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2012-01-13T08:53:00.003-07:00

It’s a funny thing to go home for the holidays, only to come back home for college. How can this be? It depends on one’s definition of home. Mine is anywhere I can leave and know that I’ll be able to return, a place where I’m welcome, and a place that’s healthy. That’s what my apartment in Prescott feels like. Yes, the kitchen sink is clogged, but it’s still my kitchen sink. It’s the one kitchen sink in the whole world that loves me above all others.

Prescott tends to be very comfortable. Not completing assignments on time is uncomfortable, and it gets kind of cold at night, but otherwise, it’s like a big, broken in couch. I was anxious to come back. Going home reminded me of why I came here in the first place: to surround myself with calm and stability so that I can actually study what I’m trying to learn. Before I decided to come here, I couldn’t imagine choosing a college outside of the New York metro. The truth is, in NYC I would never have gotten anything done but get myself into trouble. I came instead to a beautiful resort town surrounded by mountains and national forest in the high desert. This was, in the words of my grandmother, a wise decision. I agree.

It’s my belief that many of the students here came for similar reasons. This is a place of focus, and the college community leaves me without want of sociality. Every morning this block, I’ve been sitting in a big circle of chairs, composed of the instructor, thirteen other students, and me. We’ve been reading Woolf and Orwell, and lesser-known writers such as Judy Blunt, John McPhee, and Ian Frazier. The class is Sense of Place: A Writing and Reading Workshop. Next week, we’ll be traveling to Agua Fria National Monument—about an hour away by van—to spend four hours writing in the open air. Our instructor was a Truman Capote Literary Trust fellow to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where he earned his MFA. It’s brilliant to know that the man teaching my class has studied writing with some of the most promising young writers in America. The students studying with me are also no disappointment. Reading aloud pieces they’ve written during ten-minute in-class nonfiction exercises, they have astonished me with both their talent and their lived experience. I look forward to reading the work they’ll spend hours writing.

I have no desire to go back to New England right now. Don’t get me wrong; I love my friends and family dearly, but for the next few months, I’m all Arizona.

-Estin Vogel, 01.13.2012

Put Yourself Out There

2012-01-12T09:30:00.003-07:00

I first heard of Prescott College through a good friend of mine who genuinely talked of finally finding herself in a place she completely felt at home, a place that she felt grounded. Not being satisfied with my present situation, I took a look at this school myself. The description of Prescott’s experiential method of teaching seemed to be written as a tactical approach to infiltrate my mind with knowledge and awareness. I then excitedly applied, got accepted and after getting past my inherent skepticism that typically accompanies any big decision in my life, enrolled for the fall term. I took a leap of faith and trusted that Prescott College would help me to flourish and channel my ambition to learn and explore in a stronger direction than any ever before. I can now honestly say that I am amazed on a daily basis by how at home, grounded and a part of something I feel here at Prescott. Not to mention my amazement of the beautiful natural surroundings.

I have always been one to explore. My interests range from creative improvisational dance and performance to the hard science and politics of our world food systems all the way to outdoor recreational endeavors. Luckily for me, Prescott’s provides me with the ability to explore the many facets of my interests and self though their diverse curriculum. Some of these passions and interests such as Dance, I didn’t even know I had until I enrolled in a class this past semester. As a result, I’ve discovered a beautiful new means of self-expression and creativity. I plan to pursue more performance opportunities in the future.

As much as I may preach to explore all your interests, a common worry among students and a lot of parents is staying on track and sticking to a reliable path in ones education to insure graduation, “success”, a job, ect. To me, staying on track from the start implies that the student has a solid idea of what exactly they want to do and they stick to a narrow path to accomplish it. Although this may work for some, for others including myself, the problem with this sort of templated, “one size fits all” sort of education does not take into consideration the new doors and opportunities that can be opened as a result of exploring. Once again, the fact that I attend Prescott College, a school that works with students to accomplish their own specific goals, is serving me greatly. Here at Prescott you have the ability to direct yourself, your learning and what exactly you want your degree to say. You direct your education every step of the way, to in the end, have created a perfect experience for yourself that caters to your individual passions and ambitions. How would you ever know your limits or where you may ultimately thrive the most unless you test all the potential waters?

Along with exploration and risk-taking comes the inevitable “mistakes” as well. I would however, not consider any interests I have chosen to explore and then later realized I’m not exactly passionate about mistakes. For everything I’ve pursued and the classes I’ve chosen to take that I’ve later decided to pursuer no further, I’ve gained a whole new level of awareness in that area. Whether that awareness was because of a realization as to why I’m not interested in this after all or because it may be applicable to my everyday life but not my degree plan is irrelevant. Either way, I learned and critically examined whatever it was that I was faced with. I gained awareness and knowledge that has contributed to the overall development of my whole self. To my understanding, this is the ultimate goal of not only education but also life. So go ahead, take a chance. Put yourself out there, see what happens and reflect on it. Really, what do you have to lose? Take advantage of the opportunities you have and trust yourself, being the strong individual that you are that you’ll piece all the separate parts together while expanding your awareness everyday.

-Ross Sullivan, 01/12/2012

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

2011-12-15T14:14:00.001-07:00

My first experience face to face with Prescott College was meeting the incoming student who graciously stopped on his way from New Mexico to Prescott to pick me up. He waited in the Flagstaff Amtrak station parking lot for six hours before I arrived. The next morning, the very student who first called me during her admissions work-study came to my apartment and brought me to the grocery store, gave me a quick tour of campus, and generally helped me feel welcome. I really needed it; it’s really no easy task to move thousands of miles from home.
It’s effortless to make friends at Prescott. I arrived Saturday night, and even before arriving home I had a new friend. The next morning, another friend. The Monday after, two more friends, and so on and on. People here are from each corner of North America, and the college is so small and so specifically focused that everyone has two things in common, guaranteed: We’re all from out of town, and we all have been thinking about the deep, important problems facing our planet and society for years before we found our niche at Prescott. It’s not difficult to start a conversation here.

As academic and wilderness orientations coursed on, and as the semester began to accelerate, I was immersed in a coherent community. The administration has been consistently responsive and helpful, and the faculty and instructors I’ve studied with have been available, knowledgeable, passionate, and flexible. The relevance and currency of my History of Gender and Sexuality course with Kaitlin Noss was stunning. My perspectives have changed, and I feel a depth of understanding that I was unable even to imagine before.

Now, as I prepare to fly home between semesters, I know with a moral certainty that I have made the best educational decision I could have. The geographic diversity of my new friendships have given me a sense of belonging even in parts of the United States I’ve never been; I feel more connected to the vastness of America than ever before. I’ll be going home to my family and old friends with a stronger identity, and lots of exciting new things to discuss.

The end of the semester is bittersweet for me, as I imagine it is for many of us students. Over the last couple of months, Prescott has become my home, and I’m comfortable here now. But, it will be truly excellent to have a break and to see my family again. Three friends and I will be taking a 2700-mile road trip back to Prescott in January, and this has to be the raspberry garnish on my Bûche de Noël.

-Estin Vogel, 12.15.11

Climb like a Girl

2011-12-13T11:31:00.003-07:00

Yes, it is true... I climb like a girl, and I am proud of it. However, this has not always been the case. I grew up bouldering - participating in competitions, traveling around the states with my family... my mom, her boyfriend and my little brother. My mom still talks about how she would love to watch the different ways my brother and I would approach the same problem - stating that we embodied the masculine and feminine style and flow. For reasons that I will not go into, I stopped climbing at around the age of 11. I dabbled in it during high school, but my ego was bruised by my lack of strength, and I decided not to throw myself back into it.

Climbing in Joshua Tree

Now here I am at Prescott College. Home to arguably the best Adventure Education (AE) program in the country. Also, surrounded by a multitude of beautiful climbing areas... Anyone with a rational climbing head on their shoulders have been crazy not to get back into it.

I did not think I would take a rock climbing class at Prescott College - I felt like the skills should have been gained in ones free time, not ones educational time. But my perspectives are constantly changing and transforming, and when it came time to register for classes at the end of last year, I found myself signing up for “Women’s Topics in Wilderness Leadership and Rock Climbing”.

Sand Rock Canyon - Canyoneering Weekend

In all honesty, I was not really sure what I was getting myself into. The AE program is stereotypically male dominated. All women learning and playing in the woods would undoubtedly be a different dynamic. When I first came to Prescott College, I was very passionate about different social justice issues and systems in place that marginalized various communities. I knew women have been oppressed historically, but I thought that in this current day and age, women's issues in the U.S. should be the least of my worries. That perspective took a major turn when I took my first semester class at Prescott College – “The F-Word: Feminism, Women & Social Change”. I learned so much about myself and the internalized oppression I have developed growing up in this society. I consistently found myself relating more to the boys, and holding a higher level of respect for the ways in which they moved though the world. My goal had been to be “as good as the boys”, rather than pushing myself to be as good as I could be, as a strong individual and woman. In the process of separating myself from other women, I was unable to open my eyes to the ways my actions were perpetuating the split between men and women (and women and women) while reinforcing the thought that “male is better”.

I finished the semester and felt “transformed” and with more understanding and respect for women as a population than I had before. But I have realized time after time - years and years of social conditioning is harder to “shake off” than one would hope. So I signed up for the class with some hesitations and preconceived notions about what a women’s class would be like, but knew that it would be a wonderful next step on my journey towards further awareness surrounding what it means to be a strong, empowered woman in our society (and a wonderfully opportunity to grow in the field of adventure ed).

Getting Ready to Swim through the Cold pools

The semester is coming to a close, and I undoubtedly got that transformation I was looking for. It did not come in the way that I expected, and what I have learned goes way past the technical skills of building anchors and placing gear, or food planning for a river trip, or gaining more confidence in reading maps and navigating. We read pieces on women’s psychology at different phases in our life cycles, and presentations on how you would set up an outdoor program for special populations of women. We looked at the outdoors as a place of reflection, and women's way of forming relationships with the self, others and mama nature.

Right now our class is putting together a few “action-like” projects. We are doing a women’s climbing rendezvous this weekend to allow other women to explore themselves in relation to the natural environment without stress/pressure to preform that can arise for some around men. We are also putting together a presentation on the class, with slide shows and excellent conversation. Folks around Prescott College are always especially interested in what the women’s class is up to.

After announcing our women’s climbing rendezvous, I had a couple of different men from the community come up and say, “Just women? Well isn’t that sexist?” smirking proudly, as if they found a loophole in some sly plan we had to secretly oppress men. I found myself grateful to have the opportunity to communicate with different people in the community about some of the issues we have been working with, and explaining the day adventures intention. I have been pleasantly surprised, however, by the openness and receptiveness to a new perspective, once the explanation of societal and psychological factors have been addressed in a way that is non accusatory.

Oh the Joy on the San Juan

This experience, along with many others, serves as prime examples for the extra amount of awareness women in the field of Adventure Education (as well as society, as a whole) have to maintain.

“So why would you invite only women on a trip?” one young man asked me.

“So women have the opportunity to get out and experience the outdoors in a safe space, with out feeling the need to perform for a man, even if it is subconscious.” (Not that that is the only reason, but when communicating with people, the intention is not to monologue about different societal and psychological theories).

The individual we were speaking with continued to probe. “Well aren’t those issues with the individual? I see that that can be a problem, isn’t that something that each person just should overcome? I mean, I totally know a lot of girls that shred.”

My friend then inserted, “Well, maybe. But when you see such a large population of women not feeling that sense of confidence, do you think it is still an individual problem? Or can it be addressed as a societal one.”

Our Wild Women Day on the San Juan

Suddenly, the guy nodded with a glimmer of understanding in his eye. Women’s Topics in Wilderness Leadership have helped me further develop the tools to understand myself, and myself in relation to great outdoors, and society as a whole. I have gained a further understanding and appreciation for women’s psychology and relationship to society. Not only have we read a multitude of eye opening pieces, multiple times a week, I got to be in the presence of a group of strong, beautiful women – experiencing and discussing the power and strength that lies within each of us.

Erin Lotz, one of our lovely instructors discussed her time as a professional in the field, and has great things to say about working with a group of all men. She also said that when she does this “Women’s Topics” class, she feels more in her flow - that working with all women allows ones “authentic self” to come out. This really got under my skin in the beginning, because I did not love the side of myself that seemed to come in the group. I felt a little bit more snarky than I wanted to be, and I did not feel like I performed to the standard I usually held for myself.

Having the beautiful outdoor areas we have experienced as a space to continue to explore the ways in which I relate to myself, has helped me have more respect for my level of competence than I never have before. The Adventure Education program is unbelievable - the assortment of classes that can be tailored to your passions and growth as a student and individual is out of this world. This is yet another example of the ways in which Prescott College and the instructors will support each individual student thought this educational journey towards growth.

Some of the beautiful girls who I so dearly love up on Granite Mountain

Next semester I will be taking the semester long Wilderness Leadership course, which is almost entirely field based. I don’t know if I would have had the self confidence to throw myself into that experience had I not had this experience with this wonderful group of women. Stay posted to hear how this goes for me!

-Hannah Marshall, 12.2011

Also, here is a link to a video two gals in the class made about climbing... It is a Miley Cyrus parody, and it is a laugh! Check it out!!

Prima Spira

2011-12-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

There is no denying it, at times we must face our shadow...and the shadows of the world. Viewing this darkness does not always have to be deigned evil, it can help us grow and learn so that we may become that much brighter and whole within ourselves. Acknowledging the range of different aspects of light and dark within our beings allows for an integration that breathes harmony and truth. This is Prima Spira, the first breath of this understanding. Prima Spira is a play that has been written and directed by my roommate, Rebecca Antsis, as an Independent Study. The study is named Women's Nature, Ritual and Experimental Theater, and this production is an apt reflection of its title. I have always thought a lot of Rebecca, but through this play I have seen how Prescott College has supported her freedom to express what can only be described as pure genius. Sometimes dark, often achingly beautiful, Prima Spira is an exploration in theater courting mythical ritual. There is no dialogue, though there is impassioned use of the human voice in non-lingual patterns. Using powerful music to echo the energy of lore, the play sets a stage for a culmination of different dance styles interlacing to create an incredible tale. The dancing incorporates aspects of butoh, bellydance, classical, and flamenco as well as touch-flow improvisation. Having such a spectrum of styles allows for a space to really root in with rituals of ancient and modern flow, creating a transformation in all who are involved.

I have never taken a dance or theater class at Prescott College, but it has been an amazing experience getting to be involved with an artistic production of this caliber. It just goes to show you don't have to be majoring in the Arts to be involved artistically here. Through this play I have connected to a way of expression and a community that has inspired me to the core.

This brings me to my favorite part of the whole production: the coming together of strong women in the community in order to explore ritual and dance together. The play involves thirteen women (a sacred number in ancient ritual) who span from childhood to silver hair, reflecting the many archetypes of female beings. It has been inspiring seeing the growth of the actresses and director through the exploration of these archetypes. These archetypes include the Dark Mother, the shadow of life, Kali, who dances creation and destruction, Salome, the femme fatale, La Llorona, the woman driven to insanity, as well as archetypes that reflect the innocent child, the primordial female being and many many more. Through acknowledging these different archetypes that are in all of us, the women in the production have been able to share wisdom, experience and vibes to grow and create something that is intrinsically powerful.

As Rebecca has often said, you must sweat your prayers. Prescott College has given life and support to a work of art that does just that.

Dance, when you're broken open.

Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.

~Rumi

-Brittany "Davi" Davis, 12.15.2011

Here is a pic of the flyer. Cheers!

It'll Change Your Life. I Promise.

2011-12-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

This being my last year at Prescott College, it is time for my Senior Project. Every student at this school designs and implements a culmination of learning for their undergraduate degree. In terms of process, this is different for everyone. For students gaining a teacher’s certification, this project would be student teaching at a school somewhere in the country. Other student projects have been everything from studying large cats in the Ecuadorian Rainforest to doing a critical analysis of gender studies in Adventure Education; writing and directing an entire theatrical performance to designing a manure catchment system for the stove of a person’s home. As for mine, I am writing a research paper, creating a documentary, and facilitating a community forum on the importance of integrative learning in relation to the personal, social, and environmental narrative.

To me, working on this project has truly shown me why I attended this school in the first place. It is about the people who truly care so much about my learning process. Being as authentic as possible, what intrigued me about this school in the beginning was the fact that there are more vans than classrooms, my fellow students are very passionate about learning and exploring, and I have taken courses here that are found nowhere else on earth. Essentially, though, these attributes did not just appear. They were constructed, celebrated, and supported by awesome people. And, when I say awesome I am using it as one describes shooting stars while standing in awe.

Today, I met with my top two advisors who helped me unfold my experience here over the past four years. Much like my parents, they have watched me grow in ways that I never noticed, and because of this they can help me in ways that I can’t help myself. There are a few schools who claim the ability to become this close with teachers, but there isn’t one that could have given me the experiences I had here. An 800 horse packing expedition studying with 7 students and two nationally award winning educators, a 200 hour yoga teacher training, an entire month devoted to studying leadership through the lens of Bowen and Systems Theory, traveling all over the southwest and Colorado visiting and teaching in schools with six other students during a month long education intensive, and the list goes on. Like I said, these courses did not just appear; they were created through many hours and people who are in fact shooting stars.

When choosing a school, many prospective students have a whole list of where they might want to go. Let me say that the place we choose will unanimously change our life. The question is, though, how?

Enjoy the journey, and stay curious…

Jordan

Truly I am inspired.

2011-11-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Wild horse herds, coal mines on the horizon, a people filled with strength protecting the natural existence of the earth. Long miles of non-industrialized land and flocks of sheep. The Navajo Reservation is overflowing with magic, sacred ritual and beautiful resistance. Resistance of a government set on taking sacred lands to be made into a digging ground for Peabody Coal. See, the Navajo Reservation is the most abundant resource of coal land left in North America. Even though the Navajo people have already been forced into reservations, the "worth" of the land has risen in the eyes of the greedy in power since it was found to be such a large coal deposit. So of course, now the Navajo have to struggle once more against relocation set about by those who don't know the real worth of the earth.

Out of this, though, rises those who would help protect the people and land of this area called Black Mesa in northern Arizona. I was honored to be among them. I was invited to participate in the Black Mesa Health Clinic and provide free service work to the Navajo people resisting relocation. The clinic consisted of herbalists and bodyworkers who held the intention of providing in whatever way they could, and never in any way overstepping the cultural beauty of this struggling people. I was surprised to find that the woman who originally helped organize the clinic is a Prescott College graduate, Rowen Tumbleweed. Her time at Prescott College consisted of studying the cultural struggle of indigenous peoples holding out against relocation and the loss of land to the ever devouring industrial market. At only 27, Rowen has become a leader on the forefront of supporting the Navajo resistors, and she has partnered with an amazing Navajo woman, Mary Catherine Smith, to help bring much needed health care to the reservation. It was so inspiring to meet someone who had come from the culture and incredible drive of Prescott College to create harmony and responsible global citizens. It was inspiring hearing of how Prescott College could influence someone to become such a successful leader of a support organization that affects real change.

I was also able to work on my studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine while I was on the reservation. This semester I created an independent study focusing in on the philosophies and practices connected with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and I was able to practice and grow in these philosophies while providing care for the Navajo people. The massage I practiced most of the time was Shiatsu, a form of massage with its roots based in TCM that works both physically and energetically. Also, the herbal balancing that I learned from many of the herbalists respected the TCM philosophies.Getting hands on experience and actually feeling like I was affecting change was so rewarding.

The more I thought of it, the more I realized how lucky I am to be at Prescott. Through Prescott College I gained the massage therapy and herbalism skills to actively provide health care for many people during this clinic. Through Prescott College I made the connections that brought me to the reservation to be of service to people in need. Through Prescott College I have been given the freedom to create independent studies where I can get college credit for doing service work like this. Through Prescott College I continue to grow and be inspired not just by what people do while they are in school here, but also by what they do when they have their diploma.

Truly I am inspired. This place is amazing.

~Brittany Davis, 11.28.2011

What do you want to do with your life?

2011-11-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

What do you want to do with your life? This is the dreaded question: one that I am sure has been posed to all of us at least once in our lives. It seems to be a question on every one's mind, specifically adult minds. For me, I have had an answer for a while. The dreaded part for me is the response I get back after I answer.

