The real heroes of impossible2Possible are the Youth Ambassadors. They not only defy any perceived physical or mental barriers in their own lives, but they truly inspire the thousands of students who follow their every step during an expedition.
These Youth Ambassadors lead positive social action and are therefore ideal role models for today's youth.
Emma has just graduated from high school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where she was on the cross-country running, soccer, basketball, track, and rugby teams. Sports have always been a big part of Emma's life, and through these sports she has learned the importance of teamwork, translating to the better good for everyone, rather than focusing on one's self. She is now playing on Team Alberta for Rugby and playing club soccer. Within the school, Emma was an active member of Student Council, played the clarinet in the Concert Band, and took part in a Sports Medicine Program, where she was the athletic trainer for the senior boys basketball team. Emma contributed to the school community in many ways and was recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, including "Valued Student", "Class Act", Honour Society and two athletic scholarships.
After the expedition, Emma is going to travel in India and Asia, spending time volunteering in orphanages and schools, along with wildlife sanctuaries. In fall of 2012, she plans to be attending the University of Calgary studying environmental sciences.
Emma has had many wilderness adventures including two-week canoe trips on challenging rivers and lakes throughout Canada, which has inspired her to work towards protecting the environment. Traveling with her family to different parts of the world has given Emma the opportunity to experience different cultures and appreciate how fortunate many of us are in Canada. She cares deeply about making the world a better place for everyone, which makes her extremely excited to be able to be a part of this expedition to hopefully inspire others.
Emma is passionate about sport and adventure and loves being able to push herself harder than she has ever gone, challenging herself with different tasks. Emma dreams to help change lives for the better by promoting healthy lifestyles.
Jessica is currently a senior at Lake Erie College in Painesville, OH. While majoring in Biology with a Pre-Nursing concentration, she plans on attending graduate school to earn her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. With having such a passion for children, she plans to go into the field of Pediatrics in the Hematology and Oncology unit and hopes to join The American Cancer Society in the pledge for creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. As her dad lives in China, Jessica has traveled to several countries. In doing so, she has learned about many different cultures, and cannot wait to add India to the list.
Jessica is a football and basketball cheerleader for the Lake Erie College Storm and she has cheered for over 10 years. Being involved in running track in high school, she was used to only running sprints up to 400 meters. Her mind set quickly changed when she got into training for a half marathon and started running 5K races left and right. Jessica strongly believes in the quote by Tommy Lasorda, "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." Although Jessica is busy with her studies, cheering, running and balancing a job, she still finds time to volunteer, which is her biggest passion. As Co-President of Students Making A Difference, Secretary of Student Government Association, Secretary of Mortar Board, and a member of Student Athletic Advisory Committee, she puts in many hours volunteering and could not see a better way to spend her free time. Jessica is extremely honored to receive such an opportunity and cannot wait to share her life-changing experience with others.
Hi guys! I'm Harshveer from Ranchi, India. Ranchi is an upcoming town and is the capital of Jharkhand state. I have hardly spent time at Ranchi. I've studied at a boarding school – The Lawrence School, Lovedale since the sixth grade. My school's motto is 'Never Give In'. The I2P team and the motto are going to be my strength during the expedition. In school, I had the opportunity to play a variety of sports and I represented my school in Cricket, Football, Tennis and Table Tennis but I hated cross country. I did my graduation in Business Administration from Mumbai. During my stay at Mumbai, I discovered my passion for running and cycling. I have been running several half-marathons and do as much cycling that I can. It's my fuel for life now. Ever since my first half marathon, I have been highly motivated to perform better at similar events.
I had been working in my family business at Ranchi after my graduation and I am currently preparing for my post-graduate exam. I want to be an entrepreneur and I am always buzzing with business ideas.
