1. For my step project, I learned how to play guitar and piano. To achieve this, I attended lessons at Royalton Music Center where I met with instructors and got the proper equipment.

2. I was really surprised when I started to understand how the notes and cords work with guitars and pianos. With the guitar, you simply move down the neck of the guitar for higher pitches, but most of the same notes are also on a different string. So, it’s easier to move up and down on the neck to find the sweet spot for a song and if you want higher or lower notes.

Another thing that was interesting was music theory. It consists of how notes work together in the music. While I didn’t get the chance to learn everything about music theory, the stuff I did get to learn was very interesting. For one, chords with a piano typically consist of 3 notes, each a half step or half step apart. What’s interesting is that when you play the seventh note of a chord, it is equivalent to a power cord on the guitar, since they are made up of a root note and it’s seventh.

3. Most of the interactions were with my instructors, as there wasn’t anyone else too involved in the step project. With my piano teacher, he taught me more than simple chords on the piano. He taught me about music theory, how the different notes can be switched to perform the same chord. With a triad, or three notes on a piano, can be switched to give better flow to the notes. This could be moving the note up or down an octave to keep the same chord. These are called inversions and they’re very useful for playing while not having to jump to different chords, instead keeping a few notes the same to make the music easier to play.

My other instructor taught me guitar, but also taught me a lot in general about good practice. For one, with music, you can’t just try to take on the music right away. Instead you have to take the piece slower at first to get used to the rhythm of it. Once that’s accomplished, then you can dive into the piece further and speed it up gradually to the tempo. While I learned how to play guitar traditionally with the staff, I also learned how to play another common method: Tab. Tab is a different way of presenting the music for a guitar specifically. It consists of six lines, each representing a string, accompanied by numbers, referring to the fret where you should put your fingers. Overall, it’s really interesting, and it has opened up a different way of learning music. I’ve been able to find more and different songs and understand them with this method.

Overall, this experience has been a huge blessing for me. I don’t think I’d been able to do this experience without the support from STEP. I’m looking forward to using my new talents and skills to further improve the Ohio State Community and improve the music we perform. I am for sure looking forward to the upcoming performance and other opportunities that come my way regarding music. My teachers have definitely left an impact on me and I hope I’d be able to revisit further lessons in the future.

4. It is significant because it has helped me to achieve several goals I set before beginning the project. For one, I will now be able to play and lead musical worship for the events in the catholic community. Events like adoration, BCAT (Buckeye Catholic), Formation, and household morning prayer all have worship and often need a guitar to lead or other instruments like a piano to accompany it. These experiences will continue to further develop me as a both a leader and a musician. Next year will be critical as a chunk of good students and musicians will move on from college and the catholic community. That’ll be the time when I’m needed most with my guitar and piano. It is also a joy to play as well as be able to sing at the same time. In high school, I played the saxophone an sang for the choir, but I was never able to bring those together at the time. Now it is more fun and more interesting having learned how to play and sing at the same time.

Another hope I have is in the future I can continue to play music with my family, and hopefully teach them how to play in the future. Holidays are always a time when my family comes together to laugh and sing, and it will be exciting to practice and play with my new skills. I hope in the future, when I become a father, I can use the instrument to inspire my kids as well as a teaching tool.

1. For my step project, I learned how to play guitar and piano. To achieve this, I attended lessons at Royalton Music Center where I met with instructors and got the proper equipment.

2. I was really surprised when I started to understand how the notes and cords work with guitars and pianos. With the guitar, you simply move down the neck of the guitar for higher pitches, but most of the same notes are also on a different string. So, it’s easier to move up and down on the neck to find the sweet spot for a song and if you want higher or lower notes.

Another thing that was interesting was music theory. It consists of how notes work together in the music. While I didn’t get the chance to learn everything about music theory, the stuff I did get to learn was very interesting. For one, chords with a piano typically consist of 3 notes, each a half step or half step apart. What’s interesting is that when you play the seventh note of a chord, it is equivalent to a power cord on the guitar, since they are made up of a root note and it’s seventh.