Law School. I want to go to Law School. This seems harmless enough. It seems like a response adults are looking for right? The look received after telling people this, though, is usually confusion. They think for a bit and then respond “but you go to Prescott College!?!”.

Yes, I do go to Prescott College. Yes, I do go to an experiential education school. Yes, my professors know me by name. Yes, I am part of actively shaping my education. Yes, trips into the field are a critical part of courses in every area of my study. Yes, students here want to change the world (and are), and yes, I want to go to law school. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

Law is usually associated with prestige. People are surprised that I did not go to a more “prestigious” school. I could have (almost did) and changed my mind. I came here for a purpose. I wanted to actively learn. I did not want to read about politics in a book and take a test. I wanted to see politics first hand. I wanted to see how systems of oppression and systems of power affect the world that I live in, and I wanted to study such systems as an undergraduate. At Prescott College, I study globalization, religion, geography, marginalization and social movements to name a few. I have learned the history, current events and cultures of countries throughout the world, and have traveled to Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Tucson, the Hopi, Navajo and Yavapai reservations for courses discussing all aspects of Political Science and Law. I have ventured to Washington DC and New Orleans by myself for conferences and plan on doing my senior project in Kenya.

I have done more then study politics and human rights in classrooms. I have talked, listened and interviewed people. I have traveled and seen with my eyes sights that people learning from text books will never see. I am doing graduate level work in my specific area of interest that I will bring to the table when I go to Law School. Yes, I have chosen to receive letter grades, but I also receive written evaluations from my professors that discuss my strengths, my weaknesses, my passions, and my level of competence.

For some Prescott College students, Law School is the last thing they may ever want to do. Yet whether their Competence is in Wilderness Leadership, Counseling Psychology, Photography, Sustainable Agriculture or Experiential Education, every student learns in the field, gets hands on experience and is making a difference.

In two years when I go to Law School I will be ready. I will be prepared and I will still be overflowing with the enthusiasm and passion that I believe more law students should have. Law and Advocacy are avenues that I believe I can make change with. I want to study Human Rights and International Law. I hope to work in developing communities and countries on education and maternal health reform for women and children. I also believe that Prescott College is the best place for that foundation. I used to be offended when family members and adults would pause and give me weird looks when Law School came into the same conversation as Prescott College. Now I just smile, and reiterate that yes I go to Prescott College, yes I will go to Law School afterwords and yes I believe 100% in my decision to attend Prescott College for my undergraduate degree.

-Amanda Hampton, 11.18.2011

The Great Job Search, or "Yeah, I can do that."

2011-11-08T18:09:00.006-07:00

This past preview weekend, there were a few prospective students and parents who expressed earnest fear in finding a job if one were to graduate from Prescott College. In today’s economy, this is a well deserved fear that many live with day-in and day-out. Families across the United States are having severe problems paying bills, putting food on the table, and keeping themselves from being evicted from their homes. This does not even take into account what the rest of the world is going through. Overall, the question of employment after graduation is a very logical question, and one in which I am, personally, not worried about.

How Prescott College distinguishes itself from most other schools is the preparation for future endeavors. Essentially, many schools teach how to memorize quantities of information to be used for completing tests. Every two weeks the brain is filled and purged when a test is taken, and new information must be memorized for yet another test. Where does this leave a graduating senior in terms of useful skills for employment? I would contend that this is not what employers are looking for when making hiring decisions.

Here is a list of basic job qualifications from various employers:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Organized and detail-oriented.
Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet frequent deadlines.
Ability to work with a diverse range of people.
Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team.
Internally motivated to succeed and goes the extra mile
Proven leadership experience.

During my time here at Prescott College, I am doing these “qualifications” constantly. Because we do not memorize information for tests, we are always writing and giving presentations to show our understanding. In essence, the expectations here are to actually know what we are talking about. This is deepened by consistently working independently and in teams to complete projects, learning to be collaborative in times of need, and the necessity to be organized around matters of time, resources, and self-care. It is true that this program is quite challenging; and, the college is also invested in making sure these skills are acquired over a student’s time here.

Most graduates from this school are not moving back in with their parents, going homeless, or taking a job to just have one. I know people who are currently working for the forest service, are professional writers, artists, mountaineering guides, psychologists, teachers, graduate students, and anything else under the sun. Personally, I will be graduating in May with a full resume. I have no fear of the job market, and my father does not work for Goldman Sachs. In fact, I am $40,000 in debt from student loans, have no car, and an endless amount of possibilities in front of me. There is no telling where I will go, who I will meet, and what I will be doing; and, this is incredibly exciting.

In summary, when I began my college search I figured the name of my school would get me that dream job. Now that I have reevaluated my “dream job,” I know that because of Prescott College, a small school in northern Arizona, I am ready to meet the unknown with respect, gratitude, and the knowledge that I am more prepared than I could have been from any other school in the world.

It’s not what we do; it’s why we do it. Our what only gives proof to why we believe in anything.

So enjoy the journey, and ask yourself “why?”

Jordan
11/08/2011

Prescott College is the Result.

2011-10-27T15:47:00.004-07:00

Dear prospective students of Prescott College,

As a disclaimer for this school: Upon graduation you will understand the world differently than you currently do; you will work harder than you probably ever thought you could; and some of the remarks people make about this school will not hold true.

As one of my professors says, “Prescott College is an alternative college, not an alternative to college.” To me, this illustrates very well what we do here. No, we do not have multiple choice tests. Yes, I read and write more than I have ever in the past. No, we students are not seen as a number, perpetuating the academic industrial complex. Yes, I know everyone on campus by first name, which means the expectations are set extraordinarily high. No, we do not invest millions of dollars into a football team. Yes, we have many classes that include traveling to engaging environments both nationally and internationally.

Essentially, this college is seen in many different shades of light. Adjectives have included the use of various cereals, bathing habits, and the term “shredding the gnar.” In my belief, however, these could never describe what I have experienced here. I turned down some of the most “prestigious” institutions to attend this school and I feel completely justified in this decision. We have an incredibly challenging academic program that many do not always take the time to see. Our education program is viewed by many in the industry as one of the most effective in the world. As for the Cultural and Regional Studies content area, which some would define as Political Science, students graduate as amazingly effective change agents who understand activism, community organization, and how systems of oppression are perpetuated.

Yes, Prescott College does, arguably, have the best adventure education program in the country. And, graduates from this school with a degree in environmental studies will probably never have a hard time finding work. The question becomes, though, are we these two programs? Or is Prescott College effective because of the sum of its parts? In my belief, all of the aforementioned content areas are amazing because this school challenges the status quo of what education is “supposed” to be. This challenge is not out of unreflected reactivity, rather, because we believe that education is about leading people toward wholeness. Therefore, when I searched for a school I admittedly began with the “top” universities in the country, then I began to see what they held as important; if watering ivy, having teachers who do not know anyone’s name, and memorizing lots of information to fill in lots of bubbles sounds gratifying - then by all means venture forth. This school is not a so called hippie haven, shredders paradise, or any number of other false colloquialisms. It is challenging, and I have never worked harder in an academic environment.

Look past what others choose to see, and view what is actually real. In 1963 the Ford Foundation challenged the country’s most innovative educators to come together and design an “ideal college for the future that would prepare students for contributing in an ever changing, and ever faster moving world.” Prescott College is the result.

Enjoy the journey,

Jordan

Oh, and How Prescott Provides

2011-10-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Barefooted political science bicyclists, fiddle playin’ rock climbers, ecoconscious punk farmers. No matter the different kinds of people you find at Prescott College, one thing connects them all: Prescott students love to be outside.

Oh, and how Prescott provides. Surrounded by National Forest with spectacular hikes, climbing, and views, Prescott is an outdoorsy student’s paradise. It’s a common thing to hike up round Thumb Butte, a beautiful towering rock monument that pinnacles over the town. Or hike through the Granite Dells, which are giant orange rock sculptures that meander around a lovely creek. Close by you find the Verde River, which literally looks green and echoes something out of an amazonian dream, winding round through many canyons and creating natural hot springs. Go south and you find fields of saguaro cacti, stretching into the Superstition Mountains which are wild and warm. Go north and you find the Red Rocks of Sedona, the green of the trees and the red of the rocks creating a spiraling breathtaking effect around the city that draws people from all over the country to experience its beauty. And if anything, Sedona is the red cherry on top of the gigantic incredible banana split of the Grand Canyon, which lies just a little farther north. Words can’t express the awe one experiences when looking down into the canyon, so I won’t try. The fact is, Arizona is epically lovely, and the places just described are only the tip of the iceberg. There is a reason why they say that the four corners region of the Southwest is magical, and that magic lies in the beauty of the nature that has remained in many places largely untouched by human development.

So students at Prescott College really know how to enjoy the natural wonders that abound in this region. Lots of places for a good bike ride, with lots of people to ride around with. Really cool bouldering and climbing spots. Oh, and the farm life. If you want to be outside and active in growing your own food and food for the community, why not join up with Karma Farms, one of the local community garden co-ops? Or the Splash community garden? There are so many people growing their own food round Prescott that there is more than ample opportunity to do the same for yourself. So whether it is beatin’ the path through the woods or getting dirty growing something yummy, you can bet you’ll find Prescott College students out in the sunshine.

Thumb Butte

~Brittany L. Davis, 10/17/2011

The First Days of School

2011-10-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

If you come from a family like mine, you learn that school is very important at a young age. It is something to be celebrated and thankful for. To be knowledgeable is to be powerful. My mother jokes about this being the reason I am on the path to becoming a teacher—I want to have all the power, she says. We used to have a tradition celebrating my first day of classes with brownies for breakfast, a tradition which, sad to say, hasn’t continued to my time at Prescott College—not only because I refuse to wake up early enough to make them, but also due to the fact that my baking skills, to be perfectly honest, leave something to be desired. I am, however, greeted in the morning by a phone call, text, or Facebook message (yes, my mother has recently discovered and become obsessed with Facebook) wishing me a happy and safe send off to my first day of classes.
Prescott College classes start in a different way than any classes I had ever taken before, and no two introductory classes lead off the same. My curriculum theory class, following introductions, led off by jumping straight into the material. Being an upper division course with a number of prerequisites, this is common, especially for education students pursuing a teaching certificate. This class, though technically the first of the semester, was not our first interaction with the course materials. Over the summer, we were in touch with our instructor about our up and coming placement for a 5-day teaching practicum outside of our regular class time. We were connected up with cooperating teachers in local schools with whom we would be collaborating on lesson plan development and taking over their classes for a 5-day teach. This class has a sizeable workload but is extremely rewarding. We have only met four times and already I feel my brain expanding with new tidbits of knowledge.
My Tuesday mornings begin with Adolescent Psychology, an upper division, writing intensive course about the social and biological make-up of the modern adolescent. Being a secondary education student, this is a class that is extremely relevant to my desired career path. Working with teenagers has been a long-time passion of mine and this class is putting me on the path towards success. Though the course is only in its early stage, I am confident that I am in the right place and will benefit from the information. Each class begins with a check-in, accessing our individual states of mind and feelings about the course. Following check-ins, we begin absorbing ourselves into thrilling discussions about modern adolescence and reminiscing about our own experiences growing up.
Following Adolescent Psychology and a quick break for lunch, I find myself entering unfamiliar territory within the confines of Men and Masculinity, a class about manhood in America. As a female-identified person, masculinity is something of an unfamiliar subject to me and although it has been touched upon in other gender/sexuality courses I have taken at the college (Sexuality and Sexual Outlaws, History of Gender and Sexuality, The F-Word: Feminism and Social Justice), was never something I devoted a lot of time learning about. Taught by Courtney Osterfelt, an alumna of Prescott College and founder of Women’s Empowerment Breakthrough, this class explores many new topics regarding masculinity, social justice, and gender equity.
No matter the course I am taking, I am always very impressed with the quality of Prescott College classes and the way they motivate me towards excellence. I still get excited about the first day of school and even though they rarely involve brownies, Prescott College is a treat within itself.

Sydnie

Why Prescott College?

2011-10-13T17:14:00.005-07:00

Why Prescott College? There are hundreds upon hundreds of other schools across the world. Again, why Prescott College? This question constantly runs through my head after reflecting upon the other schools I turned down to come here. I envision my imagined life at Princeton, Marlboro, Evergreen, Naropa, or St. Johns. Who would have been my friends? What would I have studied? Then I remember that I wouldn’t trade my experiences here for any other. Especially after reflecting upon the people I have met, the places I have gone, and the possibilities that have come true seven semesters later.

In the beginning of the college video, my friend Batya says, “Do I love Prescott College? That would be an understatement. My love for Prescott College moves me to tears.” I can sincerely relate to this quote in more ways than I could ever know. In effect, this is the first time that education has made sense to me. I have never filled a bubble in for a test, sat in a classroom of 500 students, or questioned out of boredom, “Why am I learning this?”. The assessment for learning here is through exploring, writing, and presenting; so we actually have to know what we’re talking about. My classes have been no more than 15 people who I get to know extraordinarily well. In terms of the content to be learned, everything is brought into the context of our lives, so everything we learn feels like it matters.

The above examples can be found at certain schools. Now why Prescott College? Is it because we have more vans for exploring than classrooms? Is it because I know every one of my teachers by first name, and have built incredible relationships with them? Is it because we move (Our thoughts are like our body, if we don't move, we sit)? Is it because almost every student I have met has been amazing (It's people that matter, we are the greatest resource to our potential)? Is it because I can wake up every morning and know it will be a beautiful day (To play.)? There is no simple answer; it’s all of the above, and unanimously more.

For those of you reading this, you are probably on the search for the “perfect” college. In my belief, this should start with the question of why? then how?, and then what?.

Why Prescott College? Because education is a journey, not a destination…

So explore, engage, and trust the process,

All I know - I am grateful -...

Jordan

A pond back east

On top of Volcan Concepcion in Nicaragua. That is a cloud of poisonous sulfer gas behind us.

Walking the Talk

2011-10-03T11:17:00.002-07:00

As a student worker (and sometimes tour guide) in the Prescott College admissions office, I am often asked by students and parents alike, “What is the best thing about Prescott College?” To this question, there isn’t an easy answer. Perhaps there should be, as it is probably one of the most important question a prospective student could ask, but the truth is, there are so many different things that make Prescott College great—and no, I am not just saying that because I am paid to. :)

I could spend a great deal of time answering this seemingly simple question a number of different ways, speaking first about small class sizes, individualized degree plans, course contracts, personal attention, hands-on field experience, or a number of other things that make our school especially great. The truth of the matter is that I have thought of many of my favorite things about the school while writing this blog. In fact, I’ve probably started and re-started writing this blog entry so much that my finger is beginning to naturally gravitate towards the backspace button as I think of more reasons why Prescott College is one of the coolest schools in the nation. After debating in my head over which topic best illustrated the awesome-ness of Prescott College (and I mean awesome in the TRUE sense of the word—not like “oh, this new flavor of lip-smackers lip balm is totally awesome!”), I’ve finally decided on, what I believe, is truly the best thing about Prescott College. In order to illustrate my point, I should probably fill you in on how I came to this conclusion.

The fall term at Prescott College picked up for continuing students on August 30th and for those students who had previously completed their wilderness orientation, this meant it was time for our “Block” classes to begin. A Block class is approximately one month long and requires a lot more time and focus from students than a typical class during the semester because it meets on a day-to-day basis. Often Prescott College students select Block classes that are located off campus because this is usually a time with fewer commitments as students are only enrolled in one class for the month. A number of students do, however, choose to remain on-campus and take classes like the one I am currently enrolled in: Models of Leadership.

Taught by Wayne Regina, a faculty member within the Psychology and Human Development program, Models of Leadership is a class that focuses on effective and non-effective leadership styles by examining the psychology behind leadership and focusing on the types of skills, behaviors, and attitudes behind successful leadership. Our primary focus in the class has been in examining leadership models through the lens of Bowen Theory and differentiation, “a theoretical model derived from natural systems and applied to human functioning…that redefines successful leadership from an informational process to one in which the emotional maturity or differentiation level of the leader is the single most significant variable in the successful functioning of leaders in any system,” (see course catalog for more detail and description). In other words, we have been studying leadership styles and what it means to be an effective leader and collaborator. In the process of developing my own leadership style, I have come to the conclusion that the best thing about Prescott College is the way in which we are inspired to take what we learn and mold it in ways that not only promote content competency, but teach us about who we are.

One of the main reasons I chose Prescott College was due to the fact that the school strives to maintain honesty with its mission statement, working non-stop to “walk the talk” and practice what we preach in regards to sustainability and community development. The school’s commitment to self-directed learning is unmatched in anything I have ever experienced. We promote a sense of unity within our community, bringing together students and staff while also promoting individuality. In this way, our school promoted its student’s emotional intelligence and differentiation, as we are able to take self-responsibility and remain individuals while still active in our communal growth.

I am proud to be part of a school that inspires its students towards greatness. In this way, Prescott College has served as a teacher in itself, shining forth as an example of honesty in education, working hard to follow its mission and encourage students towards individual and communal excellence.

-Sydnie Bonin, 09.2011

Cumbersome Beauty

2011-10-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

Three weeks are irrelevant. The time I spent on orientation took on a context greater than the month of September. It felt oddly like a lifetime, as if, during the time, I grew from infant to old man, and at the end flew up toward the sun. Suddenly, there was pavement. Traffic mumbled down the road. I was back, and it was difficult suddenly to comprehend what I had just done. Now, a week after returning to greater humanity, I feel prepared to explain my experience of Prescott College Wilderness Orientation.

We began in Prescott. All the orientation students sat in a big circle and were told to close their eyes. An inspiring speech was given as, unbeknownst to us, all of the orientation instructors and course directors changed into, in some cases horrifically undersized, cutoff denim shorts. Using flame shaped pieces of paper with our names and a cryptic code (CB2 in my case), we found our “destinies,” our orientation groups. These people we’d be learning the intimate secrets and gastric patterns of for the next twenty-one days.

The following day, we piled into Prescott College vans, one for each group, and were shuttled up a mountain on a very bumpy road. We built a trail all together in the morning, ate lunch in our groups afterward, and were off to a YMCA summer camp not too far from Prescott. Here, at Chauncey Ranch, we spent two nights. This is where we started to get to know each other. Our first hike was here. We had our first written reflection here and coordinated our own group rules. We sorted the food we’d purchased together back in Prescott and assigned group gear to each other. Our packs, at this point, were frightfully cumbersome.

On a fateful morning we loaded our packs into the bed of a pickup and climbed the stairs of the charter bus that was to take us to our temporary home in the wilderness. Except it was the wrong bus. “Stump’s group? You’re on the other bus.” This event really set the tone for our journey: hilarious and less-than-tragic missteps. Despite the miles of extra hiking and food made inedible with Dr. Bronner’s, the comic relief was like a friendly poltergeist that never left us.

Our first night we slept on a gorgeous red sandstone boulder at the edge of West Clear Creek, in the canyon so named. We jumped off into the deep, clear water and were like celebrating nymphs. Everyone smiled. It was good. On this first night, I had a long talk with the exquisitely big sister-like Iris Cushing, Shane Stump’s counterpart facilitating our journey. I was a bit overwhelmed and didn’t think I could sleep outside; I’d never slept in anything less substantial than a tent in my life. With a gentle voice and reassuring hand on my back, I was absolved of my fears and spent the night staring up into the brilliant star-filled sky the likes of which I rarely, if ever, had seen before.

The skies above our journey were equal in proportion to the rocks, water, and forest we hiked through. The skies were at times full of radiant, intense sunlight, crystal blue skies without a single cloud. They were malevolent grey curtains offering downpours and lightening prisons. They were intense sunrise and sunset, full of colors like autumn leaves and sherbet. They were the open universe, with shooting stars, constellations, and the great Milky Way looming at the furthest reaches of human vision.

Along our journey, we ate sweet sour canyon grapes. We climbed down waterfalls with ropes around waist. We drank water from puddles. We ate the greatest honeydew ever beset mankind. Sometimes we walked down national forest roads while the cows stared at us and followed, intrigued. Other times I wished I had a machete to make my way through such thick vegetation I had never imagined grew in the dry Southwest. We negotiated around cacti. We climbed 1600 feet in one day. Through much difficulty, and much doubt, we made it to our destination. However, when you’re hiking in a large horseshoe shaped path, not really traveling, just backpacking, there really is no destination. I think orientation, by its very circuitousness, exemplifies well the ethos of Prescott College: education is a journey.

