Fascination Truly Lives There

Amidst jungle foliage deep and dense grow the walking palms around which beings of a beautiful spectrum move. Reflecting a sense of Costa Rica in their slow migration of up to 10 feet per year, these walking palms speak also to the movements of the native Tico people themselves. Slow, smooth, and magical. Most people are not even aware of the existence of a walking tree, yet in Costa Rica they thrive. I was based in the South Pacific countryside of Costa Rica, a region whose culture changed the way I view living with the earth. Nestled in the mountains, within view of the ocean, I was able to roam the jungle barefoot and find a hint of tranquil stillness among the many movements of a place that is brimming with life. I have been struck by the beauty and philosophies of these people and this land, where the connection to the earth is strong and exemplified in their ecoconscious movements of permaculture, plant medicine and ecotourism.

My time in Costa Rica was mostly spent in Valley Las Tumbas, a valley of many ecoconsious people, with most living in permaculturally sound ways, all working towards complete self sustainability. Through my living and working with the Chapman Chinchilla family I was given the chance to see many permaculture set ups that provided so much for so many. Their close friends also believe in holding to a standard of respecting and working with the Earth, not conquering it as so many humans so often view their connection to the land. The different kinds of agricultural set ups were like many different facets of the Garden of Eden, lush and delicious in the fruit and vegetables they bare. One very striking trip I made was to a place called Piedras Blancas, a completely off the grid community that lived in a place only accessed by a river or a 4 hour hike from the nearest road. The people I visited there was a family whose children number eighteen, one of them being my friend, Phillipe Lopez. There were many generations of this family that had grown there, in a place where simplicity was so valued in life. The happiness I experienced through this family and their hilarious and perceptive views on the world and their personal lifestyle has inspired me. There is so much to be said for living ties that are deep in the land, having such a close connection with one’s food and also with the wild that surrounds.

The Ticos in Valley Las Tumbas also shared with me much about tropical plant medicine and what it meant to be a part of someone’s healing process. We often did medicinal plant walks through the land, showing both Costa Ricans and foreigners about the potential of the plant medicine that is in abundance throughout the jungle. A particular plant stands out in my mind, one named “Jackass Bitter”. This plant grows all over the jungle and is one of the most used jungle herbs, known for its bitter taste and powerful antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Also, learning the nature of cacao through ceremony gave me a completely different view of chocolate’s healing properties. A well known healing saying is, “Sana sana, coolito de rana, si no san hoy, sana manana”. However, there is much to be said about the Tico belief in one healing oneself, so although there are many doctors and medicine men and women to help assist, people take much more personally responsibility for their well being. I respect this belief so much, as I feel it draws one back to ones understanding of their connection with the world and everything in it, and the realization of one’s power to affect things, especially within. Plants are seen as fully conscious beings who help assist people as well, and I hold this to be a very strong aspect of their connection to the earth.

Where before Costa Rica once gained large amounts of revenue from the exportation of coffee and then bananas, most revenue is now made from ecotourism. This says leaps and bounds about the country’s respect for their land and the importance of conservation of wilderness that pervades a vast amount of Costa Rican communities. On the Chapman’s land they run an ecotouring company that treks through the jungle to visit an epic cave and many waterfalls, one being Diamante Falls, the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. These tours can include an educational focus on the medicinal plants and animals of the jungle, and they are constantly hired by schools to do large scale tours for students. These tours can also take a more adventuring edge, including repelling and canyoneering past the initial trekking adventure. It was so incredible to see the amount of time and energy this family put into protecting the land and making a living off of sharing adventures of a very powerful and educational nature. What a perfect thing to share with the world.

The more I learn about the world, the more I seem to be told to slow down and really feel things. Feel the earth under my feet, the hum of an old Saba tree, all the melodic sayings in the wind. I have been blessed to find such a place that holds people who know to be close to the earth is to be close to all that is happiness, and who live what they love in that connection so strongly through permaculture, plant medicine and ecotourism. So much more ties into this connection, of course, but of those things words fall short. I am just thankful to have been given the chance to learn from such an awesombroso place. Fascination truly lives there.


