Carolyn Ricks:
CLASS OF 2001
West Potomac High SchoolClass of 2001
Alexandria, VA
McDaniel CollegeClass of 2005
Westminster, MD
Carl Sandburg Intermediate SchoolClass of 1997
Alexandria, VA
Groveton Elementary SchoolClass of 1995
Alexandria, VA
Carolyn's Story
Life
After graduating HS, I made my trek into the unknown at what was then Western Maryland College, now known as McDaniel College. 4 years later I emerged with a degree in Theatre and a Jazz Studies minor, having honed skills in costume design and have been building technique on jazz violin. I achieved membership in Alpha Psi Omega (National Theatre Arts Fraternity) in 2002, and Beta Alpha Chi, McDaniel's Music Honor Society in 2005.
After college, I spent 2 weeks at the Kennedy Center in a master class under the direction of noted designers Constance Hoffman (costume) and Ming Cho Lee (set). I dabbled in figure drawing and musical direction at my home church, and continued to work as a substitute teacher until the fall of 2006 when I became an Instructional Assistant at my old Elementary school, Groveton ES.
So far so ordinary, right? Well, get ready for the kicker.
On November 24th 2006 I got on a plane and flew halfway across the world to live and work in...Expand for more
Okayama Japan as an "eigo no sensei" (English teacher). Considering how quiet I was, it goes without saying that lots of people thought I was joking when I told them what I was planning to do. It was a big step to get out of the ordinary and explore options outside of my major, as well as to decide if teaching was what I wanted to pursue. The journey was EXTRAORDINARY to say the least. I explored most of the central-west portion of the main island in my personal time and at the end of my contract traveled to Thailand where I had hoped to meet a penpal of over 8 years (she wasn't in Bangkok at the time, so I guess that's for another day!)
I returned home in December, a few days before the Christmas holiday and picked up a job back at Groveton to earn some money and search for a change of pace / more permanent position. Right now, I'm reconnecting with friends from back in the day, working hard, and exploring more of my hometown - and loving every single minute. :)
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