-Estin Vogel, 09.29.2011

So amazing...here I am.

2011-09-19T18:17:00.004-07:00

This is my last year at Prescott College. As such, I am not sure what to feel. Over the past four years I have experienced more than I ever thought I would, and a list of everything that has happened would be impossible to construct. Although, here are some amazing opportunities:

Orientation was mesmerizing
Met my best friends, whom I have lived with since school began
Journalist, copy-editor, and designer for student newspaper
Volunteered at a school for homeless children in Phoenix
Rafted, hiked, and horse-packed widely throughout the Grand Canyon
Rock climbed extensively throughout Joshua Tree National Park and the Prescott area
Attended a rally to support Arizona teachers in Phoenix
Team member on an academically inclined 800 mile horse-packing expedition down the Arizona Trail from Utah to Mexico focusing on relational leadership, the psychology of sustainability, and integrative education. Moreover, this was the first expedition of its kind on the Arizona Trail.
Became incredibly involved in the mountain biking world
Completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training during winter block. We did yoga for 8-10 hours a day during the four week class in my favorite classroom on campus.
Took a class called Rock Climbing and Geology
Became the events coordinator for the Prescott College Peace and Justice Center. This meant organizing, writing grants, and introducing speakers and musicians from all over the world.
Certified as a Peer Educator through the Bacchus Network during a Prescott College class. This is a nationally recognized certification in the human development industry.
Took an improvisational dance class that changed my whole outlook on the way I move.
Teachers assistant for a class called Holistic Health and Wellness. This was focused upon yoga, massage, physiological structures, integrative medicine, and a group sauna at the end.
Had an education class where we traveled by van throughout Arizona and Colorado to teach in some of the most effective K-12 schools in the country. During this time, we wrote lesson plans while on the road, worked with great teachers, and after some time took on the teacher’s role.
Completed my last year, after five, as a rock climbing guide and instructor trainer.
Active member in the Strategic Planning Committee for the future of Prescott College; specifically in the area of Student Success and Support
Changed my competence title to Liberatory Education
Traveled solo throughout most of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Worked at an orphanage in eastern Guatemala. A twenty minute boat ride to the nearest town down the Sweet River in the middle of dense jungle.
Wayne Regina’s Models of Leadership class
Jordana Dezeeuw Spencer’s Feminism and Social Justice class
Sitting here right now, and being able to reflect upon these amazing experiences.

In effect, I am not writing all of this to be self-righteous. Essentially, I am grateful for the education I have received. Prescott College is like no other school in the country. I can say this because I have looked. During my college search I explored everywhere from Princeton to Marlboro, Reed to Naropa, and many others in between. This is not to say these are bad schools, I just took a more reflective process than merely picking a school because of how many swimming pools there were. As such, I looked deeply into the who, how, and why of myself. It just came to be that Prescott College made more sense then anything else, which still holds true even after going into $40,000 of student loan debt.

What I am moving toward is that Prescott College has been one of most mesmerizing and awesome experiences of my life; using awesome in terms of being in complete awe of my classmates, professors, and available opportunities. I could not imagine going to any other school in the world. I have learned that I am braver than I believed, stronger than I seemed, and smarter than I thought I could be.

Essentially, Prescott College does not have a lot of stuff. We don’t have several swimming pools, a permanent croquet field, or big fraternities and sororities. We don’t need these things. Prescott College is community. Prescott College is exploring our deepest potentials. Prescott College asks us who we are, along with what we know. Schools come in all different shapes and sizes, some are for-profit and others are for life long learners.

When choosing a school, look at the journey that may present itself. For it will not matter what the name was, but what was learned. It will not matter how many students attended the school, but who we met along the way. We are all looking for a sense of belonging; a place where we are understood. For me, Prescott College has been, and continues to be, that place.
Enjoy the journey…

-Jordan Kivitz, 09.2011

Arizona to Amsterdam

2011-09-19T09:46:00.002-07:00

Sitting in a cafe on the corner of a busy cobblestone street in Amsterdam, I still cannot believe that I am in school. However the numerous critical reflections, the four books, and the thesis paper always bounce me back to reality. The opportunity to create and participate in independent studies is an incredible aspect of this school. The moment I heard that it was a possibility, I knew that I wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Independent studies at Prescott College are an incredible way for students to employ their creativity, innovation, and independence into their studies. It gives us the chance to be extremely self directed and participate in field work that we are passionate about. In the spring, I decided that I wanted to study an aspect of my women studies minor, in one of the most culturally relevant cities to that field. When I brought up the idea to my professor, who I asked to be my mentor for the study, I was met with great enthusiasm. They did not look at me like I was crazy for dreaming so big, but reacted with support, excitement and positive reinforcement. A reminder that at Prescott College, there is a firm belief that no dream is to large to achieve. I was met with the same amount of enthusiasm from my advisor, the risk management coordinator and everyone else who helped me make this course a reality. For this course, which I chose to do for fall block, I wrote the curriculum, stated the course objections and designed the workload. After filling out all the paperwork and getting the course approved, I was ecstatic. How many other places could I have made this study happen during my years as an undergrad? Not many.

Being so far away from school, some would think that one would lose their sense of accountability and commitment to the course. However, quite the opposite takes place, because I am studying something that I am extremely passionate about and because I am so grateful for this opportunity, I have put an immense amount of effort into getting the most out of this experience. This independent study has enabled me to work in the field, interviewing experts, observing first hand cultural influences and allowed me to think analytically about critical social theory from a women and human rights perspective. Skyping and e-mailing my mentoring professor on a regular basis has allowed me to share my ideas and observations as well as allowed me to continue feeling connected to the Prescott community even while being half away across the world.

I am an unyielding believer that a true education does not just take place in a classroom. That personal transformation and commitment to learning surpasses the walls of college campuses. That exploration with what one is passionate about, and first hand cultural experience, not only teaches us to be global citizens, but relish in the beauty that one is constantly learning, absorbing the wonderful thing that is human potential. I am loving it here in the beautiful and exciting city of Amsterdam, but I am ready to come back to my Prescott College home and share my experience and my study with the community that I call family. This study has given me so much insight about the world and myself, I cannot wait to take full advantage of the other amazing Prescott College opportunities that await me when I return.

~Amanda Hampton, 09.19.2011

Reevis Mountain School (AZ) Independent Study

2011-09-16T14:19:00.004-07:00

Deep in the Superstition Mountains, I wake before the sun rises. Stepping out of my yurpee(which is like a mix between a yurt and a tepee) I listen to the forest come alive. I let the chickens, turkeys and ducks out around the garden and orchard, which is lush with fruits and vegetables. I spend the morning working in the garden, then sit down to breakfast which is fresh from the land I work. Then the day is filled with lessons about herbology, primitive living skills and organic agriculture. In the time I have been here I have learned a wide spectrum of skills; from how to treat a rattlesnake bite with prickly pear cactus to what the best growing methods for different vegetables are in a desert environment. I now know how to prepare salves and tinctures, hot to make friction fire, how to pair foods that best support the body’s needs. Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance has taught me much more than simple skills, though. I have learned to take responsibility for my well being as well as the planet’s well being by being a part of a self-sustaining and eco-conscious community. Peter Bigfoot, the founder, and his wife Patricia have become like family to me. Peter is a well known herbalist and is best known for his much-publicized July 1976 solo trek across the Sonoran Desert. He walked 85 miles in 15 days, and brought no food or water, relying strictly on what could be foraged along the way. Patricia is an incredibly talented writer and tough homesteader who makes delicious baked goods that make everyone around quite happy. Both of them have a kindness and wisdom to them that has taught me so much. The school draws people from all over the world who hold to the values that are taught here. I have met people here from all over the country, and even one man who came from Australia. I have learned so much by getting such a wide array of perspectives, and two things seems to pervade all who come here: one, they are very in touch with compassion for the earth and it’s people, and two, they are all really cool.

What is even cooler, though, is the fact that I am getting credit through Prescott College for my time as an intern here. Through the school I designed my own course for my studies at Reevis Mountain School. With support from many at the college, including different teachers, fellow students and even the lovely people in the admissions office I was able to put together ideas to create a course through which I could make studying what I want for college credit a reality. Independent study, one of the best ideas in college history. The fact that almost all Prescott College students create at least one speaks much of the open-mindedness of the school, as well as the drive of the students here. Never have I seen or heard of college undergrads doing such interesting work, with such freedom. Another reason why I feel beyond lucky to have found Prescott College, a place where independent drive is encouraged. Where you can study exactly what you want, and have all the resources and support you need to make your ideas a reality.

The garden and surrounding mountains

Peter, the founder, and I. I am wearing a mountain lion pelt that he brain tanned.

-Brittany Davis, 9.16.2011

Hummingbirds

2011-08-25T09:19:00.003-07:00

I was searching for schools that were off the beaten path, schools with unique curricula and unique students, and I found Prescott. I had only briefly considered the school before I received a phone call out of the blue from a student working in admissions. Suddenly half an hour had passed and I was planning my entrance essay.

I began to ask around about Prescott College, and what I heard only strengthened my suspicions that it was the place for me. A friend of mine, a friend I seem to meet only fleetingly and in a different state each time, a friend who drives an old BMW without power steering around the country, told me that Prescott, AZ was a place he would never forget. He said it was, out of all the places he had been, one of the most special.

He wasn’t the only one to say favorable things about the glowing communities here in town. A touring poet I know from Boston travelled all around Arizona, and Prescott was his favorite part of the state, by far.

Through my own exploits in the New England poetry scene, I had come to know myself as a writer. I needed to be in an academic environment that did not simply assign chapters and give standard prompts, but would immerse me in a community of artistic growth and excitement. I spoke with students, read articles, studied degree plans, and all these together conspired to convince me that not only was Prescott a unique and wondrous place, it was a place that offered me the opportunity to study exactly what I needed to.

The more I researched, the more Prescott beckoned to me. My admissions counselor, Andrea Mersmann, was calling me as well, though by decidedly more conventional means. She became the voice of Prescott College, and through countless emails and telephone conversations, what was once a suspicion became a safe bet. Prescott College was my school of choice.

I am now in Prescott, sitting in my apartment, typing this up. Outside my window I can clearly see Thumb Butte, the glorious hikeable rock formation looming over town. There is thunder in the distance and my lovely hummingbirds are still gathering nectar despite the imminent downpour.

In only three days I have met more people than I can count on my two hands, all of them helpful, friendly, and interesting. It is such a dream come true to find myself here. So many months of planning are finally my reality.

I have about a week before orientation begins and only have to stop at the bookstore before I have all the necessary supplies. I can only imagine what is in store for all of us new Prescott students on our upcoming adventures. I can hardly wait.

-Estin Vogel, 08.24.11

Community Orientation

2011-06-10T12:41:00.002-07:00

For my Orientation I attended the Community-based Orientation this is offered to incoming students who are unable to be in the back-country for long periods of time. My reason was a Staff Training I couldn’t miss for a position at Camp Willow Springs, doing High Ropes, up on the Butte. Community-Based Orientation embraces the same mission and philosophy as the other orientation options but is a little different kind of way. Through community service projects, field trips, and interactions with community members I became just as oriented to the school, each other and the Southwest as my peers on orientation. It was an amazing experience and created lifelong memories and friendships! All orientations here at Prescott College create memories and friendships that truly do last a life time.

-Joshua Keultjes, 2011

Aaron's Yoga Orientation Experience

2011-06-10T12:37:00.002-07:00

Yoga orientation was so much more than I thought it would be, but also more than I could have ever hoped for. I know that statement doesn't seem to make a lot of sense up front but those that take the time to participate in any of Prescott Colleges' programs will come to understand. I have always been raised to hope for the best but plan for the worst. That being said, when I heard of the yoga orientation my first thoughts were of a bunch of students sitting in a circle talking about our feelings and chanting in the woods. That's not to say that you can't do that if that's your thing, but my point is that the orientation experience that was offered to those of us that chose the “yogic path” was more than just stretching outside. It really offered valuable knowledge about physiology, kinetics, and developing a healthy mental outlook to carry you forward, hopefully to success. It is not a vacation retreat to any that may be thinking of approaching it as such. You will work hard and be challenged on a daily basis, whether its to overcome personal obstacles or to try and find balance within the group. But when that balance is achieved and those obstacles overcome, doors will open. A skill set that will be priceless in your future, at Prescott and beyond, shows itself to you. After my time on the Yoga orientation, I felt not only healthier in body, but also more centered and grounded in my connection to the world around me. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better introduction to Prescott College, and I really believe that it was that experience that has helped me succeed thus far.

-Aaron Wilson, 05.27.2011

Get the true feel of Prescott College by watching this video

2011-06-09T10:17:00.002-07:00

Fifteen minutes will open your eyes to an education that most don't know even exists -- an education for adventurous, engaged learners seeking to immerse themselves in an intense and transformative experience, and to connect with their society, their environment, and their own potential.

And when the credits finish, if you have a smile on your face or you feel inspired, then help us spread the word. Send our video link to friends and family who could benefit from knowing there are amazing educational choices like Prescott College! And of course, if you haven't already - call or email us. We'd love to explore your options with you at admissions@prescott.edu or 877-350-2104.

As Dean Jack Herring explains, our education is "a whole different enterprise".

Check it out at: http://youtu.be/EBNynwRAVoM

The Yoga Orientation Experience...In the words of student Amanda Hampton

2011-05-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

Participating in yoga orientation has been one of my favorite experiences at Prescott College. During the course of those three weeks at Walnut Creek, I learned an immense amount about my self, yogic traditions and philosophies, awareness and the land of Arizona. Every night we slept around a campfire, making what some call a dream circle. Falling asleep to people telling stories and singing campfire songs still remains one of my favorite memories. We woke up in the morning to the sunrise and made our way over to a clearing where we had designated as our space to practice yoga. There, we would undertake between 1-3 hours of yoga. After that we would continue on with our day. Depending on the day, we would take 8 mile day hikes, go on quests for petroglyphs, make prayer flags for our “yoga area”, work on the sweat lodge that we made for our community service project, have group conversations about yogic philosophy based on the assigned book, eat yummy food, have afternoon yoga sessions, have rest time, as well as time to work on our presentations. We did a lot of the same activities that wilderness orientation does, like the presentations, the community service project, solos and group bonding, we were just based camped for most of the trip. Still sleeping and going to the bathroom outside, still cooking meals in groups, having resupply and still getting plenty of physical activity in. I actually felt like I was in the best shape of my life after orientation (at least 4 hours of yoga everyday will do that to you) yoga is great for anyones body and spirit. We also took a four day backpacking trip. One of the best qualities of Prescott College, in my opinion is our unique approach to orientation, my experience with orientation changed my life, and if I could do it over I would choose to do yoga orientation in a heart beat!

-Amanda Hampton,May 2011

Competences, like produce, can grow organically.

2011-04-29T12:48:00.003-07:00

Talk to any Prescott College student and they will have a story about how they chose their competence. For some, the answer was simple and obvious, like knowing you have to peel a banana in order to get to the fruit inside. For others, the choice manifested itself in other ways. Some danced around different ideas before settling down and choosing just one. Others might have had an epiphany in a class completley unrelated to anything they ever imagined studying and some, like myself, saw their competence evolve and grow into something completley new and before realizing it, had declared a competence in a completely different program than they had initially begun.
I began my journey at Prescott College in the Fall of 2008 with the intent of studying Marine Conservation. I fell in love with the Environmental Studies Department at Prescott College that first year and found myself devouring course after course with a hearty appetite for academia. My second year gave me wiggle room to explore possible areas for my breadth and I focused on Social Jusice, taking classes in both Peace and Gender Studies. What I found in these classes was my incredible passion for social justice, and while buried in theory and student activist work, felt I had found a second home.
Not wanting to release my dream of a competence in Environmental Studies, and having now realized a passion for Social Justice, I knew I had only one option--Double major, of course! I spent the remainder of my second year at Prescott College taking interdisciplinary classes in many of the different program areas and logging in a significant amount of hours in the Advising Center. It was then, after many long taks with Heather Knowles, the head of Advising, that I realized I wanted to teach about social justice and environmental issues. I wanted to talk about what I was learning at Prescott College! I began creating my degree plan towards a dual-copetence in Environmental Education, and a self-designed major called "Culture, Power, and Consciousness Studies".
Creating and designing my own competence gave me leave to plan a degree however I wanted. I combined Social Justice Education with Cultural & Regional Studies, Adolescent Studies, and Psychology & Human Development to create my own unique major, specific to my area of interest.
Environmental Education led me to the Education program at Prescott College and in taking classes about Environmental Education, Experential and Expeditionary Learning, I have realized my passion for teaching. I am currently pursuing my teaching certification and am hoping to teach in public schools (grades 7-12) upon my graduation.
The best part about it is, not only have I realized my true passion, but it came about in a way so unique to Prescott College. I have been supported in my educational journey every step of the way--by caring and compassionate faculty and instructors--and by the college itself. No other school would have allowed me such a path. I believe that one of the best parts about Prescott College is the fact that it is an experiential school. We get to participate hands-on in our area of study right away...we aren't taking a bunch of pointless pre-requisite classes that keep us out of the field for two years...If I wasn't "practicing" in my field from the get-go, I might not have realized my passions...my competence might not have evolved...and I might, just now, be starting to figure out where my true heart lies...and by then, it might have been too late.
I am so incredibly thankful to have found a school like Prescott College because, as corny as it my sound, it helped me find myself.
By Sydnie Bonin

Creativity, Music, and Art! Oh, my!

2011-04-15T14:40:00.001-07:00

Prescott College as a bunch of incredibly artsy students - from glass blowing, to sculpting, to poetry, to dance. A question I get consistently is - "Well where is Prescott College's music program?". If you are having a similar concern, it is understandable. Music, for me anyway, seems to serve as part of the vital life force that runs through my body. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado I volunteered at Radio 1190, an independent, alternative station. I was always surrounded with new music, and people who were very passionate about keeping up to date with what was what... heading down to Denver to see an array of shows every week. That was my music scene growing up... I never played an instrument (well, clarinet in middle school band, but that did not stick for too long). My roommate on the other hand, grew up playing guitar, piano, singing... She brought hand drums, the key board, two guitars, a banjo, a tambourine, a violin, a harmonica... And let me tell you, she plays them all (for better or for worse).

There are some extremely talented musicians here, and people are very open and supportive, and ultimately create some amazing sounds. I was very impressed.

Whether it is sitting around in a friends living room playing music, or sitting and listening, maybe a house show in someones basement or yard, getting yourself to The Raven or Coyote Joe's (for those of you who may be 21), or driving to Flagstaff or Phoenix for a concert or music festival... You will not have to worry about a lack of music in your life.

-Hannah Jean Marshall
-04/15/2011

What You'll Find Here

2011-04-01T08:30:00.001-07:00

Prescott College students don't make much of small talk, we like to take it to another level.

Walk around campus and you'll find yourself pulled into different conversations concerning philosophy, cross
country backpacking, black dwarfs and solar flares, or even the latest in sustainable agriculture. The wide spectrum of people and the many colors of topics will mesmerize you. Consider Danny, who leads daily Tai Chi sessions in the courtyard. Sometimes quiet genius, spark him on a topic concerning philosophy or medical massage and you'll come away in awe of all you've learned. Visit Seesea at the campus HUB, where "Humans Understand Bicycles", and build your own bike from donated parts. This world wise traveling kid who has been inspired by Prescott College to put down roots can tell you anything you need to know about bikes, all while rubbing off wisdom that can only come with extensive traveling with only a pack on his back. Or chat with Rebecca, one of the writers for the Raven Review, our local paper, who can school you on methods of writing or turn you on to amazing ethnic music, from Gypsy Rock to Flamenco. Or Jordan, whose walk just fairly breathes yoga and who can scale huge rock walls in seconds, but who will catch you deeply with his talk of working with students at the local elementary school and his plans for volunteering at an orphanage in central america this summer. Don't forget Sarah, cute as a button and toughest River Rafting Guide you'll meet. Or Tiberius, flame-haired permaculture and ecovillage guru. The list goes on and on. That's what you'll find here, incredible people coming together for incredible purposes.

