1992

92 Many thanks to those of you who answered my plea for mail. This column is much easier to write when I have material to work with. I'm afraid that some people don't write because they think that events in their lives are not worth mentioning, especially when we keep hearing about classmates doing exciting work in exotic places. I want to hear from all of you, whether or not you think that your life so far has been a success. Who determines success? I know I speak for others when I say that I would like to hear from you regardless of the path you've decided to take. Hey, look at me. By many standards, I'm no overwhelming success. I'm making peanuts working lots of hours for a law firm where I've worked since graduation except for a stint in New Hampshire as a gopher/administrative assistant. But I enjoy my life, and that's the most important thing, isn't it? Some of us think we're on the right road, only to find out later that we read the map upside down. Others, like me, are destined to move slowly and await farther direction. Maybe that way we won't get lost. Do I sound like Forrest Gump?

Perhaps that remarkable insight was sparked by a letter from Stephanie Westnedge, who is suffering from an inferiority complex. She wants to know where all the other slow bloomers are, like her friends, "the moderate achievers." Stephanie is studying at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston and works as an office temp to pay tuition.

Jason Grinnell writes from Eugene, Ore., where he just finished up at the University of Oregon School of Law. His studies focused on environmental law and Native American issues, and he interned at the Western Environmental Law Center in Eugene doing public-interest work. Jason thinks that the "track town" atmosphere in Eugene has rubbed off; he has competed in some road races and is currently training for a ten-miler, a fact that should surprise some of his college buddies.

Speaking of athletes (and overachievers), Cammy Myler placed fourth in women's luge at February's World Championships in Lillehammer. Cammy's finish was the highest ever by a U.S. woman luger. Carl Swenson placed first in the men's 15k race at the Subaru U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Lake Placid. Carl shared the winner's podium with Leslie Thompson '86, who won the women's 5k dash and 10k skating race. Also competing in the men's race were WillSweetser and Adam Heaney '93. Unfortunately, two-time Olympian Nina Kemppel had to miss the competition because of bronchitis, but was scheduled to compete in the World Championships in March.

This month's long-distance award goes to Elizabeth Terry, who writes from Senegal, West Africa, where she is an environmentaleducation volunteer with the Peace Corps. Elizabeth leads projects such as tree and garden planting, paper recycling, desertification, and reforestation. She lives with the family of the village chief in a straw hut and is learning to speak Wolof, the language of the local ethnic group. Elizabeth reports that LaceyAndrews is also with the Peace Corps in Senegal, and Hillary Bracken and AnnieBlakely were with the Peace Corps in the Ivory Coast until last December.

Take care, and keep in touch.

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