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Residential Program Student Biographies

We thought you would enjoy knowing more about the students in our recently graduated 2008 Residential Program class. Check back here later in the summer to see biographies of the students in the new 2008-09 program!

Heather Durham, age 34, Portland, Oregon
My path from childhood in New England to adulthood in the Pacific Northwest has led me through many different homes with various educational experiences and jobs. Along the way, trying on different lives, I've found common threads in my most meaningful experiences. These include a desire for a deeper understanding of and connection to the natural world, and the importance of being part of a nurturing community of people who inspire me and support me on my path. The Residential Program couldn't be better suited to these goals. Although I learn just fine in a traditional classroom, I know from experience that experiential learning of this sort brings with it far more depth, inspiration, wisdom, and of course fun! Aside from being a tree-hugging nature dork, I am a massage practitioner, I love to read, explore city culture, go out dancing to mind blowing techno music, and have fascinating conversations about the meaning of reality with good friends.

Peter Bettmann-Kerson, age 24, Middlesex, Vermont
I was born and raised in the mountains of central Vermont where I first began developing my passion for nature by climbing up and down Mount Hunger. From there, I ended up at Flying Cloud, one of the Farm & Wilderness summer camps, where I spent my summers living deep in the forest. In high school I was lucky enough to be mentored by the local park director in wilderness survival skills before I headed on to Hampshire College. There I received a B.A. with a focus on forest ecology, specifically looking at land use history through dendrochronology. At the same time, I've pursued an interest in emergency medicine as a Wilderness First Responder and an EMT Basic. My strongest passion after understanding nature is understanding my body, and testing it. I'm a retired college Ultimate player (though I still get out when I can) and a very new and excited mid-distance triathlete. I've also been doing modern dance in various forms for the last five years, especially Contact Improvisation.

Margaret Lambert, age 20, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
The first 18-years of my life have been spent in the suburbs of Detroit where I was born and raised. I attended Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC for 1.5 years before leaving to pursue temporary employment at Whole Foods Market. The past two summers I have worked at an amazing summer camp called The Living Earth School outside of Charlottesville, VA, where I have fed my passion for working with children in an outdoors setting. I have a roving spirit and can't wait for my next adventure. I'm psyched that I am going to have the time and a great community to work on my skills with. I hope to braintan many more hides this year and actually make some useable articles out of the buckskin. Other passions in my life include reading, knitting, watching good movies, playing games with friends, playing dress-up, conta dancing , trying to play guitar and petting cats.

Ed Harkins, age 66, Lynnwood, Washington
I’ve had a number of careers already and am taking a year off to hang out in the woods while I consider what I want to be when I grow up. I came out here in 1980 after retiring from the Air Force and retired from Boeing in August of 1999 and went into business for myself. I’ve been to college twice; getting a BS degree from University of Maryland and later a MA degree from Antioch University and have no desire to earn another degree. I grew up in the woods of Maine and have always loved the outdoors and looking forward to spending more time there in the future. I came to an Art of Mentoring in August of 1997 and been involved with the school ever since, spent eight years on the board of trustees and have been a member of the Elder’s Council since its beginning a number of years ago.

Khylynowey Sheperd, age 22, near Calgary, Canada
I like the warmth of a fire in the dark of night sitting around it with friends telling stories. The colors and paterns found on the skin of the apple, and fuzzy softness on the outside of peaches. I love to be wrapped in the arms of the one I love, on a bed that is way too small to fit two people.The smell of fresh snow, rain, forest and spring. I like to jump in puddles, and try to get my friends wet at the same time. I like to listen to people. I love to love... I've been to college for three years, one year to get my general studies cerificate in horticulture, welding, carpentry, among other fields. Two more years to get my certificate in Land and Water Resources, and soon to be registered Agrologist (soil specialist). After Washington I might complete my environmental degree back here in Canada. Of course, nature and environments play a large role in my life, the reason why I'm coming to this school, but other interests include Hapkido which now also allows me to work on my dagger and sword defence. I also enjoy simply interacting with people, and I'm having an increasing desire to learn to dance. I like to read almost all types of books, and I love music. I simply enjoy the magic of life.

Jeremy Milligan, age 19, Carnation, Washington
I just got out of high school, and I don't want to stop learning. Nature has been a passion of mine for almost my entire life, but it wasn't until I went to high school that I began to respect it; thanks to my science teacher. I haven't done much with my life quite yet, I have traveled to a few places in the country, but definitely not enough. I guess if someone were to ask me what my dream was, I would have to say it is to see the world and learn as much as possible about this great planet we live on.

Katie McEachen, age 23, Bristol, Vermont
I first learned about Wilderness Awareness School in my high school tracking club. I've held the idea of learning at this school in my mind for years, and after graduating college, the possibility of being part of the Residential Program opened up for me. When I was little, my mom used to lock me out of the house when she was sick of having me underfoot, and that forced me to have adventures in the woods, in all kinds of weather. Eventually, she didn't have to lock the door anymore; instead she had to call me back when it got dark....I love playing the fiddle, singing, playing soccer, and having water fights. I'm interested in learning some dance moves from the other Wilderness Awareness School students. My favorite music genres are Classic Country, 80's ballads, and Motown girl bands, but I mostly go on a song by song basis. I'm really excited to move to Washington, as I've always been a green mountain state girl, and I can't wait to meet everyone in this year's Residential Program.

