp+second+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="946" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2g3ZXlVtmWLMfH2WcmbDq0SECtJ5oFisX2Oj5V8-x5HsHXOF5zQHCGpLg-2GMQk1NwG9sv2lH1MCuQLPzXdeid1E6V_UAp-nmNjwUYGtpn-hDOMqvZiGvQ3mADaZE5uE8qnFaNT7vUV5/s400/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp+second+picture.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
During my two years of AmeriCorps service, I’ve had the pleasure of working at two unique community colleges in Montana - Salish Kootenai College in Pablo and currently Great Falls College MSU. Prior to my first service term, I was completely unfamiliar with the culture or operation of a community college as I pursued my undergraduate degrees exclusively at the University of Montana in Missoula.<br />
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Over the past two years, I’ve come to admire the opportunities available for students and professionals alike at these smaller colleges that offer primarily associate’s degrees and only a handful of bachelor’s programs. So much so that I think I may have missed out myself by not beginning my academic career at a community college.<br />
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It goes without saying that there is truly a sense of community on these campuses. Both that I’ve worked at have unique quirks but they are the same in the sense that everyone knows everyone, instructors provide drastically more intimate classroom experiences, and the chance for students to achieve individual recognition is greatly increased. Whether we’re discussing scholarship opportunities or involvement in student groups, I found that the students who seek them out benefit greatly from being on a smaller campus.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJTZbrXBMY5tasX1TmHqME1iJakRZqq7OXe_lydVirSsSSXXdctzZSnKNTko02ssMapPiem6MdEUFX0S1dj9i6NMLYk2XUqevJrtl1Zy2WaapP2HMPiMloNNdK2_M47XmaIpwIZszSSMF/s1600/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp+third+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="402" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJTZbrXBMY5tasX1TmHqME1iJakRZqq7OXe_lydVirSsSSXXdctzZSnKNTko02ssMapPiem6MdEUFX0S1dj9i6NMLYk2XUqevJrtl1Zy2WaapP2HMPiMloNNdK2_M47XmaIpwIZszSSMF/s320/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp+third+picture.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Now, my service through Montana Campus Compact is of course meant to be specific to college access. At times I found myself questioning how much my day-to-day work was addressing this objective, particularly when time had passed between my interactions with high-school seniors.<br />
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At both locations, I eventually came to realize that my service was still very much working within the college access pipeline and would often remind myself that many associate’s students still need an extra leg up to achieve their academic goals. They may need financial education, which I could provide our students at SKC on an informal, regular basis. They may need basic homework help.<br />
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In the case of my role with the Digital Design Tech Department at SKC and the Tech4Good program, my days often consisted of breaking away from traditional office work anytime a student needed words of encouragement, a helpful critique on their design work, or most importantly career pipeline advice and assistance.<br />
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Once I arrived at Great Falls College my role was working in the area of Student Activities and I had the pleasure of promoting efforts of both the student honor society as well as the student government. The dedication of the students involved blew me away and seeing some of these same students graduate with numerous accolades on their way to a traditional 4-year school once again reminded me that college access doesn’t end after high-school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9rMedSUp_GJN_hec2wOfiZOdXdRnYXx44TxlunGM0HVseOPwpLld49AQjGRj7ZxnnnNI_P8YM8atvYL0wlu6gnQ1aHqM0KIbzQE2B993mPaDBhGd3KSRelWjL8rm4H2Jm6BHWs4wIZna/s1600/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9rMedSUp_GJN_hec2wOfiZOdXdRnYXx44TxlunGM0HVseOPwpLld49AQjGRj7ZxnnnNI_P8YM8atvYL0wlu6gnQ1aHqM0KIbzQE2B993mPaDBhGd3KSRelWjL8rm4H2Jm6BHWs4wIZna/s320/Dayton+Smith+AmeriCorps+Leader+at+MSU+Great+Falls+engaging+youth+at+a+summer+camp.jpg" width="320" /></a>What I realized is that the concept of “college access” isn’t limited to after-school educational programs, FAFSA workshops, and scholarship application assistance. These are all important aspects of the pipeline, but in the best scenarios it goes beyond that and continues into our young careers. At this point, I’m satisfied with my decision to spend the past two years focused on service learning. As is often said, being in a leadership position gives you the opportunity to learn just as much if not more than what you teach others. For these experiences and more, I am grateful and excited to continue my career in areas that likely apply to college access in one way or another. <br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-12245896074697899982019-06-28T09:09:00.000-07:002019-06-28T09:09:02.337-07:00WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT'S BEEN BY AMBER DECHAINE <div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvpoJKwXofWJHMFsZB8W-JSWmoQU0m6LF8WjOMADdTksGvwyeT-hdBhMt2LpHByNJGk0uLaFHjlq1SVpHvXNGRN0hFuqNf6r6aXbKyGzsET_-BGOiNSjQgvCRbf7OjNctUaKr3xX-ZqFB/s1600/amber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvpoJKwXofWJHMFsZB8W-JSWmoQU0m6LF8WjOMADdTksGvwyeT-hdBhMt2LpHByNJGk0uLaFHjlq1SVpHvXNGRN0hFuqNf6r6aXbKyGzsET_-BGOiNSjQgvCRbf7OjNctUaKr3xX-ZqFB/s400/amber1.jpg" width="283" /></a>I like to compare my year of service to a Grateful Dead tune. Just when you think it’s over, they keep on jammin’ on into the next verse. </div>
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Although there has been much less of a psychoactive influence on my year of service than there might have been on a Grateful Dead song, just when I thought I was done growing and learning, I kept jammin’ on into the next verse. </div>
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Throughout my time with the Montana Career Lab I have developed a greater understanding of career development, career theory, and why it is important to explore career development as early as pre-school. I have had hands on experience with age appropriate career activities for students at every level while developing leadership ability and self-confidence. I have had the opportunity to travel across the state and network with many wonderful organizations and agencies all promoting the success of students. </div>
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There are so many ways in which this year of service has benefited me, I only hope that my time with the Montana Career Lab has had an impact on the students I was able to work with. </div>
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My first partnership was with the local Student Aged Child Care (SACC), that ran afterschool programs out of all but one of Helena’s elementary schools. </div>
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I started in two schools and was able to build strong relationships with the SACC coordinators and students. Every student in the program picked a career from our Careers Build a Community curriculum and I assisted them in exploring why they chose that career. We completed hands on activities and hosted community speakers to help them gain a better understanding of what that career entailed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBbrRbnnUIh_-6wG6qWzgeP9F7aN_YwhDdvwrR36b_U8KR74c7yOk76EaE-apWygkL2ERs0iU0M4VQJEUYUadZgEijhvHuw1KPMNt-809ECO4WJVw0y3ypPNfR92Jc8QgInrqAtjmsxuw/s1600/amber.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="660" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBbrRbnnUIh_-6wG6qWzgeP9F7aN_YwhDdvwrR36b_U8KR74c7yOk76EaE-apWygkL2ERs0iU0M4VQJEUYUadZgEijhvHuw1KPMNt-809ECO4WJVw0y3ypPNfR92Jc8QgInrqAtjmsxuw/s320/amber.2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many of the students picked the same careers as their parents but at the end of the unit they all had an opportunity to share what they learned about their chosen career to teach their peers about other careers in their community. </div>
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When I got the “okay” from Helena School District, I started advertising myself to the teachers by putting little handouts in their mailboxes. They must have been rather unappealing fliers or just busy teachers because I only got a response from one school- you live, and you learn. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4gZ3p0D4vHyYH-xTDpYJF-lqg5vgU6ERKaW-ji6_JLq6IMCCN2Oh3Uxw38nX3LKP1gjq2syso-9lHLaMgO2iTB3PNd5wBIZSlzVE0s12Q6pvS6aPT9K_vRgCiWQZh16i6BdFxPQWH_rR/s1600/amber.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4gZ3p0D4vHyYH-xTDpYJF-lqg5vgU6ERKaW-ji6_JLq6IMCCN2Oh3Uxw38nX3LKP1gjq2syso-9lHLaMgO2iTB3PNd5wBIZSlzVE0s12Q6pvS6aPT9K_vRgCiWQZh16i6BdFxPQWH_rR/s320/amber.3.jpg" width="239" /></a>Within weeks I was teaching our curriculum in two first grade classrooms at Broadwater Elementary. I would say this was a breakthrough moment for my service and I was really able to get hands on with the curriculum to determine what worked and what needed improvement (of course the activities with candy were always a hit). </div>
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If I am being completely honest, this year I discovered that I S-U-C-K, big time, at teaching. Despite my playful fantasies about having my own classroom that fosters free love and produces miniature hippies, I am much better on a 1:1 basis with students. It’s possible that I am just inexperienced or too anxious, but I can’t think of a better environment in which to learn this about myself. </div>
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Even with my ignorance in effective teaching methods, the students were AMAZING and kind to me. They all came with different levels of knowledge, interests, thoughts, and feelings, each one as unique as a snowflake. I wanted to very carefully cultivate autonomy in every one of these students and help them explore careers that could be personally fulfilling and as unique as they are.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17dajYcIZbZtZGRfCM1MV49s6nkCTxO-cIDY8gSAYaxWUstiAGyULhxpQkdKn6AVGHe533XWgYhoT9bHnSttvdChQ4WBjGOKmnJremdkhi9ytZtI-iqejfy54wk8PF9vtc_1nVDs48mo5/s1600/amber.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="495" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17dajYcIZbZtZGRfCM1MV49s6nkCTxO-cIDY8gSAYaxWUstiAGyULhxpQkdKn6AVGHe533XWgYhoT9bHnSttvdChQ4WBjGOKmnJremdkhi9ytZtI-iqejfy54wk8PF9vtc_1nVDs48mo5/s320/amber.4.jpg" width="239" /></a>After each career lesson, the curriculum had the students reflect on what they learned about that career: what they liked or didn’t like, who they knew who does that career, or where in the community they might find that career. The very last day the students were able to pick the career they liked best and make a career puppet and a booklet out of their reflection pages. </div>
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The curriculum includes a final community day where students can choose their careers and host a reverse career fair. They can decorate a business front and invite their family and community members to stop by their “business” to learn about their career. Unfortunately, because of time constraints, I couldn’t host a community day with any of my groups. I am holding our future AmeriCorps Leader accountable to invite me to any community days he achieves! </div>
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I can’t say that the students I’ve worked with will remember our 45 minutes a week when they are heading off to college, but at least I can leave my service knowing that I gave them an opportunity to explore careers they might not have thought of before, and that I’ve planted the seed for their “Sugar Magnolia” trees to blossom. </div>
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<b><i>“Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” -Grateful Dead</i></b></div>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-64817913561992950712019-06-24T07:46:00.000-07:002019-06-24T07:46:36.411-07:00BIGGER AND BETTER: THE HIDDEN LIFE LESSONS BY ADAM MAES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first week of our Upward Bound Summer Academy 2019 went off without too many issues. Starting over with a new team has been quite interesting, but rewarding and exciting. There are seven of us providing supervision and guidance for the 51 high school students in our care. Part of this commitment is planning activities to keep them occupied and out of trouble in the evenings. This week we carried out an Upward Bound tradition of playing “Bigger and Better” on the streets of Butte.</div>