I am also looking forward to the expedition as it is going to test my limits and let me interact with people around the world. The expedition will be by far the coolest, amazing and the most insane thing that I will do in my life. I never believed that I could ever do anything of this sort but with each passing day I anticipate to do my best. I want to thank everybody who supports my running and I2P for making me a part of the India expedition. Fellows, I'm ready for the pain and ready to sweat. Let the MADNESS begin!!!
Patrick is currently in his third year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville studying Construction Management and International Business. Unlike many of the other Youth Ambassadors, Patrick has never been involved in strictly "running" sports throughout his life, but rather has been extremely active in football, baseball, and basketball since he was young. In addition, he has been riding/racing dirt bikes since the age of 4 and competes in hare scrambles, enduros, and motocross.
While in high school, Patrick was involved in three sports and was named an All-Academic Athlete for Baseball, Basketball, and Football, in addition to being named an Illinois State Scholar his senior year. While in high school, Patrick was active in Student Council, serving as a representative and class president, in addition to being active in his local FFA chapter where he held the position of Treasurer. After high school, he decided to take his studies to University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he soon decided to begin his travels. He studied abroad in Newcastle, Australia during his second semester where he made new friends, learned about/experienced a different culture, and learned to surf. He then chose to leave Wisconsin again his fourth semester to study abroad in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. During his studies there, Patrick volunteered weekly at Sinethemba Children's Home and made use of every second in the beautiful country by traveling, surfing, playing rugby, and learning about/experiencing the different cultures.
Patrick is an outdoor enthusiast and also enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, sky diving, and bungy jumping. His enthusiasm and desire to explore, interact, and learn is what pushed him to apply for the Youth Ambassador position for the "Expedition India". He loves to live in the moment and take advantage of any and every opportunity presented to him to broaden his knowledge of the world, and to help change the world through his personal experiences and activities. He is extremely grateful for the opportunity he has been presented by i2P and knows that his work will be cut out for him, but also knows that every ounce of pain and every drop of sweat will be worth it in the end.
Ashley is currently studying Sociology and Human Ecology in her 4th year at the University of Western Ontario. More than anything, she believes that we should be the change we wish to see in the world.
Incurably optimistic, outgoing, and bursting with both energy as well as curiosity, Ashley has an innate desire for discovery, exploring, and a good laugh! With hobbies ranging from horseback riding, dancing, modeling, gymnastics to rock climbing, she is always looking for her next adventure. A former international athlete in Aesthetic Group Gymnastics, Ashley competed at the World championships from 2004-2008. Additionally, she is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player, downhill skier, and world traveler!
Having attended a liberal arts high school in Toronto, Ontario, Ashley graduated with a specialization in Screen Arts. While there, she was vice-president of the student council as well as president of the United Way committee. Ashley led a team of volunteers in raising over $8,000 in donations towards the United Way! She has a passion for volunteering and makes it a habit to do so multiple times a week. Her volunteer service includes fundraising for local charities, volunteering as a youth mentor, assisting teaching in classrooms as well as international service learning. In 2009, Ashley traveled to the Dominican Republic where she volunteered teaching English to local orphaned and disadvantaged children. In 2010 she ventured to Costa Rica where she traveled to rural islands to set up drop-in medical clinics. During February 2011, Ashley and 21 other students went to Urubamba, Peru to build a water tank for a local school's vegetable garden. Her involvement in school clubs has extended throughout her university career and has brought her to new organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Pre-Education Society and Learning it Together. Most recently in 2011, Ashley was selected as a Youth Ambassador for the i2P Expedition Bolivia and had the incredible opportunity to help Educate, Inspire, and Empower youth worldwide while running 200km across the Salar de Uyuni.
Ryan is currently a senior at Pendleton High School in Pendleton, Oregon. He has devoted much of his time and energy to positively impacting his town, state and the world! His three passions are community service, leadership and athletics. Recently in 2011, Ryan was selected as a Youth Ambassador for the i2P Expedition Bolivia: La Ruta de Sal.
