Spring Break, 2019

My Freshman year spring break was spent in Hometown U.S.A. Despite the familiar suburban setting, though, I was determined to make the most of the rare absence of academic obligation. In the midst of the leisurely week that was set before me, I saw opportunity for personal growth and wellness. In all, I’d say I accomplished quite a lot.

Here’s what I did on the week of March 11, 2019:

  • Began and finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, concluding this magnificent odyssey for the third time
  • Learned the double crochet stitch to make my first scarf
  • Taught myself James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” on the ukulele
  • Ran a grand total of 27 miles
  • Pet my dog
  • Saw Captain Marvel (wow)
  • Ate a Chipotle burrito bowl in one sitting while watching Forrest Gump
  • Hiked at Highbanks Metro Park and watched some birds

In between these high adventures, I was able to take time to reflect and be thankful for this time well spent. The most important thing I learned this week is that there’s always something exciting to do so long as you’re willing to appreciate your surroundings and take the time to learn something new.

Now speaking post-spring break, I feel rejuvenated and ready to crush these last six weeks.

Let’s do this.

Columbus To Do List, Part 2

I began this to- do list with the ambition to explore the restaurants of Columbus. Since then, I have broadened my scope and allowed myself to go beyond that and experience a larger portion of what Columbus has to offer. I was not disappointed.

Taking it way back to October, I celebrated spooky season with a viewing of the classic 1978 film Halloween, showing for a limited time at the Gateway Film Center. This world class independent theater prides itself on its mission to provide a “maverick mix of movies to thrill and inspire.” They regularly show a sui generis selection of films, including blockbuster hits, indies, documentaries, throwbacks and local independent projects. Every pre-show viewing features local artists and concludes with the message “Columbus Makes Art. Art Makes Columbus.” The GFC certainly practices what it preaches, evident in the makeshift art gallery lining the walls on your way to Theater No. 5. And what’s more— thanks to D-Tix, I paid only $3 for this cinematic experience.

During the month of November, I had the opportunity to explore the live entertainment sector of Columbus. The long awaited broadway show Aladdin finally made its way to the historic Ohio Theater, saved from demolishment in 1969 by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts before being declared a Historic Landmark in ‘77. Today, it is considered the “Official Theater of the State of Ohio,” and one of the nation’s “finest surviving grand theaters.” Walking in, my breath was taken away by the awe inspiring architecture and intricate details that cover the ceiling and walls. That was nothing, however, to the magic of the show. Disney’s Aladdin has always been a favorite of mine. I had been eagerly anticipating the chance to see it on stage for years, and I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally see that curtain open in my home city.

The same week as Aladdin, Fleetwood Mac graced Nationwide Arena with their amazing An Evening with Fleetwood Mac tour. Nationwide is a powerhouse of energy for the city, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, hosting innumerable concerts every year, and surrounded by the electric Arena District. We’d been waiting five months for this moment, surrounded by 21,000 other fanatics of all ages, to sing our hearts out to Landslide alongside the iconic Stevie Nicks. The gently swaying iPhone flashlights across the arena was enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eyes.

 

Thanksgiving came and went, and it’s finally time to get jolly. To take a break from the slog of exam studying and to get into the Christmas spirit, my roommates and I decided to take an excursion to The Short North early this December. We got dinner at Harvest Pizzeria— a restaurant local to Columbus that partners with Ohio farms to provide fresh and local ingredients, from produce and dairy to local meats. After a beautiful plate of pesto spaghetti, we took a stroll up High Street through the Short North (Pole) to explore the gallery hop that occurs on the first Saturday of every month. Christmas lights twinkling and hot chocolate provided, we meandered in and out of galleries, appreciating the local art and incredible talent covering the white walls. We discovered cute shops like Big Fun— a toy store offering an incredible variety of vintage toys, comics, and collectibles— and Global Gifts, featuring unique products from alpaca fur mittens to handmade jewelry, all sustainably and humanely sourced. (I will be going back here for my Christmas shopping).

In all, I’d say this was an overwhelmingly successful semester in terms of exploring the offerings of Columbus. The city is bursting with art and creativity, of which I’ve only scratched the surface. I would recommend any of these experiences in a heartbeat as an excellent way to broaden your scope of the city. The most exciting part of this project, though, is that this was only the first of many semesters. I’m looking forward to all of the adventures my future at Ohio State has in store for me.

Columbus To Do List, part 1

For this semester, I decided to tackle the Local Food Favorites theme on the famous Columbus To-Do List. As far as experiences go, what is more diverse and yet more unifying than food? It is the most basic of human necessities, but our food is ultimately a representation of ourselves. Our cultures, personalities, and traditions are reflected in the cuisine we put on our tables. There is simply so much to learn from each other through food. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to explore Columbus and all of the places this list will take me.