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The rules are simple, I give out a paperclip and tell the students that they need to talk to people and trade this paperclip for something “Bigger and Better.” The team must stay together, and they may only offer the item that they have at the time. The winner is then judged on size, value, and creativity of their final item.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmXymwyJEhT4Q5dqXJqTEE4U4Yb_-DWYTb4DzPD-ey842O5VSXX9wBLaVSMHoH6rVGPZyNRg5pweJ5pDz5cc3SZcbFJC9LFQvG6530AnE8f2NzQa_8D8hL32pV2QKOH79SAsPe5OqYGbJ/s1600/IMG_20190619_205004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmXymwyJEhT4Q5dqXJqTEE4U4Yb_-DWYTb4DzPD-ey842O5VSXX9wBLaVSMHoH6rVGPZyNRg5pweJ5pDz5cc3SZcbFJC9LFQvG6530AnE8f2NzQa_8D8hL32pV2QKOH79SAsPe5OqYGbJ/s320/IMG_20190619_205004.jpg" width="320" /></a>As we embarked on our journey, my team immediately ran into someone walking down the street with a backpack (in a weird coincidence it was an EnergyCorps volunteer) who traded us a female hygiene product for our green paperclip. We kept walking and met a lady on her porch and traded our pad for a light up stick. We continued on down the street and met a man on his porch who traded us a lead pipe for our light up stick. After carrying the pipe around town for a while, a lady raking her yard traded us a metal rod for our lead pipe. We then met some men working on a vehicle who traded our metal rod for a larger metal fence post. Eventually we ended up trading the fence post for what I can only describe as a large metal “chimney?” which we then had to carry up Tech hill to the dorm, because we were running out of time.</div>
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After listening to the other teams’ stories and seeing what other items showed up, including a dog, a bucket of tacos, a box of chips, a restaurant t-shirt, and hair straightener we were ultimately disqualified because one of my group members was related to the last person we traded with (I warned them we would get disqualified). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGXOY9kP7QeVqQ-MmtmCLF29izSyTiG9S08a2V0cjVvhmZnsG1-qDOvZ2UzjiYcAJQtC-g3oUtN-_z6P4N-GY6bhmqWiqIUwj_y7xentKVfj4RMVM0jyPUL_eHsUJCWfEx54D0DIDlsgP/s1600/IMG_20190619_205117_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGXOY9kP7QeVqQ-MmtmCLF29izSyTiG9S08a2V0cjVvhmZnsG1-qDOvZ2UzjiYcAJQtC-g3oUtN-_z6P4N-GY6bhmqWiqIUwj_y7xentKVfj4RMVM0jyPUL_eHsUJCWfEx54D0DIDlsgP/s320/IMG_20190619_205117_1.jpg" width="320" /></a>It wasn’t so much the items that each group returned with, but the experience of reaching out to others in the community and learning how to communicate with complete strangers. Upon reflection, which I have had a lot of time for, lately being put in a deja vu situation of sorts, I realized how many small but essential lessons I learned while participating in these same activities with the same program. Building self-confidence, learning how to approach what could be uncomfortable situations, and quite possibly being disappointed by your trade are all “hidden lessons” in what we consider a tradition and fun game.</div>
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In essence, we weren’t just looking for the biggest and best item, but working with our students to make them the biggest and best they can be by teaching our hidden lessons of communication, confidence, and self-advocacy. </div>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-1701016296105503722019-06-03T16:38:00.002-07:002019-06-03T16:38:59.694-07:00HAPPY GRADUATION, SENIOR CLASS OF 2019! BY ALEXIS BURTON<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOnNp-23-vAYjyi3Xr0C9E3BtMGS5_avnEtKnxRnfQj4gQButH6oGLITgt7Q31wBYyteEFuJJx3srvlm435A64Hrdig1Gx_IaIPWsnX46BM3QcLKbae_9bVtsA9-4y4iBwPopl4ZPUZc/s1600/Alexis+Blog+2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOnNp-23-vAYjyi3Xr0C9E3BtMGS5_avnEtKnxRnfQj4gQButH6oGLITgt7Q31wBYyteEFuJJx3srvlm435A64Hrdig1Gx_IaIPWsnX46BM3QcLKbae_9bVtsA9-4y4iBwPopl4ZPUZc/s320/Alexis+Blog+2.1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Valedictorian and Salutatorian walking to their seats</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> at
the start of the ceremony</span></i><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Spring has sprung, as they say, with summer clinging tight to the tail end of this season, ready to move in at a thunderstorm’s notice. All of the seniors at Troy High School have completed their last day of school, checked out of their classes, cleaned their lockers, returned their books to the library and submitted their final papers and projects. With them gone, my office feels empty, though my door remains open. Perfect time to reflect on all that has occurred this year, and the impact the seniors have had on the student body and myself.<br />
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In the beginning of September, the <a href="https://mus.edu/gearup/">GEAR UP</a> team and I divided all 29 seniors into small “focus groups” as we called them, so we could have meaningful, one-on-one conversations about their goals and plans in order to create specific and targeted plans for their senior year. Over the next few months, our groups became share spaces for important information and deadlines, upcoming scholarships, events, college application materials, and other how-to -adult items as they came up. We hosted a FAFSA night, where parents brought in their taxes and received guidance from the GU team, myself and a representative of<a href="https://mus.edu/gearup/"> Reach Higher Montana</a> to fill out the FAFSA with confidence. We had a Do’s and Donuts of Scholarships evening where we shared information (and donuts) about different financial aid options, tips for writing good essays and how to find appropriate scholarships per circumstances. We hosted the largest Career Fair THS has seen yet, and later had a Reality Fair focused on learning how to budget. We funded nearly 20 field trip visits to various colleges, and had additional funding set aside for students who wanted to check out other schools with their folks that reimbursed travel costs and paid for hotel stays and meals. By spring break, all 29 seniors had been admitted to a community college or university, and have applied for thousands of dollars worth of local scholarships. Not all of them plan to attend school right away, but the fact remains that their admittance into schools shows how capable they each are, and how many options they have ahead of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySyUY5k4wt2DYdosyEaa8bEi8TiW2AwveNXE6dfgo2l4jRpQKUTJ1YyRVS7rWS5Ac-4BEsh5zb1eQRJNpBOCfB1l_JMIEfg7T2R7PE__Z29I3CbY9-KKwpCjQC8tZVfYfYmjuHivq6EA/s1600/Alexis+Blog+2.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySyUY5k4wt2DYdosyEaa8bEi8TiW2AwveNXE6dfgo2l4jRpQKUTJ1YyRVS7rWS5Ac-4BEsh5zb1eQRJNpBOCfB1l_JMIEfg7T2R7PE__Z29I3CbY9-KKwpCjQC8tZVfYfYmjuHivq6EA/s320/Alexis+Blog+2.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Senior Paige giving the introduction for Ms. Maust, the <br />class’s elected
speaker. This class is Ms. Maust’s first<br /> group of freshmen-senior cohort,
making these introductions<br />and speeches real tear-jerkers. </span></i></td></tr>
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<br />As the school year has gone on, our specific focus groups have organically disbanded, and in its place has arisen a broadly welcoming center for all who have questions about life and college, as well as a place to gather to share stories and apprehension at leaving the bubble they’ve known all their lives. My office may feel empty, but my heart has never been so full. I am proud to call many of these students friends, and on their last day I handed out cards full of congratulations and encouragement. I shared a poem that was given to me when I graduated college, and many of them now have it posted up where they will see it every day to pull further encouragement from.<br />
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I’ve read countless entrance and scholarship essays, shared life advice, and called numerous college offices with my students to help them get questions answered about dorm life, financial aid, class registration, and how to make friends at school. I’ve come in after hours and on days off to meet with students to answer questions, responded to middle-of-the-night-panic emails, and written several letters of recommendation. On June 1st, 2019 I had the privilege of attending their graduation, and watched all of them walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. One of my students wore a pair of heels I gave her that I wore at my own high school graduation, and another wore a dress I gave her. These students have worked their way through tremendous odds to make it to the point they are at today, and have the resilience to continue facing anything that tries to stand in their way. With the support of programs like GEAR UP and MTCC cheering for continued education, countless students across Montana will be encouraged to make their dreams into realities year after year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx5Vlj43cp_HBVXbGHkjvKJAP-Rqy1IhiuvNxVM_3RdX1ys08GFDuTziaaF_DuByGHsMZC73KTQdk4BIU89ZPOPVz7fv8rtmx1FffWMTgqxx968rWYrKjkB1l_ZOWK1Xc1VbOnrg6C-k/s1600/Alexis+Blog+2.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx5Vlj43cp_HBVXbGHkjvKJAP-Rqy1IhiuvNxVM_3RdX1ys08GFDuTziaaF_DuByGHsMZC73KTQdk4BIU89ZPOPVz7fv8rtmx1FffWMTgqxx968rWYrKjkB1l_ZOWK1Xc1VbOnrg6C-k/s320/Alexis+Blog+2.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Seniors tossing their caps at the end of the ceremony.</span></i><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Congratulations, Troy High Class of 2019. You are officially 2019% done with high school! :’)vistaleaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15343448794049568460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-91964861008904384532019-05-23T13:46:00.000-07:002019-05-23T13:46:54.568-07:00IT TAKES A VILLAGE: THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN AGENCY AND INSTRUCTION BY CHANDLER PADGETT <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksqbWPSDNvgDwblYeyMa7R3shGQgp8NIOgklkPsg8CQXXzp7hkIM9542GDqmuNkFhNiqEJ8GfsxTPaAtb53w5D4U2y_TL4J5irv0EnLqcwaoiClECQfp4Ei8YU7fhQIyjBJlCazBckaEb/s1600/C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="498" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksqbWPSDNvgDwblYeyMa7R3shGQgp8NIOgklkPsg8CQXXzp7hkIM9542GDqmuNkFhNiqEJ8GfsxTPaAtb53w5D4U2y_TL4J5irv0EnLqcwaoiClECQfp4Ei8YU7fhQIyjBJlCazBckaEb/s200/C.jpg" width="200" /></a>After years of waiting, the <a href="http://www.richlandbgc.org/">Boys & Girls Club of Richland County</a> moved into its new building in March. Amid the pristine white walls, shiny steel kitchen, and ample programming space there sparkled a host of hopes and expectations for what we would accomplish free of our previous limitations. In May, the last month of school, I planned to channel these goals into my art program—to take full advantage of our new resources and involve our entire club community in a collaborative project.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMeFA7FPl_VjTEYoSjXBPGYyE-_rlXJNGeWAeLDlXuGEYlfFJarSud4wP6SWxwW2eCQKwBZP-gFlJAtFpKeN7XEcbAMb3HCQEK2BvUpgCiPrwBdG1OUUZZ_YZ2mz9qT3vj2jPjlS4Y0Ik/s1600/C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="498" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMeFA7FPl_VjTEYoSjXBPGYyE-_rlXJNGeWAeLDlXuGEYlfFJarSud4wP6SWxwW2eCQKwBZP-gFlJAtFpKeN7XEcbAMb3HCQEK2BvUpgCiPrwBdG1OUUZZ_YZ2mz9qT3vj2jPjlS4Y0Ik/s200/C2.jpg" width="200" /></a>I decided the project would take the form of a village; in an attempt to engage the interests of as many members as possible and to encourage creativity, I didn’t set any stipulations on what was made—just that it had to fit on the allotted space. The result was a middling motley of creations that varied greatly in effort, construction, and style: a Cenex station with no cars to fuel, a number of one-walled houses, and only one lonely person to enjoy it all.<br />