3. Most of the interactions were with my instructors, as there wasn’t anyone else too involved in the step project. With my piano teacher, he taught me more than simple chords on the piano. He taught me about music theory, how the different notes can be switched to perform the same chord. With a triad, or three notes on a piano, can be switched to give better flow to the notes. This could be moving the note up or down an octave to keep the same chord. These are called inversions and they’re very useful for playing while not having to jump to different chords, instead keeping a few notes the same to make the music easier to play.
My other instructor taught me guitar, but also taught me a lot in general about good practice. For one, with music, you can’t just try to take on the music right away. Instead you have to take the piece slower at first to get used to the rhythm of it. Once that’s accomplished, then you can dive into the piece further and speed it up gradually to the tempo. While I learned how to play guitar traditionally with the staff, I also learned how to play another common method: Tab. Tab is a different way of presenting the music for a guitar specifically. It consists of six lines, each representing a string, accompanied by numbers, referring to the fret where you should put your fingers. Overall, it’s really interesting, and it has opened up a different way of learning music. I’ve been able to find more and different songs and understand them with this method.
Overall, this experience has been a huge blessing for me. I don’t think I’d been able to do this experience without the support from STEP. I’m looking forward to using my new talents and skills to further improve the Ohio State Community and improve the music we perform. I am for sure looking forward to the upcoming performance and other opportunities that come my way regarding music. My teachers have definitely left an impact on me and I hope I’d be able to revisit further lessons in the future.

4. It is significant because it has helped me to achieve several goals I set before beginning the project. For one, I will now be able to play and lead musical worship for the events in the catholic community. Events like adoration, BCAT (Buckeye Catholic), Formation, and household morning prayer all have worship and often need a guitar to lead or other instruments like a piano to accompany it. These experiences will continue to further develop me as a both a leader and a musician. Next year will be critical as a chunk of good students and musicians will move on from college and the catholic community. That’ll be the time when I’m needed most with my guitar and piano. It is also a joy to play as well as be able to sing at the same time. In high school, I played the saxophone an sang for the choir, but I was never able to bring those together at the time. Now it is more fun and more interesting having learned how to play and sing at the same time.
Another hope I have is in the future I can continue to play music with my family, and hopefully teach them how to play in the future. Holidays are always a time when my family comes together to laugh and sing, and it will be exciting to practice and play with my new skills. I hope in the future, when I become a father, I can use the instrument to inspire my kids as well as a teaching tool.

We transformed my apartment into our own set for the weekend, allowing us more control than scenes on location. The lighting was a blast to play with in this scene.

(1) In my STEP project, I underwent the production of a student short film. With the help of many of my peers, I worked to write, shoot and edit what is looking to be a 20 minute video. The creative form of this endeavor changed throughout the process, as I set out to shoot an episodic web series, and even co-wrote 8 scripts for it which we ended up scrapping in favor of the more polished and logistically possible 20 minute short film. This painful, yet necessary learning process has led to me discovering a lot about the filmmaking process and myself.

Some of the cast and crew in between shots. We had a cast and crew of around 30 dedicated people working on this project.

(2) Change was a large part of what defined my STEP project. In terms of myself, I learned to understand that I need the help of others to succeed. Not in a negative sense, but in the sense that I can accomplish so much more when I reach out to my friends, ask for help and trust in them. Along with that, I learned that the best working environments for me include a good deal of planning, and some semblance of a loose structure so that I can be productive and efficient in the use of my time, and the time of others while I work on creative projects. But the lesson I learned that I value the most, is that I need to trust in myself, and my abilities so that I can support my friends and contribute to the overall project. Without valuing myself, and believing that I am good enough to do the work then I won’t be able to do anyone any good. This is a lesson I am still working on, and one that I think we all work on throughout our lives.

One sequence we shot on High Street at night, providing some really beautiful artificial lighting from the neon signs in the shops.

(3) Change and challenges throughout the process of my project itself led to this great deal of personal change in my own self. One such instance which transformation was instilled in me was when I had to shift the focus of my project from my already written web series to a short film. We had already written all 8 scripts for the web series, but had over-stretched ourselves. My co-writers and I had planned for a series focusing around 3 characters, but due to a lack of helping hands, which really was a result of lack of trust in others, we decided to cast ourselves as those three characters, as well as be the director, director of photography and script supervisor. However, this required us to be in 2 places at once on set, and as we couldn’t find any help that we felt comfortable in sharing with, we soon realized we couldn’t make the project we had built up so high in our heads. This failure of our hubris led to a great test in my adaptability though, as my friend from high school needed help in realizing a slightly different idea for her short film. We decided to collaborate with her, bringing ideas from our script and our skills on set to her project, to accomplish something much greater that we would’ve accomplished each on our own. This challenge to change, led to a quick development of skills both technically and interpersonally. It taught me to not give up, and that change isn’t inherently negative, but rather a new opportunity.

While working on the set in the production phase of the project, I was able to exclusively focus on cinematography, acting in the role of “director of photography.” This was unlike any experience I’ve had previously, as in most of my academic-related events I had to fill in on several different roles being mostly individual projects. While working solo may afford some more creative control, it was nothing compared to the creative collaboration that is afforded on a set full of people that all have mutual trust and creative ambition. During each scene, I could trust the rest of the crew to make the creative decisions for acting, props, or blocking while I could put my full attention to working with the camera. Affording me more time to make more intelligent decision on camera settings, movement, and shot composition. Trusting in the collaborative process and my peers on set allowed me to create something way beyond I could’ve accomplished alone. It instilled in me an affirmation that we are truly stronger together than apart.