So far, my roommates and I have ventured north to check an item off our to-do list on a brisk Saturday morning. We landed at a mom-and-pop type diner called Jack and Benny’s for brunch. Jack and Benny’s is best known for their signature “gut-buster,” self proclaimed as “hangover food.” An ungodly stack of every breakfast food you’ve ever heard of, I decided to save that venture for another day. Personally, I would reccommend the pumpkin pancakes. Nothing beats the perfect aroma of pumpkin spice on a mid October morning as an army of Ohio State Buckeye bobble heads nod gently in encouragement, staring from the display.

The good food, good coffee, and good prices definitely puts this diner on my list of breakfast go-to’s. If you’re looking for a cozy hole in the wall to remind you of home, Jack and Benny’s is the place to go.

Tasha (left), me (middle) and Coco (right) cheesin’ after some good eats at Jack and Benny’s Diner.

Career Exploration

At a freshman at Ohio State, my career path is not entirely clear. After learning about each major in the SENR Survey class, I am currently contemplating two different tracks: Forest, Fisheries, and Wildlife (FFW), or Natural Resource Management (NRM). In order or help me discern the path that best suits me, I will invest my time in organizations and events that will help me learn more about each. The OSU chapter of the Fish and Wildlife Society will help me make valuable connections and surround me with like minded individuals. Environmental Professional Networking events are also great opportunities for networking and learning more about initiatives that are of interest to me and possibly my future profession. The SENR Career Expo, held in February, will also give me more insight into the details of different careers in either field. By attending these events with intent and purpose, I will gain a competitive edge as I seek to know and see more about these fields. Gaining more knowledge and experience are the stepping stones that will lead me to a meaningful and fulfilling career.

My RIASEC assessment gave me this three letter code: ISA. This is abbreviated for investigative, social, and artistic. The RIASEC assessment is a career tool used to help identify the interest themes that I find most valuable in a career. Investigative personalities enjoy working with ideas, theories, and facts and often incorporate analytic and scientific interests. Common careers that align with investigative personalities are scientist and data analyst. Social personality types enjoy working with people, and are well suited for teaching or care taking. Many social personality types also find fulfillmnent in the non-profit sector. Artistic interests can be more oriented towards intellect or culture. Artistic-Investigative personalities may be drawn towards writing or academics in the humanities, and Artistic-social towards teaching art or literature.

Academic and Career Advisors in the School of Environment and Natural Resources are excellent resources to help me prepare moving forward as a professional. With the help of my Academic Advisor, Amanda McCann, I have created a class schedule for the spring of 2019 that will ensure success for either path I choose (FFW or NRM). The most important thing I can do immediately is to allow myself to learn as much as I can about possible careers of interest, as well as identify my own strengths and preferences.

Saplings Mentor Interview

On the evening of October 7, 2018, I was fortunate enough to sit down with my ENR Scholars mentor Syd Stobart and candidly ask several of the questions that plague the first semester freshman. Apart being an extremely kind and approachable individual, Syd is a third year senior studying Environmental Policy and Decision Making, ENR scholars Co- Chair, and is involved with several other activities on top of her rigorous studies. She provided wonderful insight to all of my questions and gave amazing advice that I could only hope to receive from such an ambitious person such as herself.

In terms of academics, Syd is extremely studious. She keeps a planner of events, midterms, and homework that help her stay on top of her responsibilities. She told me that she treats her 18- credit hour courseload like a 9-5 job; she will find a prime study spot and hit the books until she is satisfied with her progress— dedication to impress. She also mentioned that while her studies are of the upmost importance, it is critical to seek out opportunities outside of the classroom. Being a well- rounded individual carries more weight than a simple number, and will open more doors than GPA alone.

Somehow, on top of her courseload, she stills finds time to take a break and partake in the activities she’s most passionate about. Among her commitments outside of the classroom are: ENR Scholars Mentor Council and Co- Chair, Buckeyethon, O.W.L., College Mentors for Kids, and intermural soccer. She suggested finding the things that I really care about, and diving straight in. It is better to find a few things that really pique your interest and invest in them, than to spread yourself too thin among too many clubs. It can be exhausting and inefficient, and you never truly get to experience being a full fledged member in a student org that truly represents your passions, she advises.

After a while, our conversation inevitabley turns towards the involvement we have most in common: ENR scholars. Coming from Texas, she said, was a really strong strong push to find a good community that she could call her own. While in high school, she read about the Environment and Natural Resources Scholars group, and was hooked. Since her first days in Morrill Tower, she says with confidence that ENR Scholars has become her second family. The bonds she built with her fellow scholars even kept her planted at Ohio State during a time when she was contemplating transferring. The importance of mindset towards this group is one thing she greatly emphasized. In order to get the most out of it, it has to be looked at as an opportunity, not a requirement. We all applied to be here, at any rate. There are so many opportunities through scholars to take advantage of, and she fervently advocated for the exploration of every avenue provided by ENR.