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I was a little disappointed in the end. Should I have been more structured and strict in my requirements? Would that have just made the kids lose interest in the project? I struggled to find a balance between agency and instruction; I didn’t want to dampen the students’ imagination and creativity, but I also wanted to give form, shape, and a definite lesson to the project. For example, though I tried to push kids to make more buildings and to put more effort into their creations, they often wanted to make a small animal sculpture or quickly move on to something new.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzYEkCVh2ZUxOBYv5E5OH12pY4dcVIkeG9w7r-I6KALHLL1atXMVC6_yUVMQoRJ6wu4GyriLUOK983kKwlMtlVzwqPE5bCzRv6piDwBhK8h8m_EgazqIpnRGkuCf13Bo2FAdA-fuNEHTl/s1600/C4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="516" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzYEkCVh2ZUxOBYv5E5OH12pY4dcVIkeG9w7r-I6KALHLL1atXMVC6_yUVMQoRJ6wu4GyriLUOK983kKwlMtlVzwqPE5bCzRv6piDwBhK8h8m_EgazqIpnRGkuCf13Bo2FAdA-fuNEHTl/s200/C4.jpg" width="200" /></a>Ultimately, around 20 members participated, which is about a third of our daily attendance. There were definitely bright moments of the collaboration and creativity I hoped to achieve: discussion about the layout and placement of the village, cooperation between grade levels on unique ideas. It’s hard to measure what the kids learned and how much fun they had doing so (which is more important than the end result), and I’m not entirely sure what I learned myself—maybe there’s some deeper lesson about community buy-in or the eventual futility of gasoline—but going forward into summer camps, I hope to educate in a way that’s both informative and fun.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-75513042688670449912019-05-13T14:41:00.000-07:002019-05-13T14:41:09.037-07:00FINDING A LOVE FOR STEM EDUCATION BY LANA PETRIE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnqs9hlpLMQ1Ck-5LVwuc0dzDq_AJqUx8TFFZswQgNt8mZ64wC6LELVF4-khdFE7JoR_rH1vugIOLc84HfDPThqRFJ1sz0cQNng11MzxkO4g5ulBlqa0jq89zdQrvWq2Ab-CtXkgT2rIH/s1600/Hot+Springs+Studetns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1169" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnqs9hlpLMQ1Ck-5LVwuc0dzDq_AJqUx8TFFZswQgNt8mZ64wC6LELVF4-khdFE7JoR_rH1vugIOLc84HfDPThqRFJ1sz0cQNng11MzxkO4g5ulBlqa0jq89zdQrvWq2Ab-CtXkgT2rIH/s640/Hot+Springs+Studetns.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
When I was little, I didn’t have the normal childhood most kids have growing up. I was diagnosed at age 5 with chronic pancreatitis. I was the youngest case Vanderbilt Hospital had, so they didn’t really know how to fix my pain. I had multiple surgeries and hospital stays throughout those years. It is kind of surreal to think about now. Yet, despite these struggles, I did learn that I had a love for science and serving people. I saw my doctor, Dr. Wallace Neiblit, constantly thinking outside of the box to help me. He also had a crew of resident doctors that would come in, read off my case like on Grey’s Anatomy, and brainstorm with Dr. Neiblit. My doctor was devoted to helping me and was able to do so (put simply) through science.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r3990xThWv4d76OPrbHU1jmNL8eJb_BXHS25VXGxX7qA_n7lJMPV3lowLCv0VlNGsLdf6iYCvNkltgXS3_3ku8le-GH7p_3y0HVaIEDGWUAJheqdLiWAy3gjb0HlmWk-3zOdFPj-QsQC/s1600/Project+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r3990xThWv4d76OPrbHU1jmNL8eJb_BXHS25VXGxX7qA_n7lJMPV3lowLCv0VlNGsLdf6iYCvNkltgXS3_3ku8le-GH7p_3y0HVaIEDGWUAJheqdLiWAy3gjb0HlmWk-3zOdFPj-QsQC/s200/Project+8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN3zuYpIz10N87hdtaQrd5MTWOB5K5TTCxfhSXVdonQfC_6c63K3Nqz9I7I3cVpSfT3utaSAnxMVN1WO8xNaG9Ie-Vuayf8KI3JjBQjsuLEVW3ksxn_KdkJut9y2gOBiU7uz2ZbJpb1Qk/s1600/Project+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN3zuYpIz10N87hdtaQrd5MTWOB5K5TTCxfhSXVdonQfC_6c63K3Nqz9I7I3cVpSfT3utaSAnxMVN1WO8xNaG9Ie-Vuayf8KI3JjBQjsuLEVW3ksxn_KdkJut9y2gOBiU7uz2ZbJpb1Qk/s200/Project+10.jpg" width="150" /></a>Fast forward to present day, and I am an AmeriCorps Senior Leader serving with MTCC. I get to serve students and help spread my love for STEM Education. Especially due to my past, STEM Education is close to my heart. Now, I want students to understand their potential and see how much fun STEM programs are. As such, I treasure any chance I get to work with students and cultivate their appreciation and love for science.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaM6rfTni_bkX8NllaIzM6KH-4XokfKkdhfmayDxi0ns3T4snDXA_FAzTyWl3Cy33ecw7uvvPI7zzSUqhFKmaVmad9Sp_yfLH7zrgthm5KxY2sbtFH1-bvMsWlcdPEd5YuiK8HgAHaSDc/s1600/Project+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaM6rfTni_bkX8NllaIzM6KH-4XokfKkdhfmayDxi0ns3T4snDXA_FAzTyWl3Cy33ecw7uvvPI7zzSUqhFKmaVmad9Sp_yfLH7zrgthm5KxY2sbtFH1-bvMsWlcdPEd5YuiK8HgAHaSDc/s200/Project+12.jpg" width="150" /></a>The most rewarding experience I have had thus far in this pursuit was creating science fair projects with students at Hot Springs School. Each student got the chance to show their personalities in each project. One had a love for animals and did a project testing bacterial growth of her dogs’ mouth compared to her own. Another project was focused on water quality of lakes in the surrounding areas. There was such a wide range of ideas and interests among the four projects, but, at the end of the day, it was brought out through having a passion for science.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15ElSDj5IBxb6X3N2Esauqw0yf3V0mi6FLs1TxIocprHx95CJNwbYxFHAOnFJ1WhKMXMa-lUTl9Q_4Zd9cfZuv-xbC3BvVPqrQs5oMp8eyfEm_9GZLkEabyO_BCQ6I4WUqac6bAelGclg/s1600/Project+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15ElSDj5IBxb6X3N2Esauqw0yf3V0mi6FLs1TxIocprHx95CJNwbYxFHAOnFJ1WhKMXMa-lUTl9Q_4Zd9cfZuv-xbC3BvVPqrQs5oMp8eyfEm_9GZLkEabyO_BCQ6I4WUqac6bAelGclg/s200/Project+16.jpg" width="150" /></a>Seeing all of their projects on display at the SKC Science Fair Festival helped remind me that making science fun can show students that STEM careers are fun. It reminded me how Dr. Neiblit used science to help me get better and why I eventually chose a STEM career in Agriculture. I hope to continue to spread my love of science to students wherever I go. You never know how students will respond to your lessons, but sometimes it can be the best surprise.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-21597833177794196182019-05-01T09:14:00.001-07:002019-05-01T09:14:29.858-07:00EMPOWER PLACE SCIENTIST BY JORDAN FERNANDEZ <div style="text-align: center;">
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As the spring floats in briskly with the cloud spotted sky, Missoula slowly waves goodbye to winter. In with the sun through the windows of <a href="http://www.missoulafoodbank.org/">EMPower Place</a>, we find ourselves at the after school club, on a Thursday evening. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, EMPower Place hosts programming with cooking classes for kids, science activities and much needed post formal education play. Thursdays are my favorite day of the week, because I get to host the science activity. These children usually go bananas over the activity, it gets a little out of hand. </div>
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A couple of weeks into April, we were running an activity on DNA extraction of strawberries. This is one of the more difficult activity for the small ones, who are usually the crowd at EMPower Pplace. Mind you, most of the kids that come to after school club are preschool to second grade. The DNA activity also requires patients, which we all hopefully get to learn throughout life. As you may remember, being cooped up in school all day, doesn't make listening very easy. Our poor parents can probably attest to this claim. </div>
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So, how do we make sure everyone receives a positive experience before heading home you ask? We’ll I have to be prepared and it helps to have my colleagues back me up when I’m struggling, which I was that day. </div>
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DNA from strawberries? You mean you want to make Jam with second graders? So the process is, have the kids put previously frozen strawberries in a landfill bag. Ok, now, zip the plastic closed and mash up those berries with a solution of water, dish soap and a bit of salt. The kids love this part. Next, you put the strawberries in a coffee filter and wait for the mixture to drip through to the bottom of a beaker. Ok, add isopropyl alcohol and wait. Essentially you are breaking down the strawberry to a more basic form. If you actually want to do this, you can find videos on YouTube for precise measurements. </div>
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After a few cycles of kids extracting DNA, one of the children that had been assisting me, asked me a question that I wasn't ready for. She paused on her tenth extraction of the hour, while also helping other kids and exclaimed, “Are you a real scientist?” Some of the other kids around the table became apparently aware of the conversation and awaited my answer. Before I could even think of a response, that same second grader who asked the question said, “I think you are a scientist.” She smiled and went back to what she was doing. It's almost as if she could tell I was stressed that day and I needed a confidence boost. It reminded me, how a simple encouraging comment can mean so much. Sappy? I know right? I didn’t feel like a scientist, with my liberal arts degree and my zero hours of lab work. She reminded me that we can be whatever we want to be in life, that we just have to believe in ourselves and others. </div>
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As much as I would like to say that I am serving this community with my forty hour weeks of service, I feel as though sometimes, I am the one being served. I look forward to Monday mornings, because I get to hang out with curious growing toddlers. Science Tuesdays, I get to hang out with Dr. Amanda. Wednesdays are easier to get through when I can conversate and receive life advice from mothers, post Tiny Tales. My colleagues are some of the sweetest and understanding people. Honestly, every day of the week has its appeal, sometimes it just takes a little reminder. </div>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-13050243018833997122019-04-08T09:51:00.002-07:002019-04-08T09:57:23.660-07:00A CONVERSATION WITH FORMER AMERICORPS DIRECTOR BY SABRINA QUIMBY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Service work is not for everyone, but for some it’s their calling. Bill is one of those people who was meant to help others and dedicate his life to it. We met for the first time at Serve Montana Symposium earlier in March and I was taken back by how laid back he was considering his resume. He talked more about other people than himself and he is quite humble for someone who served this country on a national level for over four years (along with lifelong experience in the field of service in general). Someone that has dedicated his whole life to public service. Someone who worked closely with Barack Obama and Joe Biden for years, people who are also advocates for doing national service pathways like <a href="https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps">AmeriCorps</a>. </div>
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After symposium was over I wanted to learn more about him beyond what was said in his talk and beyond what is on the old White House’s website: <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia"; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/service-and-social-innovators/william-c.-basl" style="text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 36pt;">https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/service-and-social-innovators/william-c.-basl</a></span></div>
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I wanted to know how a Rhode Island native, that participates in winter sports in my home state of Vermont, came to be the accomplished person he is today. So I reached out to my colleagues to get his contact information, sent him a message, and was shocked that he answered so quickly. Next thing I know we are on the phone chatting and networking. </div>
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When I asked him about how he became who is he is today, he never thought he would make it to such a high position and is grateful everyday for his experiences. He just took any opportunity he was shown and all of them built up to the biggest position of them all. While in his position he worked closely with the former president and vice president of the United States to strengthen AmeriCorps while helping give awards to veterans for their service. Throughout our conversation after that he was determined to help me be the most successful after this current service year and gave me so many helpful tips/resources to use. It was obvious how much he cares for service leaders and members as a whole even after leaving his larger position.</div>
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Bill retired from the position in 2016 and didn't want to fully end his career in public service so he continues his service at Washington Campus Compact daily along with volunteering weekly to help the homeless in Seattle. He has a lot of wisdom and I thought that I would share a few things that I learned from him:</div>
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1. Motivation is hard to measure, but the ability to to try new things is extensive</div>
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2. Being equal and being fair are two totally different things.</div>
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3. Never pass up on new opportunities; there is endless potential there.</div>
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4. The purpose of service is to understand the struggles of the community you are serving, not to try to solve everything. We get lost in trying to find solutions when we can just have compassion for people, giving them the hope for a better tomorrow while we support them.</div>