The event that culminated in my most valued transformation, the realization of the necessity of self-worth, didn’t exactly happen with the more drastic changes or events, but rather in a passing moment. Near the beginning of shooting, I would often ask Olivia for her thoughts on the shot I had planned or set up for that scene, as a way to double check my own actions and ideas. But as the day of shooting progressed, and things got more down to the wire, I asked Olivia for the same thing but she was too busy with the actors to check the shot. She said we didn’t have the time but she trusted me. This led to a kind of a bit of a mini crisis. I didn’t want to mess up this scene with this shot and I surely didn’t want to let my friends down. We ended up having to do the take without the double check, and really the validation, that I had asked for. But, as we reviewed the footage, everything was fine. Everyone was pleased with the shot and things moved own without any disaster. What had seemed like an insignificant moment to my peers ended up having a large effect on me in retrospect. Putting the same amount of trust in myself as I do to others, and that I put in others, allowed me to succeed without holding back the set. This small revelation I believe has given me a new determination to continue to build myself up and value who I am, both as a creator but also as a person. And I hope to continue with this mentality in future projects, and in my personal life.

Another fun location in a convenience store we got access to. Pictured from left to right: myself, director Olivia Mantenieks, and boom op Emerson Emser.

(4) This transformation is significant not only in my personal life but also in my academic and subsequent professional career. With the lessons I’ve learned throughout this project, I will be better equipped and prepared to make intelligent organizing and planning decisions. Keeping in mind both the short term and the long term, while being prepared for change and to adapt with a positive mindset. With the knowledge and experience I’ve gained on this project, I am excitedly looking for the next opportunity to work collaboratively on a set with others. This project allowed me to work with professional equipment with other students pursuing the same career path with me in a way I haven’t been able to before. The experience of writing this grant, getting real world experience, and creating something I am so proud of is one that will affect me in both my personal and professional life for years to come. I will carry the memories and lessons from it for the rest of my life thanks to the STEP program.

My STEP Signature Project focused on the improvement of my visual and artistic skills. This took the form in taking an art class through “The Art Students League” which focused on Color Theory. This course was taught in a workshop style that combined lectures as well as group and solo practice to start to understand how to use color effectively.

My understanding of myself change while completing my STEP Signature Project because I was able to explore a kind of thinking that my brain does not usually engage in due to me being in a STEM major. I realized how important it is for me and for my ability to think in a multitude of ways to exercise my brain in an artistic way. My assumptions changed while completing my STEP Project, because I always had an idea in my mind about the types of people who would be in art classes. I figured they would all consider art a huge part of their life and that all of them would be super talented, but what I realized was that many of the people in the class were actually adults who simply enjoyed art on the side as opposed to as their main focus. People from all different racial and career backgrounds took part in the class from lawyers to teachers, to art historians. My understanding of the world changed as a result of my STEP Signature Project, because it showed me just how accessible pursuing my different interests could be, simply by venturing online and doing a few google searches. It’s definitely given me a good example for the future when I want to expand on some of my other interests.

One of the biggest impacts that the course had on me in terms of transforming my understanding of myself was when the teacher had us do an exercise where one looks at an object and then tries to determine what exactly makes up what color the object is in terms of the primary colors, brightness, and saturation. Then after that to simply stare at the color for around 10 seconds then quickly move our eyes to a more neutrally colored object such as the cream colored walls that surrounded the studio. The color that appeared on the wall would be the complementary color of what the object was and instead of being impacted by outside factors such as what our preconceived notion of what the objects color should be, our mind would produce an unbiased result. Time and time again, this process worked and truly unveiled how our minds can be tricked easily, yet also trained to take advantage of a biological quirk of how our eyes work.

The experience that impacted my assumptions of what an art class would look like actually occurred in the first half an hour of the first class. The teacher had us all go around and introduce ourselves to the class by saying a little bit about ourselves and what we would like to get out of the class. One by one, each person surprised me with their varied backgrounds of careers and where they are from and how art has impacted their lives. While I try to not judge people before I meet them, it’s only natural to take a guess and I found myself wrong about each one. Further interactions with everyone in the class further proved just how many different life experiences each person had which truly was in contrast to my prior assumptions.

The overall success and enjoyment of the class and my experience in it has led to me having my understanding of the world transformed by showing me the vast amounts of resources and mentally stimulating things that can be gained from simply pursuing something that sparks interest in me. Without my STEP Signature Project I would never have given myself the chance to improve myself in this fashion or area.

