My first week at Longwood was unforgettable; even if it wasn’t on the main campus. Hull Springs Farm started to feel like home by the end, even with all of the itchy bug bites and lack of phone service. I met so many interesting people that I never would have if I had not applied for the LIFE stem program. I was very nervous at first to interact with my peers. My favorite area of the farm was out behind the porch, near the beautiful red oak tree. The shade was just the right amount to keep you cool, and yet warm enough to stay out for hours at a time. On one of the first days, while all of the new cohorts were hanging near the gigantic tree, we heard thunder and went inside for cover. As we started to settle into the classroom area, we all saw a bright light before an enormous roar and creaking noise met our ears. The beautiful oak had been struck by lightning and yet continued to stand tall. At that moment we all burst out laughing, mainly out of fear, but also because I think we all knew that our shared memory of this would be one we’d refer to for years to come.
That crash gave us all an opportunity something in common, something to talk about other than our favorite color or ice cream flavor. My artifact from the trip is a picture of the bare bark on the tree. I picked this because I think it shows how we forged our own new relationships, much like the lightning and the tree. I believe it shows a new chapter in each of our lives full of new opportunities and experiences. However, we didn’t just create relationships with our peers, we also made relationships with some of our amazing professors. I loved learning from them and it made me even more excited to start classes.
After exploring Tangier Island, I really saw how important it was that research and awareness of the problems of the bay were. I knew that the bay wasn’t in the best state, but I really didn’t know exactly how bad it was. I found that there are many ways to go about helping the bay and its ecosystem, and I am not entirely sure why it’s not more well known. For example, making living barriers to help prevent erosion of the land surrounding the bay. I think that working towards helping the bay is something that I am really interested in now, and even got information about the Virginia Clean Waterways group here on campus. I loved learning that more people care about the health of the bay, and I am excited to get involved. Much like the red oak tree, I am forever changed by the summer bridge, and I am excited to grow as a LIFE stem student for years to come.