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Also Fun Fact: Bill is a college basketball fan and is big in March Madness </div>
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I will take Bill’s advice of, “Always Aim Higher” as I continue on in my service year and hope to be even achieve a fraction of what he’s done for our country. Thank you Bill for your service.</div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-5555533c-7fff-ba57-5764-1b8126be43ea"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-18648023306826903252019-03-25T12:36:00.000-07:002019-03-25T12:36:16.161-07:00ENGAGING THE DESIRE TO LEARN MORE BY HANNAH FERUS Scientific magazines, documentaries, and science fiction have all been a weekly, if not daily, part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even then, I wasn’t sure until my second semester at college whether I was going to be able to pursue a STEM based degree. The self-doubt and uncertainty for if I was good enough to even try was off put in the end by the simple desire to learn more. And as I learn more about different forms of education, and have been working more and more with youth in the community, it is a topic that seems to come up weekly.<br />
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My motivation for moving to Montana and working through Montana Campus Compact was in part to learn if I wanted to pursue the path of becoming a teacher. Part of my service here in Butte, MT is to assist with an after school science program at M. Leary Elementary School. This program has offered me the insight and experience I sought, but it also has emphasized to me the importance of supporting the curiosity of the youth in all communities and a teacher/academic mentor’s ability to direct innate human curiosity into a desire to learn.<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BDymB9mLlglJvl3YqfSlt2BalOgbdUIV2h1kQ0-U2y9q4nq2MOTHfinOYEFDUuN9dPu99a4Ykj50GEK1lvfFc15Ov-kXQtpyCAiMMGzVYmhi2HCbVZ2bWA7kiD1K1HwPHQ6uXgI6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BDymB9mLlglJvl3YqfSlt2BalOgbdUIV2h1kQ0-U2y9q4nq2MOTHfinOYEFDUuN9dPu99a4Ykj50GEK1lvfFc15Ov-kXQtpyCAiMMGzVYmhi2HCbVZ2bWA7kiD1K1HwPHQ6uXgI6" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="299" /></a>Human curiosity expresses itself in the students on a weekly basis. From going off-script while working with snap circuit boards to produce the same result in both more complicated or simpler ways, to making homemade thermometers and working with them to figure out if warmth or cold (and how to achieve those conditions to test) will make the red liquid move up or down the straw. The reasoning for why these experiments work the way they do is sometimes obvious for those of us who are older and know at least basic examples of liquid expansion (water to ice) or principles of force and air pressure (ever squeezed a juice pouch when you were younger to get the juice up the straw?). And even if in a group you are not able to fully explain these principles to every student, I have seen how even experiencing these phenomena in an academic setting and encouraging questions is enough to begin developing a desire to learn more.<br />
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It’s not learning the answers to every question that makes you learn the most in life, or become a brilliant academic, and yet the very principle of having the predetermined answer to every question is what we are increasingly judging students by. The desire to learn is a skill, a mindset that transfers across all subjects in life. So through personal, and now observation based, experience, I am left wondering what indeed are the best ways to approach the education of our country’s youth?<br />
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I believe that through the services we provide as AmeriCorps leaders that we can create a variety of safe and engaging spaces for students within a range of topics, and that this space should be not only to aid them in succeeding in the district and federally determined academic standards of education. Rather, if we make sure to implement the value of learning and provide experiences for them to develop a desire to learn more about any subject then we are better preparing them for any array of futures. </div>
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Every set of community, school, and class dynamics will differ as greatly as an individual’s experiences and perspectives in life. There is no silver bullet to education, and any number of factors need to be considered when planning a course let alone a restructuring of the entire system. Besides social, political, and structural changes which would allow for the shifting of our entire education system. I have come to view our work as AmeriCorps members to be a very important one. The work we do is not always groundbreaking, but, as has been highlighted in recent weeks by various news articles and speakers at recent conferences, taking a year or two out of our life to aid dozens if not hundreds of students who cross through the threshold wherever we serve is something that does not go unnoticed in the larger scale of things. This leads me to two additional thoughts about our work in AmeriCorps. One, that the pure number of hours and range of locations that members serve at is something that in and of itself shows the breadth of possible good done by another under-paid and under-utilized sector of our society and economy. And two, that it is a grand shame that it is necessary for a small sub-sector of the government to attempt to remedy the larger inequities and failings of the government at large to support not just the broad sector of ‘social services’ but specifically the education systems which are the backbone to every aspect of our society since it is how we learn about the world, our country, our community, ourselves, and how to best support the very places we live. </div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BF3lNfRHm3vu-TZV0WQB1JNfE-Dq-xHdUFaLYOdKMc_08LtWfu-ogDoE2fR1d0NXy5e7tlntvyzVUBT-nIlt4iwwC97pBXI5NaX4mhNTzzCHAcF09Q6TH19Mh8nN68W43iX7WfPy" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BF3lNfRHm3vu-TZV0WQB1JNfE-Dq-xHdUFaLYOdKMc_08LtWfu-ogDoE2fR1d0NXy5e7tlntvyzVUBT-nIlt4iwwC97pBXI5NaX4mhNTzzCHAcF09Q6TH19Mh8nN68W43iX7WfPy" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="224" /></a>A desire to learn is innate in every human when we are born; we are blank slates, sponges, who observe and absorb everything in our environment. And yet we have managed to progress to a society where this is not acknowledged, where the growth of all our children is not emphasized. And furthermore, where knowledge is taken for granted and not emphasized at the level of the general population.<br />
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At a time when misinformation and snap decisions can have lasting impacts on larger communities than ever before, my service through AmeriCorps has shown me the importance of giving aid at an individual level, and how even students who are considered smart and don’t have issues at school aren’t given the space to develop further skills and instead stagnate. It is fairly well known that schools in this country are constrained by having to focus on the lowest performing students, at the consequence of having their schools lose funding and potentially being shut down. The education focused groups within AmeriCorps can work to relieve this pressure on districts by working in classrooms, creating and working at after school programs, but the numbers don’t add up to these efforts being the solution to the problem.<br />
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Thus the question remains, through all of our experiences serving in AmeriCorps, how can we take what we learn, what we see, and what local people and educators tell us and culminate it into real change? Is there, or could there be, a format for this work and experience to mean more? What will it take for our country and society to put the education, and therein personal and economic well being, of her citizens first?<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-60358171660780127252019-03-14T10:45:00.000-07:002019-03-22T12:48:54.338-07:00STARTING OVER BY ASHLEY HETTLER<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlnAC9QOXvoiBawgMrDepF4sIYK2RGB9xLegjFtWwp6CfhQMWKREokBKA2YG4BOGo1z2CpAWTlNbrn7nwGCQdHsL-zL94cyKHJIOpjZ2FtjwBBhx6-pd6F9GanmSpQrwsAg8wtG8odN4/s1600/Ashley+blog+post+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlnAC9QOXvoiBawgMrDepF4sIYK2RGB9xLegjFtWwp6CfhQMWKREokBKA2YG4BOGo1z2CpAWTlNbrn7nwGCQdHsL-zL94cyKHJIOpjZ2FtjwBBhx6-pd6F9GanmSpQrwsAg8wtG8odN4/s320/Ashley+blog+post+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster above my desk</td></tr>
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Hanging above my desk is a poster that reads, “No hate, No fear, Refugees are welcome here”. Every time I look at it, I hear chanting in the streets and see thousands of people swarming Washington D.C., with their signs waving. Living in D.C. for 6 years was eye-opening. I was no stranger to protests, politics, and people marching for what they believe in. It’s inspiring, and exhausting. By late 2017, I knew it was time for me to leave D.C. and pursue a field I was passionate about. I had wanted to work for the <a href="https://www.rescue.org/united-states/missoula-mt">International Rescue Committee (IRC)</a> since graduating college, and Campus Compact had one opening to serve as a VISTA. I eagerly applied, had a few interviews, and 5 months later I found myself driving cross country with my mom and aunt to Missoula, Montana, to start a new career and a new life. Little did I know that I wouldn’t be the only one starting over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTl-LOpDt83mEwMWNJ78biYO1o_iwd0chHN_gwoPKAOiq4uub5oEAD7okH_ApltwSKMtVs4a2SZE0U_SYyulYXgH6Tsnb6K0nIfVH82c270wAO9l-U-KMCiwQC9pk6peDLnnSR1Mw9oc/s1600/Ashley+blog+post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="489" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTl-LOpDt83mEwMWNJ78biYO1o_iwd0chHN_gwoPKAOiq4uub5oEAD7okH_ApltwSKMtVs4a2SZE0U_SYyulYXgH6Tsnb6K0nIfVH82c270wAO9l-U-KMCiwQC9pk6peDLnnSR1Mw9oc/s320/Ashley+blog+post+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier National Park (in September!)</td></tr>
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Settling into Montana was fast and furious. It was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The climate is really dry (hallelujah!), I live within a few hours of 2 incredible National Parks, my car got frozen shut in the midst of winter, and walking down the street one day, I had a man look at me, tip his cowboy hat, and say “Howdy!”. I had never seen snow-capped mountains before, and I’m still not entirely sure what kombucha is, or why lots of Montanans love it. I shake my head sometimes and smile at how far outside of my comfort zone I am, and how good that feels.<br />
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I started my <a href="https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista">AmeriCorps VISTA </a>service in late July when the IRC office was in the middle of a refugee “surge”. In this case, we had about 70 individuals come to Missoula over the span of 3 months. I was thrown into the craziness immediately. Between attending meetings, learning the abbreviations and lingo associated with refugee resettlement, and getting comfortable showing up at a client’s house and telling a family - that doesn’t speak English - to get in my car to go to an appointment - it all had its challenges.<br />
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Serving at the IRC has taught me more than I hoped for. In the first few months of service, I drove a mom and her 3 daughters to a school enrollment meeting. Towards the end of the meeting, the mom found out that public school was free for all of her kids, and she started to cry. She couldn’t believe it. A young man from Congo asked me if I was married, and was shocked (his jaw actually dropped) to find out that I was 25, not married, and didn’t have kids. I drove another man to his job interview, and he was the only black man in the store. Customers stared at him the whole time. If I thought that moving to Montana was a culture shock for me, it is nothing compared to the transition refugees face when they land in Missoula wearing flip flops in the dead of winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwDTpnyPv2f_OQ_KrxKrofJcmKDd1UoKeMN_Ggi40WlIROxYge9NSouIri8BfBnjSl05tnL8UCHFhNZFc72qwqO4YE0DwJTPoBk8jritXAETDglxZoJ-NNsRI4TpEc7F_lMh5mjnIeQ/s1600/Ashley+blog+post+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwDTpnyPv2f_OQ_KrxKrofJcmKDd1UoKeMN_Ggi40WlIROxYge9NSouIri8BfBnjSl05tnL8UCHFhNZFc72qwqO4YE0DwJTPoBk8jritXAETDglxZoJ-NNsRI4TpEc7F_lMh5mjnIeQ/s320/Ashley+blog+post+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My backyard on Christmas Day</td></tr>
