Keeping sharp over summer

While most students spent their time over the summer catching up on lost sleep and pool time, some were more productive. Ranging from internships to summer college courses, a few North Harford students were plenty busy for weeks at a time.

Junior Logan Reitz attended the Young Scholars Program at the University of Maryland College Park for two weeks during July. Last year Reitz showed interest in the University of Maryland, and he thought this program would give him an understanding of what college life is like.

            To get involved with the Young Scholars Program Reitz had to apply, and after being accepted, he was responsible for costs of the one-class tuition and his room and board. On a typical day Reitz said participants would eat breakfast early, go to class from 9am-12pm, go to lunch, then relax with friends and do homework until dinner at the dining hall.

Reitz took a communications course and now has an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.7.

“I did receive three college credits and I was an official summer-term student at the University of Maryland with an official college ID,” said Reitz.

            Reitz mentioned that one of the biggest things that he learned from this experience was to keep an open mind and be willing to go out of your comfort zone for experiences at colleges or like it.

            “During the first week of the program I did not enjoy my time because I was very judgmental of all of the people I had met so far. I didn’t even bother trying to make friends because I didn’t think I would end up liking them at all let alone enough to keep in contact with them after the program,” said Reitz, “However, in the second week I starting making more and more friends that I talk to still, months after the program ended. We’re even planning a reunion at a Maryland football game this fall.”

            Reitz is now considering applying for the program next summer as well, and is highly considering the University of Maryland as a college choice.

            Seniors Jamie Rickey and Nicole Sexton volunteered at the National Aquarium in Baltimore nearly every week this past summer. After a long application process and many training sessions, Rickey and Sexton both made the cut to become tour guides at the Aquarium.

            On average, the girls said they would speak to 75-100 people in one day.

“The ocean is an amazing place with so many amazing creatures,” said Sexton, “I get to interact with guests and answer any of their questions.”

            Rickey not only enjoyed showing visitors around but more of the interactive activities.

“We have gotten to tour some of the behind the scenes areas like the food prep section, where aquarists are preparing the food for each animal. Also the shark catwalks, which are pathways above the shark tanks,” said Rickey.

Overall the two say the experiences they have had over the summer at the aquarium have made a large impact on them. Rickey said that it helped her decide that she wants to major in Biology and get her license in scuba diving. Sexton said she grew as an individual.

“Not only do I now know more facts about marine life than anyone I know, but I know a lot more about public speaking,” said Sexton.

On a more artistic spectrum, senior Rachel Hartman attended a pre-college program at the Maryland Institute/College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. Hartman enrolled in an Architectural Design class for four weeks. There was also a sculpture class she took once a week. Hartman stayed on MICA’s campus for four weeks from June to July.

                  People from all over the world could apply to MICA’s summer camp for younger students. Hartman was one of the chosen 200.

                  On a normal day, her and her classmates would be in the studio for 9 hours, only breaking for meals. At 10 o’clock Hartman said everyone would be lugging all of their supplies to the dorms so they could continue to work for a few more hours.

                  “By the second week, I was practically living in the studio, even on the weekends I would be staying from 10 am until 7 or 8 pm. I loved it! I guess working that often just made me feel like I was doing something that mattered,” said Hartman.

                  Also, every teacher there was a working artist and there were many graduate and undergraduate students to help Hartman and her classmates at any time.

                  “I don’t think I’ve ever met so many interesting, intelligent, and understanding people,” said Hartman.

                  MICA’s program also helped Hartman to grow as an artist. She says that once she has an idea for a piece she will keep that exact idea and not alter it while working on it.

                  “While at MICA, I learned that I have to let my work grow and change and stray from what may be more comfortable. In the end, it could be completely different from what I originally envisioned but it is almost always for the best!,” said Hartman.

                  This experience helped Hartman decide that she wants to have a career in art, and that she cant imagine doing anything else.

                  “I met a lot of artists that were going in so many different directions and I now have a better understanding of all the options I have,” said Hartman.

                  Hartman also received college credit for this class.

                  Senior Becky Burgess didn’t necessarily learn in a formal class setting this summer, but at a 3 day camp at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. She was one of 30 high school seniors who were interested in Occupational Therapy as a career. The definition of Occupation Therapy is, Therapy for those recuperating from illness that encourages rehabilitation by performing the activities of daily life.

              In the mornings camp goers had the opportunity to visit different sites and shadow Occupational Therapists at work.

“There were 4 possible places to visit and I visited a mental hospital and a school for students with special needs,” said Burgess.

During the afternoon they would listen to guest speakers and participate in different training activities. Burgess also said she enjoyed meeting all of the professors and the current students in the program, and also how much variety there was in the field.

“You can work with kids, adults, elderly, people with special needs, in schools, hospitals, prisons, or mental hospitals.  The possibilities are endless,” said Burgess.

Burgess said that this experience showed her that Occupation Therapy is definitely the right career for her.