Michael Raczyla, age 30, Illinois
Not satisfied with sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen, I’ve decided that Wilderness Awareness school’s Residential Program was the place to go to find my way back outdoors. Eight years after graduation, I finally realized that this commercial art degree does not make me happy. The books of Tom Brown, Jr. have acted as a catalyst for this decision and prompted a renewed interest in wilderness survival and naturalist studies. With a few TrackerSchool classes and a Wilderness First Responder certification under my belt, I hope to continue the process of learning to learn and learning how to teach these connections to nature that WAS provides. In my free moments, I enjoy reading, practicing martial arts, graphic arts and trying to cure my brother and my girlfriend of their entomophobias.

Ayshen Darlington, age 41, Snohomish, Washington
I have always loved nature, have always felt kinship, communion and comfort among trees and the woods. I moved to Kauai, Hawaii, after training as a Massage Practitioner and lived off the grid for seven years. I built my own house, met my son's father, had a child, planted fruit trees, swam in the ocean, and worked in helping people heal their body and spirit. Kauai, and being a mom, has taught me to trust my intuition, my heart and my connection to life. I heard Jon Young speak at my friend's house when my son was six months old and wanted to be a part of this community and study this work deeper ever since that first talk. Now eight years later, and a move across the ocean, I am here to learn. I am completing my Bachelor's Degree in Eco-psychology through Antioch University, and the Residential Program is part of my curriculum. I plan on becoming a Counselor. I want to push my edges, to not be afraid to spend the night in the woods alone (many nights and days). I want to walk into the woods alone and come back out a few days or weeks later as I choose. I am interested in learning about community building, the healing of hearts, the reading of tracks (inner and outer), and I want to make fire. I am here to create the vision for the next half of my life. Thanks for being on the journey with me.

Richie Booth, age 29, Yelm, Washington
Hi, I am Richie B., an energetic, fun, loving, sincere man born and raised in Yelm, Washington, and that's my buddy Keets the cat. I am living my dream life which includes learning to live self sufficiently from the bounty of our mother, Nature. I began building a primitive shelter in the fall of '06 with the intent of staying out in the forest for an entire year practicing my skills and learning my place. With the help of a close friend (thank you Jenny!) I decided to do more schooling before I go out. The Residential Program seems perfect for me as it appears to be a full package of so much I wish to learn. After visiting the school and falling in love with the beautiful community it has created I decided to move to Duvall right away. My other interests include wrestling/martial arts, music and dancing, snowboarding, bmxing, working with children and loving my wonderful cat. I will someday have my own school/community working with youth and adults alike.

Lily Glidden, age 18, Freeville, NY
I'm fresh out of high school and don't have too much life experience yet, but am looking forward to gaining more. Seven years ago I began an after school program that hooked me on primitive knowledge and living in sync with the land. I want to take a year to solidify my connection with nature and expand my knowledge. My dream is to some day be able to travel around without a bag of gear and technology strapped to my back. Other then hanging out in the woods, camping, and of course all related outdoorsy pursuits, I enjoy most sports (noncompetitively), especially horseback riding; traveling and exploring, reading a good book, and dancing badly to good music of any genre. After the Residential Program, I want to pursue a degree in something like biology or anthropology that will allow me to travel; but I also want to avoid getting a "real" job for as long as possible. Wherever I end up, I want to be able to help others get as much enjoyment as I do just from being outside. .

Georgia Doyle, age 45, Fort Collins, Colorado
I am excited to live and learn and play in the forest! I am a nature nut, and love birding, botanizing, herping, hiking, backpacking, and just plain hanging out outside. I grew up in the burbs of Los Angeles and since high school have lived in various cities in the west including Tucson, Reno, and most recently, Fort Collins. I spent about a decade studying and working as a hydrologist/geochemist and another working as a field botanist/ecologist. I am excited about slipping out of the straight sciency jobs/world and open to new possibilities that may come with expanded awareness and nature connection. Besides hanging outside and learning, I dig yoga, reading, and dancing.

Matthew De Jong, age 22, Hull, Iowa
I have lived on a farm in northwest Iowa for most of my life where I developed a passion for the land and life around me. Camping, fishing, farming, and having random fun in the grove by my house couldn't have done a better job of setting my path. Wishing to learn more about nature, I pursued a BA in Biology. My desire to share what I learned with others led me to obtain a Secondary Education endorsement, as well. I still feel as if there was something greatly lacking in my education, and this course seems to teach everything needed to fill that void in myself and so much more. Nature has always played a large role in my life, and I love being outside. Simply, I love sharing what I love. I want to help people come back to nature and feel their own connection with it. Other things I enjoy include reading all different kinds of books, martial arts, ultimate frisbee, climbing everything I can get away with, community, and mostly just being with people and having great conversations about whatever they find important in life.

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