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The IRC is doing amazing work, both domestically and internationally. They help people, who were forced from their homes due to violence and threats, to safety in the United States. Missoula has been consistently active in bringing refugees to Montana, and helping them become involved in the community.<br />
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Because of this year, I now belong to the AmeriCorps community, the IRC organization, and the city of Missoula, and for that, I am eternally grateful. AmeriCorps was my excuse to leave D.C., but it also became the very reason to stay in Montana and continue this service.vistaleaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15343448794049568460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-5805783941071399012019-03-04T09:37:00.000-08:002019-03-04T09:50:00.117-08:00AN EXTROVERT ALONE: MUSINGS ON SOLITUDE BY ALEXIS BURTON<br />
I moved to Montana with the understanding that I was going to live in a small town I had never heard of, in a house that stands out among the crowd. I did not come here with the understanding that to live alone meant I was alone. No big deal, I decided, I get along with myself just fine. But when I arrived, the worries startled me. A whole year alone? No roommates, no friends, no one to greet when I come home except my plants. What would I do when the aloneness got real?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRWAvpQFhaIxkIIMf43xzblPvHlS9RBQZ7vilHz-xkGLOjhzB3NUVFsnRQGP56zHbBjEWZQWAgkZyzJooTo3cufQx3NmUIP30bo3TvpMO_oxRpdNRCu9Rxt3Ya-Ry-iPMpgC7RZqS6ZU/s1600/Alexis+Blog+post1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRWAvpQFhaIxkIIMf43xzblPvHlS9RBQZ7vilHz-xkGLOjhzB3NUVFsnRQGP56zHbBjEWZQWAgkZyzJooTo3cufQx3NmUIP30bo3TvpMO_oxRpdNRCu9Rxt3Ya-Ry-iPMpgC7RZqS6ZU/s320/Alexis+Blog+post1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">The Mothership, a.k.a my house</span></i><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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What I didn’t plan for was the aloneness of having made an abrupt decision to change my life and rip myself away from the comfortable space I created in my college town. Or having to grieve the death of a loved one alone without having the finances to make it back for her funeral. Or what it would be like to come home to an empty house, alone, day after day, for months on end. Or to get sick and have the flu alone. Or that if I wanted to socialize, I’d have to plan for time differences to Skype the ones I left behind or else make a plan in advance to visit other AmeriCorps members. Or that when I did finally make it back to the Pacific Northwest for holidays, the little world I was part of continued largely unchanged without me.<br />
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Somewhere around the turn of fall into winter I decided to welcome the darkness that I found myself spiraling into, and made huge intentions to be like a tree this season. They look dead above ground, but beneath the soil they are digging their roots down further into the land, finding hard-to-reach nutrients and becoming perpetually prepared to support themselves during the springtime explosion back into life. I spent some hours pondering on this notion, on how to dig deep to support my outward growth when the sun returned.<br />
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It’s been mentioned before that self-care is imperative, and particularly so when you’ve uprooted your life (pardon the pun) to try something so far out of your comfort zone you don’t even know how to prepare. I had all sorts of self-care practices already in place, but I wasn’t ready for the darkness of the sky to chase me indoors and keep me there all winter long. I wasn’t ready for a bone-chilling cold to suck all my energy away, to be worried about frostbite or the reality that all the trees around my rental property would drop their leaves and that with them, my last perceived connection to privacy in my home would fade away. How do you prepare your mind for such a shift? I felt stuck in my heart that I couldn’t dance with my reflection in the window at night, couldn’t run barefoot in soft summer grass, couldn’t even mark the change of season by measuring the persistence of my favorite weather occurrence (rain), and I couldn't watch the sun rise or set or even really see it for very long.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFST68fcdpGsbgpSE_d36uneCajCPw8KsGpM73N9bWr34zlRFQitxQ-TGr32JrEPbZKgfNVUzjBppXgTN487Wo0i1aIcnDkrJQc5p63RakV9Ci8vKP654aLOPg2yB8j5GN2973Z1kTNaU/s1600/Alexis+Blog+post2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFST68fcdpGsbgpSE_d36uneCajCPw8KsGpM73N9bWr34zlRFQitxQ-TGr32JrEPbZKgfNVUzjBppXgTN487Wo0i1aIcnDkrJQc5p63RakV9Ci8vKP654aLOPg2yB8j5GN2973Z1kTNaU/s400/Alexis+Blog+post2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">The Willow that inspires my musings. </span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">I greet her every
day, “Hello, Mama”</span></i><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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So how do you turn in and grow deep like the roots of a tree? How do you welcome the darkness and its regularly accompanying broody-moodiness? I learned that all it takes is an intentional perspective shift. I wanted to be productive, even after being shoved inside by Montana winter's apparent nonchalance towards my well-being. I sat and meditated, and came up with this: All you need is an open heart. I shifted the way my mind saw the daylight, I returned to my favorite self-care practice, beginning my mornings with gratitude and thanking my body for waking to each new day. I decided to quit watching Netflix and start getting creative. I used my weekends to make gorgeous breakfasts for one, take long walks, and dig my car out of the snow with a happy heart, instead of a begrudging one. When I saw less than an hour of daylight each week day, I became my own sun. I took active steps to shift my headspace into one that was conducive to actually being content with myself. All of a sudden, it was a breakthrough. I craved being alone. I craved opening up my front door and welcoming myself home, I began to see the intricate beauties of winter instead of getting stuck on how much it sucks to be cold. I began embracing the cold, and got excited for how much of this temperature change I could handle.<br />
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As my spirits were lifting, a Rupi Kaur quote came across my pathway, “Loneliness is a sign that you are in desperate need of yourself.” I screamed with glee, “YES THAT’S WHAT I LEARNED!” and the craving to solitude was all the more strong. When I go anywhere now for extended periods of time, I build in space for solitude. I look for a place to retreat, rejuvenate, rest, recluse. And with that new understanding of clarity, my heart is wider open than I have ever experienced before, and the lessons I unlock within myself are bright and bold.<br />
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What I didn’t plan for sparked some of the greatest points of self-development and self-reliance that I never asked for but received willingly. Recently I happened upon another quote that sums up these learnings into words I hadn’t found yet for myself. “Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone.” (Paul Tillich)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxiQ7xJ7fZCf8TiGFwsRsgd96C5N8OUpfYXaPHeb2mz0NUoqCgzS_VC8nggMTWzwTNRUx9vQGYegWHQpwNs9NU3lORPMI04eRJoGBRTGKK3tnoNh1leXhyphenhyphen-MsVploPtJ0NRljXj9zYbU/s1600/Alexis+Blog+Post3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxiQ7xJ7fZCf8TiGFwsRsgd96C5N8OUpfYXaPHeb2mz0NUoqCgzS_VC8nggMTWzwTNRUx9vQGYegWHQpwNs9NU3lORPMI04eRJoGBRTGKK3tnoNh1leXhyphenhyphen-MsVploPtJ0NRljXj9zYbU/s320/Alexis+Blog+Post3.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">Stuck my phone in a tree stump to take this selfie at</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;"> Kootenai Falls </span></i><i style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">on a solo weekend adventure. </span></i></div>
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I’m grateful that I dug into myself and sent my roots to solidify my centeredness. I’m grateful that I live alone and far away from everyone I love and everyone I’ve met and networked with through AmeriCorps. Sure, it would be fabulous to live in the city or at least closer to “civilization”, but serving this town and community has been a gift. Heck, living alone has been a gift. So here I am, a declared extrovert learning to lean in to solitude, heart open and connecting deeply.<br />
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Life sure does happen when we step outside our comfort zones, doesn't it?<br />
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<br />vistaleaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15343448794049568460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-2880010349361640412019-02-14T08:15:00.000-08:002019-02-28T09:19:31.268-08:00SERVICE AND SELF-CARE BY SABRINA QUIMBY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Love
More, Stress Less!</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></div>
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Through my national service, I’ve learned that service is more than the day-to-day of what your site asks for. Service is building relationships, increasing morale, and creating a legacy; it’s learning more about yourself.
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As AmeriCorps Leaders, we try our best to make the most positive impact on our host sites and on the people we serve through them. We spend time training and learning how to provide for our communities but it’s important to not let ourselves get burnt out.</div>
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At my site, the faculty and staff periodically host socials where we can check in with one another and try to have a sense of humor when construction at school gets disruptive. Just the other day, the Missoula Alliance Church came to one of these socials and gave us all free lattes to help keep our energy levels up as we engage with middle schoolers. It’s the little things that help us ground ourselves amidst hectic times. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"></span><br /><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;">Other than free lattes, I have a few tactics I use to assist me in maintaining my mental health:</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br />1. Practicing gratitude and meditation</span></b><span lang="EN">: </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This has aided me in my ability to help myself when I’m alone at my site. Breaths are like little love notes to your body so letting yourself breathe is a good start to your self-care routine. The same goes for gratitude, reminding yourself why you are here, how you got here, and what good you have in your life can make a bad day more manageable. There is so much to be grateful for!</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br />2. If you are an outdoorsy person like me, hiking can create healing: </span></b><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I go on hikes when I’m not serving to help me relax. Hiking allows me to exercise, access more companionship, and take in good ole’ Vitamin D. It provides a space where I can just let nature nurture me.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br />3. Write down what you feel</span></b><span lang="EN">: In AmeriCorps (especially as leaders) we are encouraged to journal about our experiences. This can be quite cathartic. It gets our thoughts and our struggles out of our heads and onto paper making everything much more manageable.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br />4. Reach out: </span></b><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">You are never alone so please don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you in an appropriate manner (do have boundaries for yourself and respect people’s limits). It can be hard to start service and not have a big social circle right away. I’ve found that joining MeetUp groups and talking to other leaders can be great ways to start building friendships.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RG4rP1OzQ3KPwJrXl957fl4PRziNzmndeZ_MkfVIFrIU-v3DQtbD2d2wWnwgnWadb-ItHZXN1XTm4FMFIy5s0ujLGI9gT81UywGkaIGr5OV5sA9kZPJDm4BF19_JM0JgYQ2hZlM10N7j/s1600/s.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RG4rP1OzQ3KPwJrXl957fl4PRziNzmndeZ_MkfVIFrIU-v3DQtbD2d2wWnwgnWadb-ItHZXN1XTm4FMFIy5s0ujLGI9gT81UywGkaIGr5OV5sA9kZPJDm4BF19_JM0JgYQ2hZlM10N7j/s200/s.png" width="200" /></a><b><span lang="EN"><br />5. Remember, everyone is different:</span></b><span lang="EN"> It’s okay if none of these techniques work for you, just remember that your mental health matters! Not only is it incredibly challenging to help others without helping yourself, but your physical health can actually start to deteriorate when your mental health is poor. Stress weakens your immune system, so finding ways to achieve both basic and luxurious self-care is super vital for your service work and personal life.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Think of fulfilling your needs like a pie:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Picture from </span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.ampfitnessboston.com/blog/self-care"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.ampfitnessboston.com/blog/self-care</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Each time you eat one piece of it (or fulfill one part of it), you get to have another piece. Needs-fulfillment pie is possibly even better than regular pie (stay with me here) because when you finish it, you feel rejuvenated instead of lethargic and too full to move. In my experience, as long as you have a balance with your service work and your self-improvement work, you’ll never be too full; rather, whole.</div>