Aside from being an honor and AP student, he is president of two clubs: Key Club and ASTRA Club, and is president of his senior class. He also serves on the Oregon Association of Students Councils Student Executive Board where he empowers students statewide to become leaders in their communities. He also organizes several service projects annually. He has been awarded Oregon Leader of the Year 2010, Nestle Very Best in Youth 2011, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Award, and Outstanding Teen 2010. In June 2011, he was awarded the National Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award for his community and leadership efforts and was elected Secretary of State at the annual Oregon Boys State program.
International diplomacy really sparked Ryan's mind after experiencing Bolivia. He loved the people, the culture and the Spanish language while running there. His aspiration is to attend Brigham Young University to study International Relations, Political Science, and Spanish. Ryan's current dream is to become a diplomat to represent the United States of America in a Spanish-speaking foreign country.
With athletics, Ryan is an enthusiastic and devoted runner; he ran his first marathon his freshman year in high school at the age of 14. He now leads his varsity cross country and track team as team captain. Ryan is also the first boy from his high school to run a 16-minute 5K. And of course, one day he wants to run the Boston Marathon!
Jessica graduated from Notre Dame College where she studied Marketing and Fine Art. While there she was a three-sport athlete, competing in softball, track and volleyball, where she served as team captain for her senior year! Athletics has given Jessica the motivation and determination to be a leader in sports and to excel in academics.
In school, Jessica was involved with many programs such as being resident assistant, with responsibilities of communicating with 50+ students on a daily basis, on and off campus. In addition, Jessica established an Adventure Recreation group where she got to share her love for the outdoors to students of Notre Dame College. She was also involved with the Students Athlete Advisory Committee, Habitat for Humanity and Students in Service.
Jessica enjoys challenging her physical limits with a number of outdoor activities such as trail running, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, snowboarding, road biking, hiking and much more. She has competed in a sprint triathlon, finishing second in her age group. She has also completed 100K bike rides, 5K & 10K running races and recently a 200K running expedition in Bolivia.
Being pushed to her own physical and mental limits during Expedition Bolivia, Jessica was so fortunate to be part of the educational adventure which inspired others to learn that there are no limits. All of her life, Jessica has looked up to people who inspire and empower others to bring change to the world. After witnessing youth and adults following Expedition Bolivia, she feels one step closing to being one of those who inspire. Expedition Bolivia changed her life forever, helping her perceive the person she has always wanted to be. Jessica is now searching for her next challenge to push herself to her limits once again - she is training for triathlons and looking at ultra marathons!
Sierra is currently a second semester freshman at New Mexico State University. She graduated from Bosque School, a small liberal arts high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She graduated high school with high honors, participating in both Latin and Spanish for all four years. She was the recipient of the Bobcat Award, which is given to a student who is a competent multi-sport athlete, who demonstrates academic excellence and is a prominent figure in the Bosque School community. Throughout her four years in high school she played both Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Tennis, winning three tennis state championships. She was in two community service groups for over three years, Key Club and Operation Smile and was also an active member in two additional groups, Model United Nations and Spanish Honor Society.
In the summer of 2009, she went on a 30-day back packing trip through the Wind River Wilderness where she collectively hiked over 117 miles and climbed a total of 19,505 ft with a pack weighing as much as 60 lbs. Also during this trip she successfully completed a 72 hour fast while challenged by the harsh conditions of the wilderness. She was the winner of the Aldo Leopold Essay Contest in which participants were asked to write a letter to Aldo Leopold, the great naturalist and author, explaining why his ideas are relevant today. "Mr. Leopold, although what you wrote so many years ago seems ancient to the modern generation, the message holds a deeper meaning today, as we battle ourselves in trying to preserve a world where things are less trivial and where a gust of wind may be telling us more than we know." Since she has returned from her trip she has been crazy busy balancing everything in her college life! This semester, Sierra was elected to be the president of philanthropy for her sorority, which has brought new challenges but also great rewards. Sierra will travel to South Korea for a semester of study abroad in the fall of 2011 and is thrilled to live in and experience another culture!