When it came down to picking a college, Prescott College's extensive array of interesting classes was the hook. The experience of the faculty, who are among the best in their fields, drove the hook deeper. What really drove everything home, though, was the culture and wonderful intensity of all of the different people who come together to keep Prescott College thriving. The students here are beyond their years, clearly able to pull themselves out of the "box" that at times leaves us wanting. To tell you there is no college like Prescott College is an understatement. The energy and people of Prescott College make this school at the forefront of the positive change and progression of our world.

Why not see what Prescott College can help you make of your own incredible potential?

~Brittany "Davi" Davis
03/2011

Keepin’ On the Sunny Side…

2011-04-01T08:22:00.001-07:00

It is a beautiful day here in Prescott, Arizona. The sun is shining brightly, and it has been all week. The birds are chirping, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and sundresses, shorts and sandals are popping up all over campus.

After 10 days in California for Spring Break, I experienced a lot of rain. I came home hoping for a little sunshine to help launch me back into classes, but it seemed like I brought the storm with me, but within a day, the sun started to break through the density of cloud, and I really started to feel the seasons transform.

Spring inspires a lot of things – cleaning, getting outside, and being especially social… There is just something in the air. I caught the spring sunshine flurry of excitement and immediately started to run again, clean up, get on top of my homework (in the midst of the great outdoors temptation).

It really got me to thinking… was my sprit of productivity a result of the changing seasons? I have felt so wonderful these past 2 weeks: so on top of my stuff. I really wanted to capture the essence of whatever was driving me so I could continue to hold on to, metaphorically, the sunshine even on the cooler days.

I really began to realize the power we each have over our disposition. See, last week could have been considered a not so great week. I had a series of fairly stressful and unfortunate events that could have really dampened my mood, but whenever anyone asked how I was doing, I could honestly answer, “Wonderfully, it is a beautiful day”.

It is getting to the almost 2 week mark of externally beautiful days… Kind of to the point where the oddity of leaving the puffy jacket at home has mildly worn off, and things start to seem like “business as usual”. In all honesty, I don’t want to go back to “business as usual”. I also don’t want to fall in to the trap of looking towards the summer and loosing the amazing moment and opportunity we have at this exceptional school.

I am writing this long winded reflection on the excitement of spring, mainly to say that the key I found to personally succeed here, is finding what makes you feel good, and productive, successful and happy, and hold that close. Keep it in mind, and find ways to insure you continue to carry that essence though your daily life. The power in finding the beauty in each moment, in each assignment, in each new nugget of learning helps carry each of us through the difficult moments that present themselves.

So while you may be getting ready for finals, or feeling the excitement of summer, or stressing about which school you think you would like to attend, start to look for the things that bring a smile to your face, and remind you that it’s a beautiful day.

-Hannah Jean Marshall
03/31/2011

Upon completion of the first semester…

2011-04-01T08:21:00.001-07:00

Time is a funny thing. While the first steps of preparing for orientation seem so long ago, I can’t help but feel like I blinked my eye, and I have completed my first semester… And oh, what a semester it was.

As I was searching for schools, my uncle kept telling me I would find the perfect place, if I were willing to put the work into it. He also told me that college would be the best time of my life. Now, I had heard stories about what his college experience was like – attending a very traditional institution of higher education, and getting into all sorts of crazy shenanigans. When I finally committed to Prescott College, I knew it was going to be an amazing experience (hence my decision to attend…), and I knew it was going to be quite the adventure. However, I was a little apprehensive about entering it expecting to have “the best time of my life”, especially seeing as I was going to be embarking on a very different educational path than the big lecture halls, big crowds, big party scene.

However, I feel confident in saying – yes, I am having the best time of my life… and it is meaning more than I could have ever imagined, and I am going to take this opportunity to briefly touch on why:

If I have taken anything away from this first semester, it is not only the lessons I have learned in my classes (which have been PHENOMINAL, for the record), but also the lessons that come with life… And I know… This is sounding super corny, but stick with me, this stuff is important.

I came into Prescott College, not knowing anyone – and I am sure that is going to be the case for many first time students. I also came in with a little added sense of confidence, because I graduated early, and had already lived away from my family. I somehow thought I would be exempt from the awkward transition pains that are really, to be expected (which was not the case, for the record). I learned a lot about myself, my relationships to others, the reality behind the first impression – which goes hand in hand with the power of our own self-consciousness and the ways in which we react to those around us.

I found out about study habits, class engagement, keeping healthy, prioritizing ones own needs…

I know this all seems like very “normal” stuff that would happen at any college but I am addressing this because these “normal” things are addressed differently at Prescott College. Things like study habits will come with time, but since the classes are integrated with lots of grade levels, and are small groups of students, you can learn from those around you (and all are more than willing to help). As far as class engagement goes, your presence is known, and your contributions are valuable. If you don’t do a reading for your class, it is not like you are going to “get in trouble”, but the greatest thing about these learning environments, is you (or I have) realized that when not doing the work, you are ultimately letting yourself and the class down in some sort of way.
What I am really trying to get at is the support and community I have felt here, and the ways in which that has empowered me to take control of my own direction of learning. The process of learning ones own limits, and the ways in which you can seek out support to meet goals extend way beyond college life. And I feel so lucky to enter into the next semester with the tools and resources I have tapped into, the connections I have made, and the confidence that I have embodied post semester one.

It was quite the ride and I am happy to say my feet are on the ground, and I feel at home.

-Hannah Jean Marshall
03/2011

Prescott College Survival Tips

2011-01-25T11:52:00.003-07:00

After being a student at Prescott College for three consecutive years now, I find myself experiencing an array of emotions. I’m ecstatic to have found a school that serves my needs, excited to be nearing my graduation, and baffled that I made it through three years of college without suffering a nervous breakdown. It’s not that I didn’t think I would make it as a college student, but looking back, I find it refreshing to have not had to pull an “all-nighter” on 42 cups of coffee studying for a midterm I was unprepared for. It’s refreshing to b e aware of the fact that I have never been uncomfortable asking for help from a peer, instructor, teaching assistant, or advisor. I have never failed a class at Prescott College.

That being said, I think it’s important to explain that I, too, have had my fair share of stress in college. This blog isn’t for the purpose of bragging about my wonderful, easy, bliss-tastic experience at college, but rather, for sharing with you all some important tools that will be important for your success at Prescott College.

1) ATTITUDE: Having a good attitude can make or break your college career. It is, in my opinion, one of the most important tools for success that anyone can carry with them throughout their life. Your attitude can affect both your personal learning and studying habits, as well as the way you, as a student, are treated by both your peers and your instructors. No one wants to listen to someone who has a bad attitude about their classes. AND if you continue to put out a negative vibe, people will stop taking you seriously, after all, if you don’t think you can do something, other people will start to believe you. The better your attitude is about your work, the better you will feel about the end result, and the happier people will be to work with you.

2) TIME MANAGEMENT: If there is one thing college students never seem to have enough of, it’s time. Time management becomes important fast, especially when deadlines are approaching. That’s why it is crucial to develop a system of managing your time that works for you. Not everyone is going to manage their time in the same way. I’m not going to tell you how to manage your time or how to avoid procrastinating because, like I said, my methods might not work for you. I would, however, advise people to keep some kind of daily list or planner that can keep track of important dates and times of events, as well as class assignments and tests. It can even be helpful to make not of the day they were assigned so as to best see the time you have between the two dates to complete it. A work load for a college student can feel pretty intense at times and sometimes can feel like a lot to tackle at once. Don’t be afraid to take a break for mental clarity. Pour yourself some tea, have a snack, take a shower, do whatever it is that clears your head before returning to your work.

3) COMMUNICATION: To succeed at Prescott College, communication is key. If you are having a crisis, don’t understand an assignment, or are just incredibly pinched for time, TALK TO YOUR INSTRUCTORS ABOUT IT. Class sizes are small for a reason. You get to know your instructors very well in a small class and if you communicate with them about whatever is going on, chances are, they will be understanding if the issue. I am not telling you that they hand out extensions like Halloween candy, but if you have a legitimate issue and are struggling, be sure to get in touch with them early on…there is usually something that you can work out.

4) PICK THE RIGHT ADVISOR—AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO SWITCH: When you get to Prescott College, you will need to choose an advisor. They are someone who will assist you in your success at Prescott College. They’ll help you choose classes, design your degree plan, and organize your senior project so you can graduate on time. If you realize that you and your advisor aren’t the best fit, don’t be afraid to switch to another one. Many advisors are also instructors. They can be out on field courses for months and not be available to students who aren’t in their classes. They want you to succeed just as much as you do! They won’t be hurt if you choose an advisor that you work better with. It is quite common to change your advisor, especially if you change your major—dance instructors probably won’t be the best advisors for geology majors, and visa versa. Do what is right for you.

5) START YOUR DEGREE PLAN EARLY: So this is some personal advice. Technically, your degree plan isn’t due until 18 months before your intended graduation date, but it never hurts to start early. Basically, your degree plan is a list of classes that you have taken/plan to take in order to count towards your competency (major) and breadth (minor). Curriculum plans and advising documents are available to download on the college website and can tell you what classes are needed in order to graduate with a specific competence (advising document) and when they are offered (curriculum plan). Take a look at these forms early on. Even if you don’t already know what you might like to major in, familiarizing yourself with the courses offered might give you a good idea of what you might like to focus your interests on. And if you are settled into a specific area of study, you can start to plan for the classes you still need to take, note when they are offered and start to think about which classes need prerequisites.

6) KNOW YOUR RESOURCES: Familiarize yourself with the resources available to you on campus. It is important to know your way around the library and writing center as they are both valuable resources available to students. Meet your librarians and research technicians. They are here to help you if you need it. Go to Student Union Board meetings to find out what is happening on campus. Participate in clubs and student-run organizations. Even if you have a job and a class overload, find out what is happening on campus so you are aware of any changes. I would recommend getting involved with a campus-run group like Student Union Board so you are always in the know.

7) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: Make sure you are getting your sleep and feeding yourself. You’d be surprised how susceptible you are to illness when you aren’t taking proper care of yourself. Adding stress into the mix doesn’t help. If you find yourself nodding off during a cram session, take a nap. Set your alarm and start up again after you wake up. Sometimes it helps to take another look with a freshly rested pair of eyes. Pulling an “all-nighter” might seem logical when you have an important assignment due, but trust me, a well rested individual performs better than one who is lethargic.

8) DON’T FREAK OUT, HAVE FUN!: College is supposed to be both engaging and challenging, enjoy it! Make sure you are allotting yourself time to socialize and relax. It’s important to have fun!

-Sydnie

Independent.

2010-11-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had an experience so incredible you wish you could do it over again? I know I certainly have. If you find yourself finishing up a semester or block class that has been significantly moving and life changing, becoming a teaching assistant might be the perfect next move. Not only do you get upper-division credit for the course, but you have the opportunity to step into a leadership role and pass your own knowledge off to your peers. This past block, I found myself doing exactly that. This block, as part of my independent study "Sex-Positive Feminism", I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a teaching assistant (or, T.A.) for "Sexuality and Sexual Outlaws", an Upper Division course at Prescott College. This class is well known on campus for putting on the annual Drag Show at the end of the month.

As a teaching assistant at Prescott College, students are given the opportunity to help the faculty design curriculum for the class. Most teaching assistants have taken the class previously and can offer insight as to what was effective and what else might be offered during the course. Teaching assistants are often given opportunities to teach lessons to the class as well, giving special presentations about what they are studying in relation to the materials being covered during the course. They can serve as intermediaries between students and instructors, but more often than not, the main role of a teaching assistant is to be an additional resource for students who may want an extra hand.

By no means is a teaching assistant's job an easy one. It requires a significant amount of dedication and the ability to seperate your own learning experience from that of the students enrolled in the course. My experience as a teaching assistant was paired with the design and implementation of curriculum in my own independent study. At the beginnning of every Prescott College course, students are asked to submit a learning contract that outlines their learning objectives for the class. In addition to those objectives, the contract also serves as a letter of intent to the instructor, as it gives students a chance to say how they plan on completing their objectives and how they wish to be evaluated. An independant study contract is not very different, except for the fact that the student is also required to create their own course description and submit it for approval before being registered for their independent study.

Independant studies and Teaching Assistant experiences are just two examples of how you, as a student at Prescott College, have the ability to tailor a class to your own level or even create your own class to best suit your needs. That's why stdents do so well and have so much fun here--we get to decide what we want to take out of a class....well, that, and the fact that we can dress up like Lady Gaga or Jermaine Stewart and sing and dance about gender and sexual equality in the annual drag show... :)

From Preview to Preview

2010-11-29T13:46:00.003-07:00

Hello to all you wonderful individuals who have been lucky enough to find Prescott College:

Last preview weekend brought up a multitude of memories around my experience when I first attended preview weekend and what my college search looked like. It seemed appropriate to share my experience and what I may have learned along the way.

I started to get serious about my college search right before spring break of my junior year, when my mom, brother and I were going to California to visit schools. I did not really know what I wanted to study, or what I wanted my college experience to look like, but I narrowed it down to this: I had grown up wanting to be in CA, I wanted a small liberal arts school, and I wanted an education that would inspire me to do and be everything I could. I complied a list of five schools in California, and Prescott College.

I remember that break vividly – it was a pretty tense trip. I had not done adequate research on the schools, and had not contacted the administration early enough, so tours were difficult to get into. I concluded that must have been the reason why none of the schools ignited any sort of excitement. The tail end of our trip was fast approaching, and Prescott College was the last stop on our list.

When I first began my search, my uncle told me, “There is a perfect fit for everyone when it comes to finding a school. Don’t stop until you find it.”

After pulling into the town, and getting mildly lost along the streets of Prescott, we finally made it to Preview weekend. While many of the details of our weekend escape me, I clearly remember my mom turning to me throughout the presentations saying, “Hannah – this is so you.” When it came to Q&A time with the Financial Aid office she asked, “Would we get some sort of deal if my daughter and I both enrolled?" We all laughed, but she was serious.

I was only a junior, but I was ready to send in my deposit. I know this may seem like a corny, “this is how I found the perfect school” type story, this is just the beginning, and I don’t really believe in perfection (but that is a different story). After reporting to my father, “You are looking at a future Prescott College student” he smiled but responded, “Well I am happy you have found a school you love, but don’t stop your search… Now you just have a school to measure the rest up against.”

The year went on and I discovered time is a funny thing, and we constantly are changing. Senior year led to a whole new, much more comprehensive search. I knew I needed small class sizes, teachers to push me to think critically. I wanted this continuation of education to be so much more than a “good time”. I wanted to graduate with more than a degree – I wanted to grow, to be pushed, to be inspired.

I found that there are some exceptional schools… But it was easy to scratch many of them from the list. By the time applications were due, I had it narrowed down to three. Each would guarantee a certain level of adventure, small classes, and an alternative way of dealing with the information. I had gotten myself in quite the pickle – I found three schools, all seemingly wonderful, and all seemed to fit me perfectly, in its own way.

I sweated this choice out. For me, deciding on a school meant digging deep into myself, asking who I was and what I really wanted out of my education. Did I want to be in a city that never slept? The outdoors? In different parts of the world? And who was I as a student? What would I want to study? The questions seemed to cave in on me, and the decision felt almost impossible. What I realized is each school seemed to represent a different part of me, of my interests, yet all held common ground.

Writing frantically back and forth with what I had finally narrowed down to two admissions councilors, Andrea from Prescott College encouraged me to share some of my concerns regarding Prescott College. This was the tipping point for me, and ultimately there was no question.

I could not be more content at Prescott College… It really is the perfect fit. I could talk forever about the excitement I felt upon finding it, choosing it, and now being here. But that is not really the point I want to be pushing in this post. While this school is perfect for me, I had to a lot of questioning to come to that conclusion. I encourage each and every one of you to question yourself, and try to tap into what specifically draws you to a school. Question what would make you hesitate. Question the admissions counselors and students. And ultimately, contrary to all questioning – remember to follow your instinct and stay excited. This is an amazing time and there are so many doors that are getting ready to open themselves to you!

Enjoy this adventure.

Hannah Jean Marshall

The Difference Between Truth and Treason

2010-11-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

This blog is for all those prospective students who attended the Preview Weekend, and for those who are curious enough to explore this amazing school.

Thank you for taking the time to truly experience what an education at Prescott College can mean for one’s journey in life.

First off, it is reasonably known that a large part of the agenda for the Prescott College admissions staff is to promote the school, but in my belief, there is also the notion that they honestly want you prospective students to be happy and grow in whatever educational environment you may find yourselves in.

As I mentioned in my final words during the Preview Weekend, when I originally looked at Prescott College, I noticed there were flaws, and from an objective point of view did not see perfection. Alternatively though, when I looked at what my life was becoming, and reflected upon my honest needs, I found that much like Prescott College, I was not perfect either. Eventually, what this came to mean that after signing my admission agreement, and three years later of exploring and fully participating in the school culture - the imperfections that I found among myself and the school no longer mattered. Just as there is no day without night, and no child without a mother, I found that Prescott College and myself created a perfection that no longer fostered imperfections, but created opportunities for growth, curiosity, discovery, and love.

When our time for graduation from college becomes closer, and depending upon who you are, it will not matter how many swimming pools the school you attend has; it will not matter how many books are in the library; it will not matter how many flavors of soft-serve ice-cream are available in the cafeteria.
What will matter are the relationships one has with the people around them; the experiences that were had; and the support received from those who believed in us enough to truly see we are capable of greatness.

For a college education can mean many things for many people, but again, when all is said and done, one will find what was truly important, and what was mere shiny objects that may someday find themselves in the garbage dump.

To better understand the road ahead, we ask those who have been there before. So, I encourage all of you who are exploring different schools, to look past those items that will mean nothing later in life, and listen to your honest needs. For myself, Prescott College was the only school that made me feel whole; this was after visiting more than eight schools, and numerous conversations with various admissions staff.

When letting go of our arrow to hit the target of our needs, no other person can see down the sight; no other person feels the pull of our string; no other person can let go for us. It is true that being given useful advice is of course, very useful; and it is also important to understand the difference between truth and treason against our deepest heartfelt dreams.

Live the journey,

Jordan

Let go of the arrow, to hit the target

2010-11-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the inauguration for the new president of Prescott College, Dr. Kristin Woolever. For me, this was an extraordinary occasion that created an exciting and hopeful future for the school.

The inaugural speech that Kristin gave was in my belief, spot on, and focused upon many important aspects of how she views the school in its current state, and after listening to many, where she believes it would be most effective to move toward .

Like anything in life, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and how this ties into the current blog entry is quite parallel to how the school should be viewed from the landscape of a prospective student. I will be blunt in saying that Prescott College is not perfect, and like everything else created by the hands of human beings, there is always room for sustainable improvement. Alternatively though, the question must be asked, “Are we perfect for each other, Prescott College and myself?” To make this equation even more blunt, this school is not for everyone, but for some this is an opportunity that will create more growth than one could ever imagine, and this is where perfection is found.

I have seen some students create for themselves a world of living chaos, but alternatively, there are many more who take on the aim of what Prescott College stands for, and a man by the name of Howard Zinn put into words as the goal of education:

“Eliminating war, poverty, race and national hatred, governmental restrictions on individual freedom, and in fostering a spirit of cooperation and concern in the generation growing up.”

In effect, reading the mission statement of any organization that we choose to be affiliated with is of the utmost importance. Moreover, equally vital is whether or not the institution truly follows this quest they have set out for themselves.

The mission of Prescott College is:

“to educate students of diverse ages and backgrounds to understand, thrive in, and enhance our world community and environment. We regard learning as a continuing process and strive to provide an education that will enable students to live productive lives while achieving a balance between self-fulfillment and service to others. Students are encouraged to think critically and act ethically with sensitivity to both the human community and the biosphere. Our philosophy stresses experiential learning and self-direction within an interdisciplinary curriculum.”
After reading the two quotes above, many would agree that they both have much in common. In essence though, what does living the mission of Prescott College truly mean, and how does one do this most effectively? Through causation, I will not be so arrogant to say that I have the answer to this question for everyone to follow, but in the most humble of ways, I believe that doing what we love will always be of the greatest benefit for the entire biosphere. From this, the question comes up yet again, ‘Is Prescott College where I want to continue my journey in education?”
Furthermore, let me say that the true answer to this question cannot be found in any view-book, or by speaking with an admissions counselor, although these are great resources to make a better informed decision; the true answer is found in ourselves and what we believe is needed.