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Here are some resources that have helped me and maybe they can help you! I’m mental health first aid certified and I want share things I actually use/listen to/read regularly:</div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://medium.com/@goodaker.d/the-power-of-a-personal-mantra-and-how-to-write-your-own-46a5531ec8aa"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">https://medium.com/@goodaker.d/the-power-of-a-personal-mantra-and-how-to-write-your-own-46a5531ec8aa</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/06/how-to-practice-authentic-self-care/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/06/how-to-practice-authentic-self-care/</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/my-brothers-keeper/201709/be-the-mountain-guided-meditation-video-script"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/my-brothers-keeper/201709/be-the-mountain-guided-meditation-video-script</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpUNAFHgxM"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpUNAFHgxM</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">●<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYnA9wWFHLI&t=3500s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYnA9wWFHLI&t=3500s</a></span></span></div>
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And as always call: 1-800-273-8255 or text 741741, and look up resources in your area with this link: https://twloha.com/find-help/. You are loved, valued, and never alone. I hope this article helps you or someone else. </div>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-69418577816924717912019-02-13T13:13:00.000-08:002019-02-13T13:13:06.774-08:00“GO WEST” BY ELI BOWE<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">When setting out, pack light. What you anticipate isn’t what you find, and what you need is what you’ll forget; so in this case, less is more. When I departed Wisconsin for Montana, I fit my entire life into a Honda Civic, made the Fargo-Billing’s run in nine hours, and subsisted on a protein bar and a package of Corn Nuts. Along the way, I enjoyed a break at Teddy Roosevelt National Park. AmeriCorps called me because industry seemed droll. I went west because it seemed the thing to do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">More or less, that’s the story of how I arrived in Bozeman, MT one warm, dry morning in July.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">The ensuing months were educational. I learned to live without a microwave and how apply for SNAP benefits. I studied small business, and how to spell the word <s><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">enterpeneur</span></s><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <s>entreprennure</s> <s>entererpernore</s>
ENTREPRENEUR!</span> I brushed up on audio editing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">That’s because the work I’m doing in Bozeman is unique. Broadly speaking, I promote small business and entrepreneurship. Narrowly speaking, I produce a podcast for the <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.bozeman.net/government/economic-development"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Office of Economic Development</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span> while also creating a business center at the <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.bozemanlibrary.org/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bozeman Public Library</span></a></span>. But it’s the podcast that always grabs people’s attention.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">The show is called <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://micromegas.libsyn.com/"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">micromegas</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span> named after a <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30123/30123-h/30123-h.htm"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">short story</span></a></span> by Voltaire. No need to dust off your French Literature Anthology; the title is meant to capture the fact that Bozeman is a micropolitan area able to punch above its weight, and that entrepreneurs are individuals who exercise an outsized impact. After all, they create <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.kauffman.org/entrepreneurial-ecosystem-building-playbook-draft-2/i-why-do-entrepreneurs-matter#entrepreneurs"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">more new jobs</span></a></span> in America than all the established corporations combined.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Micromegas tells the stories of local business owners, whoever they are: Two Arizonan brothers who moved north for the skiing and stuck around to open a mac’n’cheese food truck. Or a Cambodian immigrant and business founder— who’s only lived here five years. And then there’s the young algae enthusiast developing a system to harvest Omega-3 fatty acids. The residents of Bozeman deserve the chance to be inspired by these stories so that they, too, can pursue their own business aspirations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">That’s where the Library comes in. It’s all well and good to be inspired, but without guidance, even a great venture can flounder. So, <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/06/new-ala-report-highlights-libraries-engines-entrepreneurship"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">following in the footsteps</span></a></span> of libraries across the nation, the Bozeman Public Library is working to get innovators and bold souls the resources they need to succeed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Bozemanites are fortunate for the caliber of entrepreneurial ecosystem that already exists here. So many local groups offer business mentoring and services that I don’t dare write a list for fear of leaving someone out. Of course, this makes my life easier because it means that I don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, I have the opportunity of working with people who know more about running a business or planning a start-up than I could ever learn in a year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I spend my time finding ways to work with local organizations for the benefit of all. Case in point, the <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/business/city-announces-business-mentoring-program-at-library/article_a8708495-71bb-52a5-82c3-5ff08482e6c9.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">consultation hours</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> being put on by the </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://sbdc.mt.gov/Bozeman"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Small Business Development Center</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and the </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.montana.edu/launchpad/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MSU Blackstone LaunchPad</span></a></span>. The Library is able to offer an accessible location and recognized name to complement their extensive business knowledge and venture coaching experience. By working together, we can reach more people and achieve everyone’s missions.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcVS38vwD9T_mmoVVG6FrOjekzl1oE8Ty_VWc4yw-oxLAI8OXhR2yYECWQ6QxpVpRXuas0dDxUEx3-ANxF0PufJukrcpvoQscobbrVY0Mu5LBrLLwP68Nv8n0pt8pTkuc4fSCVoOr8MI/s1600/Blog%252C+Dino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcVS38vwD9T_mmoVVG6FrOjekzl1oE8Ty_VWc4yw-oxLAI8OXhR2yYECWQ6QxpVpRXuas0dDxUEx3-ANxF0PufJukrcpvoQscobbrVY0Mu5LBrLLwP68Nv8n0pt8pTkuc4fSCVoOr8MI/s320/Blog%252C+Dino.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">So what’s the moral of my journey? It’s truly a pleasure to be here, residing in a state that I might never have visited, honing skills I might never have learned, and meeting people who would otherwise be strangers. There’s a lot of value in that, and although I don’t expect to change the world through my <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.nationalservice.gov/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">national service</span></a></span>, I do hope to change a few lives. If everyone gave that a shot, the world would change</span></span><br />
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vistaleaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15343448794049568460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-23575808192415561642019-01-16T10:00:00.000-08:002019-01-16T10:00:29.751-08:00WAYFINDING AT MAPS BY DANIELE VICKERS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9qj1keD8IXBku0NIodhBHoY9aZm_QuryRDtL27m4p-wEmmnQH5UZ98E7g08lzU0GImk5IVk6dWDygKwlGC9dt5ZqDXc-lkcnVkPmnSSsy6kfsAeT5RTlWrcOLOFKWNadxIY-VEOyN-SY/s1600/IMG_7822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9qj1keD8IXBku0NIodhBHoY9aZm_QuryRDtL27m4p-wEmmnQH5UZ98E7g08lzU0GImk5IVk6dWDygKwlGC9dt5ZqDXc-lkcnVkPmnSSsy6kfsAeT5RTlWrcOLOFKWNadxIY-VEOyN-SY/s320/IMG_7822.jpg" width="240" /></a>I had never heard of AmeriCorps until I moved to Montana last May with my partner. Having recently finished my Masters, I came to Montana, not sure how my MFA in photography would play out in trying to find work. I was in the process of transferring my out of state K-12 art teaching license to Montana, but was soon realizing that teachers had been long hired for next year. Through some serendipity, I met the executive director at MAPS, and applied for the AmeriCorps position.<br />
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The mission of MAPS is to better the lives of Montana youth through media arts education. My role is to assist with classes and community outreach and form a career/college readiness program, along with an alumni program. Because there are no grades at MAPS, and classes aren’t for credit, the environment is an incredibly unique one. Instead of completing assignments for a grade, most students come because they’re genuinely excited to film, write a song, make a video game, or any number of creative projects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVY2V00tqxTynEsyUBRDenWRAbkiwf6pZ5U-g6YDX1CMyLhYs-7zsg4fq68ILYGpzAeC5b2VuashygoAPMieelXLEjjpsdQV7knprLqFSuDkx2bVokltDvUCbsHvGENazGFb43HdFQHiu/s1600/MAPS3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVY2V00tqxTynEsyUBRDenWRAbkiwf6pZ5U-g6YDX1CMyLhYs-7zsg4fq68ILYGpzAeC5b2VuashygoAPMieelXLEjjpsdQV7knprLqFSuDkx2bVokltDvUCbsHvGENazGFb43HdFQHiu/s320/MAPS3.JPG" width="320" /></a>When we surveyed our students at the beginning of September, we found that almost 70% of our students are considering a 4 year degree after they graduate high school, with another 17% considering a 2 year degree. After a few College Information Nights and now the formation of ‘Future Fridays,’ MAPS students can get personalized mentoring on all things college and career related each Friday. I’m able to have those conversations with students about how they can achieve their goals. After one of the college information nights, I had an 8th grade student tell me that he hadn’t really thought much about college, but that now he was.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4uvmKjNvgzPA9PuiMZtl3C8TN-l0-f9mO-_E3LFaI84K14JLALJfFbndp0c6DAg0CpTGi3Wq2vkhCod5eJV8xO8bXqO8A9Zz5whn3QjpRxhE5ItgyKKDadIJAytCf7s2nre75DIlj-JM/s1600/MAPS+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4uvmKjNvgzPA9PuiMZtl3C8TN-l0-f9mO-_E3LFaI84K14JLALJfFbndp0c6DAg0CpTGi3Wq2vkhCod5eJV8xO8bXqO8A9Zz5whn3QjpRxhE5ItgyKKDadIJAytCf7s2nre75DIlj-JM/s320/MAPS+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Having an impact on students is generally not something so straightforward, but typically comes over time with trust. I’m finding that the longer I’m here, the more I’m able to facilitate those conversations with students and assist them in finding a path that will work for them.<br />
