Hello! I’m Kennedy and I am so excited to be an intern with the Earth School this year! I am in my third year as a Social Work major at ETSU with minors in Appalachian Studies and Spanish. Going to a magnet school in high school exposed me to nontraditional schooling, which allowed students to branch out while making more personal connections with their teachers. Being at ETSU I have become very interested in Appalachian history and what makes this region unique, and I believe the folk culture and traditions of this region have a great capacity to facilitate rehabilitation and connection within communities. Last year I had the privilege to be a volunteer with an after-school program and loved getting to work with the kids there. I think the Forest School model is such a powerful tool to build kids’ confidence, keep them engaged, and let them have fun. The Earth School is doing such incredible work and I am honored that I get to be a part of it! Outside of academics, I enjoy going on runs, hiking, and crafting. I am a big proponent of upcycling–taking objects and giving them a new purpose. I also sew, knit, crochet and enjoy gardening and trying new recipes.