In this blog entry, I am not trying to be grim, but paint a picture about the projected idea of attending a school, and the actual reality of what this could mean. Is going to an institution with course sizes in the hundreds favorable to your learning, or are small, intimate classes with field trips of greater necessity? Does living in a large community of thousands make you feel more connected, or sharing a free community lunch every wednesday with everyone on campus? These are important questions that take much reflection, and to put this metaphorically, in order to hit a target, we are the only ones who must commit and let go of the arrow - no one can truly let go of the string for us. And, it is always why we let go of the arrow that makes all the difference.

Live the Journey,

Jordan

Life is a Journey, Not a Series of Destinations

2010-10-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

There are so many amazing classes here. And, they are very different from what I have encountered anywhere else. What I do when choosing classes is mainly look for a professor that I want to work with. This is because research has noted that the most important aspect of any classroom is not the material, but the facilitator. Yes, the content must be interesting to us, but if the teacher cannot convey what is effective in terms of useful skills and information, then what is the point of even being there.

Most classes at Prescott College are discussion based, but this does not mean that professors don’t participate to the fullest of their abilities. The idea behind having a professor in the classroom is to bring out the conversation, and share ideas that have been shown to be effective. To me, a professor should not be standing at the front of the room, while we take notes. Studies have shown that when we become engaged within a conversation, more is learned, rather than when we are just listening. It is by asking questions that matter to us, than learning and development happen. For what is development, but connecting a series of ideas and relationships.

I have heard, that many prospective students, and before exploring further, find this school to be more geared toward Adventure Education and Environmental Studies. This is just not the case. All programs we offer are very strong, with faculty who are committed to their work and facilitating the growth of others. I see them more as co-workers than pedestal goers. We have programs committed to social justice issues, shakespearean literature, systematics of seed plants, skiing in Alaska, the craft of the short story, environmental politics, ecology of war and peace, environmental perspectives and whitewater rafting, figure drawing of nudes, rock climbing and geology, sustainable building design, massage, yoga teacher training, environmental policy in China, U.S.-Mexico Border Studies, form and pattern in nature, counseling skills, public art, you get the idea.

We are not just a shred the gnar kind of school, nor is everyone running around barefoot, but there are both of those communities here, and many more. Prescott College is filled with an extremely diverse amount of ideologies, lifestyles, and energies. This school attracts people from all walks of life. From dredded out people with bells in their hair, to the most exact scientists I have ever known. There are student writers who win national awards, and white-water rafting guides who live out of their trucks. You will never feel like you don’t belong, this is because, to me, we have an extraordinarily diverse population of people who are passionate about what they do, and how they intend to do it.

In summary, this school is academically and emotionally challenging, although I have never studied for a test, or crammed for a mid-term. We are asked more of ourselves than this; we must show to others that what we have learned is truly meaningful to us through presentations, essays, and art projects. And, that we will be tested on the material for the rest of our lives. Going to school at Prescott College is a demanding task that takes concentration, organization, and many other skills that are developed over time, but I have never felt any of the work was tedious. Even though some assignments are quite challenging, there has never been the feeling that what I am doing is meaningless. As the amazing educator Kurt Hahn once noted, “Every challenge is an opportunity,” and every opportunity at Prescott College is part of the exploration of ourselves, others, and the biosphere.

If you are confused about what school to give four years too, consider that life is an ongoing journey, not a series of destinations where we eventually arrive. As the seasons change, there is no time when we wake up and arrive at winter, everyday is filled with a process toward growth and decomposition.

As the song by The Flaming Lips goes,

“Do you realize? The sun doesn’t go down, it’s just the world spinning round.”

And when it comes to exploring Prescott College further, ask the question of what you need in a school and let the journey flow.

Jordan

We are powerful beyond measure...

2010-10-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

What do you want to study?

What do you plan on doing by studying that?

How do you plan to make any money doing that?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the universal energy. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson

Prescott College is one of a handful of schools that creates an environment for students to explore the infinite potential available to everyone of us. Although, what sets the school apart is the experiential approach to each and every classroom experience. We are not always held to the four classroom walls, but rather are off truly exploring what we are studying in our flock of vans. For myself, the most memorable experiences in school prior to Prescott College were the field-trips - visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.; running across the fields of Gettysburg; going to the Zoo and Aquarium...

Furthermore, we have the great option to cultivate a program of study that germinates into all aspects of our life, moving with the journey that does not stop at graduation, but continues throughout our life. Not more than a few days ago, there was an alumni event, where many arrived to see how the college had changed. Almost all of the past graduates mentioned how great a place the school has turned into, and wish they could do the experience again.

In essence, life is not a series of destinations, but a journey filled with discoveries, memories, and the need to grow. Many schools have lots of “stuff,” but what Prescott College lacks in weight rooms, it excels in preparing students to think clearly, intentionally, and pushes them to explore what the words happiness and contention truly mean.

To me, I could not imagine going to school anywhere else, and I have visited many colleges, and spoke with many of their admissions staff. Prescott College conjures up different feelings for different people. For myself, I feel supported, energized, excited, explorative, empowered, and among many other words, exceedingly grateful to be part of an institution that reminds us “we are powerful beyond measure...[and] as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Live the journey,

Jordan

Who have I become?

2010-10-13T12:41:00.001-07:00

Who have I become? For I do not feel like the same person when I started here three years ago. My time here has been filled with many beautiful nights, many daily challenges, and many times of genuine and amazing growth directly attributed to the Prescott College community.
Currently, this is the beginning of my junior year, and I have ventured into a way of life that several years ago I couldn’t have even imagined. In blogs past, I have referred to the poet Rainer Maria-Rilke in doing my best to explain the tendency for people to have all the answers to all of the questions unsolved within their hearts. Essentially though, if we had the answers, life would be monotonously boring and full of disenchantment. Gratefully, and as Prescott College consistently notes, life is a journey, not a linear formation of destinations, but rather an ever evolving, ever transforming story that changes based upon how we perceive the world, and how strong and capable we feel that we truly are.

I am sure that as a perspective student, or one who has already been admitted, many questions come about, and in many ways, even I still don’t have the answers to some of the ones I came here with, this is after three years of attendance at this amazingly effective institution. Alternatively, some of these big questions that arise can be answered very simply with yes; you will find affordable housing, you will make friends that will probably last a lifetime, and you will take classes that can be found at no other college, which will challenge your current ways of thinking, but you will grow into a way of being that positively transcends your current lifestyle beyond anything you are currently perceiving.

In essence, I will significantly go over some very effective steps toward alleviating a few of the major anxieties that are you probably being faced with as either a prospective or newly admitted student. Furthermore, you are not preparing for college alone, many have gone before you who can offer advice, such as myself. Moreover, and equally important, it would be incredibly irresponsible of Prescott College to not support our newly admitted students in the most committed way possible.

How do I find housing?

Again, to put this simply, you will definitely find housing that suits your needs. This may take a few different living environments so that you may better understand your needs within a household, but there are an extraordinarily diverse amount of living accommodations available for those who are willing to explore.

There are many ways to go about the process of finding and moving into a place that feels like home. I find that websites like craigslist to be secondary sources rather than the end all, be all. One must also remember that they are not the only one looking for housing, and that sharing a house is a much more affordable option that vying for a studio apartment. Some of the efficiency apartments around town can cost almost $700 a month, whereas sharing a house like I do, the cost is $300 per month. Moreover, I did not look for housing until after orientation. This is a common concern, but one must reflect upon whether one would like to pay for a months rent without being town, or let the journey run its course and secure housing during the ten days after orientation, which is more than enough time. Please believe me when I say this, letting people know that you are looking for a room will be the most effective way to locate housing. There are more rooms for rent in Prescott then there are students who need them.

In terms of college support with housing, there is a housing fair that helps people locate others who are looking for a place to stay, along with local rental proprietors who only work with Prescott College students.

When it comes to finding a place to call home, the answer to what the place looks like is different for everyone, but the process is generally the same. Be patient, and don’t worry that you might be sleeping in somebodies yard, unless you truly choose to do so.

What am I going to study?

The answer to this question will not be an answer but more of general recommendation to reflect upon your deepest needs and desires. Once this is done, and it will take time, you will grow toward a course of study that is significantly meaningful to you.

Some direct ways to figure this out:

Explore your interests. How will you know what you like if you have never explored it before? How does one know they want to be a doctor of they have never volunteered in a hospital or clinic?
In order to better understand who we are, we must understand who we are not? We should not be afraid to take classes outside our realm of comfort. Who knows what we might find? I started with an elementary education competence, and after an 800 mile horse-packing expedition focusing on integrated awareness, a few classes in social justice, and speaking with many supportive faculty members, I am currently creating a self-designed competence in Sustainable Social Development.

Start with Exploring what is needed, rather than what is wanted.

Begin with yourself, and expand from this central point. Through reflecting on our own needs, we can become better prepared to help others, and live into a lifestyle that creates much growth and lasting happiness.

Our parents, friends, co-workers, and everyone else in the world can support us in many wonderful ways. Alternatively, there are going to some who do not. We cannot blame others for the decisions that we make, nor can we do what others say is “good,” when we know in our hearts it feels like absolute poison.

In the end, wherever we go, there we are.

Taking a quote from a memoir written by Victor Frankl during his time of surviving in a concentration camp:

“Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms, to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

In effect, Prescott College is not for everyone, but for those who call it home, it is an environment that has shed light on many places of darkness. We don’t have lots of “stuff” like many others schools, and we don’t have a big cafeteria, but rather, Chef Molly who maintains a first name basis with many students, and brings in local meats, vegetables, and grains from farmers who I have personally met.

Prescott College does not assess us students based upon our capacity to memorize unemotional statistics. Instead, it is the content of our character that is put to the test, and it is our responsibility, along with the great support of faculty and staff, to find our “own way.”

Live the journey,
Jordan

Arizona’s Wetlands Explored through Prescott College

2010-10-07T13:46:00.002-07:00

I just finished a block course here entitled “Wetlands Ecology and Management” with long-time faculty Walt Anderson, yet another Environmental Studies class informing my goal of teaching Biology/Ecology to highschoolers. After reading that sentence and remembering that Prescott College is located in Arizona, many of you are probably crying foul. Perhaps you even exclaimed something aloud, something like “You can’t study wetlands in Arizona! That’s preposterous!” Maybe you even threw your arm up in the air, index finger extended in a Doc Brown-esque moment of eccentric energy. I, too, was once uniformed and excitable as you, dear reader, but hopefully I can allow you to understand another aspect of Arizona as I do now.

When you mention Arizona, most folks picture a desolate wasteland, populated only by saguaro cactus and spontaneously appearing turkey vultures that begin to circle you expectantly when they sense you are nearing your demise. And while there are areas in Arizona that resemble that mental image, this state is actually one of the most diverse locations I’ve had the privilege to experience. For those of you stubbornly holding onto the idea of Arizona as a barren desert, I submit the following:

Pictured: Arizona Not Pictured: Desert Habitat

Arizona is actually quite a wet place depending on what watershed you find yourself in, and over this block my eyes were opened to the wonderful riparian communities that call this state home. Our journey started at the Hassayampa River Preserve, a Nature Conservancy site dedicated to providing habitat for many Riparian species of the Basin & Range province of Arizona where the ecology has been heavily impacted by Phoenix and its perpetual sprawl.

We entered a lushly vegetated reserve with an abundance of ecological diversity and a fair amount of water flow year round, as well as multiple standing pools of water that were providing homes for migrating birds passing through the area. This place seemed to be a desert oasis, pristine aside from a few educational placards and the trails running through it.

Hassayampa River Preserve

Our class was asked to look for and identify “signs of change,” and with no other instruction we set off in pairs and tried to fathom as many unnatural features we could in different locales around the area.

We found introduced and invasive species, the trails and educational placards, some alteration of the stream channel, and the educational center that had been built on the grounds. What none of us realized was that this riparian reserve had been a paved RV and ATV recreation area only 40 years prior. At that time, it was filled with trash, human waste, and heavily impacted by Jeep and ATV races through the creek channels. The vast majority of vegetation that we saw, and the “pristine” conditions that we observed were a result of efforts put into revegetating and revitalizing this place on behalf of the biotic communities that lived here previously and the shrinking riparian communities elsewhere around the state. At that moment, I was struck with no small measure of hope for our natural world to heal itself with the aid of humans. This would be a feeling that I experienced many times over the block, as we visited many locations that at one time had been ecologically decimated by human use, and now harbor species that have moved from other areas impacted by humans.

Through our scientific surveys of many of these areas, I came to a deeper understanding of the plight many wetlands face here in Arizona and around the world.

-Zach Schiewetz

OH YEAH BACK FROM SUMMER

2010-09-03T18:57:00.006-07:00

My summer was awesome!!! I completed two independent studies with one of my favorite professors, Zoe Hammer, reading Michel Foucault. They were so challenging and awesome! It took me about an hour to get through four pages in his books...but it was worth it. Enough about academics though...let's talk about my roadtrip!

About two weeks after last semester ended an opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up. Two of my friends were roadtripping to Austin, Texas and then homeward bound to Philadelphia! I had some money saved and I wanted to surprise my sister for her birthday...so I went for it.

The first leg of our adventure was to drive straight south to Tucson. This is about a 4 hour drive with like a 20 degree increase in temperature. It seems pertinent to mention that we were in an '87 Diesel Mercedes Benz with no air conditioning. I may or may not have wimpered about this as we approached the shimmering heat of southern Arizona. Of course...we're all Prescott College students so eventually we were saying things like "Wow, brah, this heat is mega cleansing...I feel like all the toxins are totally leaving my body and my vibes are all aligned...Let's go charge some crystals." But seriously...and we meant it.

Once we made it to Tucson it was time for a break so we got some lunch and made a new friend:

Right.

From this point we drove drove drove east through New Mexico and into West Texas. Texas has a lot of really threatening signs regarding littering...it's cool. Seriously do NOT mess with Texas when it comes to littering... Driving through El Paso was strange. We took a moment of silence for the women in Juarez. It was very emotional and we talked about it for awhile, driving through the night.

Eventually we made it to Fort Stockton, Texas which is one of the WEIRDEST places I've ever been. Seriously soooo weird - and I'm from New Jersey! Home of some of the weirdest stuff on earth! After parking in front of a gentleman's club to rearrange the car (it was closed..this was at like 3:30am) we headed over to Walmart and slept in the parking lot. I forgot to mention that at some point the humidity kicked in and all of our water bottles started sweating and my hair got really puffy. It was awesome.

I woke up early the next morning with quite the neck cramp. My friends were still sleeping so I naturally decided to go into the Walmart and try on some swim suits. This outrageously fun 6am activity proved fruitless. I may be from Jersey but I can't rock swim suits featured on the Jersey Shore. And apparently one pieces are only meant for older women?...it was very discouraging.

After some breakfast we were on the road again and by 4pm we made it to Austin! Oh wait I forgot to mention our flat tire...that was exciting.

And by exciting I mean terrifying at first. We thought we had a fuel leak...but it was just a loose radiator cap. Matt and I went to look for rocks to shove under the front tires while Sam set up the jack. About 200 feet down the road Matt suddenly goes "ADDIE WATCH OUT!" I looked down to see a massive snake slithering toward me. Much shrieking and fearful gesticulating ensued.

So flash forward to this horse tail and then all the way to Austin, where we left off.

Austin is an awesome place. It seemed to me that instead of hanging out on the stoop, on the block, Austin folks hang out on the Green Belt aka sweetest inner city water holes ever. I love swimming so I was basically in heaven.

I loved Austin and met some great people there. Plus you can't go wrong with a brown and gold sparkly (one piece!) swimsuit from the 90s. I was bound to have a great time. One night my friend Sam and I did some urban exploring/deriving (citation: Guy Debord). We found a restored theatre that showed classic movies all summer. That night they were playing a Thin Man movie and I LOVE the thin man movies...old mysteries...check 'em out! We ate way too much popcorn. Waterholes and old movies in fancy restored theatres...I was blissed out.

Capital building in ATX

no teef to eat my beef

Eventually it was time to get on the road. Sam and I bid goodbye to Matt (because he lives in Austin) and were on our way. I miss Matt's Mom....she was so cool.

Hahahahaha!

PIZZA GAMES. One of the best signs of our roadtrip.

Goodbye, Texas. You are a gorgeous place.

We took three days to get to Philadelphia. Driving through Louisiana Sam and I talked about the oil spill a lot. Then Shreveport was basically deserted. I had a definate energetic shift: upset, sad, compassionate.

Drove through Arkansas and made it to East Memphis before total exhaustion set in. The next day we drove through Tennessee and listened to a lot of Dolly Parton. Especially the song about her Tennessee mountain home where life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh... Besides the traffic I think I got what she was saying :) Last thought on this leg of the trip: the bayou is amazing.

Made it to Radford, Virginia and stayed with another PC student. Her parents were so cool also! The next morning they made us a pancake breakfast with fresh fruit from their garden and introduced us to Buttercup, the Vulture.

Yes.

So we drove drove drove through VA, West VA, Maryland, and finally made it to Pennsylvania (SHWEW!). Sam drove me to the Septa station and I was almost home.

The train ride was awesome. I love the east coast. I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and joy. When I made it to the 30th street station I made a really nice cheerleader take this picture:

MADE IT!

AND I successfully surprised my sister, Paige, for her birthday. She thought that I was a burgler but that's another story...

Love always from your admissions liason,

Addie

Indecision 2010

2010-07-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hello to all you blog readers! Bonjour! Guten Tag! Jambo! Konnichiwa! Aloha and Kalimera! It realize that it has been a while since I sat down and wrote a blog--for that, my deepest and most sincere apologies. It's not that I haven't meant to write...it's just, well, I'm having trouble commiting to one specific topic. I sit sometimes, staring at the computer for what feels like hours, starting topic after topic and never finishing one. Making decisions can be really difficult sometimes, especially for someone like me. I like to start new projects all the time...the only trouble is staying focused on one specfic thing. Its so easy to float from project to project, topic to topic, plan to plan--but then all you really have at the end of the day are few half-finished projects, blogs, or degree plans....
So you probably guessed by now that I'm not really talking about being indecisive with blog topics exclusivley. Thats right, folks....I'm having trouble with my degree plan. But I'm not too stressed about it. In some ways, I guess I should be. I never really had a clear answer to that question I'm sure we've all been asked in our lives: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I've wanted to be a lot of things...Clown, Ballerina, Judge, Princess Spy, Farmer, Fortune Teller, Fire Dancer, Rythmic Gymnast, Environmentalist, Aquarist, Journalist, Flight Attendant, and the list goes on. Most of these things I've wanted to be in the last few weeks alone. So maybe I should be stressed, right? If I can't even finish a blog, how can I expect to choose a MAJOR?

This, my friends, is the part of the blog where one would expalin to you the *key* to managing their hectic life, focusing their interests, and sitting down and creating a plan for oneself. Sorry to dissappoint, but I don't have the key. What I do have, however, is a network of support at Prescott College. Just the other day I had a minor freakout when a class I was planning on taking in the fall had to be rescheduled. WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO???? My degree plan needs to be finished by next semester if I want to graduate on time...... Fortunatley for me, the people who work at Prescott College are INCREDIBLE.

I headed over to the registrar's office to try to get myself into another class. I was met with the friendly ladies in the registrar's office who sat me down and guided me through which classes were still open and which worked with my schedule. After writing down a few course titles, I ran off to the advising center and had a long chat with Heather Knowles (who runs the Advising Center) about planning out a schedule that could work for my degree plan. The only problem was, I hadn't finished writing out my degree plan...i hadn't even fully committed to my competence. We sat down and talked for a bit: What kinds of things are you interested in? What kind of job might you like to have? These were questions I had asked myself before. Though I still didn't have a clear answer, we were able to start a dialogue about all the different things I was thinking about so far. I was interested in all sorts of things but I didn't know how they could fit together. I was interested in Cultural/Regional Studies, Environmental Issues, Conservation Projects, Ecotourism, Marine Biology, and the relationships between organisms and their environment. How could I ever mesh all those things into one competence? I could imagine myself one day working for an eco-tourism company of some sort teaching others about environmental issues, the natural history of certain species, or the impact humans have on the area. Thats when we began to get an idea of what I should be studying...