These changes are important and valuable because it has opened up a whole new area of interests that I can continue to pursue for the rest of my life. Being able to exercise my brain in different ways will help me stay mentally sharp and as my grandmother always says “You either use it or lose it” and I fully plan on further strengthening all the different aspects of how I think and approach problems or challenges. Professionally, utilizing color can be the most basic way to increase the appeal of a building or structure that I make as a Civil Engineer. One example is the Golden Gate Bridge wouldn’t be as famous as it is today without it’s brilliant red color and I plan on making similar impacts with the color choices for my structures in the future. All of the transformations from my project will better my future and will be important parts of my future success in personal and professional areas.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project.

My STEP Signature Project can be classified as a creative endeavor. It mostly consisted of me purchasing a guitar and taking guitar lessons, along with practicing by myself several times per week.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the

world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

For me, my STEP project was essentially a shot in the dark. I came into it with absolutely zero knowledge or experience in reading and playing music. I was especially concerned that I would actually end up not enjoying it. However, I now know that it was completely worth it. Before I picked up the guitar for the first time, all I knew was that I had greatly enjoyed guitar-based music all my life. There were several songs and genres that I was eager to take a stab at. Still, like I said before, I didn’t know if I would even like playing guitar in the first place. However, the several hours that I put in each week made me realize that I did. Seeing myself improve my playing ability throughout the duration of my project was extremely satisfying, and I just gained so much confidence in my ability to learn a new skill from scratch. This realization, although it was not something I had thought about before, might be my most important takeaway from this experience. It’s something that can be applied to almost any area of one’s life.  

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature

Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those

affect you?

There were several different aspects of my STEP project that I believe led to it being an overall successful experience. First, the amount of time I was able to put into my STEP project definitely helped come to the realization mentioned above. For example, if I would have had to do it during the school year, I would not have been able to focus on what my STEP project required of me as much. This means that I probably would not have been able to take as many classes, or put in the amount of time that I did outside of those classes. I remember that there were several times when I would just get up in the morning wanting to play some song that was currently in my head. When this occurred, I would just take out my guitar and look up the tab online and begin playing. Before I knew it, I had been playing for an hour. If I would have been taking classes, I would not have had this much free time to just play whenever I wanted. 

Additionally, I see the organized learning path that I was able to navigate through my classes as another crucial aspect of my project. Before my STEP project started, I had searched online for other course options that I could follow by myself, but ended up just being extremely overwhelmed by how many different options there were. I also wasn’t able to identify a general learning path that a beginner guitar player could take. There were some people who just learned by playing different songs, while others actually focused on the music theory aspect of it before even playing. I did not know where a good place to start would be for me. When I started taking classes, I bought a book that pretty much guides you through everything, and I was able to organize my learning into smaller stages. This greatly helped me learn faster, as I then knew what I needed to learn in each stage before moving on to the next one. 

Another very important aspect of my project was the access to one-on-one lessons. It is widely known that one-on-one education is probably the best way that a person can learn anything, and my experience confirms that for me. I found it especially helpful just being able to ask any question about playing guitar, from questions about different techniques I could apply, to questions about my instructor’s own path to becoming a better guitar player. My instructor also assigned homework assignments, which were usually different riffs or songs I had to learn for certain lessons. These assignments always gave me a target or goal to have for each week, so I knew exactly what to focus on. Without this aspect, I would have had a difficult time finding any sense of direction, which would have hindered my ability to learn. Overall, I’m glad my STEP project featured these three different characteristics. Having the time to focus on learning a skill, along with having a defined path and someone to guide me through it, were definitely crucial in tackling an otherwise incredibly difficult skill.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

To be completely honest, it’s difficult to say that learning to play guitar is directly beneficial to any professional or career goal that I have, especially since my career will be in the field of engineering. However, tackling this skill has definitely inspired within me new beliefs about myself that I initially did not have, and that will definitely be impacting my life in the future. First, like I previously mentioned, I had never realized how much I could learn with the right guidance and time commitment. I had thoughts that trying to play guitar was something I was going to find too frustrating and too much of a learning curve to stick with it. Although it has been frustrating at times, and I feel like I am probably a slower learner when it comes to music than other people, I have still made a lot of fulfilling progress. This has encouraged me to think positively about other skills I may try to learn in the future. With the right plan, I’m confident that I can learn almost anything. My project has also provided me with a new hobby that helps me de-stress, and in a way, unplug. Playing guitar has for the most part been a very relaxing experience for me; there’s something very satisfying about playing a song correctly. It’s something I don’t think I had found in any activity before, and it’s something that I’ll definitely need now and in the future.

1.) I spent 4 weeks in Portland, Oregon studying dance with NorthWest Dance Project. I learned new skills, improved my technique, made professional connections, and performed at a showcase on the last day.