~Brittany Davis 7.20.12

Summer in Prescott

One thing I love about Prescott College is the option to take classes in the summer. Not only do these classes—with names like Public Art: Mural Painting, River Guides Training, Surfing and Oceanographic Principles of Wave Dynamics, Sustainable Urban Food Production—sound awesome, there’s a huge variety! All the areas of study are represented in the list of summer courses, so everyone can find something relevant to their studies.
Sometimes, though, you want a summer off to do other things. This summer I’m staying busy outside of school: I’m working in the admissions office at Prescott College, and as a barista in a local coffee shop. I also scored an internship with a local artist, where I’m learning how to make paper out of all kinds of materials from denim to roses. This internship is right up my alley—I LOVE making things. Recently, with my lack of homework, I’ve had more time to spend on small projects—this Saturday, I hit the farmer’s market with my partner Jack, and we let the day take us from there. I’ll take you through our Saturday in a few blog posts—recipes and directions included. :)

Jack and I have a 4-mile round-trip hike to the farmer’s market, and recently the weather has really started to heat up the early morning. We try to leave the house before 9, so that our food doesn’t wilt on the walk home. Before we left, I set up a batch of sun tea so that it would be ready in the early afternoon. If you’ve never had it before, sun tea is pretty much the best summer drink, hands down.

To make it, you’ll need:

• a big glass jug or jar (I use an old Carlo Rossi wine jug, but lots of grocery stores sell sun tea/lemonade jars) 
• water 
• A few tea bags. For my personal blend of sun tea, I use the following mix of tea
• bags: 2 plain black, 1 lemon, 1 spiced orange (I like “Constant Comment” by Bigelow), and 1 ginger. Go with what sounds good to you! It’s pretty much impossible to go wrong. 

Dangle all of the tea bags into the jug, and fill it up. Screw on the cap/cover the top to keep ants out, agitate it a little, and find a spot where the jug will get a few hours of sun. Leave it out all day (4-8 hours, the longer the stronger), pour it over ice, and enjoy!

Now, on to the market! The farmer’s market is open from May to October, and there are a number of vendors who provide food for the CSA run through the Prescott College bookstore during the school year. The market is held every Saturday in the parking lot of Yavapai College, from 7:30 to 12. From the Prescott College end of town, take Sheldon toward P Mountain (actually Badger Mountain).

http://www.prescottfarmersmarket.org/

Whipstone Farm is one of the tents Jack and I visit every week. This time, we bought a dozen eggs, some lettuce, and sugar snap peas. They always have a huge blackboard with their offerings for the week. One thing I’d love to try is their edible flowers—maybe next week…

There’s always live music going on—this week it was Tim and Sarah Crews, PC faculty and alumna (respectively).

Tim is currently teaching the agroecology summer suite with Rebekah Doyle—next summer I’m hoping to get into the summer semester, for my minor in small-scale agriculture. Sustainable, local agriculture definitely has a strong hold in the hearts of Prescott residents, and the farmer’s market is proof! If you’re interested in studying agroecology/agriculture/food systems/food justice, Prescott is a great place to see sustainable, earth-conscious ideas put into practice every day. I love the fact that I'm working directly farmers, supporting local agriculture. Getting to meet the person who grew the corn, canned the pickles, or picked the berries makes a big difference in how you view your food. My corn is a little sweeter, the pickles a little more amazing and the mixed berry pie--well, you'll find out in the next blog.

~Claire Tuchel, 06.18.2012

Morgoth Story Time!

I’ve been prompted to tell a heartfelt story about Prescott College!

This past semester after spring break I started to get real sick, I didn’t how sick or why I was sick until it was too late.  But to spare everyone the gruesome details I had complications from an intestinal surgery two and a half years ago (which is another crazy story).  I didn’t know this but at the end of March this year my colon had sealed itself off and nothing was passing through my system.  By March 22^nd of 2012 I had already began dying and no one had a clue.

By the morning of the 23rd I thought that I had the stomach flu and the community came together and took care of me while I was horribly sick.  For someone who doesn’t own a car and walks everywhere moving around with organ failure is kind of difficult.  The students here fed me, drove me around, opened their houses, and let me use their comfy beds.  The students did this for me!!!!

Before 6 am in the morning Monday the 26^th when I literally thought I was going to die from pain my friend took me to the hospital (carried all my stuff in), wheeled chaired me around, and even sat with me in the emergency room for hours!  

A few hours later and a ton of intestinal scar tissue removed I was spending a week in the hospital, of which I had as many visitors as I wanted, and afterwards I had such a heartfelt welcome at school that I knew that I was at home and these people were my family.  Even after my release from the hospital the student and greater Prescott College family are taking care of me!  

I mean… family members provide the kind of support that I received from my friends here.  I was literally dying and it was the Prescott College community that saved my life and brought me back to health!  The love is so powerful here that you can literally feel it (I accredit it towards much of my healing)!

I love this place.

I love these people.

Photo: Lucy, Ellen, Will.  These are three of many of the people who watched over me and cared for me while I was staying at Ellen and Zach’s house.  Much love to you all!!!

They are my family; they enable and empower me not only to live but to thrive!
 

