Hi! My name is Peter Dittrich, and I am majoring in Chemical Engineering at The Ohio State University. I went to St. Xavier High School, which is an all-male Catholic high school. My favorite thing about my high school was all the traditions that it had and that I could also be a part of those traditions. One of my favorite things to do was sing my school’s Alma Mater after each mass and sporting event, arms linking each student together. So, naturally, I immediately loved the fact that Ohio State also had many traditions that I could partake in (such as singing Carmen Ohio). Other than the traditions, I loved the community of my high school and the people within that community. Here at Ohio State, as a freshman, I have already begun to feel comfortable here with this new, very large community. It helps to have joined such a great Scholars program, such as the Environment and Natural Resources Scholars.

One of the most meaningful things I did in high school was community service. Once a week, I went to an elementary school in an underprivileged area, and played with the kids there. It was not a lot of work, some classmates and I from my high school would just play games in the gym with the kids, but it was fun and a great experience. I am excited to be continuing community service with ENR scholars, joining my love for the outdoors, and my love for community service.

Community, as one might be able to tell so far, is very important to me. In high school, I was on the Cross Country team in the fall, and then the swim team during the winter. I love both sports, and each has their own unique community, which made it impossible not to do both. To be able to share similar experiences, such as long, thirteen mile runs, or early, five thirty A.M. swim practices, is what truly builds a strong community. What I look forward to this new scholars program is to build another, unique community. The two communities that I was greatly involved in during high school have greatly influenced me and have made me the person I am today. I look forward to what this new community will bring to my life.