2.) During my STEP project, I learned about the realities of being a professional dancer. I learned that dance companies like NorthWest Dance Project are few and far between, which explains why getting a job as a professional contemporary dancer seemed so competitive. However, the dancers employed by NorthWest Dance Project were treated very well and compensated relatively high compared to other dance jobs. It would be great to become an employed dancer in a professional company like NorthWest Dance Project one day, but being at the intensive encouraged me to continue exploring adjacent work to professional dance so that I have more options within the competitive field.

In addition to learning about the job of a professional dancer, I also learned that I love the city of Portland. The city was environmentally friendly, and the people there respected and appreciated the arts. Also, the various parks, lakes, and gardens within Portland were refreshing to see every day. I found such joy in Portland’s community, art scene, and local businesses. I learned that in addition to finding work in dance one day, I would also like to move to Portland or another city with similar values. 

3.) The classes I took during NorthWest Dance Project Summer Intensive had a large impact on my abilities as a dancer. Dancing six days a week for seven hours a day completely transformed the physicality of my body. At the beginning of the experience, my muscles and stamina could barely keep up with the movement demands of the classes. NorthWest Dance Project specifically has a signature style of dancing that is based on strength and being grounded, so getting used to this type of dancing was difficult. However, by the end of the experience, I was so much stronger and capable of doing things I never thought I could. 

Aside from my dancing, I learned a lot about the people around me. I made friends with everyone in my class, as well as a handful of people outside of my class. I also connected with one of my teachers who was able to help me grow as a person, not just as a dancer. He gave me the advice I needed at the time, and I was very grateful for his understanding and encouragement. After my dance classes ended in the evenings, I returned home to the house I was sharing with four other dancers. Together, we made many unforgettable memories. We climbed Mount Hood, delved into Portland’s reputable food scene, discovered downtown, and got to know each other really well. 

Lastly, my experience in Portland also made me realize that a person’s life can be completely different from their identity in a studio or on stage. Previously, I had a hard time disconnecting life and work (work being synonymous with dance/my studies as a dancer). Being in Portland helped me discover that I can make realistic goals separate from my dance goals. So now, in addition to all of my dance goals, one day I want to live in a city like Portland and be surrounded by wonderful people like I was at my intensive. 

4.) My experience in Portland, Oregon, above all, helped me grow as a person, which has been my main goal since I came to college. Now, I better understand myself and am able to better navigate the rest of my academic career. I also have a better idea of what I want to contribute to the world someday and how I want to live post-graduation.

In terms of my professional goals, I was able to establish many connections in Portland, Oregon. I worked with dancers in my classes who came from all across the country, and having these relationships will be very valuable in the dance field. Dance jobs are almost always collaborative, and opportunities often arise from having connections. Therefore, I anticipate seeing the people I met at the dance intensive again someday in the field. It would be great to reconnect and refer back to our shared experiences as a basis for new opportunities. 

This is a picture of my friends and me outside of our house in Portland.

This is a picture of my friends and I throwing snow from Mt. Hood. We spent a lot of time exploring Portland on our days off.

If you would like to see more of my experience in Portland, here is the link to a video diary I made: https://youtu.be/xUfEpn3ykQE

STEP Post-Project Reflection

1. My STEP Project involved exploring and traveling along the East Coast of the United States. I visited key places that focused on sustainability and ecotourism, in hopes to learn more about sustainable travel and ideas that I could use in my own future. I also wanted to broaden and deepen my own skills of independence, trust, and trip planning while learning practical outdoors skills like camping and more strenuous hiking.

2. My STEP Signature Project changed me more that I could have realized, and I will feel its impacts in the years during and after my time here at OSU. One transformation that I had for this project was to transform myself to be a more independent and responsible person that could make the right decisions even on a small time scale. For the most part, I believe the trip did exactly that. Although there were definitely some ups and downs in my planning, and of course things do go wrong here and there, I believe being the sole one responsible for any and all things that occurred really let me spread free from what was holding me back. Although I love being at OSU and close to my family and friends, I’ve never had the opportunity to be able to do something big with my own life that I solely controlled. Time on the long drives between spots almost acted like meditation and let me learn more about myself, and what I want to do going into my final two years.

The STEP Signature Project not only changed the way I view myself, but also the way I view the world around me. I stopped at so many places along the way, each with different groups of people full of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. It was wonderful to meet others that agreed and disagreed with my own ideas, both helping me learn about what I personally stand on. Although it is amazing to go to Ohio State and explore my hobbies, many times I feel I take advantage of why I’m here and what I’m doing. I also saw many places that were beautiful, but just as many places that were polluted, broken, and neglected. Ecotourism is a wonderful way to get people out into the environment, and to care about the environment, while making some sort of profit. However, there will always be people that can’t have that privilege, so what can be done to curve the effects to the environment while looking after the people that inhabit it? It’s a question that’s probably been asked millions of times, and one I can’t just answer from one trip, but this trip opened my eyes to really see the meaning in this question. What can I do in my own life, whether it be living a simpler life or helping the environment around me that can help curve the effects to the environment of people who cannot.

