In 2006, new, incoming students had the opportunity to apply for a four-year, full tuition scholarship. Candidates were evaluated on an essay that addressed the question, why Northland College would be the ultimate adventure. Below are the three finalists’ essays.

Winning Essay:

Nothing Can Compare
By Cassie Bodette
Lakeville Senior High

I breathe in, observant and slow. Wishing to stay forever enveloped in the woodsy perfume, I slowly open my eyes, seeing anew the majestic grandeur of the crisp dawn of the forest around me. A brisk mountain stream delights my ears as it trickles past. As I breathe in deep once more, I think to myself, Why do I have to leave? There has to be some way to live immersed in this brilliance.

I have traveled to each corner of the country, from the harbors of Maine to the beaches of California; from the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the majestic mountains of New Mexico to the frozen lakes of northern Minnesota in the winter, but each trek lasted only a few short days. I only glimpsed a snippet, yet beyond a doubt, those snippets influenced me in how I think and live. After returning home to Lakeville, I fell back into the humdrum of suburban life where the closest thing to a get-away was a half-mile paved bike trail to North Park for a kiddy playground and some soccer fields. My short treks taught me a sincere love for the beauty of nature and all the wonders offered to those who take the time to look. For example, the eight minutes on my way to school each morning, when I took the time to look, were blessed by the sunrise, and cross-country practice, when I took my eyes off my feet, became an artist’s joy by picturesque autumn leaves. Nature taught me that the most efficient way is not always the best way.

My favorite memories include waking up early to take in the sunrise instead of sleeping in on the weekends and staying out late to see the arts instead of staying out late at the clubs. My friends constantly question me about why I eat organic food and spend my weekends backpacking instead of seeing the latest blockbuster in the theater. I cannot use words to explain my passions to them; they just roll their eyes when I try. Instead, I have them try a few of my organic grapes or bring them with on a night hike, so they might get even a glimpse of why and what I love.

As senior year hit, my search began for a college or university to spend the next four years of my life. I looked for a school that would kindle my passions and allow me to actively shape my future. Touring campuses, scouring websites, and talking with admission counselors helped give me a feel of what each school could offer, but they all blended together. Each school talked about they were different, how they held opportunities like not other, but it just felt like a gimmick, empty words they said to boost numbers. I felt I could attend any of the schools, have a good time, float through the four years, and get the same college experience. That is what I was told I wanted; the “college experience.” This left me wondering, What if I want more than just the “college experience?” What if I want a place that solidifies who I am and what my foundations, beliefs and passions are by not just teaching me theories but encouraging me to live out my ideals? No college was screaming at me, This is where you should be; This is where you fit, but then I found Northland College’s website. I was initially intrigued because Northland had environmental science as a major, but digging into the site further made me realize that the environment was so much more than just a major at Northland; it was the lifestyle.

Northland is a college that will not only give me an education, but a way of life built on principles and ideals of good stewardship of the earth. I will have the opportunity to live each day in the ultimate adventure that in the past I only had a few days at a time to explore. Northland overflows with opportunities of discovery. I can hardly wait to venture through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Apostle Islands, the city of Ashland, and every inlet near and around Northland. Other colleges value the principles of sustainable energy, organic food and green buildings, but Northland is different from other colleges and universities because Northland lives by these values and principles. They “walk the talk” where others only theorize. Where other colleges offer day-trips to adventures, Northland offers a journey lasting four years. And the journey will continue. Northland will set me up for an incredible career where I can research and solve environmental problems. I will work in nature and for nature. I can live out my dream. Nothing could compare to spending four years in a community of students unwilling to let problems stand, a community daily working to return the environment around them to its natural splendor and in a community taught by professors devoted to what they teach. I found a place where I fit, a place where I have a voice, a place where each day brings me new facets to explore and gives me the tools to conquer the challenges I will encounter – that place is Northland College.

Finalist Essay:
Why Northland College would be my ultimate adventure
By Heather Harrison
East High School, Green Bay

As an active learner who views the world differently than my classmates and a visionary individual who respects and appreciates the environment and people surrounding me, I recognize Northland College as my ultimate adventure. I seek a rigorous, experiential academic experience and am drawn by Northland’s unique mission, location, and sense of community. By teaching students to imaginatively ponder the numerous interconnections between humans and the natural world, Northland offers the leadership skills necessary to shape a successful, sustainable future.