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Cheers to growing and continuing onward.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-88420441180919354472019-01-07T14:45:00.001-08:002019-01-07T14:45:10.603-08:00USING MY PRIVILEGE TO PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH BY LONI NEILSON-KATTELL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBibJhBV2AgmK3eCQt9SMTzsRaUeNA-o9-Te1zFwqVPPkf_i-HvBtWB1i6eDgkLGiw1VaNq8vfl06FH_aXnQfxSFYmWYNp2LyogonQfbALPDpS08AnkSDq23phfCfkmva-1wToeqcmUDm/s1600/EmpowerMT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBibJhBV2AgmK3eCQt9SMTzsRaUeNA-o9-Te1zFwqVPPkf_i-HvBtWB1i6eDgkLGiw1VaNq8vfl06FH_aXnQfxSFYmWYNp2LyogonQfbALPDpS08AnkSDq23phfCfkmva-1wToeqcmUDm/s320/EmpowerMT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ten years ago, I stepped off a bus onto camp Paxson in Seeley Lake, MT. The leadership camp held by the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) now EmpowerMT changed my life. We learned about mistreatment and how to make connections with people I wouldn’t have otherwise invested in. We saw how oppression and violence affect all of us and what we can do to break the vicious cycle. We learned how leadership has no age limits and most of all we learned about ourselves. Ten plus years ago I attended Big Sky-High School as a leader. Now I have the opportunity to return to my alma mater and provide a safe space for youth.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSy4gH6s2BlCVkTptJDUqJCfieDg6t6nED-oHfGdptaR2pZawvVH8JqCbSKf-GG6MAoe5ocd1CDZNZu7O6RWmZVpxNAeazq2eWMchHkPyRSZ5r8hZK8vg7kSXzjp5osDQZe2dpiHsiUxz/s1600/EM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1448" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSy4gH6s2BlCVkTptJDUqJCfieDg6t6nED-oHfGdptaR2pZawvVH8JqCbSKf-GG6MAoe5ocd1CDZNZu7O6RWmZVpxNAeazq2eWMchHkPyRSZ5r8hZK8vg7kSXzjp5osDQZe2dpiHsiUxz/s200/EM2.jpg" width="200" /></a> Last year I started studying at Walla Walla University to pursue a master’s degree in social work. I was seeking a way to impact the world beyond myself. My undergraduate degree is in technical theatre with an emphasis in stage management and lighting design with a minor in psychology. I guess you could say that it has always been vital for me to let people be seen and heard. Fostering a safe space for creative expression to occur is therapy for many, but I needed to do something more. My studies have shown me that as a social worker we are here to serve others. I needed a practicum placement for school, and EmpowerMT was the first place that came to my heart. I befriended the AmeriCorps Leader, Kayla Szatkiewicz. She was such a bright light in the EmpowerMT organization. Her enthusiasm showed me the opportunities for service in EmpowerMT and Big Sky High School through AmeriCorps.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIcxPhM32pegFODePZCGVo_trM-nRStF6tC3-g3oW-8V9mv-odUMUZTMTqhScIVUpmG15zXrDRTkaC-9YV4T_EutLWve82nAlqFlB0DukzNISVHQ3KGy41GYsC1LlkYeqRy9GnxrBS97c/s1600/GSA+Meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIcxPhM32pegFODePZCGVo_trM-nRStF6tC3-g3oW-8V9mv-odUMUZTMTqhScIVUpmG15zXrDRTkaC-9YV4T_EutLWve82nAlqFlB0DukzNISVHQ3KGy41GYsC1LlkYeqRy9GnxrBS97c/s320/GSA+Meeting.jpg" width="320" /></a> Working with others, especially youth, has always been a passion of mine. As an AmeriCorps leader at EmpowerMT and Big Sky, I have no shortage of working with youth groups. Whether it is Big Sky’s Student Action Committee (SAC), or their Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), or EmpowerMT’s Afterschool program Empowering People Inspiring Change (EPIC) I have found that my investment in my future is well spent with the youth who are in fact my greatest teachers. They all continue to surprise and inspire my work with their ideas and values.<br />
Serving youth as a privileged white, straight, cisgender, and woman has been the most humbling experience. Working with middle and high schoolers surprisingly puts you in a very vulnerable place. I am continuing to learn and live in discomfort, and that is okay. By acknowledging who I am, my many identities, I am modeling to the youth how vulnerability and conversation put us on the right path to serve for the betterment of humanity. Due to my many identities and privileges, I am able to provide a safe space that fosters positivity, validation, processes, collaboration, and awareness. I am here to serve the youth so that we can create a better future and its an honor for me as an AmeriCorps leader to be with them so they can be seen and heard.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-69006452705980603282018-12-31T07:44:00.000-08:002018-12-31T07:44:38.739-08:00JUMP INTO SERVICE HEAD FIRST BY CLARA MOSER <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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Serving in Missoula at Big Sky High School has been both a tremendous transition and a rewarding adventure. While it is bizarre to be back in the middle of those high school days of anxious sweat, many heartbreaks, and the buzzing need for independence, I am so grateful to be able to stand beside these kids as they find their way.</div>
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I have been working primarily with the support staff team here at Big Sky. The support staff consists of counselors for each grade-level, a college graduation coach, dean of students, vice principals, a family resource center manager, the project success leader, the Native American specialist, and, thrown into the middle of it all, me!</div>
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From the first day I was incredibly moved by the resiliency of this team. They all gather together to work to best support students who are struggling, and they do so with so much emotional labor and empathy that it truly shows you what community accountability can look like. While their jobs are not easy, they are constantly engaged in the muck and grit of it all and are looking to always better themselves for their students. </div>
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At one point during an Americorps training we shared aloud Marge Piercy’s poem To Be of Use and related it to our service experience. Pierce begins the poem by declaring her admiration for those who “jump into work head first/ without dallying in the shallows.” The image of a person diving into the deep of a moment, without hesitation or pause, is one that Pierce draws us further and further into throughout the body of the poem. She likens those who dive “into work head first” to an ox sturdily shouldering a heavy load and to water buffalo “who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, “who do what has to be done, again and again.”</div>
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I find myself, here in Montana this Fall, straining once again in the mud and the muck. And that strain is what is simultaneously exciting, exhausting, and terrifying. I can’t say I imagine myself as always being the person Piercy admires in her poem, the one who always dives head first. It is something I have had to do, again and again, with more assurance of how the fall will break each time, but it is not something I do without hesitation, sometimes the shallows feel safe or sometimes necessary when you are exhausted from swimming. I feel so fortunate to be working alongside of a team of people who do this daily, and who are committed to caring and uplifting others daily. Although I began the year feeling burnt out on love, I have found over time an endless source of it in working with kids who, despite whatever obstacles and struggles, always find a way to come to my room and laugh about something, to take joy in being together and in learning from one another.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the past few months there’s been too much happening for me to even know where to begin explaining it all. In place of words, here are some pictures (with captions) to describe it all:</span></span></div>
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-29030640018812115212018-12-17T13:55:00.000-08:002018-12-17T13:55:13.164-08:00I DON'T WANNA MAKE THAT: THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN VISION AND REALITY BY CHANDLER PADGETT <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRgN1_eYjIrX1R8lReGI64U08ME_r-0jLJwjf80z2Hq27AjyGh_B2crDJHohMdksnWEBZ2I1jkUWNDAwdLABW73EP61q-_bwPnFhpjK2gU5q_chjKuqhJgmzmoBRsspIfVhgxAIC3s3e0/s1600/ChandlerPadgett-th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="109" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRgN1_eYjIrX1R8lReGI64U08ME_r-0jLJwjf80z2Hq27AjyGh_B2crDJHohMdksnWEBZ2I1jkUWNDAwdLABW73EP61q-_bwPnFhpjK2gU5q_chjKuqhJgmzmoBRsspIfVhgxAIC3s3e0/s200/ChandlerPadgett-th.jpg" width="155" /></a>As I approach a quarter year of service, I look back on what I’ve done so far with both wonder and a good deal of amusement. From the wackiness of helping build an escape room and making a spider out of a hay bale to the doldrums of mopping and serving yogurt, my time in Sidney has been an interesting experience. Out of it all, the service I’m most passionate about and have had the most fun with is my art history program.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyo_nHB70dIFrsRx0qp83Z_QNcEAtiu3Kq6mJ_fcDV5bMS0dFp4ytFr7ad-YjnAfIyf_gcK2U_k4VZ4Y5wdXBDwM9DKY4_mbwaVPRxaAfFh8geQEz-ibhetxzhV7UAPHGN2elKQ6AIfZE/s1600/Chandler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyo_nHB70dIFrsRx0qp83Z_QNcEAtiu3Kq6mJ_fcDV5bMS0dFp4ytFr7ad-YjnAfIyf_gcK2U_k4VZ4Y5wdXBDwM9DKY4_mbwaVPRxaAfFh8geQEz-ibhetxzhV7UAPHGN2elKQ6AIfZE/s200/Chandler.jpg" width="150" /></a>The program started with lofty goals and aspirations—we would tour the world through the lens of significant art, progressing through history with each week. These goals met with reality in a disastrous way during the program’s first day; as I tried to explain the meaning and uses of archaic pictographs, kindergartners pulled chalk out and started to run around; as I looked around the sidewalk at what everyone drew, all but two didn’t follow directions. Best of all was a unicorn poop tree, whatever that is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxT3fHQdInwAJQdQvBz56HC6OxrWaVdC7bor3cM-UoXQSv5lVhzDDpZu94ns5410DmdtS_KtQjn32LI31nY9mTrm_3xBuIidYkEW2qfGbg4E6vB4sbL6VmVr6u89BRbHk6mG1gOKVG2UP/s1600/Chandler+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxT3fHQdInwAJQdQvBz56HC6OxrWaVdC7bor3cM-UoXQSv5lVhzDDpZu94ns5410DmdtS_KtQjn32LI31nY9mTrm_3xBuIidYkEW2qfGbg4E6vB4sbL6VmVr6u89BRbHk6mG1gOKVG2UP/s320/Chandler+2.jpg" width="240" /></a>Now in December, I’ve learned valuable lessons about how to structure my programs and what goals I set for the students to learn. Primarily, I’ve lessened the restrictions on what they make, focusing more on what the students want to get out of the activity and less on what would be educationally ideal. It’s better to have an excited, engaged student doing what they prefer than a bored one doing what I do. As a result of this change, I’ve seen a lot of innovative and frequently amusing works that really showcase the individuality of students.<br />
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Although it’s never perfect and often challenging, I and a changing cast of students continue to engage, create interesting art, and learn a little about the past. As Timmy, the mountain with a face recently created during an Olmec clay activity would probably say, “there’s always gonna be another mountain.” AmeriCorps is a climb, I guess.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-65557938293066670552018-12-10T14:48:00.000-08:002018-12-10T14:48:46.182-08:00A TELESCOPE LOOKING IN BY EVERETT WALKER<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe2J4gPLVuyOy7-GHJ-5ssMjWYWDmY2iSvNKYXXMpFxs4B8-8FtB2CgYsOLVAuM5N-p7ejrb_-vnZBKbwKxhiM2e-Ujj6tnO3eQ5z7qhbk9S53TCGWKveess_f9vxd5pbPYbAoRsjHAkl/s1600/everett2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe2J4gPLVuyOy7-GHJ-5ssMjWYWDmY2iSvNKYXXMpFxs4B8-8FtB2CgYsOLVAuM5N-p7ejrb_-vnZBKbwKxhiM2e-Ujj6tnO3eQ5z7qhbk9S53TCGWKveess_f9vxd5pbPYbAoRsjHAkl/s200/everett2.jpg" width="150" /></a>I find myself at odds with how to really convey much of anything in this blog. I’m here to serve, I felt a call and had to find where that call was coming from. I’m almost thirty with 3 kids and I’m married. I used to sit in a cubicle and sell insurance over the phone and I was good at it. I can connect with people quickly and serve his/her needs in about twenty minutes, another ten to get the policy or policies rolling and after 11 hours in the building I would clock out and go home with my wife. We would pick up our 3 beautiful kids and make dinner and eat, snuggle play games do bath time. In the back of my mind, I was losing it. I was fighting a losing battle with depression and put on a smile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUQCFpqtsJY_DgNghB9MW5puyeTLussg5yNl5UNd1gsBoCc5THVPjf1nzGXsYidChe_ZA3KgKKolXNOqACdLP8kP8sJxsBOl5uVAA6sy0ryaaaud1YY6GhKsi-f-k-YEesUhQgIvsvBSd/s1600/everett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUQCFpqtsJY_DgNghB9MW5puyeTLussg5yNl5UNd1gsBoCc5THVPjf1nzGXsYidChe_ZA3KgKKolXNOqACdLP8kP8sJxsBOl5uVAA6sy0ryaaaud1YY6GhKsi-f-k-YEesUhQgIvsvBSd/s320/everett.jpg" width="240" /></a>As a dad, I felt a call to be better. As a husband I heard a call to be better, and as a patriot I couldn’t ignore the call to do better. So I started looking, high and low, for a cause. I looked at the UN, never heard back from that application, I looked at politicians running for office in Colorado that I could get behind, I looked so much that I lost my heart and felt nothing but a deafening call to be, what, better? My depression and anxiety was giving me a run for my money, I was having panic attacks in my car on the way to work. One evening I read my emails and one said, “ Hey, finish your application please. We think you’d be a good fit for this position.” So I jumped up in my kitchen and let out a squeal. The bird squawked at me, my dog was on alert and my wife looked at me from across the table like I was crazy. My heart was racing as I finished the last bit. A few days later I was having interviews for Montana and Colorado, I had this amazing opportunity at my feet. I moved before I received the offer, in fact I was leaving Colorado Springs the morning Lana sent it to me. My response was a picture of the UHaul. I fell in love with Missoula just reading about it, I had to do something different and had several interviews lined up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpKlndXceI6ot7wgLdgIQaVbyTlrH8RNsQXx4fSvBo7SrHus_-cEEJHiydQbFKvs_mDb6-o3GyPMKGncEKCQye0jWfItbFUyxgTG9r168KheWP9s_enShoiuCPVaGvP9jP0k3Zi9eTby6/s1600/20181023_131629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1072" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpKlndXceI6ot7wgLdgIQaVbyTlrH8RNsQXx4fSvBo7SrHus_-cEEJHiydQbFKvs_mDb6-o3GyPMKGncEKCQye0jWfItbFUyxgTG9r168KheWP9s_enShoiuCPVaGvP9jP0k3Zi9eTby6/s320/20181023_131629.