Hey there! My name is Isaiah Gilson my traditional name is Duthala; I am a 20 year old Southern Tutchone from the Yukon Territory. I am a member of the Kluane First Nations. I come from a very diverse background, also being Southern Tutchone; I am Powwatan, Tlingit, Norwegian, and English. As far back as I can remember I have always been adventurous and the explorer type. There are even a couple of stories of when I was child of me running away from home, during my bath time. All my Mom saw was my little bum running down the street.
Growing up I was on the land hunting frequently. And so I was always curious about “What's behind that mountain?!” or “Where does this trail lead to?” be it I'm in a city looking for cool and interesting places to hang out, or looking into a direction I want to go straight into the bush, I love exploring and reaching new heights.
My biggest role models in my life are the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, my Mom, one of my other father figures Francis, and much more of course. I am a grade 12 graduate of Amiskwaciy Academy; the school incorporates a lot of the Cree culture into the curriculum. During my time there I learned a great deal about Native culture and spirituality. I believe that life needs balance, I am very traditional with my heritage, but also I live in a modern society; as I like to say “I walk with a moccasin on one foot and a sneaker on the other”.
I try to be a open minded individual, as I see it if we are open to the world around us, then we can fully utilize opportunity, if we close out minds to the world around us in life we close that opportunity to learn from it. I do find value in a higher education, but at the moment I'm taking the time to learn about life and my heritage. Having an Aboriginal background my culture is a big part of my life it teaches me to respect the land, mother earth, and all life around me.
My goal in life is to help my people in a great aspect, as well as just people in general. I identify as being part of the human race, as well being Aboriginal, side by side. “My purpose in life is to help my people, once I fulfill that purpose, so will my purpose in life” Nelson Mandela. I am stoked for the opportunity that i2P has given me; I know it will help assist me in my life journey.
Jessie is currently in grade 12 at Parkland Composite High school in Edson, AB, Canada. She is a member of the Edmonton Triathlon Academy and will be racing her first year of Junior Elite this year. Jessie believes in living an active and healthy lifestyle. Aside from triathlon she enjoys being in the outdoors and participates in activities such as hiking, scuba diving, cross country skiing, and cross country running. This winter Jessie competed in her first loppet. Jessie likes to challenge her mental and physical limits, and believes nothing is Impossible.
Jessie's other passion is philanthropic work. She believes that we all have the power to create change. Jessie started a group called Create a Better Future at age 14, the idea behind the group was to think of creative ways to fundraise locally as well as globally. Their motto is 'Youth Helping Youth'. The first initial fundraiser was a student art auction for Help Sudan; through this fundraiser $12000 was raised to build the first water well in Thawnwei Sudan. The local Rotary Club got behind the idea and Jessie started the first youth Interact group was created in Edson Alberta.
Jessie is currently the past president of the local Interact club and there is over 30 youth involved between the ages of 12- 18. In June 2010 Create a Better Future raised an additional $10 000 to help complete the school in Thawnwei Sudan. In May they will be hosting an art auction and selling tickets for a play to fundraise the remainder of the money required to complete the school. They are well on their way to achieving their goal of raising enough money to make Thawnwei a self sustained community in Sudan. One of Jessie's goals in life is to educate youth about the current issues that face our world, and inspire them to create change.
Jessie is very passionate about environmental issues and hopes to pursue a career in Biology. Jessie will be attending University next year most likely in Edmonton Alberta.
Bridget is currently in her third year of her undergraduate degree studying environmental science at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. She is a division 2 volleyball player for the Storm and will be playing her final season in the fall. She has competed in two half marathons, a sprint triathlon and a 100k bike ride in honor of her grandma (Baba) for the America Diabetes Association. Bridget was blessed with the chance to belong to the Amazon Expedition Team in October 2010 and was thrilled to see the beautiful ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest. Although Ohio is her home, Bridget has taken her studies to Port Elizabeth, South Africa for the spring 2011 semester. While in P.E., she spends two and a half hours a week at Masifunde, a homework club located in a nearby township, helping students in grades 3-8 with their studies. Wildlife conservation is her main interest and it is easy to see the steps South Africa is taking to preserve their precious flora and fauna. Bridget's plans for the future hopefully include graduate school for wildlife conservation and a term in the peace corps in hopes that she can relay the importance of the environment and how to preserve it.