3. There were so many events and interactions during my trip that it would be almost impossible to list them all. In regards to changing myself, a few stick out as important. One major hiccup happened on my last day of the trip, right before embarking on the highlighted Puffin and Whale Watching Tour. Although the previous nights of camping helped me learn more then I would have ever imagined, I still was a bit rusty with the whole idea of living out of a tent! Sleeping, getting ready in the morning, showering, all of these small to-dos become fun but more labor intensive during camping. Of course, it turns out I love camping and being in a campsite, but it still will be a while before I get used to it.

Since I had made the mistake of setting up my tent sideways on a bit of an incline, I had a small bit of trouble getting to sleep that night. With weariness in my eyes, and a boat I had to catch, I backed out of the campsite down the hill I had come up on. Unbeknownst to me that particular hill was also the home of, as the campground manager told me after, “The Stump”. The Stump had claimed many bits and parts of cars, and it decided it wanted to take my whole front bumper. Now, even with being faced with a very time sensitive situation, I stayed calm. I drew from previous experience fixing cars with my dad, found the broken pieces on the ground, and did a quick fix that ended up lasting the entire drive home from Bar Harbor. There was no one around to help me, no one to blame for my own tired mistake, but I owned up and got to work saving the trip and getting me to my boat trip in time.

The other change I mentioned was the change in my assumptions and viewpoints on the world. This can’t be drawn from particular events, but instead spread over the entire trip. There were certainly times, like at one campsite along the water, where I truly experienced the vastness and wonder of the raw natural world. Waking up at 2 am from my tent to the sound of wailing and haunting calls of Loons echoing into the cloudless night sky above me, that is one experience I won’t forget for a long time. However, there were just as many times where I saw beaches having to close for Piping Plovers, a species brought down close to extinction by development and disturbance from people. But Piping Plovers aren’t just a sad story, as help from people are what restored beaches for their nests, and gave hope that populations may one day rise to historic levels. These flows of restoration and degradation were much stronger that I would have anticipated during a trip just to look at ecotourism and nature. I’m glad I got to experience it all, and I feel although I have much to learn, every one of those experiences made me a stronger and more open-minded person.

4. This change is important to my life because it is what I want to do in the future. I have worked as a Naturalist in the Cleveland Metroparks, worked as a guide to show people birds, and worked as a researcher studying survivability of wildlife along the Lake Erie Islands. These are just the tip of the iceberg, and I feel my path leads me deeper and deeper into environmental and wildlife related fields of interpretation and research. Although I did these jobs in the past, I don’t think I truly understood why I do them or what I can do in my own life to help my own field of study. I don’t want to just show people birds, I want them to care about the birds and wildlife around us. Also, simple changes like changing my assumption of what I can and can’t live out of are also just as important. Although I love the pleasures of an apartment or dorm, a tent really does sound feasible and much easier in certain situations that I would have not even thought of previously.

These changes also relate to my academic and professional life because of two reasons. One, I feel more dependent and reliable on myself, which makes me more confident to tackle any problems that get in my way. Whether it is an upcoming exam, or an upcoming interview, this trip really gave me a bigger confidence booster that I expected it would! Second, I learned a lot about trip planning and executing. One field I would love to work in is leading trips around my area, county, or even globe! Matthew Bell, my trip advisor, helped me spend a day in Connecticut Audubon planning actual trips they may run in the future. Although they probably won’t use them, it was awesome to see what I could do professionally in the years to come.

Here is my pre-reflection and map of the trip, as well as a few field notes or pictures I may put in.

http://ohiostate.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=bbc91201674f4cd6a683a86e4cfcd6c1

The Project

For my STEP signature project, I participated in a two-week sail training program aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, an historically faithful reproduction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s relief flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. My duties onboard included any and all tasks required of a 19^th century mariner to successfully sail Niagara from port to port. I boarded in Bay City, Michigan and sailed her up Lake Huron, under the Mackinac Bridge, and down Lake Michigan to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Life aboard Niagara was challenging and required a great deal of adaptability and endurance but rising to the challenge allowed me to make the most of the program and left an undeniable impact on my life.