I have a fierce passionate gratitude for Prescott College, and this is just one of many reasons why!

~Morgoth, 06.19.2012

Public Art: Mural Painting class proudly presents: Xeppe, Desert, y la Gente

The Public Art: Mural Painting class proudly presents: Xeppe, Desert, y la Gente

at Prescott College’s Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies

Bahia de Kino, Sonora, Mexico

Please read the interpretive statement below.  To view more photos and learn about the mural project and process, please visit the course blog (maintained by student Sarah Cupka): http://publicartmuralpaintingkino.blogspot.com/

Xeppe, Desert, y la Gente

Sea (Comcaac), Desert (English), and the People (Spanish)*

This mural represents the mission and vision of the Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies.  Based on themes of environmental conservation and research, education, and outreach, the mural reflects the cultural and biological diversity of the Midriff Island region, while focusing specifically on priority species and ecosystems, cultural interactions, and complex conservation challenges.

Kino Bay Center Mission Statement: Protecting priority species and habitats through integrated application of science, education, information exchange, and community participation

Kino Bay Center Vision Statement: Promoting and modeling collaborations between people from different cultures and institutions to co-create solutions to complex conservation challenges

The mural depicts, from left to right:

Collared Lizards, Crotaphytus dickersonae

Double-crested Cormorants, Phalacrocorax auritus

Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus (vertebrae)

American Oyster Catchers, Haematopus palliate

Red Mangrove, Rhizophora mangle

Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens

Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus (blow)

Sperm Whale, Physeter macrocephalus (fluke)

Short-finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus (dorsal fin)

Brown Pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis

Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

Leatherback Sea Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea

Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus

Nudibranchs, Chromodoris norrisi & Elysia diomedea

Manta Ray, Manta birostris

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Gulf Sun Star, Heliaster kubiniji Xantus

Sierra Mackerel, Scomberomorus sierra

Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus wislizeni

Desert Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni

Cardon Cactus, Pachycereus pringlei

Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura similis

San Esteban Chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius

Agave, Agave americana

The merging of visual elements in the mural is intended to represent the integration and co-creation that is fundamental to the philosophy and practice of the Kino Bay Center.   Our intention is that this mural will have many interpretations; our hope is that it will initiate questions and conversations about relationships amongst the natural environment, culture and community.

Xeppe, Desert, y la Gente was designed and painted by Prescott College’s Public Art: Mural Painting course in May 2012.  Instructor: Julie Comnick; Students: Claire Andreason, Lauren Brule, Celia Chatham, Mara Clifton, Sarah Cupka, Andi DeRivera, Maria Doffing, Audrey Hamann, Chelsea Phillips, and Mikial Tolmosoff

*Interpretive statement will be translated and posted in English, Spanish, and Comcaac (Seri).
--

A Grade is Just a Letter

When I was researching schools to transfer to, my mom had some fairly standard questions each time a new school was brought up:

“What are the average test scores?  GPAs?  How many students go on to graduate school?  What do people do with degrees from that school?” 

I know that I’m not alone in the concerned parent department (it’s because they love you) so the next time your parents ask you about Prescott College fear not!  Arm yourself with this blog post and rest easy, knowing that this school is not only non-traditional, it’s also awesome and it will help you get to some sweet places.  Now let’s make like tired toddler and go straight to the breakdown!

ACT and SAT scores of Prescott College students seem low

Prescott College was founded on an idea: if there was no such thing as higher education, what would we want it to look like?  The professors envisioning Prescott College knew one thing for certain: in a traditional model of education, there are those who succeed, and those who fail.  Traditional schooling places emphasis on reading, writing, math, and science, in the form of memorization and regurgitation for tests and essays.  Students who don’t do well at this will fail, because they’re not meeting the standards set by the system.  Who says this has to be the case?  If you take away the tests and you take away the grades, you’re left with a pile of facts that have been committed to memory—only until the next test, that is.  So what happens when you do away with tests and make grades optional, focusing instead on small classes to support student participation, and an engaging teaching style rather than a lecture?  Suddenly, you have students whose learning is meaningful and relevant.  Why are you studying agroecology?  Because you love it, and learning about it is actually pleasant because it’s all based on your own interest, rather than trying to meet someone else’s standards.  It’s amazing how much more engaging classes are when you’re there for your own reasons. 

But, back to those test scores and GPAs: why do they seem low?  It’s all about the students who come here: if you’ve struggled in the midst of a traditional setting, why would you seek out that same setting for your post-secondary education?  When a student does well on a standardized test, it means that the student tests well—not that she’s more intelligent or capable than her peers.  Assigning a number to a person’s ability to learn is two-dimensional: there’s a whole person behind that number, and it’ll be the person—not a test score or GPA—who sits down on the first day of class.  Some of the students here have been successful in traditional settings, while others have not.  Those who come to Prescott College are looking to be viewed as whole people, rather than a name and a grade on a piece of paper. 

