Alumni News

A letter from Hans Meyer, VSP 06

When the Semester was over, I jumped right back into working on and learning at the two organic farms where I worked previously (an organic vegetable farm and an organic livestock farm). My brother Erik and I spent many long days at the veggie farm, planting, tending and harvesting beans, mesclun, tomatoes, onions, garlic, squash . . . just to name a few! I love the fall harvest season the best I think — to put load after load of yummy golden-hued squash into the big barn for winter storage. It is great physically but more than that I deeply enjoy being able to provide for myself and others through this incredible work.

I also joined the Starksboro Volunteer Fire Department this summer as it is a way to give to the community......and it is also kind of cool! For example, although I haven’t been out on any calls yet, I went rock-climbing with the department during a weekend course on high angle rescue. We belayed, rappelled, and did many different rescue evolutions. I hope to do more rock climbing in the future. I also began an intensive level one firefighter course at the Vermont State Fire Academy. This is a huge commitment for me as the course spans 10 months with weekly classes and tests and some weekend work.....and somehow I’ve managed to scrape along averaging “A’s”! Most of all though, it has been rewarding to develop my knowledge, skills and abilities as a fire-fighter.

During the fall my family and I did quite a bit of hunting for game: rabbits, partridge, and deer. We hunted really hard this deer season, doing a lot of tracking and stalking. I managed to get within yards of deer a couple of times but they were never bucks. (My dad, Ken, was able to harvest a six-pointer so there is venison in the freezer and a hide that we will tan later this year.) Yet a season never goes to waste for me with all the joys of being on the land, seeing all sorts of wildlife, spending time with loved ones and learning directly from the greatest teacher I know — Mother Nature.

I hope this finds everyone well and healthy — I look forward to seeing you all. Joy to live,
Hans

P.S. I also squeezed in a few hikes (one was Mount Abe), a bit of fishing, camping at the ocean, and a few visits with Semester friends!

A Letter from Clara Kazarov
(summer, apprentice 2006), now studying abroad in Germany

My German experience is an interesting one, full of adventures, but also a lot of ups and downs. My German is every day better, and I am well on the way to German fluency. I have been traveling a fair amount, to Belgium and Austria (I sent Mathias a post card) and just today I got back from Paris. I have been traveling by myself for the most part or with fellow exchange students. I have a lot of connections around Europe due to being a first generation American, so though traveling alone is sometimes, well, lonely, at the end of the road there is someone there (like my grandmother, or teachers, etc.). Paris was really interesting because my art teacher invited me completely last minute, and the spur of the moment feeling made everything so real. I think about y’all alot. I will send pictures soon! My love to everyone!

Clara

Colin Borowske, VSP O6 has spent his summer in Brazil and works as an assistant soccer coach at his high school, while he is preparing to go to college.

Stefan Hofer-Fay ( VSP 04 student, VSP 06 staff) and Laurel Iselin (summer programs 2000-2005, apprentice 2006) are crossing South America by Bike on an eight month long journey. Stefan is planning to attend Fosen Folk school in Norway next Fall.

Tom Rosenberg (summer student and apprentice for many years, VSP 06) is working as an apprentice at Mahoosuc Guide Service in Maine. Tom helps to take care of 40 sled dogs, and is preparing to help guide dog sledding trips with Master Guides Kevin Slater and Polly Mahoney.

Emily Turner (summer student and apprentice for many years, VSP 04) is in her second year sailing viking ships, swimming in the near frozen ocean and studying at Fosen Folk School in Norway.

Hannah Morgan (VSP 06) is a freshman at Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT. She lives in a wall tent, within walking distance from campus.

Evan Griffith (VSP 04) is an Environmental Studies freshman at Evergreen College on the Olympic Peninsula.

Ilene Price and Lily Frey (VSP 06) are on their way to meet in Ecuador to travel together in South America.

Chris Clarke (VSP 04, summer student and apprentice for many years) is finishing high school and preparing for a white water paddling trip in Costa Rica.

Tommy Robertson (summer student and apprentice for many years, VSP 06) is a freshman at Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Tommy came to visit in November and gave Lisl valuable advice for future semesters. Tommy wrote an article called “Wisdom in the Woods” for Mountain Traditions Magazine.

Paul Ivan Derruemaux (VSP 06) is working as an Outdoor Educator at Woodland Ways, an outdoor program near Gent, New York.

Saul Blocher (VSP 04) is finishing his associate degree in Liberal Arts at Community College of Vermont. Saul is planning to study at Fosen Folk school in Norway. While Stefan will study boat building, Saul will study sailing and then together they will sail the Viking ship around the world!

Sarah Champine (VSP 06) is a freshman at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. In her Ethnobiology class she now studies what she lived last year during the semester.