The Transformation

This project was, first and foremost, an educational experience in historical sailing. I had never sailed prior to coming onboard Niagara; although two weeks was enough time to just barely learn the basics, I am still quite proud of the skills I have developed. The program also had several transformational effects on my life. It instilled in me a greater degree of confidence and knowledge of the limits to which I can push myself, it introduced me to the comradery aboard a sailing vessel, and it left me with a greater perspective on the hardships I had to endure and the privileges I have enjoyed (and still do) in my life. Both my developing skills as a sailor and the transformational effects sailing had on my personal life will help me develop as a more confident and mature individual.

Activities and Life Aboard

            Learning how to sail was (and always will be) primarily a hands-on endeavor. In order to facilitate this learning, the officers of the ship organized the crew into three different watches. Each watch consisted of a handful of trainees, a few ordinary seafarers (O.S’: an entry-level professionally paid position onboard), and an able-bodied seafarer (A.B: a rank above an O.S. and the person who was responsible for teaching trainees and delegating tasks). My watch and I were responsible for sailing Niagara while “on watch,” during which time the bulk of my hands-on learning took place. I would follow my A.B’s lead in performing the required sailing maneuvers. Such tasks included hauling on, belaying, coiling, and hanging lines, operating the helm, standing at lookout, and performing necessary safety checks. While not “on watch,” or while my watch was “stood down,” I could supplement my hands-on education with a trainee manual that explained in detail the various maneuvers I had performed on deck.

During my time on board, I made a promise to myself to whole-heartedly attempt anything and everything asked of me; I subsequently learned a great deal about my own limits. Many tasks aboard Niagara required a lot of physical exertion. Some lines bore incredibly heavy loads and required more than ten crewmembers to haul on. Working aloft was a particularly daunting task as I found myself furling heavy sails and having to tie various knots and coils high above the deck. Even the less physically demanding assignments, such as lookout or operating the helm, required intense concentration to keep Niagara and her crew safe. A desire to perform my duties in a satisfactory manor soon overcame my initial anxieties or hesitation about the job ahead and I really pushed myself during those two weeks to be the best sailor I could be. I thus grew more confident not only as a sailor but as an individual willing to undertake exciting and new endeavors.

Despite these challenges, I was never alone. My A.B’s and O.S’ were with me every step of the way to guide my learning and quite literally “show me the ropes.” My fellow trainees were likewise working alongside me. Niagara had a crew of 37 during my program; we ate meals together, slept on the same deck, shared the same three bathrooms (called “heads” on board), and performed the same arduous work. Such a lifestyle instilled a tremendous sense of comradery amongst the crew. We commonly referred to Niagara as an island isolated from the outside world, necessitating cooperation; I soon felt a special connection with my shipmates as we pushed each other and worked together to overcome the challenges before us. We all had to work together to make a successful voyage, and at the end of my two weeks I can confidently say that our voyage was indeed a success. Not only had we safely reached our destination, but I also met some incredible people and made some good friends.

Having successfully served as a crewmember onboard a 19^th century sailing vessel has also had a significant impact on how I face future challenges in my life. Life onboard Niagara was at times quite difficult. Not only was working while on watch physically challenging, but the living conditions themselves were a far cry from the creature comforts of life at home. The berth deck, where the crew and I slept, ate meals, and passed the time while stood down, only had a clearance of five feet. Sleep itself was a commodity to be taken whenever possible, especially when long watches through the night were to be expected. There were no showers onboard and, as I had stated before, 37 of us had to share three toilets. Personal space was a similar luxury that was almost non-existent if not for my sea-bag. Looking back on my time aboard Niagara¸ I can confidently say that it was an incredibly challenging two weeks. I am returning to a world where I have a warm bed with a mattress, my own room, and a bathroom in which I can stand up and shower every day; my time aboard Niagara has made me immensely appreciative of such a life.

Significance

These changes are significant because they have introduced me to an entirely new lifestyle and have enabled me to grow as a more confident and mature individual. The art of 19^th century seamanship is a lifelong pursuit that I fully intent to continue. My two weeks aboard Niagara were simply a way of “getting my foot in the door” of sailing and I have so much to learn. Luckily, I have plenty of resources at my disposal. I met some incredible people aboard Niagara and I fully intend to stay in touch with them. These individuals are not only new friends but professionals who can help me become a better sailor. Their connections with the Erie Maritime Museum and other historical seaports will also be invaluable to my studies at Ohio State as a History Major and my interest in historical sailing. Finally, I feel as though the challenging life aboard a 19^th century sailing vessel has prepared me for anything. With my new skills, connections, and experience as a sailor, I can look towards the future with confidence.

