During my sophomore year at Catawba College, I had the privilege of taking a course called "Environmental Concepts and Issues" and from that point on my interest in our environment and environmental science skyrocketed and a declared myself as an Environmental Studies major. I graduated from Catawba College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies with minors in Environmental Education and Biology. Throughout my studies I have had several opportunities to expand my knowledge of our environment through internships and now as a science teacher here at South Meck. I have worked for the Vector Control Department in Forsyth County NC doing research on West Nile virus in populations of mosquitoes. I have also interned with Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, NC at Rowan Wildlife Adventures and the Rowan County Nature Center. There I helped to care for the animals housed there and educate the public about them. I also assisted with nature talks and animal 'meet and greets' at the Nature Center. I have a passion for nature and wildlife and I love to spend my time outdoors. My hobbies include hiking or backpacking almost every time I get the chance! One of my goals as a hiker is to one day thru hike the Appalachian Trail. I hope my time here as a Sabre encourages my students to be curious about their environment and to discover why the understanding of our planet is essential to their overall well being.