When I gave into a mirror, I see an active learner who views the world differently than her classmates. I see a young woman who thrives on adventure. I see a voyager who embraces challenge. Travel, whether across the street or across the world, changes your perspective on reality and challenges your view of your own existence. It can evoke wisdom and understanding, reality and challenges your view of your own existence. It can evoke wisdom and understanding, and it can awaken a sleeping passion for life. By providing vivid depictions of unparalleled poignancy, beauty, and atrocity, travel has the power to completely transform a person. I am fortunate to have participated in a wide variety of trips that have enhanced my time on this earth. Each summer, our family spends two to three weeks exploring western North America via station wagon and hiking boots. We hiked through throngs of noisy tourists at Yellowstone, dined like royalty in an echoing mountain canyon as we waited for our brakes to stop smoking, gazes at meteors and the Milky Way in the inky darkness of Badlands National Park, and cooked lasagna at tree line in the company in the company of biting hail, howling winds, and torrents of sleet. Our unique family vacations allowed me to discover part of the world in a way that most people my age can only dream of. Girl Scouting has also contributed to my traveling opportunities. My troop advanced from kindergarteners painting autumn leaves to a close-knit clan of friends who embarked on an enchanting trip to visit Norway after our freshman year in high school. For most of us, myself included, this trip existed as our first trip oversees, and the initial eight hour flight served as an ultimate reminder of the power of dreams. Tucked high in a pristine fjord, we spent a few days living the arduous life of Norwegian mountain farmers in the beginning of the twentieth century. We climbed part of the largest glacier in Europe, which towered in shimming blue greatness, and slept soundly at youth hostels beneath the midnight sun. Two years later, I led our troop to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on Canada’s west coast. We examined fjords via sea kayak, explored the world of rock climbing, and went hang gliding in a thrilling display of trust and adrenaline. Summer camp, when I embarked on strenuous multi-week journeys via canoe and kayak, opened my eyes to the simplicity and splendor of life in the wilderness. Each tiny glimpse of the world shaped me, reinforced my love of adventure, and cemented my acceptance and appreciation of challenge. The sensation I received while rock climbing on Vancouver Island, as I held onto the rock face with sweat and rain-stained fingertips that threatened to slip at any moment, demonstrates one of the reasons I choose challenge by choice. I strive to respond to physical and mental challenge with endurance and optimism.

With my history of adventure and challenge, I naturally wish to incorporate outdoor adventures and cultural experiences into my future, and Northland offers exemplary opportunities to do so. I can receive a practical education through a program that emphasizes hands-on learning and a dedication to meaningful ideas, while integrating adventure and travel. Assisted by its spectacular and useful location, Northland will lead me on an ultimate adventure of active learning.

When I gaze into a mirror, I also see a visionary individual who respects and appreciates the environment and people surrounding her. We must share the monumental duty of caring for the earth and conserve resources while accumulating skills and knowledge instead of possessions. By striving to improve society and preserving our environment, we simultaneously care for each other. Respecting and appreciating people has taught me that assisting others on their journey in life is one of the most essential and rewarding experiences. We must discover the best in others; everybody has something important to contribute to this world. I enjoy learning about people: why they have made it this far, what makes them sit beside their bed and weep, what they believe and why they believe it. Talking intimately enriches all members of conversation, whether beside a glowing campfire beneath jewel-laden skies, while battling eight foot waves in a tandem sea kayak, sitting in a dark car late at night when the world seems to stop spinning, or perched in a young maple tree during the type of breezy summer day that pauses the passage of time. The joint exchange of emotion and the sharing of beliefs and experiences soothes the soul, helps cleanse a person of grief and despair, repels darkness, and vanquishes desolation.

Northland understands a love of communication and appreciation of close friendships. It offers chances to interact with both fellow students and multitalented professors who can relate to experiences in my life. At Northland, I know I will understand and be understood, respect and be respected, connect and be connected.