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaZNAi93tKPy3ToXVEjQkKq6cPVNJoeLEjzHeAYz-AH8pW1qNSBm7Fta6tcsOBBgWvkxgCPbKLSLWydHGtyzxe3Cjfs6xGZeHQUswtTLTvLUg6F7YCpWRADpyecpgSJ3zueSyX7D7Wp6z/s1600/FRAME2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaZNAi93tKPy3ToXVEjQkKq6cPVNJoeLEjzHeAYz-AH8pW1qNSBm7Fta6tcsOBBgWvkxgCPbKLSLWydHGtyzxe3Cjfs6xGZeHQUswtTLTvLUg6F7YCpWRADpyecpgSJ3zueSyX7D7Wp6z/s320/FRAME2.JPG" width="320" /></a>The best part of all of this is that I’m here right now, getting things done. I am able to be better as a dad, as a husband and do better as a patriot. I grew up learning to love my country, not just the land, constitution, flag or consumerism but the people. We are all connected to one another. We all have a stake in what is happening. I was never able to serve my country the way my dad, his dad and his dad, so on and so forth did; but this is my way and my path. It’s narrow right now but at the end of it are endless possibilities. What is giving my heart and mind a rest is knowing that what I’m doing here matters. Being a Leader, taking a huge cut in pay and dragging my family over a thousand miles was worth it. I’m making a difference, I’m proud to be a part of something larger than myself and to push it forward. I appreciate being able to show my children at an early age what service is. I also serve in a very cool host site and have felt like a kid in a candy shop the whole time.<br />
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I think the point here is that this service has helped me take care of not only my adopted community of Missoula, but also myself and my family. The service is the true reward.<br />
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Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-79576259089314879202018-12-03T09:18:00.000-08:002018-12-03T09:19:54.740-08:00 MY AMERICORPS SERVICE THROUGH THE WORDS OF BEAT POETS BY AMBER DECHAINE <a href="http://www.mtcompact.org/files/staff/AmberDechaine-th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amber Dechaine" border="0" src="http://www.mtcompact.org/files/staff/AmberDechaine-th.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a><b><i>“None of us understand what we are doing, but we do beautiful things anyways” -Allan Ginsberg. </i></b><br />
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That is how my year of service began. Confusion and chaos amongst paperwork and packing boxes. I was unsure of what I was committing to and how I would budget bills and expenses with only a living stipend at my disposal. It wasn’t until orientation that it began to sink in. Three days spent with people I have never met. Team building, sharing meals, service learning. In those three days we learned about our mutual connection. The passion to give something of ourselves to those in need.<br />
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<i><b>“Some people like neat suburbs. I always am attracted to the rundown and the old and the offbeat.” – William S Burroughs. </b></i><br />
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A background in social work is what I brought to my service project. An education in how social injustice has been the foundation of our society. My career path has been an investment in serving the underserved. Hearing the stories, and the trauma, and the confusion, and the tears of the “rundown and the offbeat.”<br />
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<i><b>“I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.” – Jack Kerouac</b></i><br />
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I landed at the Montana Career Lab, a unit inside of the Research and Analysis bureau inside of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. I had no background in career development, I had no background in labor and industry. I had only the experience that at the age of 18 I had no idea about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. How could I commit four years to one degree when I didn’t know if I would use it, how much it would cost me, and if it was something I would remain passionate about for years to come.<br />
I have come to realize that I landed at the Montana Career Lab because I wanted to make that experience better for others.<br />
While serving with the Montana Career Lab I have been able to work with their newly developed curriculum called “Careers Build a Community.” This curriculum was developed to help expose youth, in first through third grades, to the concept of careers and the idea that every career is valuable inside of a community. So far, my service has allowed me to network with educators and parents from an age population that the Montana Career Lab has not yet connected with. We have attended conferences, spoken to organizations, and I will soon be putting the curriculum to use with afterschool programs throughout the Helena School District.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVRYI93zZ0feMsxqKLViTRjVuzu_b93JncMV-dizhyphenhyphenF_aswev0CDDlzlMqHxQDoTg8kUcQUElDp9b2UUBoLbKFTP23ETRTjJHxdmAlpbiAEGDM0szilWKW-PP8XjFOZKIz2MCGSLxzyRG/s1600/amber2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="443" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVRYI93zZ0feMsxqKLViTRjVuzu_b93JncMV-dizhyphenhyphenF_aswev0CDDlzlMqHxQDoTg8kUcQUElDp9b2UUBoLbKFTP23ETRTjJHxdmAlpbiAEGDM0szilWKW-PP8XjFOZKIz2MCGSLxzyRG/s320/amber2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For me it has been difficult to see other AmeriCorps leaders working with students daily and doing very direct work. Part of my inspiration to serve with AmeriCorps was to get that direct experience with youth and to make a lasting impact on their lives. My background in social work allows me to take a step back and understand that I AM making an impact. Creating change on a larger, more macro level so that students for years to come can better understand what a career is and the value of exploring these ideas through every step of their education.<br />
So not only do I get to work on implementing change on a larger scale, but this winter I will also get to directly work with youth on a part time basis. Perhaps the best of both worlds.<br />
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<b><i>“Find your place on the planet. Dig in and take responsibility from there.” -Gary Snyder</i></b><br />
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I don’t know if this is “my place” but I do know that every step along this journey, things have fallen into place. My decision to serve with AmeriCorps, move to Montana, and dedicate my time to helping students of all ages gain access to career development resources, all this coming together makes it feel like a custom fitted experience, tailor made for my journey.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczXZDYhY8EbiYgN4bfz8zBqi2nSk9_tNZh_pciHCBt-9uqo2dfHVE50Yyexil6Yv0rCAmZY9S7cXPp-iTQn7WmqClilCEZCAAypOKfPwKOwxrGxRVthuLfYi6KTJraz3D2a3iTt6sIrXS/s1600/amber3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="523" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczXZDYhY8EbiYgN4bfz8zBqi2nSk9_tNZh_pciHCBt-9uqo2dfHVE50Yyexil6Yv0rCAmZY9S7cXPp-iTQn7WmqClilCEZCAAypOKfPwKOwxrGxRVthuLfYi6KTJraz3D2a3iTt6sIrXS/s640/amber3.jpg" width="640" /></a><b><i>“And so love goes. And so life goes. And so I go.” -Neal Cassady</i></b>Lana Petriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612456162646709385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009028771191715108.post-66956398143907141692018-11-28T11:39:00.000-08:002018-11-28T11:39:57.923-08:00Alumni Spotlight: Emily Clark<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lsz5t0WKMW5yaVX2cJVYZzFnvD_1rGXAOmB3_7doJxI8SjvsHgU_-j2-sJyWWIyTN7soqDybh-pLH-O5Gvigok9FQC6wRArwMODt32-NJ_lu7WXFZJE1Sp6kgl9qHj_3Y1LeUKWJtBQ/s1600/Emily+Clark+-MTCC+Campus+Corps.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lsz5t0WKMW5yaVX2cJVYZzFnvD_1rGXAOmB3_7doJxI8SjvsHgU_-j2-sJyWWIyTN7soqDybh-pLH-O5Gvigok9FQC6wRArwMODt32-NJ_lu7WXFZJE1Sp6kgl9qHj_3Y1LeUKWJtBQ/s320/Emily+Clark+-MTCC+Campus+Corps.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Emily served as both an <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=309962672389562&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCS8PBrIgVLr88kfNmv6aQuhpQTpxEgEMNzwqaiiyybKjOnExapaSFbhfCBoPWCoqzVU6trIcob3gGl%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/americorps/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARCS8PBrIgVLr88kfNmv6aQuhpQTpxEgEMNzwqaiiyybKjOnExapaSFbhfCBoPWCoqzVU6trIcob3gGl&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAF0ofymynUzStSYJ85U5dN8uZ6fkHYzLmT2vDyvw54BMbhOnpbkdzU7DyET7Hnuzx5BsQc9FaVz2i9UW5fhhzzpJMiIDA5gscheUlDcXP3KgvcF2SC2clGSHzVqigCUZ1VIlP_WWum7pumjZT_vKcVX5sWoQAhVUjxX4Al48QT8gzhcJp2wYZ-OrUuY8pf7PhWtTZAsbXMhru9fVzyNOx7v9iLFWrK-Sch0orzIdHietRT0lUJJ7c05Ud1kp1kvmpqfhqRQhCNDwF5Nr1s_pjKGPqxpfYuSDv5b3rpjPXmVVklYO0xiQW-tOG2PQfLYmaw" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">AmeriCorps</a> Leader at Montana <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=300855542397&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARB0MJAB4F9R4943jM0-07Mc9Lyzr9YR503ZwDDzmn5Vkz-qqoXgJeCqK57LL7Df8KJQ0m27jSJIufMT%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/CampusCompact/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARB0MJAB4F9R4943jM0-07Mc9Lyzr9YR503ZwDDzmn5Vkz-qqoXgJeCqK57LL7Df8KJQ0m27jSJIufMT&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAF0ofymynUzStSYJ85U5dN8uZ6fkHYzLmT2vDyvw54BMbhOnpbkdzU7DyET7Hnuzx5BsQc9FaVz2i9UW5fhhzzpJMiIDA5gscheUlDcXP3KgvcF2SC2clGSHzVqigCUZ1VIlP_WWum7pumjZT_vKcVX5sWoQAhVUjxX4Al48QT8gzhcJp2wYZ-OrUuY8pf7PhWtTZAsbXMhru9fVzyNOx7v9iLFWrK-Sch0orzIdHietRT0lUJJ7c05Ud1kp1kvmpqfhqRQhCNDwF5Nr1s_pjKGPqxpfYuSDv5b3rpjPXmVVklYO0xiQW-tOG2PQfLYmaw" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Campus Compact</a>, and later as a staff member! Of the service year, Emily said "I was able to witness inspirational community service occurring across the vast state of Montana. MTCC college student members served a breadth of community needs: from health classes at the Poplar Wellness Center with Fort Peck Community College to the TRIO peer tutoring at UM Western in Dillon. MTCC fostered collaborations between non-profits and college campuses to meet community needs and encouraged student members to be proactive citizens. I feel fortunate to have met many engaged and charitable Montanas while working for MTCC."</div>
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Emily is currently a hydrologist with <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=50837602367&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARAOYsfedmLlUY9mcLnDLZ63x3OzLw09jXTvi_wrEm4HotQ6maq6wWJpXyxodaIMxEu5WNUkt6yREGsG%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/wgmgroup/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAOYsfedmLlUY9mcLnDLZ63x3OzLw09jXTvi_wrEm4HotQ6maq6wWJpXyxodaIMxEu5WNUkt6yREGsG&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAF0ofymynUzStSYJ85U5dN8uZ6fkHYzLmT2vDyvw54BMbhOnpbkdzU7DyET7Hnuzx5BsQc9FaVz2i9UW5fhhzzpJMiIDA5gscheUlDcXP3KgvcF2SC2clGSHzVqigCUZ1VIlP_WWum7pumjZT_vKcVX5sWoQAhVUjxX4Al48QT8gzhcJp2wYZ-OrUuY8pf7PhWtTZAsbXMhru9fVzyNOx7v9iLFWrK-Sch0orzIdHietRT0lUJJ7c05Ud1kp1kvmpqfhqRQhCNDwF5Nr1s_pjKGPqxpfYuSDv5b3rpjPXmVVklYO0xiQW-tOG2PQfLYmaw" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">WGM Group, Inc.</a>.Thanks for your service, Emily!</div>
<br />Claire Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595175148210987127noreply@blogger.com0