Though I had orisinally planned on a more generic "Natural History and Ecology" competence, it seemed to Heather Knowles (and soon, myself) that I was describing more of a career in "Environmental Education". I really hadn't even thought about that. Education classes seemed so far off from what I wanted to study--it never really seemed like something that I might want to combine with my other areas of study. Looking back, it seems like a natural course of action. Education and Environmental Studies are so clearly related that I am almost kicking myself for not realizing it sooner. I was so focused on CHOOSING a competence, that I hardly considered CREATING one unique to myself...and that was one of the primary reasons I came to Prescott College in the first place.

So, I'm testing the waters. I think that's important. making a commitment to a specific major isn't something you should enter into lightly. So far, this one feels right. It may sound kinda cheesy, but Prescott College is really awesome that way. If you play around in the areas that fascinate you, your competence has a way of finding you. I'm glad I chose this school. If I had picked another school, I'd barely be finished with my General Requirements and I wouldn't even have had an opportunity to figure out what I'm passionate about. I'm two years in at PC and I've been dipping my toes into every possible area of study. Maybe I haven't made a solid decision yet. But I have time to figure it out...and with the resources a school like Prescott College offers, I know it will be an adventure the whole way.

Erratically Yours, Sydnie.

Independent Studies and Creativity

2010-06-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here at Prescott College you’re given the opportunity to customize your education to an extraordinary degree, and one of the best examples of this is the independent study (IS). Through the independent study structure here you can design a class for yourself that encompasses elements of other classes you’ve taken but expands your education in a way that currently offered classes can’t. This manifests in different ways depending on the content area. Some Adventure Education students have used this unique system to create academically rigorous adventures for themselves involving ice climbing in the northern states or caving in Mexico. But the independent study is not exclusive to any one area. I am currently enrolled in an independent study to create a functional library for my future as a teacher, a comprehensive database of resources to help make biology and ecology relevant for my future students.

Artists have an especially fun time with the IS system, allowing them to create entirely new projects that have never been done before; some of which become classes in the future. My partner is currently working on an independent study in Dance, involving dancing every day for 2 weeks in a different environment each day. Today we utilized a computer as an environment, creating a Youtube playlist filled with advertisements to be displayed behind us by a projector, and entertaining assorted random people through Chatroulette. Dressed in aluminum foil, computer chords, and headphones, we did an interpretive dance about technology in modern society.

These sorts of projects are common here; innovation is something that we are encouraged to take part in, rather than pushed away from at our school.

If you have an interest in following a Prescott College Artist through the Independent study process, feel free to check it out here:

http://edanceproject.tumblr.com/

Sincerely,
Zach

Summer 2010 Block A: Herpetolgy

2010-06-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

Prescott College summers here have been drastically re-imagined this past year. Whereas the summer term used to be a reflection of fall and spring terms; it is now composed of four blocks. These blocks are slightly shorter than the ones in fall or spring semester; three weeks instead of four, so one has to fit even more experience and information into a shorter time period.
My first block of the summer was Herpetology; which focused on studying reptiles and amphibians of southeastern Utah and western Colorado. In addition to learning about the evolution and morphology of these critters-

-we each had to design our own project that would utilize information gathered in the field as well as peer reviewed journals and field guides.

My personal project revolved around caudal autotomy; the ability of lizards and some snake species to shed their tails when threatened and escape predation, and more impressively the ability to grow them back later.

I think one of the greatest things about the personalized projects here is that I become so much more invested in the material when I know I’m going to have to teach it to the class. I feel like there’s a lot of unintentional learning that happens during this process as well. For example; did you know that lizards are always right or left hand dominant like us? I certainly didn’t. Turns out, the left handed lizards are always more clumsy and so loose their tails more often as a result of not being able to run from predators. You can tell that one to all your left handed friends, I’m sure they’re love it.

We learned a ton about performing population surveys in the field, it was quite eye-opening to begin to learn how you go about setting up a scientifically sound field survey in an undergraduate class. We also learned that in a pinch, you can make a head dress out of a tee-shirt to keep the gnats off your face and out of your nose/eyes/ears.

We also discovered a ton of related and equally enthralling material about biotic soil crust…

… Indigenous cultures…

…and that the health food store in Moab, UT, does in fact carry the best ice cream on earth, which happens to be made in NH. Go figure.

I think I saw more spectacular natural bridges, arches, and ruins while hiking through the canyons for this trip than I have in the rest of my life. In sort; it was fantastic. While I admit the shorter block was hectic at times as far as getting work done, I am already loving summer courses. It just doesn’t get any better than watching a woodhouse’s toad sit on a tiger salamander.

Take care all,

Zach

Summertime

2010-06-04T11:21:00.003-07:00

To me, summer is bittersweet. Sure, it can be a time to relax and soak up some sun, but more often then not, I spend the time thinking about school. I miss Prescott College when term isn't in session. Call me a nerd, but I actually look forward to my block and semester classes. Its exciting to think about the new term. It reminds me of elementary school--you know, buying all your school supplies and slipping them into that new backpack, laying out your "first day" clothes and sneaking a peek at your new text books....Okay, so maybe I'm a nerd. But when has that been bad? Prescott College is the type of school that you WANT to be at. Lucky for me, that doesn't end when Spring Semester does. Summer Term 2010 has officially arrived! Seperated into 4 "blocks", Prescott College has turned into something of an educational "summer camp" of sorts. Students enroll for short, but intensive classes which can sometimes take them all over the world. Rather than creating a summer term that lasts from May to August, our Block system divides the summer into 4 chunks so students can pick and choose when they have classes. Some classes might span over multiple blocks,heading to Nepal, Alaska, Africa, or Costa Rica, while others might last only one block and either stay in Prescott, or travel to Kino Bay, Baja, Utah, or the Grand Canyon. What makes this an EVEN BETTER choice is the fact that financial aid is available for those summer months! Students who file their FAFSA forms intending to take a summer semester are eligible for 3 terms of financial aid, making summer classes not only logical, but affordable.
Sydnie

Stay Curious, Stay "Foolish"

2010-05-06T16:00:00.002-07:00

As the seasons change, so do I, and it is with this change that creates new perspectives and growth in this seemingly chaotic life. For the past year and a half, I have participated in accelerating the outcomes of many current students at Prescott College. As a Student Admissions Counselor, I have spoken to many people, giving them advice on how best to approach this labyrinth of choosing a college. Every once in a while, someone approaches me and says, “Hey, you helped me figure out my life, and now I am here because of you. Thank you so much.”
I am not trying to toot my own horn, but I believe that sometimes, I forget how much of a difference I make in others lives.

Waking up in the morning, it can be easy to walk through the day feeling completely independent of everything else in the world. This can’t be farther from the truth. Every breath we take, every step we plant, and every blink of our eyes creates a resounding vibration that resonates the entire universe. Someone might say, ‘I don’t feel like I am ever making a difference in my job, home-life, or overall experience.” Again, our lives are defined by perspective.

For there are many jobs that may seem menial; for example, the job of a janitor could seem unfulfilling, but this depends upon perspective. Someone has to make sure the working environment runs smoothly and efficiently in terms of making sure items get recycled, facilities are clean enough so that others will not become sick, and so forth.

In effect, it truly comes down to following our bliss, and keeping open eyes to the effect we have on others. This becomes superbly present when looking for a job on campus. There are truly a great amount of options for all different interests. Some current examples are: Performing Arts Assistant, Cook/Baker in the café, Video Tech, Community Events Coordinator, Tutor/Consultant…. All of these jobs have certain attributes that we may not always enjoy, but asking ourselves the essential questions, ‘why do I do, what I do?’ and ‘who benefits from what I do?'

It is never a great challenge to find a job on campus, whether we have work-study or not, there are always more than enough. Where the challenge lies is within the reason for choosing a particular path.

“The future is not a result of a choice among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created… created first in mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not someplace we are going to but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” – John Shire

There is no such thing as luck, only change, choice, and the connection between. I ask all of you prospective students to live a life filled with curiosity and reasonable “foolishness.” Let truth be your guide, and nothing else, within this you will always find bliss. C’est la vie.

Jordan

Oh Captain, My Captain

2010-04-28T18:20:00.002-07:00

This is an ode to President Dan Garvey. For I have known him for the past two years since attending this school. He has brought many ideas into my head, heart, and hands that have stayed with me for quite some time. This is especially true before leaving on the Arizona Trail expedition, he had dinner with the team before embarking and we asked if he had any advice, he said, "I don't want to put any assumptions onto the table. This is your journey, now go and live it." And live it we did.

Sitting on the front porch watching the horses before dinner while playing the guitar, Dan sat down next to me and told me he used to play the guitar quite often as well, this was before he contracted Multiple Sclerosis. For his right hand is not as agile as it once was, but he asked if I wouldn't mind strumming while he put his left hand on the frets. There I was, sharing a guitar with my college president, all the while watching Arabian horses running through a field, and smelling a delicious dinner being prepared.

Like most faculty, instructors, and administrators here at Prescott College, they all show themselves to be people, rather than a talking mirror. I still go out to breakfast on a regular basis with my first writing professor, Jeff Fearnside, along with his wife who works in the registrars office.

To me, this college is very academically, emotionally, and physically challenging, but it also feels like a truly sustainable living community. It will be hard to leave after graduation in 2012, but I believe that I will always remember the friendships that presented themselves. For Prescott College is not a set of buildings, or a sign out front with a logo, but the people who are creating this beautifully productive environment. It will be different to not have Dan around next year, but he will be back to teach a few classes in the fall of 2011. Furthermore, I am hopeful that the new president, Dr. Kristin Woolever, will transform this college to meet the needs of the future, all the while maintaining the wonderful community we currently reside in.

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

-Walt Whitman

Here is to a great man, and a great future for the college he helped produce; along with a legacy that will continue sailing with the winds of grace, dignity, and compassion.

Gentle seas,

Jordan

Our Life Belongs to Our Dreams

2010-04-27T18:07:00.002-07:00

The semester is winding down and we have less than two weeks left. This has been quite a transformational set of months. I started out with the idea of gaining a competence and certification in Elementary Education, then slowly moved away from this already defined path and into a self-designed competence called Sustainable Community Development. Lately, I have been researching more of what this means.

Overall, life moves fast here at Prescott College. I came here in the fall of 2008, and it has been superbly engaging since then. I have gone to many amazingly beautiful places, discussed various topics with the utmost passion, rode a horse 800 miles, changed my course of study, and participated in countless events, all since I took my first step on orientation.

It is an interesting opportunity to be able to attend a school like Prescott College, and the school is changing, much like everything else; for change is the only constant, and in order to not become stale, we must move with the river of energy. As for immediate change, President Dan Garvey will be retiring at the end of June, and Dr. Kristin Woolever will be stepping forth to fill the position. Dr. Woolever comes to Prescott College from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, where she is currently Dean and Director of the Campus. Prior to UNH Manchester, Woolever led the Antioch Center for Creative Change at Antioch University Seattle in a reorganization that included the development of alternative course delivery models and innovative, cross-disciplinary graduate programs in environmental studies, management, organizational psychology, systems thinking, and strategic communication.

Moreover, the college has acquired the alley way that previously split the campus in half. Now, we have purchased this piece of property and will be reinvigorating it by taking down the telephone poles that expose various wires putting them underground, and the ecological design class has been planning what we will see in the near future. This will greatly beautify the campus, and will create a more integrated environment. Currently, the alleyway has been closed to cars, and has begun the process of redefining the current nature of the campus.

In terms of residential options, there are a few ideas in the works that will include a dormitory for around 150 students, but this has yet to be set in stone. The college will probably not see this for another year.

As for the summer class schedule, this has been changed from a block and quarter system to a semester filled with four block classes. Examples of these classes are: Public Art-Mural Painting, Expeditionary Sailing, Surfing & Oceanographic Principles of Wave Dynamics, Aboriginal Living Skills, Jungian Studies…. Moreover, there will still be classes that take up most or the entire summer, which include: South America – Land of Contrasts, Maasailand – A Study in Community Activism, Sustainable Nepal, Studies in Alaska, Ecological Design at the ECOSA Institute….

In essence, our world is constantly changing, and if we are going to be active in our environment we must move with the belief that our life does not belong to us, it belongs to our dreams.

Peace be the journey

Jordan

P.S.
If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, you have never slept with a mosquito in the room.
-African Proverb

2010-04-27T10:19:00.006-07:00

Well, the semester is coming to a close and I feel pretty good about all that I've accomplished academically, personally, and politically. I made the decision to get a double competence in Psychology and Cultural and Regional Studies and wrote two independent studies for the summer.

Some highlights from this spring:

This is my partner in crime. We started a feminist zine last semester and my sister did the cover art for our most recent issue...so cool!

I organized a lot with my class, PERC. We did "Coffee Talk" (free coffee, breakfast, and news publications every Tuesday morning), Game Night, workshops on health, addiction & recovery, how to graduate, time management, etc. This flyer I made was for a textiles-themed get-together. Laurie Silver is actually the Dean of Student Life here at the College. Not only did she teach me how to knit, she also didn't mind my totally ridiculous pun. I love going to a small school!

I have been developing a workshop on the three waves of feminism (and all contemporary feminisms) and their differing perspectives on pop culture. This semester I held it for freeskool a few times, at some mini-WEB conferences (Women's Empowerment Breakthrough - Sydnie volunteers with them too...amazing organization that is very active and holds an annual three day conference up at Mingus Mountain for local teenage girls), the Praxis Youth Action Conference (my friend's senior project, it was amazing, Rebel Diaz came and did the keynote and an incredible performance), and the Nonviolence Skillshare (sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center). I basically talk foundational feminist history and theory and then the group and I collaboratively deconstruct videos like Lady Gaga & Beyonce's "Telephone" or Jamie Foxx's "Blame It". We discuss things like mind pollution, sexuality's relationship to political power, art, and bell hooks.

I took a course called "Dreamwork" for block, then "Family Systems Theory", "Peer Education Practicum", and an independent study on Carl Jung, "Jungian Depth Psychology". All of these classes were absolutely incredible.

We did a silly April Fools joke for this month's freeskool...Normally the Catalyst logo occupies the back inside cover:

It's been a wonderful semester. And now...

I'll be doing some intensive reading of Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish as well as Madness and Civilization for my independent studies.

Don't let my degree fool you...this summer I will be reading Foucault in my hiking boots, adventuring in Colorado and the southwest.

your student admissions counselor,

addie

The Peace and Justice Center

2010-04-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

     It started out as an assignment for my Social Movements class—to volunteer my time with a social justice group in Prescott that I hadn’t yet participated in. The Peace and Justice Center seemed like a perfect choice for me, having had taken multiple classes in Peace Studies at Prescott College. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did—it wasn’t that I didn’t care about social justice or the objectives of the Peace and Justice Center(PJC), I was just crunched for time. I was taking a full course load, dividing my time up between work, classes, groups I currently volunteered with, and extracurricular obligations. I didn’t feel I had the time to tack on another obligation. I was looking at this as a chore, and not a golden opportunity to be more involved with my own experiences at Prescott College.
     The first meeting of the semester was what really began to change things. I began to understand what the PJC was really about. We weren’t sitting around talking about issues and the way things should be in our community…we were pitching ideas about speakers, workshops, film screenings, and other events to bring to Prescott College. We were focusing our efforts on collaborating with other on-campus groups to educate our community and CREATE CHANGE within the town of Prescott, the state of Arizona, the United States, and the World.

     And that’s when I realized it for certain: Prescott College is an activist’s dream school. Here we have the ability to step forward out of the crowd and work together to take action and create change. More often than not, students can be afraid to come forth with their beliefs and let their colors shine. But here we receive so much support that failing to come forward with new projects and ideas can be scarier than actually implementing them. The Peace and Justice Center offers students and community members a space to be heard—to pitch ideas for events, to share grievances and create a dialogue about how we can manifest solutions to current issues about human rights, border justice, environmental problems, and the like.

Sydnie

***Our most recent efforts have been focused on putting together a series of FREE community events exploring the true costs of “Free Trade” and how it affects food sustainability, environmental, economic, and social justice issues on a national and worldwide scale. On Monday, April 26th, Director Aaron Woolf will be arriving at Prescott College to screen his award winning documentaries “King Corn” and “Big River”. Following the screening he will conduct a discussion about food sustainability and the pressures of government subsidized mono-cropping in the United States. The following afternoon, April 27th, Borderlinks will present a workshop about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Following a skit and discussion, Borderlinks will explore the profound implications NAFTA has on the environment, global politics, economical, and human rights issues, as well as the way it affects our everyday lives and the world around us. Come join us for an informational discussion about “Free Trade” and the ways in which each individual can help solve these issues in our country, and the world. ***

What serves me?

2010-04-12T14:54:00.002-07:00

It is commonly touted around Prescott College that if someone has enough passion and commitment, then just about any project can be implemented, supported, and activated; weaving baskets underwater to support an indigenous tribe in Sumatra; building bicycles out of old fish tanks; attempting to understand why a house fly goes backward before it goes forward when leaving a surface. We have so much support here that at times it becomes overwhelming when we notice what is possible and who believes in us enough to succeed.
I believe that rarely do we know how strong we actually are. How often do we test our boundaries in doing what we are afraid of?
After eating the first course from my March 2nd blog, I must remember to slow down and relax a little. It can be easy to see a pie and want to devour the entirety of it, especially when it is my favorite flavor - passion.
For there are many activities, workshops, and events that take place here at PC. Most recently there was a world music event last week named Porengue, it is of Brazilian, Middle-Eastern, and African influences, with sound healing didgeridoos; my calves still hurt from dancing so much. Then yesterday, I went to a grant writing workshop held by a women named Susan, who is the CEO of a Non-Profit in New York, and also the mom of a friend of mine here at the college. Today, Susan and I met for lunch and she gave me a more intense breakdown of how to write grants, and what it actually means to start a Non-Profit
Moreover, I am now part of a project called PERC, which stands for the Peer Education and Resource Center. One of PERC’s missions is empowering people to be resourceful with there current environment. Additionally, PERC is also a counseling center run by current students who, because they are peers, can in some cases relate and build a trust more powerful than a certified therapist could. In effect, this is also a practicum filled with three classes spread out over the next year, which focuses on counseling, community education events, student advocacy, leadership, and support.
Essentially, there is more to do here than anyone has time for, but when we ask the question, ‘What serves me?’ we may find an answer that moves with our personal truth.
To quote Rilke:
...I would like to beg you, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to live the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.

-Jordan

1st Annual Super Happy Fun Land Story Time Fest at PC

2010-04-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered the beauty of school funded events here at Prescott College. Growing up in Phoenix meant that hardcore and metal shows were never in short supply. Living in a small town like Prescott however, is a completely different story. It's hard to keep a constant stream of bands coming through with a limited amount of venues and funding to keep the the gas tanks and stomachs of the touring artists full. Fortunately for us, PC has a community center that students can host free events at, as well as a student union board that will fund up to $500 for an artist to come and play at the school. Upon discovering this I immediately tried to get a free show going, since I could pay the bands and get the venue for free, figuring that would make for the best turnout and give the bands the most exposure. After many attempts to get big name acts on the bill, I decided on making it a $5 show that we could book a touring band. Now we have Jet Black Horror coming out from California, as well as local giants like The Baby Lottery, Move Forward, and High Tides Sink Vessels. The level of anticipation for a show here that's NOT folk/bluegrass or some sort of jazz-fusion mix is pretty high, so I'm really looking forward to the energy that's going to be released for this show. There's going to be some good dancing, moshing, stage dives, and sing alongs. I wonder how many people are going to see this kind of spectacle for the first time? The show happens to fall on a preview weekend so there's a large possibility that a lot of the same people that come for that will come for the show. If they've never been exposed to this style of music before, will they think that we're a school of deranged metal heads and hardcore punks? I really hope so. Maybe it will attract more kindred spirits to PC, and people will realize that this isn't a hippie school. Maybe... I'm a dreamer.

