No Longer Ordinary

        Something began transforming inside me, causing me much confusion and distress. That something was my passion. I realized that I no longer feel satisfied by the thought of being ordinary. I want more from life and to do more for life. There always was a desire in me to learn about my environment and how to preserve it. I just never felt that I, singularly, could make a vast impact. Its people like Margaret Mead, who I admire, that changed my view and helped me realize that I can make a difference. They guided me towards my passion and desire for change.

Because of my new enthusiasm for environmentalism, my studies and extracurricular activities lead me to the start of small yet important changes. I’ve chosen to major in Biology-Ecology and minor in Environmental Studies and Chemistry. With the knowledge I’ll gain and my passion to conserve and protect, I plan to reach out to the community. Through education, I’ll help more people to recognize environmental problems and through my sincere interest and drive, I’ll influence and encourage them to get involved too. I currently volunteer for Nevada Conservation League because they work hard to lobby my local government for environmental change. I also participate in habitat restoration programs through Get Outdoors Nevada and Outdoors Adventures. Finally, I am a member of the student organization Conservation Nation that acts to spread the word on protecting our Earth.

I look forward to the future, knowing that I, along with other people, will be working to protect our home, the planet. After graduating, I want to work in conservation and research and travel to other communities where I can make positive impacts, enhance peoples’ lives, and conserve ecosystems.

I’m no longer confused or distressed. Instead I’m excited and hopeful of creating positive environmental change with the help of others. I express a lot gratitude towards Margaret Mead because she is an inspiration. Hopefully I can do the same as her, by inspiring others. I will no longer live to do the ordinary; instead I will go beyond to do something extraordinary.

-Cassidee Shinn