Andy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2010 with a degree in history. In January and February he traveled to Kenya where he lived at the Creation of Hope orphanage in the village of Kikima and taught at the nearby Kyangoma Primary School. The orphanage is supported through a project organized by Eric Walters, a fellow i2P alum, who ensures that 100% of donations go to helping the children. Teaching English, math, science, and physical education to middle schoolers while totally immersing himself in the culture of Kenya was truly life-changing for Andy and can be relived at www.andyinkenya.wordpress.com. He is now seeking employment to finance hopefully another adventure before enrolling in medical school in July or August. Right now it looks like he will attend the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine, but a couple other schools remain in the mix.
Hailing from Yellowknife, NWT, Jill is an athlete and student. With the one-year anniversary of Running Tunisia approaching, she is re-evaluating her goals and reflecting on a year that she tags as 'the best of times, and the worst of times'. Running Tunisia for her was completely life changing. Every aspect of the experience from the beautiful landscape, and the physical exertion, to the incredible team, and the inspiring students was indescribably awesome. With her short track speed skating season finished, she will return home to Yellowknife to work and plan for her next year. When not training in Calgary, she keeps busy studying kinesiology and doing what she can to contribute to Impossible2Possible. While at home she plans on setting some new goals for her life, all of which will start with one that she learned from Ray and Bob and everyone who is apart of i2P; to live each day passionately!!!
Connor is a first year student at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario where he is studying International Development. He is a member of the University of Guelph Cross Country and Track & Field teams as well as the 2009 BC High School Cross Country Provincial Champion. A native of Kelowna, BC, Connor was a member of his high school's Rotary-Interact Club for 3 years where he held Vice-President, President and Past-President positions. Connor was also the Grad President at his high school and was awarded the 2009 Kelowna High School Male Athlete of the Year Award. In grade 12, he put on an event at his school called KSS in the Congo, a weeklong event to raise money to build a school in a war torn area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through incredibly generous support, over $10,000 was raised to build a school in the small village in the mountains of High Plateau, DRC. He has been raised in an incredible family and has lived in Kelowna his whole life. He is an outdoor enthusiast who loves snowboarding, waterskiing, hiking, camping, swimming and biking. Connor was a Youth Ambassador on the impossible2Possible Running Tunisia expedition in April of 2010 where he got a firsthand look at the water crisis in the Sahara Desert. This experience has inspired him to continue working with impossible2Possible and do his part to make a difference! He put together the following video to recap his expedition in Africa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PITi2eAhZmo
Kajsa is currently living in Whistler, BC as a full-time cross-country skiing athlete. She is training with the Callaghan Valley Development Centre in hopes of one day making the National and Olympic teams. Kajsa volunteers with coaching younger skiers in her club and works with coaches to develop their own technique. She hopes to encourage young athletes in any way she can and inspire youth to dream big and challenge themselves in all aspects of life. Although the life and travelling schedule of a full-time athlete makes it difficut for school, Kajsa is committed to studying correspondence courses, focusing on literature, geography, and social sciences. Her expedition to Tunisia taught her many things, and made her more interested in human geography and water crisis throughout the world.