Patrick Jones

Cameras Are Awesome

2010-03-25T00:46:00.017-07:00

Well, Zach's pictures inspired me. I went through some of my photos and picked a few out for all of you, starting with this unicorn caterpiller. The latin term: Addie'snewpromdateium.

Okay so here I am in my favorite shirt feeling really happy. This was taken at "The Lookout" behind Thumb Butte. In the distance on clear days you can see the San Francisco Peaks. I feel like I talk about potlucks to prospective students a lot. I'm not joking... Delicious.

Here is a plant full of ladybugs. This was during a lunch break on orientation. I was talking feminist politics with these bug ladies in no time, and we quickly became best friends.
This was also taken on orientation.
Let me tell you...this little cutie hopped closer and closer to me in the middle of the night and I was certain that a bear somehow decided to migrate to southern Arizona just to devour me in my sleeping bag.

That is my friend Anna's hand. She was a good sport and we plucked those out in no time. Note for the future: do not lean on cactus accidentally.
Yes. This is where I went on Wilderness Orientation. We swam under it. I may or may not have pretended to be a mermaid.
I took this picture this time last year, and it's just so Prescott College...I had to share it :)
-Addie

Don't worry, be happy

2010-03-24T17:59:00.002-07:00

“How am I supposed to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life?” The common question anxiously exits the worried mouths of those graduating from high-school, leaving college, choosing a major, figuring out a job, and so forth. I generally answer myself and others with, “Well, it’s a good thing we don’t have to.”
Did you know that the top ten most in demand jobs of 2010 did not even exist in 2004? Did you also know that 1 in 4 workers have been at their current employer for less than one year? 1 in 2 has been there less than five years.
We are living in exponential times. There are over 31 billion searches on Google every month. In 2006, this number was 2.7 billion. It is estimated that 4 exabytes (4.0x10^19) of unique information will be generated this year. That is more than the previous 5000 years.

What does this all mean?

We are preparing students for jobs that do not even exist yet, with technology that has not even been invented, in order to solve problems that we don’t even know are problems yet.

Now how do you feel?

To me, I believe that all we have is today. It is good to prepare for a rainy day with a rain coat on a hiking trip, but is completely defeating to watch the ten day forecast on the weather channel. I am not saying that goals are bad, my idea is just circumvented around the belief that it can be very easy to become obsessed over an aspiration, then die of a broken heart because what we had hoped for is completely different than how we imagined.
We must live the greatest we can today, so if there is a tomorrow, we can look back and know that we did the best we could with the choices we had. I don’t believe in luck, only change, choice, and the connection that resides between.

Don’t worry, be happy. Be you, because everyone else is taken.

Jordan

P.S.

In the past five minutes:

67 babies were born in the U.S.

274 babies were born in China

395 babies were born in India

and 694,000 songs were illegally downloaded.

Carpe Diem

Spring Break at Prescott College: Superstitious!

2010-03-23T08:08:00.022-07:00

When I was in high school, my perception of a typical spring break for college students was something like you might see on “Trashy MTV Cancun Reality Show 6000!” and I remember being worried that as someone who doesn’t enjoy indulging in that particular fashion I’d be an outcast for that time during my college career. Upon coming to Prescott, however, I’ve learned that college students have the ability and drive to actually do far more adventurous, life changing, and fulfilling activities than racing towards early liver failure. My first year I spent spring break with some friends traveling to hot springs around the state of Arizona, and my second year I spent time climbing many of the unfamiliar crags in the greater Prescott area, as well as adventuring to some secluded natural locations. This year, I took another trip to the Big Mama Juniper (see Blog from October 15th, 2009), and then spent my time in the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, AZ.

I had always heard about the Superstitions or the “Soups” as they are commonly referred to around here, but never had a chance to go and see them. Immediately upon my arrival I was struck with the urge to come back again with my climbing rack, even from the road the rock faces look fantastic. Already, the mountains were trying to pull us in with promises of venison, ostrich, and beef jerky. Unfortunately for the magical mountains, most of our group was sustainably minded vegetarians.

We arrived at the 1st water parking lot and began unpacking the car, at which point I realized that somehow my approach shoes had been left behind, and thus I was going to have to walk through thickly cactus populated terrain with bare feet or my Mion sandals. Whoops. Luckily some of my friends were more optimistic than I and were able to stem the flow of curses out of my mouth long enough for us to start walking.
Now living in Prescott for the past three years has taught me to be relatively nonchalant about cactus awareness, as the yucca, Agave, Prickly pear, and occasional Cholla are usually very easy to spot and not too hard to extricate from one’s skin if run into by accident. This, however, was the superstitions, where Saguaro, Teddy Bear Cholla (see below), and barrel cactus were out in force, and constantly dropping pieces of themselves on the ground around them, making any off-trail section a veritable minefield to be walking around in.

The fuzzyness is actually the thousands of spines coming off the plant, and not at all cuddly as the name Teddy Bear Cholla might lead you to believe.

While I was having little difficulty avoiding the few pieces of Cholla that had rolled into the trail, I had not thought about the fact that my dog had never seen these cactus before, and so should probably have been on a leash. I came around a corner about half an hour into our hike and saw her standing there and attempting to remove a Cholla segment from her mouth. I don’t think she was attempting to eat them, I’m guessing that she stepped on one and, as dogs lack opposable thumbs, attempted to remove it with her mouth. I was glad that I had my medkit handy and had my wilderness EMT course behind me to allow me to act quickly. Cholla, while they appear to be straight spines, actually curve a bit upon entering flesh, and so are painful and difficult to remove. Suki acted fantastically and didn’t even whine too much as I removed the painful spines from her mouth and face. I was glad that I just had a dog and not a toddler, because as soon as I finished she was right back to enjoying herself. I imagine if a person had gone through that experience they’d still be in pain even ten days later.

We continued on, past saguaros with strange faces and pretty desert flowers until arriving at our campsite, a beautiful green field that was thankfully cholla free.

In the background you can see one wall of Boulder Canyon, a popular oasis in the middle of the Superstitions.

We quickly set up camp in the comfortable meadow before finding out that our guide, a friend of a friend that had scoped out the area a few weeks before, wasn’t entirely sure which direction was best in order to seek out water. She was pretty sure that there was supposed to be some about a mile away done one of the trails near us, so with limited information a few of us set out to gather water for the group. 1.5 miles and 600ft of elevation later, we found what I’m sure at some times is a flowing creek, but when we arrived was a wash with some stagnant pools growing all sorts of fun stuff. Not to be discouraged (after all, I’ve had worse), we set to work filtering the water with a filter my friend had gotten me to replace one he had broken on a prior trip. After filling about half of our water containers, the filter started to leak out the bottom. Unusual, but not anything that should effect the safety of the filter, so I kept going. After filling another two water bottles, the bottom of the filter literally exploded away from the rest of the unit with jet propelled force. This was definitely not normal.
It was at this point that we decided to cut our losses, scoop up some untreated water to boil our grains with and head back to camp. We began to make the hike back towards camp along a canyon cliff and as we could just see the top my dog’s water bottle popped off of the carabineer it was attached to, the cap bursting off of the container and flying out into space. So far, this was not my best day.

Having cactus in your mouth is tiring.

Upon arriving back at camp, we relayed what all had happened to the rest of our friends and just by chance my partner managed to take a swig out of one of the untreated bottles of water by mistake. Mmmm, algae. Not wanting to waste any more time worrying, we got started on dinner. The sunset on the surrounding landscape was one of the more beautiful ones I’ve seen in Arizona, and gave me hope that this day was not a reflection of what the whole rest of the trip would be like.

We awoke the next morning after a cool night of Coyotes howling a few dozen meters away and occasional mysterious movement outside the tent, and I think even Suki wanted to keep sleeping.

It was then that we realized that the meadow we were staying in was not just grass, rather there were millions of tiny purple flowers that began to unfurl as the morning went on.

Upon reaching the top of a nearby hilltop, we were greeted by a great view of the surrounding landscape and the meadows that were slowing transitioning from green to purple.

We descended into boulder canyon, eager to find some water to dip in as the temperature rose past 90 degrees F. We stopped for a few minutes in the shade of a creek side tree in one of the tributaries to the main creek and were passed by a group of ten horse-riders, which Suki found wonderfully exciting.It was fantastically exciting when we finally reached the canyon floor and were able to get in the stream. The water was probably around 50 degrees but we didn’t care, it was so refreshing in the heat of the desert sun.
We spent a few hours dipping in pools and drying off on the smooth creek rocks, throwing sticks into the creek for the dog to chase, and applying copious amounts of sunscreen. If you’ve never been at an oasis in the middle of a desert, it’s a fantastic experience; I highly recommend you try it.

Our return to camp saw us spending the next few hours under whatever shade we could find. I realized the that deciding not to pack my tarp for shade was a bad choice.We spent another night in the meadow before hiking out the next day, our departure coincided by a large storm system moving into the mountains, but we managed to escape with no more than a few rain droplets on our packs. These mountains were majestic and mysterious, just as the name might have you thinking, and I’m really glad that we went out there to see them, but next time I’m bringing some dog booties for Suki, because all the fun in the world is not worth a cholla in the mouth.
Zach Schiewetz

Technology and Prescott College

2010-03-08T09:30:00.002-07:00

I came into work today expecting to really buckle down and have the opportunity to talk to some students who have been accepted to the school and give them advice for orientation and their transition to Prescott. When I got here, however, I found that Zinch, one of the sites we use to talk to prospective students, had decided to be uncooperative. As if one technological hiccup wasn’t enough, the phone I was working with decided to stop dialing long-distance numbers.
Being the eternal optimist I am (not really) I began thinking about the topic of technology here at Prescott College, and how that might be an interesting topic for a blog. If that doesn’t sound interesting to you, turn away now before it’s too late.

I have often mused about our technological contrasts here at Prescott, as it seems we have constant contrasts when it comes to machines. I think it may begin with the range of courses we offer here; we have the one extreme of Aboriginal Living skills where you learn to survive in the desert with nothing but some wool clothes and a pocket knife (I mean nothing, we don’t bring sleeping bags), and then on the other end we have extraordinarily expensive and advanced programs for GIS and digital film making. A similar situation exists with our student body, where some folks like to keep their money in a jar in the attic grandpa-who-lived-through-the-great-depression style, and the students who have permanent images of LCD screens burned into their retinas from all the texting, and then everyone in between.

What I find most interesting is that these two subcultures are able to coexist relatively well without there being any major ramifications. I think some of this is reflected in our use of technology in outreach to all you out there in the universe. You can, if you want, follow Prescott College on twitter (bet you didn’t know), or subscribe to this very blog page with our RSS feed, but then we conscripted Daedalus (who, if you don’t remember, built the labyrinth) to design our current website. Now, to be fair, we are in the process of building a new one but we have excavate the pieces we want without loosing too many of the technological staff to minotaur attacks, so it’s a slow process.

I think it’s really unfortunate, though, that our main website is not able to highlight some of the great green technologies we’re employing here on campus. I would estimate that the food-bearing gardens here on campus are a pretty large percentage of the land the college actually owns, and those gardens are able to be research sites for classes as well as grow food for the café each semester. Our café has a rooftop garden, which conserves energy and materials for insulation, as well as giving us a steady supply of cactus fruits during the spring and summer. We are installing large water catchment tanks on many of our buildings, as well as solar panels and wind turbines to help power more and more of the campus on green energy. Most readers are probably aware that before “recycle” comes “reduce” and “reuse,” and those are all concepts we put into practice here; most buildings here have been repurposed from their original forms; our business offices were once motels, and rather than tearing them apart and building over the wreckage we simply reused the space that was already there. The two most prominent and signature buildings on our main campus; the Library and the Crossroads Center are made from almost 90% recycled materials, and over 90% of the rubble on the site when we started building was re-used for those and other structures. The center of our campus is designed specifically to allow run-off from the buildings to filter down into Butte Creek rather than simply sitting on pavement or concrete and stagnating.

Beyond all of the green technologies we have here, we also have highly advanced tools for working with GPS data and scientific plotting to aid Environmental Studies courses in their recording and study of specific locales. We also have spectacular facilities for our arts department to edit videos and digital photography. And when it comes to being in the out-of-doors, we have so much top-notch gear that it makes me a little queasy sometimes (or at least the thought that I’ll never have that much fancy stuff does). There are certainly opportunities to have class experiences roughing it in the woods if you want to, but that is by no means the only option in a field course.

I’m extraordinarily excited to come back in a few years and see how all of these elements have been built upon and expanded. I know that every year I spend here I see our implementation and effective use of technology improving by leaps and bounds. We may never offer a major for computer technicians, but who knows. I think with enough time our college can accomplish whatever it wants, and maybe one day, with enough concentrated willpower and dedication, we can even have a new website.

-Zach

2010-03-02T15:51:00.010-07:00

Where to begin? Where have I been? What have I felt? What has changed? The easy answer – Everything.

Last September I began a horse packing expedition with two professors and seven students setting out to deliberately “front the essential facts in life,” focusing on sustainability, leadership, group dynamics, and education. This began in Utah and let go at the Mexican border in mid December.

After a quick break, I started a Certified Yoga Teacher Training for my block class. This was a month long intensive, five to seven days a week, nine to twelve hours a day. Even when the rest of school closed due to inclement weather and Martin Luther King Day, we still had class.

After another quick break, I went on a cruise through the Caribbean for my sister’s wedding. This was quite a shock to me since my favored method of travel is on foot living among the locals; not on a cruise ship filled with numerous buffets, swimming pools, variety shows, and a casino – it was a floating Las Vegas. Furthermore, I spent time with family which was both rejuvenating and at times overwhelming due to the emotions surrounding my younger sister getting married, missing the first week of the quarter while at sea, and being in a very foreign environment.

Currently, I am taking Foundations of Education, Improvisational Dance, and Rock Climbing and Geology. I would say this is not a very hard quarter in terms of school work, and because I have climbing back in my life after a four month break, it feels as if I am breathing again. This is a great time to enjoy a meal.

I feel like the expedition was chopping, stirring, and kneading me into something I have never tasted before; then the Yoga Teacher Training was cooking me in a cast iron skillet inside a wood fired oven; finally, the cruise was the cooling rack, setting me aside away from everything else in order to set. Slowly, I am eating this meal and exploring its ingredients to find out what the chef has concocted. I will let you know what happens after the first course.

Prescott Freeskool

2010-03-02T08:59:00.019-07:00

Prescott Freeskool is a collaborative project between Prescott College students and community members. We publish a zine-sized booklet at the beginning of every month that publicizes all free educational events, classes, shows, trails, galleries etc. Our March issue is out and we are happily distributing all over town, coffee shops, laundromats, libraries, The Catalyst Infoshop, etc.

The concept of free school or democratically-run schools has a rich history, and Prescott's involvement in the movement is at least 5 years old. This past Summer a group of us decided to focus heavily on the project and change its paper format to a 1/2 sheet booklet instead of a brochure. The intention here was to promote growth in the booklet. This is our 7th issue and an exciting moment for the Freeskool collective...

We are constantly inspired by the Prescott Public Library's facillitation of free events and classes and last August realized with on-campus activities and autonomous events around town we already had tons of content available to compile. By adding the Catalyst Infoshop as another venue for free education our vision was complete.

Torch of Knowledge original linoblock print, the back cover is from an old Boy Scout's manual(how to make paper crafts).

The September issue, our first, was three pages long. This month we are happy to see 8 extremely full pages (which is really like 28 pages of content) with original freeskool classes actually outnumbering Library events! I am so proud to be a part of a project that has doubled free opportunities in town.

We operate with the following mission: The Prescott Freeskool is dedicated to empowering our community to shareskills and knowledge freely, fostering awareness, self-reliance and personal growth.

Here is a selection of original classes by Prescott College students this month:

Dudes in the Media

Talkin' 'bout...POP Music!

Food Not Bombs

Yoga

Dismantling Cultural Oppression Myths: A series of conversations

Coffee and Carl Jung

Trash, Glue, and Paint

Figure Drawing

Karma Farm Benefit Show!

Tire Sandal Workshop

Fruit tree pruning workshop

VEGAN ST. PATRICKS DAY! FEAST

Dazzling, Delightful Decoupage!

Basic Fertility Cycling in Agroecosystems

Printmaking

Sushi Rolling

Kimchi making

TWILIGHT, HEART SWOONS, NEW MOON

Here's a picture of our January calendar. Clocks were a big theme...Our centerfold is always the calendar of events and all our cover art is original. We try to feature original art throughout the publication, especially the opposite of the calendar. In addition, we bind them by hand with a pamphlet stich, or run them through our sewing machines, vegan-sausage style. :)

The praxis of this project deeply reflects the educational and social model of Prescott College. We emphasize equitable discussion, self direction, community engagement, social justice, and experiential education. In addition, the Freeskool provides an incredible resource for people to see the activism and activity students and community members are doing. It sits quietly at coffeeshops saying "Hey, are you bored right now? Because here are ten things you could be learning about." The Freeskool (the collective, teachers, students and supporters) believes that learning is the most fun you can ever have, and everyone deserves shared educational experiences. As a college student I believe that the joy I have experienced at Prescott College is worth sharing with the world and the knowledge I have gained can only be truly digested through teaching.
The Catalyst Infoshop, behind all those trees.

http://www.catalystinfoshop.net/

-Addie

Viva La Vida!

2010-02-26T15:25:00.005-07:00

Ah, Bahia de Kino. The ultimate college student destination…but not for the reasons you may be thinking…No, this isn’t a blog about a drunken experience in Mexico. I’m not talking about something you might see on an MTV spring break special. I’m talking about something else entirely. I’m talking about a journey—an educational journey, an awe-insiring journey, a jourrney in Coastal Ecology during winter block 2010 at the Prescott College research station in Kino Bay. Let me break it down.

Standing knee-deep in frgid, voracious, foot-sucking mud an 7:30 in the morning may not sound like an incredible experience. But some days, that’s the best time to see the shorebirds come out to feed. If you're lucky enough, you'll see something rare...like a Roseate Spoonbill, a wading bird related to the Pink Flamingo. You don't see this kind of thing everyday(...unless you do, in which case, I am INCREDIBLY jealous)! We'd take trips into the field like this on a daily basis--sometimes leaving at the crack of dawn and returning to the field station until the sun went down. On days off, we would hike, paddleboard, snorkel, swim, go into town, hunt for tamales, or work on our tan. It's a quiet little town, unlike major "college-kid" destinations(tiajuana, cabo, the like), but it's perfect for Prescott College.

I sometimes wonder where I would be if I had chosen a school other than PC, would I be standing on a beach doing a study on Pelicans--or, as I suspect, would I be sitting in a lecture hall with dozens of my peers listening to a lecture on feeding habits--instead of actually observing them? For the adventure-minded student, the experiential learner, or the inquisitive type, Prescott College offers its students the opportunity to venture out into the field and get a realistic idea of the diversity of the natural world! -Sydnie Bonin (Pictures credited to Madison Prez)

2010-02-25T08:24:00.003-07:00

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Music

By Patrick Jones

One of the things I’ve been enjoying the most about Prescott College as of late is the friendly community of like minded individuals who enjoy intellectual conversations over good food. There’s always a couple of musicians at every outing, so jamming on an acoustic guitar with a flutist, a banjo player, or even a charango player has become a regular event for me. The food always consists of good vegan or vegetarian food because everyone attending is conscious of the diet habits of others, even if they don’t follow them themselves. The best thing about these little get togethers is the amazing conversations we have. Topics range from the philosophy of consciousness to the evolution of religion and the heard mentality, from issues of basic human rights to war and imperialism, from elitist conspiracies and the new world order to a peaceful counterculture revolution, no topic is taboo and everyone approaches the conversation with an open mind. It’s almost as if I can feel the expansion of my consciousness throughout these interactions. I’m exactly where I need to be.