What about the dropout rate?

The dropout rate is a statistic that is frequently mentioned here in the admissions office; here are the cliffs notes on why it looks high.  For a long time, Prescott College was a big school for transfer students.  As a result, there weren’t many resources for first time freshpeople to use, and first time students often left because of the lack of structure (which seasoned students were able to weather more easily, having already learned the general ins and outs of another college).  On top of this, there’s Prescott College’s general attitude toward learning: if you’re passionate about something, pursue it.  The self-directed nature of being a PC student lends itself to independence, and sometimes students find that college isn’t where they need to be right now. 

While the independence of Prescott College students will likely remain the same as always, support for freshpeople is growing through the construction of our new housing (they look SO COOL, I’m mad jealous of the students who get to live there) and the restructuring of our freshperson seminar during their first semester here, that these new students will have the support they need in order to be successful.

And now for the upswing…

Approximately 43% of Prescott College students go on to enroll in graduate programs within five years of graduation.  Wanna see some of the stuff people are doing after graduation?  Stuff like starting their own sustainable farms, creating programs for at-risk youth, and working to create fair trade networks—sounds legit, right?  Check out the highlights page, here: http://www.prescott.edu/connect/highlights/.  Prescott College’s emphasis on field experience translates into job experience for many graduates, and it’s not uncommon for a senior project to result in a job offer right after graduation.  You can get grades, if you so choose, in order to have a GPA for admissions to graduate school. 

Alrighty then, gentle ladies and men.  Go forth, armed as you now are with the knowledge that this is not only a place where you can earn a degree, but also a place that can prepare you for your fabulous life after graduation.  

-Claire Tuchel, May, 2012

“Prescott’s Characterful Nature”

Recently, I was presented with this question by my employer at admissions:

"What's one thing you would want to tell someone about your experience at Prescott College that they might not find out on their own or tell from the website?"

Almost immediately I thought “Prescott folk are weird!” but then flashbacks of me freaking out my boss while saying this to prospective students come to mind. So I was trying to think of another way to express this. The word characterful does nicely I think!

char•ac•ter•ful - (adjective)
[kar-ik-ter-fuhl]
1. highly expressive of character: a characterful face.
2. having remarkable character: a characterful prose style.

However, this doesn’t really express what I am trying to say here and why I thought it was important that students know this (considering they can’t acquire this information on the website). My co-worker Claire (hi Claire!) mentioned that there needs to be some type of qualifier that that denotes we are all weird in the sense we are ourselves. With that in mind I think what I am trying to say here is…

Prescott College students are comfortably themselves!


Picture: The Environmental Advocacy Club posing after a successful campus trash pickup, we are pointing at the sky to be confusing on purpose!

 This isn’t necessarily upon entry… there is something about the whole Prescott College experience that provides multiple learning experiences that allow students to feel ‘comfortable in their own skin’. Once the jitters of attending a new school seem to fade students undoubtedly seem to change. Even as a new student I noticed something different about the current students, but now that I am a ‘senior’ student I’ve noticed it with the most recent incoming class that I’ve seen this change into comfort.


The comfort doesn’t necessarily mean school is easy! It just means that I have noticed most students here feel comfortable being themselves. Because folk here are uniquely and beautifully themselves I tend to use ‘weird’ only as a term of endearment. If my friends here weren’t themselves I couldn’t be me! I want them to be all that they can be, and I wish the same for all new students as well!

Therefore the one thing I would want to tell someone about my Prescott College experience that they might not figure out via the website or something is:

“Be totally uniquely and beautifully you; and not to worry about ever not being yourself! Everyone here is wonderfully weird/unique/characterful and it’s seriously AWESOME! This environment genuinely wishes people to thrive and all who they are meant to be. However long it takes will be just fine at its own pace, people find comfort at different times. This is a journey after all and journeys are meant to be enjoyed!”


(L-R: Claire, Jack, Kyle, Matt, Morgoth, Lucy, Rafiki crossing the AZ border from CA going back to Prescott during a 16 hour van ride)


(Blog note: I was looking for silly pictures of students for the blog. After finding this picture and talking to Claire about the picture, I comment “why aren’t you and Jack being weird?!?” To which Claire replies “don’t get angry at us, Lucy looks normal too!” of which I subsequently lose it and start laughing because how ridiculous the argument was.)


May 2012
-Morgoth