Kathleen is a very energetic, young Inuk who grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. She has been drawn to learn more about her culture and about the environment that surrounds her. Her drive to become closer with the ancient Inuit culture has led her to become a skilled Throat Singer and performs regularly to raise awareness of this ancient art. Through her studies at Nunavut Sivuniksavut, she has become very interested in the changing Arctic. Over the last year, she has learned a lot about changes the Inuit have gone through in the past and how the changes have had some negative impacts on Inuit life, simply because it happened too fast and Inuit as a people we're not prepared. She has realized that global warming, will affect her culture and their way of life. People in the north will come to experience just as much change as Inuit in the past, and the changes are already taking shape. She wants to help raise the awareness of the impending affects to the northern people and prepare them for the coming years. Kathleen sees this expedition as another learning tool, a way to expand her knowledge of the reality that Northern Canada faces. Her goal is to come back from the expedition and share her memories and experiences with other young Inuit, as well as other Canadians. She feels, it is important that people are educated about the world around us. Kathleen is confident this journey will be an experience that she utilizes in the future to inspire and educate those she comes in contact with.
Thomsen is a 22-year old Métis hailing from Yellowknife, NT who pursues his Olympic dreams full-time as a cross country skier based out of Whistler, BC. Since the age of 17 he has been co-owner of Mountain Bike Madness, a summer day camp based out of Yellowknife. The camp focuses on getting kids ages 9-13 outdoors, having a great time, and living healthy lifestyles. Although school work is currently taking a backseat in his life, Thomsen continues to dabble in part-time correspondence studies, with a general interest in the Sciences. Although he specializes in races less than 3 minutes in length, Thomsen got his first taste of Ultra racing in March 2009 by winning the diamond in the 3-day, 135km Rock and Ice Ultra K-Rock ski race and plans to compete in similar events in the future."
Hi, you may remember me as Manda Cobbs-Russell from the Baffin Island expedition! The Baffin Island expedition was by far one of the most inspirational, difficult, and rewarding times of my life. I learned so much about climate change and its impacts on the high latitudes, experienced a rich Inuit culture so different from my own in California, and helped inspire children about the world that surrounds them. The opportunity to trek the Akshayuk Pass opened my eyes to the impact, no matter how small, that we all can make on a global scale. Along with my husband Marcus, who encouraged me to apply to be an ambassador, we hope to be the same positive influence in our own community in Murrieta. I have always enjoyed playing water polo, swimming, hiking, kayaking, surfing, and playing softball, but after the expedition I found new loves in running and competing in triathlons.
I grew up in Harbor City, a city of Los Angeles, in Southern California and now live in the Temecula Valley. I went to Vista Murrieta High School and played water polo and swam for my school; there I had amazing teachers that helped me discover and pursue my love for the sciences. I received a Bachelors of Science in Conservation Biology with a minor in Environmental Chemistry from the University of California Riverside in 2011. I am now pursuing my masters, again at UCR, working on stable isotopes and their conservational and ecological applications. I hope to one day obtain a PhD, utilizing environmental science concepts to solve conservation problems, so that I can aid non-profits in their conservation efforts. Conservation is the focus of my life and work. I believe that to save ourselves we must turn to saving the precious biotic and abiotic platforms of our lives; from water to bower birds, from phytoplankton to polar bears and every amphibian, reptile, plant, and fungi in between. Human kind as a whole needs to stand for conserving the very species that allow us to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and ignite the imaginations of not only ourselves, but for future generations. Impossible2Possible is a wonderful window of which we can all use to view and invest in our futures, by first investing in our children.
Tamara is a lifelong athlete, competing in gymnastics since early childhood. As a young teenager she competed at the provincial level in trampoline and gymnastics and is now continuing her passion through coaching. The vigorous training and conditioning over the years has allowed her to develop an extremely strong work ethic. The countless hours of hard work taught her how to push beyond her perceived limits to achieve what she thought was unreachable. This dedication showed when her best friend was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Tamara and three others championed an effort and raised $30,000 to help the family with medical expenses. Through their efforts they helped the family through a very difficult and trying time. Her friend was able to receive a liver transplant and is now fully recovered. Tamara is truly honored to be part of the i2P Baffin Island Expedition and she feels this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She desires to learn and experience life to its fullest, to learn new things and to see the world. She also has a commitment to convey her experiences to others, and in particular her peers in a way that engages them in setting out on their own exploration of the diverse nature of our world.