Plannng to graduate in May of 2019, it is time for Syd to start looking forward to her plans off of the Ohio State campus. Since her freshman year, her major has changed (Environmental Science —> EPDM) and so have her ambitions. She feels strongly that her vocation entails working closely with people and human relationships. Law school is on her radar, but she is still contemplating whether it might be best to insert herself into the workforce for a year or so before taking the LSAT.

As we wrapped up the conversation, she gave a quick reminder that time here goes fast. “Make the most of it,” she tells me, and don’t be afraid to be adaptable and pursue new and exciting opportunities, even if they aren’t necessarily in line with my current plan. OSU has tons of opportunities, and as a student, I am entitled to all of them, she reminds me. We didn’t end up at the third largest university in the country for nothing! We parted ways and as I walked towards Morrill Tower, home to the best Scholars group on campus, I became acutely grateful for a mentor with an incredible willingness to go out of her way to help (horribly freshman) student like me.

 

A picture of Syd Stobart (right) and myself (left) one Sunday evening after a Leadership Council meeting

 

 

About Me

My name is Danielle Hutchison, and I am a first year student at The Ohio State University. I am enrolled in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management, and a minor in Evolution and Ecology. I am a member of the Environment and Natural Resource (ENR) Scholars Leadership Council, as well as the Sierra Student Coalition and OSU Bee club.

My interest in sustainability and resource conservation initially arose when I was first exposed to the environmental sciences while still in high school. Since then, I have participated in several conservation based internships, all of which have revealed the unceasing value of the protection of our natural resources. My most treasured internship experience thus far has been under the USDA Agricultural Research Service, where I am currently employed as a student lab assistant.

Aside from conservationist, I identify as a long distance runner, musician, and literary fanatic. During the summer months, I find myself working my part-time dream job at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in the Guest Engagement department.

By developing and refining my talents and passions, I hope to be able to leave the world in a better state than how I found it. I believe that The Ohio State University has all of the tools necessary to aid me in reaching my full potential as a communicative, critically thinking professional. I am beyond thrilled to witness the course of my new journey.

Year in Review

I moved into Morrill Tower on August 18th, 2018. I would have no idea that I just moved into a quad to live with some of the best people I’ve ever have the privilege of knowing. I would be completely ignorant of the new adventures that lay ahead, and of the challenges that I was bound to come across. As my freshman year draws to a close, it’s incredible to look back and see just how I’ve grown in these past nine months.    

During my first semester, I slogged through the dreaded Gen Chem 1, and learned that time management is all too valuable a skill to have. My literature GE Intro to Fiction reintroduced me to the love of literature, and my appreciation of the stylistic acrobatics that authors use in effective storytelling. First Year Undergrad Student Orchestra reminded me just how much I enjoy playing and performing my violin; and my SENR Survey class helped me discover that I belong in natural resource management.

 My second semester Public Land Management course has exposed me to new fields of career opportunities. Environmental Policy showed me that I am capable of writing an entire paper in a night. And beekeeping has introduced me to an incredible marvel of nature, an appreciation of honey bees, and a desire for my own hive someday. It also taught me that it is entirely worth learning for the sake of interest, because it makes the world shine a little bit brighter.

This year, I finally allowed myself to test my own limits. I learned that I am capable of more than I realized, and that my ability extends about as far as my mentality. Deciding to put all that I have into my ambitions– on a run, on a friendship, on a creative endeavor– has bore much fruit. I have grown in confidence and independence as I explored possibilities that I would have dismissed a year ago as far fetched, impossible, or not meant for me. I have stopped putting qualifications and caveats on my abilities and my goals, and have allowed myself to stretch beyond the constraints that I used to envelope myself in for fear of failure.

Looking back, I have so many fond memories and experiences, ranging from the relatively mundane to the extraordinary. Visiting Stone Lab, the ENR Camping Trip, backpacking for the first time in Dolly Sods; these have been life changing, eye opening opportunities. They pushed me outside of my comfort zone, introduced me to new people and new ideas, and helped me to see the world in new ways. But the casual moments: Zumba on Tuesday nights with my roommates, movie marathons, comedy shows, hanging out in Buckeye Grove, time spent in the common rooms of Morrill tower… these, I think, are the snippets of life that have made my freshman year at Ohio State so remarkable. That, and beating Xichigan, obviously.

I truly cannot wait to dive into the new experiences that next year will have in store. I’m excited to join new organizations that fell through the cracks of my freshman year, and to continue building lifelong relationships with those around me. I’m psyched to be taking a class on rock wall climbing, Monday mornings at 8am next semester, and to be a part of Ohio State’s community orchestra. I’m beyond thrilled to be living in Morrill Tower again, surrounded by truly the best people this campus has to offer. I’m excited for the moments, big and small, that bring more laughter, joy, and unity to the world.

My first year as a Buckeye has given me a lot to reflect on, grow from, and be thankful for. I am exceedingly grateful for all of the ups and downs, laughs and tears, the summer’s heat and winter’s cold that I’ve experienced during these past two semesters.

And I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.