Graduation at Prescott College

2009-12-16T12:26:00.005-07:00

This will be my last blog on the subject of student life at Prescott College as a student. Maybe you’ll see me around as an alumnus! I just graduated this past weekend with about 40 other students. The graduation ceremony at Prescott College, like many other aspects of this school, is different than most other educational institutions. Usually a slideshow begins the ceremony, with pictures of graduating students’ adventures at Prescott College. Images direct attention: students watching whales in the Sea of Cortez, bedding down in sculpted-snow quinsy classrooms, exploring pueblo ruins in redrock Utah, or leading a gang of young people on an environmental education adventure trhough a forest near their hometown.
Each student selects a faculty member who knows them well to “give them away.” The faculty member presents their student, or students, and gives a one minute synopsis of the student’s academic or life experiences, strengths, and future potential. The student is then allowed one minute to say whatever they want to say. Most students rattle off a list of thank-yous to family and friends. Some students read poems or stories they’ve written or share meaningful quotes. Others do a practiced or improvisational dance, share a monologue, or tell a good joke. After degrees are conferred by the college President, “real life” begins.
Where do students go after all this?? If I had a dollar for every time I was asked “what are you doing after graduation?” I would be able to pay off my student loans without blinking an eye!! As a new graduate speaking with other new graduates, there seems to be a general consensus: reminiscing the good times, excitement of a new beginning, anticipation of future endeavors, relief of no more homework, and energy to explore what the world may offer. For example, Education students tend to find teaching jobs, both in Arizona and across the United States. Some even started the week after graduation! Adventure Education students usually have some thrilling adventure up their sleeve, both paid gigs as guides or educators and personal trips. Environmental Studies students may work as field ecologists, naturalists, environmental educators, biologists, or land managers. Students of Cultural & Regional Studies may work for non-profit human rights groups, become community builders and leaders, or find work abroad. It’s hard to give any sweeping statements of what new graduates of Prescott College do, because interests and opportunities are so broad. However, I can say they have energy, know-how, and passion to make the world a better place that will be present in anything they do.
To answer that question, what am I doing… During this last semester at Prescott College I did an Independent Study with Lisa Packard of the Highlands Center for Natural History. I was writing the teacher’s guide to the Habitat Learning Program Curriculum, which Lisa authored. The curriculum is bioregionally-based environmental education that takes place in five local public schools with more to come. The teacher’s guide has background information for each lesson. This will familiarize the teacher with ecological concepts and local environmental knowledge, to help the teacher be more comfortable in teaching in an outdoor setting. I will be completing this project in the spring, hopefully with funding from an educational grant!
After that, my partner and I will be farming a local farmer’s property about 40 minutes outside of Prescott, calling our venture Rabbit Run Farm. We will have diversified vegetable crops for sale at the Prescott and Chino Valley Farmers Markets, the Prescott College CSA, and local restaurants. Together (and with help from a few friends) we will be doing all the planning, planting, cultivating, harvesting, and marketing! Look for us at the market or come on out to learn a thing or two about starting a farm!

A Snowy Wish

2009-12-01T13:39:00.008-07:00

Many people visiting Prescott are surprised to learn that it gets cold here in Arizona! If you want to visit, be sure to bring your sunglasses and mittens. Winter in Prescott is mostly mild, but the snow holds great beauty! It’s just about that time for some frozen precipitation. Most folks who’ve moved to Arizona shudder at the thought of a frosty day, but I’m crossing my fingers for those grey, mysterious clouds to creep over the mountains prepared to give us a show.

Butte Creek in winter (the creek that flows through campus)

“What’s so great about the snow?” some Arizonans grumble. Three reasons – the physical beauty, the much needed precipitation, and the cultural reaction to the event. In town, snow tends to melt within the day or so. Snow sticks around in the surrounding Bradshaw Mountains, accumulating inches on the trails and multiple feet in drifts. Cactus is covered and pine needles are frosted. Those familiar, dusty, hiking trails are transformed into clean, crunchy footpaths. The mountains are veiled in low hanging clouds that threaten to surround you with their icy curtain. The seasonal transformation makes you wonder if you are in Arizona after all.

As an ecologist and naturalist, snow is never an inconvenience. Arizona is dry. We’re in a drought. Winter moisture is a much-needed element to maintaining green forests. Winter moisture is a contributing factor to recharging our severely over-drawn water tables. Plus, seeing the spring snow melt rush down the creeks in a frigid torrent excites the senses and brings a green spring with desert blooms.

When I first came to visit PC, it was in mid-December. The student I stayed with was from Florida, and she had never experienced windshield ice. She didn’t know that those handy plastic ice scrapers even existed. Instead, she went out to her car with a pot full of boiling water and threw it on the ice hoping to melt it… it didn’t work.

We had a light dusting down here over the holiday break, waking up to a frosty ground and low-hanging fog. Though it dissipated by mid-morning, it was the first hint of Arizona’s forgotten season! These pictures are from last winter!

-Sarah

Baboquivari

2009-11-18T13:59:00.015-07:00

Our first real rock climbing trip of the semester, it’s a shame it had to come so close to the end of the class. Our teacher told us that we’d be climbing a sacred mountain down in the Tucson area, which was exciting, and I remember telling my partner about it, though I’m sure I said the name wrong after only hearing it once.
“Yeah, we’re going to take a two day trip to go climb Bava-Keen-wa,” I probably stated.
“You’re climbing a grain-like seed native to South America?”
“No, No, that’s Quinoa, but I will eat that while I’m up there.”
We set out early Sunday morning, chugging south in the van as the elevation dropped and the world outside become more and more toasty. Around Phoenix we stopped for a brunch break, and the continued on our way to the desert lowlands surrounding Tucson.
The van ride felt like forever, and by the time we arrived my legs were not very happy about being told to hike 2,000 vertical feet over 3 ½ miles. At least the view is pretty, I thought at them. That’s all well and good for someone with eyes, they shot back, much to my surprise. And so we were off. Up through the shrubby trees, up past the Saguaros, who’s arms seemed to wave at us in a sympathetic way like “Hey, that’s too bad about you having to hike up this hill. Sorry we won’t be joining you, but we’re attached to the ground, you see.”

I would learn later that heat stroke sometimes presents itself as hallucinated conversations with inanimate objects.
When we reached the campsite for the night I immediately got to setting up my tent. I’m not what one would call an efficient person, and I’m not particularly fond of fumbling around with poles in the darkness with a dim headlamp and sleepy brain. I then started cooking dinner for myself, some quinoa that I had brought up with me, some cheese, and some boca meat. It was a beautiful spot, the fading daylight casting easy shadows that danced about on the peak we would attempt to summit the next day. The last rays of the sun were licking the tip of Baboquivari as I ate dinner, and it certainly beat starting at my dinner table.

We woke up around 6am, in an attempt to beat the heat of the day up to the top of the mountain. Even more breathtaking than the setting sun from the night before was Baboquivari’s shadow out across the desert.
I stuffed my harness into the brain of my pack along with some water and a few granola bars for the day. I offered to carry the rack for my group, which I quickly learned was more trouble than it was worth while also carrying a brain, I felt like a lopsided cow slowly jingling and jangling up the trail.
We hiked to the base of the cliffs and cached our hiking boots and back-packs. Making our way from the gear cache to the beginning of the climb itself was exciting, we kept our left hands in contact with the one cliff while making sure not to veer too far to the right or risk careening off another cliff.
Then the climbing began. Baboquivari loomed over us, like the fin of some giant stone shark. Now, the climbing wasn’t actually all that difficult. We took it slow, placing gear and moving up the rock, but I don’t think I found any moves that were harder that 5.9, but as we climbed the drop on either side of us went quickly from 40 feet to hundreds of feet. Those pieces of gear that I felt unsure about suddenly began calling out to me for extra attention.

This was the first time I had done anything that was six pitches long, and it was fantastic. The exposure, while scary, was really awe-inspiring, it felt wonderful to look out and be thousands of feet above the desert floor below. We finally reached the top after about three hours of climbing, the view exploding out around us. I had intelligently left my sunscreen at camp, and so I immediately attempted to hide my sun-burned neck under a bush for a few minutes before giving up. I’ve been on top of a lot of mountains, and the view from this one was spectacular, and probably more so because I knew that I had just climbed up the darn thing. My only regret is that there was a fair amount of smog, I assume blowing in from L.A., that took away just a bit of the awe.

The descent from the peak was probably the most scenic and most fun descent off a mountain I’ve every experienced, clambering down along the cliff face made me wish I could do this sort of thing all the time. We got back to camp much faster than the time it had taken to reach the climbs earlier that morning, and we were packed and ready to go within ten minutes of reaching the campsite.

Now I am a person that likes to think about experiences like this after they happen, so I took the front of the line and sped down the trail, my mind ablaze with activity. By the time I was within five minutes of the van, I was a good half mile ahead of the group.
I was within two minutes of the van, really ready to take off my pack and relax on the ride home, and was strolling over a dry creek bed when suddenly there was something moving in the bushes off to my left. Something Big. Something making lots of noise.
Before we began hiking, one of the locals had mentioned to us that there were cougars that patrolled the slopes of Baboquivari quite frequently. I’ve been through a few wilderness first aid and wilderness survival classes, I know it’s a bad idea to be alone with a cat that large. Looking around slowly, I bent down and picked up a large rock. I knew my pack would protect me if it tried to leap on my neck, so I kept that on. I wondered if I should just wait silently until the rest of the group caught up with me, but that could take a long time.
Scanning the brush, I sidled along the trail, careful to be as quiet as possible. Slowly moving towards the van, constantly on the look out for a deadly blur out of the undergrowth. I decided to try my luck, and I chuck a small rock into the bushes. The large thing starts at the noise, and then lets out a ferocious roar that you could probably hear from a few hundred meters away. It went like this:
“MMMMmmmmmOooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo.”
I felt a little embarrassed, and did not mention the incident to my class when they found me, 20 minutes later, napping at the van.
As we drove away, the sun was setting again, casting a dark red light on Baboquivari. I stared back as the peak grew smaller and smaller, quite a bit remiss that I’ll only be able to have stand-offs with cows in a classroom setting for another year.

Challenging the Status-Quo

2009-10-22T14:27:00.001-07:00

So who would’ve thought that education could be so much fun, anti-establishment, and immersing all at once? The people at Prescott College, that’s who. I am now enrolled in my second semester at this school and am enjoying classes in Peace Studies and Image, Power, and Mass Culture. In Peace Studies we are learning about the effects that war has on society, as well as the peaceful non-violent movements that have accompanied most every war for the last 900+ years. From the Roman Empire to the revolutionary wars that came after the Industrial Revolution to the present day, conscientious objectors have used nonviolent methods to express pro-peace sentiments. The class ties in really well with my Image, Power, and Mass culture class because at the same time we are learning the influence that the mass media has on society and how it is used to push the agendas/spin the war crimes of the corporations involved in the ownership of these media outlets. Nothing about these classes tries to uphold the status-quo. They instead try to get students to look at alternative ways of thinking that may contradict former worldviews gained through education in a state-sponsored school system. The dialogue that grows from these lessons has the ability to change people, lives, and world views. Every day I look forward to the challenge or discussion that will arise out of a single class, and wonder what new ideas it will spark within myself or fellow class mates.

Regarding Puppies and Kittens

2009-10-22T14:12:00.010-07:00

My first year at Prescott College was spent in the student housing situation located directly across Butte Creek from the college, the Agave House. That was probably one of the hardest times of my life. Not socially or academically, I was loving all my classes and all the new friends I was making. Rather, my life was missing something else, something that normally clung to my thick fleece jackets back home in New Hampshire, and occasionally made others around me sneeze.

Fur! Of course! I spent all year in increasingly depressing pet withdrawal, without any snugly animals to make my fleeces into allergy magnets. I missed my dog, Cody, my cats, Mya, Sabbath, Gus, and Cosy, and my rats who I had to give to a friend when I left for college, though I still think they would have been fine hanging out in the dorms. Of course, the college recommends not bringing pets with you your first semester, given that you'll be out on orientation for three weeks, which makes a lot of sense.

I was lucky that this is a school where the vast majority of students live off campus, where they're allowed to have pets. I only survived my first year by obsessively saying hello to every single dog or cat I passed by on the street. The decision to rent a house with a few friends my second year of school turned out to be a fantastic one, for now we could own PETS!

The first fluffy resident of our household was Mr. Whiskers, a Manx (tail-less) cat whose owners were moving away to the west coast and couldn't take him with them. It's a good thing he showed up, too, for any longer without a critter running around and I would have dyed my hair black and started wearing death metal t-shirts (but not really). Suddenly, life was an adventure. Would my shoelaces be viciously attacked upon my return home today? Who knows!

Mr. Whiskers stayed with us until this past summer, when he went with us on a road trip across the country; seeing such exotic places as New Mexico, Texas, Texas at night, Texas the next morning, New Orleans, Georgia, and South Carolina. He now lives in a little house on the coast of South Carolina, with all the fresh seafood he could wish for.

Our next furry friend started her life with us this summer, when she was adopted by my parents after being abandoned in a house in Tennessee, found by a rescue organization, and brought to Massachusetts to be adopted. Suki, a Siberian husky mix with heterochromia (different colored eyes), ended up being a bit too high-energy for my parents, and was handed down to my partner and I. She got to enjoy a road-trip with us as well, this time heading westward.

Now, of course, our house had a dog but times during the day where she had no one to play with. Whatever were we to do? Apparently, the answer to that question was at the humane society. Kittens! But wait, they have an adopt one, get one free day today! Oh, oh no.

Two weeks later, I am awakened every morning to the pitter-patter of kitten feet in the hallway (aren't they supposed to be stealthy?), and the occasional *THUMP* as one of them runs into our door. This wakes Suki up, of course, and then she stands at attention like Doug from Pixar's "Up," pointing at brightly colored birds. I don't mind, though. I rather like being roused by furry things than a screeching alarm clock or my partner waking me up because I forgot to set the alarm again.

The great thing about the college is that many people around here have the same love of animals that we do, so it's usually quite easy to find a dog or cat-sitter right in the local community when you go out in the field.

Prescott College: "For the Liberal Arts, The Environment, Social Justice, and Furry Friends

Multi-pitch on Granite Mountain

2009-10-22T14:02:00.006-07:00

Finding money to purchase a full rack of climbing gear is difficult when you're in college. This is a problem I've been grappling with for the last year or so, ever since my Introduction to Rock Climbing class, when I got a taste of trad climbing. For those less familiar with climbing lingo, "trad" consists of placing your own protection as you climb, rather than relying on pre-drilled bolts. The benefit of learning about these things in an institutional setting like Prescott College is that you don't have to shell out tons of funds to get life experience. The same could be said for any of the areas classes are offered in, be it fire ecology or sea kayaking, but I digress. For someone that appreciates the art of climbing, and the expensive gear that makes the activity safer, our gear warehouse is a paradise. To me, standing on the second floor of the warehouse and staring at the hundreds of cams, hexes, stoppers, carabiners, and ropes lining the walls makes me feel a bit closer to achieving nirvana.

And then there's the first day of a field course, where you get to actually touch the gear and make sure it's all accounted for. A magical day, sort of like a birthday, but only if you usually have your birthday in a warehouse full of everything you ever wanted.

I may be a bit of a gear head, but hey, there are worse things I suppose.

Through my Intermediate Rock Climbing class this weekend I had my second experience lead-climbing and my first leading on Granite Mountain, arguably the most classic trad climbing in the area. We spent our day climbing on a smaller side-section of the mountain, what is referred to as the "Swamp Slabs," since the main face is hundreds of feet high and a bit of a stretch for some of our skill sets. My group started it off slow with the two-pitch climb referred to as "Beginner." The climb itself is relatively mellow, but climbs always feel like a bit more of a head-game when you know your life is possibly dependent on each piece of gear you place. I made it up the first pitch with relative ease, though one section in the middle made me feel a bit insecure, as I had trouble finding gear placement for a good twenty feet or so. Most of the climbs on the Swamp Slabs top out next to an old alligator juniper tree, who has somehow managed to nourish itself in a very limited amount of soil on an exposed rock face and still manged to grow relatively large. My partner and I made our way along the side of the face from the tree, careful not to twist any ankles, and ate some lunch back at the base of the climbs.

Our next project was a slightly more difficult climb called "Debut," which was far more vertical, and had one slightly overhanging section to deal with. I led the first pitch, and even over the wind I could hear my breathing exploding out of my chest when I exhaled. The climb itself is by no means challenging in the technical sense, there is plenty of protection on the way up, but just the feeling of being a little more vertical was enough to push my boundaries. I remember one moment during the easiest, least inclined section of the climb, when I stopped for a moment to take stock of my situation and realizing that my last piece was so far down I had a good chance of "hitting the deck (ground)," if I messed up. I don't think I've ever placed a piece as quickly or as solidly as I did after that realization. Despite the occasional fright, I have really come to enjoy the trad climbing experience through this school. I know that next week I'll be even more excited to challenge myself to do more challenging climbs, and maybe one day I'll be able to go out and do this on my own.

-Zach-

Community Lunch

2009-10-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

As a brand new PC student I am discovering all kinds of new and exciting things about the college – one is Community Lunch. Community Lunch happens every Wednesday at the Crossroads Center from 12:30 to 1:30. It's a great time to make any kind of announcement you might have involving the College community or the greater Prescott community. The best part is it's free and delicious. All the food is made by the Crossroads Cafe here on campus, which never ceases to impress. On top of being super tummy satisfying Community Lunch is a great time to meet up with professors and faculty about questions you may have, or just to sit and chat. I invite anyone who might be interested in knowing what the school's all about to stop by and experience a true sense of community, and the exciting energy that circulates through this campus so fluidly, an energy I like to call the Prescott Buzz. One of the Wednesday's I was at community lunch, I ran into one of my friends from orientation. It had been two weeks since orientation had ended and I hadn't seen him at all. We talked for quite some time about classes and life at Prescott post-orientation. He told me that he had been going to a new place every day to experience all the different beautiful natural wonders Prescott has to offer. It's encounters and inspiring stories like my friend’s that make community lunch such a wonderful Prescott activity and tradition.

-Colton Coburn-Wood
Freshman

My name is Sydnie, and I’m an Allen-oholic (Hello Sydnie).

2009-10-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

My name is Sydnie, and I’m an Allen-oholic (Hello Sydnie). I don’t think its weird that I look to Woody Allen to inspire the answers to life’s little conundrums. In fact, I’m a fan of deadpan humor and heavy doses of cynicism and sarcasm. I really think if some company came out with a magic eight ball or some other kind of fortune telling/advice giving object that themed itself around Woody Allen, it would be a hit. Ask Woody Allen. I really just appreciate the honesty behind a man who isn’t afraid to sound ridiculous.
This isn’t to say that I would model my life after his, or that I even agree with everything the man does or talks about…He isn’t my role model. But I think it is safe to say that I have a profound amount of respect for someone who is not afraid to test their own boundaries, and discover something about themselves in the process. For a while I thought that I needed to “play it safe” and put my immediate happiness on the backburner for a chance to *maybe* be happy in the long run. It was Woody Allen who said “You can live to be 100…if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be 100.”. If that’s the case, I’d prefer not to waste away my youth “playing it safe”. I want to be jumping out of airplanes when I’m 75; I’m not about to give up my plan to squeeze every drop of adventure out of my life. I enjoy being spunky, thank you very much. This is why I choose to be a Prescott College student.

If I had gone the UC-way, like my mother and I had planned since the sandbox, I probably wouldn’t have the same rights as I do at Prescott College. Here, I am Sydnie Bonin, free-thinker—there, I would have been Student X000T935NTNS049975195 (or whatever). My rights at PC extend past those issued to me by government mandate. I have the opportunity to challenge the curriculum, exercise my opinions, and create a competence based on whatever I choose. Here, I am not a number and I don’t have to “play it safe”. You don’t tailor yourself to Prescott College—it tailors itself to you.
Whether my classes are in the field, or inside a classroom, I am given the chance to contribute and participate fully in the learning process, weaving in hands-on experience and self-direction into every aspect of the course. There is room at Prescott College to spread your wings. Everyday, I am challenged to create new ideas and run with them. I enjoy “geeking out”—both in-class and out-of-class assignments at PC are actually fun….homework doesn’t seem like work-- studying is learning. My family laughs at me when I talk about Prescott College. “To think…If you hadn’t gone to that career fair! You’d be sitting in a giant lecture hall somewhere…probably taking a nap!”
It is my second year in Prescott…and I am still loving every minute of it. Sure, my competence changes with every new class I take, but I like it that way. I still have time to figure out what I want to do. For now, I’m treating every single class like its own adventure. And if I end up living to be 100, I will still be the same Sydnie—the only difference? I will have 100 years of experiences and adventures under my belt...and I’ll still be packing up for the next big one.