Sandi recently graduated from college and got offered a job through Teach For America to teach in Colorado next fall. Over the past year Sandi has one two 100 mile races and one 50 mile race, setting two course records. She also completed the "I Believe" run across Ohio for a local charity. Sandi is now a proud team member for TheAidStation.com and is looking forward to this year's races. Best of all, Sandi and her twin sister Rachel will recieve the American Red Cross Heroes award this May for creating Students Making a Difference and their volunteer work in Lake County.
I am senior at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois. Ever since I was a little girl I have had a love for adventure and an unrelenting passion for the sciences. I live with my 3 dogs, my parents, and up until July of 2008, I had a 29 year old brother who I lost to a tragic accident. My brother was always the one who told me I could do anything if I worked hard, and I hold that close to my heart each and every day. My life revolves around my community service and volunteer work, music and research. If I could pay for it, I would honestly be a professional student for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, I do not think that will be possible so I am going for the next best thing: a biochemist.
I have interned at Fermilabs (particle accelerator laboratory in Batavia, IL) working on the tevatron (particle collider) and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Last year, I served as a chemistry teacher assistant. Obviously science is a huge part of my life, so you can imagine when the day before my 18th birthday I received a phone call saying I was accepted for the scholarship position, it was probably one of my most proud moments of my life. Ever since my parents and I have been getting ready for this amazing expedition, and quite honestly-- I talk about it to anyone that will listen. I put in many hours into studying in preparation for this trip so I could go in fully educated and ready to study the South Pole!
I applied for this extraordinary expedition with the hope of learning so I could make a difference in the natural world I love so much. Even with my obvious love for science, it is still incredibly important that I use my passion to help serve a larger purpose than just me as an individual. This voyage was an opportunity that few people could ever even dream of, and here I was--- prepared for the single most incredible experience of my life. It is my goal now to help the natural world through my passion for science and going to Antarctica was the perfect opportunity to begin something that I plan to pursue for the rest of my life. I am 100% sure that myself, the other much-deserving scholarship candidate (Dylan Polacek) and the other individuals attending will be forever changed...for the better.
I am a junior at Boca Raton High School. I am in my second year of Marine Science and have taken classes from Environmental Science to Physics and Chemistry. I am on the Lacrosse and Cross Country teams at my school. I have three sisters and two dogs, and I maintain a saltwater aquarium in my room. I have lived in Florida all my life and always within a few miles of the ocean. Therefore, most of my interests center around the water. I am a certified scuba diver, love to fish and love roller coasters.
My love for adventure and science is exactly why I filled out the application for the Antarctic Expedition. I have never seen snow, so this expedition will be quite the adventure. When I read more about the trip and what we will be doing, I immediately put all my efforts into obtaining this scholarship. When I got a phone call after lacrosse practice one day saying I had been chosen, I could not believe my ears.
Since then, I have been researching and reading about the Antarctic and planning for the trip. Just recently, I got together what I need to wear. Because I have never been in snow before, I needed help preparing. I borrowed clothes from a friend and I bought a parka and boots. I also needed to buy long underwear, because I definitely was not planning on borrowing those. Although it is summer in Antarctica and the warmest temperatures are on the peninsula, it is still supposed to be between -10 and 10 degrees.
If given the opportunity to go on an expedition from Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost city in the world) through the rough seas of the Drake Passage, to the extreme continent of Antarctica, I doubt anyone would hesitate answering. The knowledge gained from this trip will be priceless. However, for me personally, the reason this expedition is so important is that this is what I want to do with my life. It is my dream to pursue environmental science as a career. This expedition will allow me to apply my passion and experience the beauty of Antarctica hands on. I am sure this expedition will be lifechanging for me and the others involved.
I want to thank everyone at i2P for changing my life.