Because of my passion for active learning and my respect and appreciation of the environment and the people surrounding me, Northland College would be my ultimate adventure. I am ready for this journey, which will help me learn about who I am and how I can ameliorate our world. I believe success is measured in the life a person had led, the compassion they have shown to others, and the difference they have made in the world. Northland can teach me the skills to live a successful life, and I will embark on that ultimate adventure with an eager love of learning and an enthusiastic love of life.

Finalist Essay:

Northland College: An Adventure on the Road to a Meaningful Career
By Caitlin Herold
Spring Valley High School

The environment is hot—not just from global warming, but also because the general public is finally becoming aware of the impact our lifestyles have on the environment. The July 17, 2006 cover story for Newsweek magazine was about “The New Greening of America.” The story featured individuals and corporations that have made big changes to lessen their impact on the environment. Newsweek is a mainstream publication. For it to feature a story about environmentalism shows how more and more people are embracing environmentally friendly concepts and products.

Along with this awareness of environmental issues comes new, meaningful career opportunities. There’s a demand in America for people to invent eco-friendly ways of heating houses, transporting people, and using recycled goods – all of which will have a positive impact on our environment. Other countries need people to develop low-cost housing out of renewable resources. Having safe drinking water is another major concern in the world. This concern drives careers in water science, working on water purification or renewal systems. Environmentalism is the field to be in because it’s everywhere.

Working to promote and ensure the protection of the environment is a career I can feel good about. At this point in my life, I don’t know exactly where I’ll fit in to our greater community or what role I’ll play. At Northland College, I’ll have the chance to explore a variety of fields and find the one that suits me best. Northland promises to be an amazing adventure on the road to a fulfilling career.

Having an awareness of the issues impacting our environment is the first step is helping to address those issues. At Northland, I expect to gain a broader understanding of how people relate to a natural world, what needs to be protected in our environment, and how to go about doing that. As an environmental liberal arts college, Northland makes the environment part of students’ everyday life, not just in the classroom. Environmental awareness permeates the campus. Students are surrounded by environmental messages, so that knowledge subconsciously becomes a part of them.

I expect to use that knowledge in my future career, which I hope will be film making. I want to make movies that impact our world for the better and focus on things such as protecting our planet. I believe a liberal arts education will give me a broad background that I can draw on in my future career. It will help me be more aware, better able to form opinions and make decisions, and be more involved in society. An environmental liberal arts education will take that one step further. I hope to learn about the most important topics to cover in my films, and how I could make films that matter in the world. Reading through the course catalog, I’m excited to take courses such as “Environmental Citizenships,” which could show me what ideas to convey to the public and prepare me for an active leadership role.

In high school, I participated in the Environthon and National Ocean Sciences Bowl. These gave me a taste for topics such as forestry, soils, wildlife, and water science. I found that I was very interested in each area and generally was able to learn them quickly. I’d like to attend a college that values these interests. I aim impressed with Northland’s philosophy of weaving environmentalism into every subject. By making it an integral part of the fabric of the college, Northland ensures that students become well-educated environmental stewards.

Northland is a college I can feel great about going to. The lifestyle suits my sensibilities. Northland uses alternative energies and heating sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. When I toured the college, I saw how recycled materials were used in some of the buildings. This makes so much sense because it conserves natural resources and keeps more garbage out of overflowing landfills.

It would be an amazing adventure to be able to go to a college that’s on the forefront of a “greener” America. Northland College is situated in an ideal part of the country. Northern Wisconsin has so much beauty and resources that can be explored for science. Lake Superior is the most gorgeous natural classroom I can imagine, and is a great place to take water samples. Forestry, water, and soils majors have an amazing location to get hands-on experience.

When you go on an adventure, you usually have a destination in mind, even if it’s vague. However, what happens to you along the way makes the adventure more exciting and memorable. While I have a destination in mind for the end of college, I want to embrace all the experiences college offers along the way. Northland College would not only provide me with a broad background to use in my future career, but also it would be an incredible experience. I want to go to a liberal arts college, and I’m deeply interested in caring for the environment. An environmental liberal arts college blends these two factors and is the perfect mix for a great education. Attending Northland College would be the ultimate adventure for me.