On her time at Oberlin

I’m an Obie, Class of ’94. I’m an opportunist, an idealist, an adventurer, a dreamer. I can’t do just one thing: I have to do everything. As a student at Oberlin, I wanted to major in English (with a pre-med focus), Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Mathematics, History and Biopsychology (I eventually landed on Sociology).

I earned 12 varsity letters (volleyball, basketball, indoor and outdoor track), sang with the Musical Union, was an admissions host for prospective students, participated in the Newman club, held campus jobs at the gym and in the Sociology computer lab, co-chaired the Sociology major’s committee, was a Co-President of a dorm hall council, and went dancing like a madwoman every ’80s night at the ’Sco.

I graduated with Honors. I made the best friends in the world. I loved it. Graduating was like ripping off my right arm.

Since Oberlin, sure, I’ve grown up. Older, wiser, more experienced. But it was Oberlin, with its eye-opening, confidence-instilling, and almost frenetic demand for individuality that bolstered me and created a foundation from which I could truly plunge into the world of the possible.

I’ve been (and yes, in this order): an attorney, certified massage therapist, flight attendant, executive assistant; I’ve worked for a mad-scientist-hair-transplant surgeon, helped create a foundation who’s mission was dedicated to reforming foster care, volunteered for the Peace Corps teaching English in Kazakhstan, and currently, I am a human resources professional for a high tech company.

I’ve volunteered at a medical clinic in Guatemala, on an organic farm in northern California, and walked the Avon 60-mile 3-Day in the fight against breast cancer. Right now, I’m a leader for the Los Angeles area Alumni Recruiting Network and a season ticket holder to the Pacific Symphony.

In the upcoming months, I hope to have completed my first draft of my memoir from my years in Kazakhstan. Next year, perhaps I will learn to scull or play the oboe...or go backpacking solo and learn to tango. Maybe I will work for the President. I don’t know, and that’s what’s exciting: I can do it. I am Oberlin. Fearless.