STEP Reflection
My STEP project entailed me writing a screenplay for a short film, casting actors, then filming the movie. I also edited the completed film.
While completing this film, I realized that I am a person that is susceptible to the pressure of others and insecurities. I saw that I am a person that does not allow me to forgive myself for my mistakes or incidents that I could even prevent. This project showed that I am incredibly determined. The size of the obstacle does not matter to me if I have a goal and if I feel connected with God. This project also made me trust myself more. Directing several people in a low budget production forced me to accommodate to the learning styles of multiple people. It also taught me an important lesson: be slow to anger, but quick to understanding. Getting angry does nothing but create anxiety. I want people to feel safe and free in my presence.
A period that greatly affected me during this STEP project was writing my screenplay. This affected me because my screenplay was controversial, but I knew that I still wanted the story to be told. As the script went through many revisions, multiple people told me that this story would be controversial with certain groups of people and that I have to brace myself for it to be rejected. This fear of rejection did two things for me: it created and immense insecurity surrounding my art and it forced me to be an independent thinker. My script became the thing I hated the most while also being the thing that I wanted to protect and preserve. This experience heavily influenced the change I underwent.
A very important interaction I had pertained to my STEP project supervisor, Matthew Swift. Ms. Swift and I met numerous times throughout the duration of the project. His presence was always steady and reassuring. Our meeting would consist of honest check-ups with each other and then he would give expert advise for how to shoot the movie. He also loaned out crucial equipment for the film. That was important so that we could get the image quality. His constant belief in me lifted my spirits when I was weighed down my insecurity and doubt. His trust in me forced me to acknowledge the incredible potential I have and the talent I have when it comes to filmmaking.
During the actual filming of the movie, I went through a whirlwind of emotions. On film days, a few hours before shooting, I would be up early with thoughts of failure looming in my mind. It would sometimes be so powerful that I would almost call the cast and tell them to stay home. This feeling of being inadequate never truly left my body, but it was proven to be an inaccurate belief. During filming, I would also take step back and marvel at the fact that I truly went through with the project and that I am directing my own film. Those moments proved my determination in reaching my goals and instilled a trust within myself.
All my experiences, whether positive or negative, will forever leave an impression on my education and career in film. I realized that I am not the invincible woman I once thought myself to be while also realizing my persistence knows no bounds. Through writing, producing, directing and acting in the short film; I have seen the improvements that I need to make in each area. These changes were important for me because it was my first experience operating a production set and showed me my capabilities. This experience will overall allow me to build on my skill set in order to better my acting, writing, and directing.

STEP Reflection
My STEP project entailed me writing a screenplay for a short film, casting actors, then filming the movie. I also edited the completed film.
While completing this film, I realized that I am a person that is susceptible to the pressure of others and insecurities. I saw that I am a person that does not allow me to forgive myself for my mistakes or incidents that I could even prevent. This project showed that I am incredibly determined. The size of the obstacle does not matter to me if I have a goal and if I feel connected with God. This project also made me trust myself more. Directing several people in a low budget production forced me to accommodate to the learning styles of multiple people. It also taught me an important lesson: be slow to anger, but quick to understanding. Getting angry does nothing but create anxiety. I want people to feel safe and free in my presence.
A period that greatly affected me during this STEP project was writing my screenplay. This affected me because my screenplay was controversial, but I knew that I still wanted the story to be told. As the script went through many revisions, multiple people told me that this story would be controversial with certain groups of people and that I have to brace myself for it to be rejected. This fear of rejection did two things for me: it created and immense insecurity surrounding my art and it forced me to be an independent thinker. My script became the thing I hated the most while also being the thing that I wanted to protect and preserve. This experience heavily influenced the change I underwent.
A very important interaction I had pertained to my STEP project supervisor, Matthew Swift. Ms. Swift and I met numerous times throughout the duration of the project. His presence was always steady and reassuring. Our meeting would consist of honest check-ups with each other and then he would give expert advise for how to shoot the movie. He also loaned out crucial equipment for the film. That was important so that we could get the image quality. His constant belief in me lifted my spirits when I was weighed down my insecurity and doubt. His trust in me forced me to acknowledge the incredible potential I have and the talent I have when it comes to filmmaking.
During the actual filming of the movie, I went through a whirlwind of emotions. On film days, a few hours before shooting, I would be up early with thoughts of failure looming in my mind. It would sometimes be so powerful that I would almost call the cast and tell them to stay home. This feeling of being inadequate never truly left my body, but it was proven to be an inaccurate belief. During filming, I would also take step back and marvel at the fact that I truly went through with the project and that I am directing my own film. Those moments proved my determination in reaching my goals and instilled a trust within myself.
All my experiences, whether positive or negative, will forever leave an impression on my education and career in film. I realized that I am not the invincible woman I once thought myself to be while also realizing my persistence knows no bounds. Through writing, producing, directing and acting in the short film; I have seen the improvements that I need to make in each area. These changes were important for me because it was my first experience operating a production set and showed me my capabilities. This experience will overall allow me to build on my skill set in order to better my acting, writing, and directing.