Working with children has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy any activity more if I share it with kids. As a freshman, I signed up for Community Friends, a program similar to "Big Brothers, Big Sisters," and was paired with a 7 year old from the nearby town of Bristol. We've done many great things together - from playing outside to attending hockey games, and it has been a joy to get to know her family and to watch my "little sister" grow up.

I also spend time each week at the Addison County Parent Child Center, allowing teenage mothers from the community to take advantage of the center's resources while I care for their infants. I've met some wonderful people there, and the experience provides a great balance to my schoolwork and other activities.

This year, through the Cook Commons Council, I worked on a program called "MiddKid for a Day." We invited middle school kids who might not otherwise be exposed to college to come for a fun day with college students. We set up a scavenger hunt, ate in the dining halls, watched a hockey game, and talked about college life. The day allowed the students to get a glimpse of how exciting college can be, and will hopefully help plant a seed so that it's something they consider in the future.

While here at Middlebury, I've also had the opportunity to travel to Africa to volunteer with an AIDS education organization, to work with local children on theater productions, and to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. All of the volunteers I work with are passionate about helping this community, country and world, and they inspire me to do more. The outpouring of support I've received from faculty, staff and fellow students in all my endeavors reflects, for me, the spirit of Middlebury.