Originally written by Sophie Stern, Sc3 2015 Student Fellow

What does the word "environmentalist" mean to me?
Meriam-Webster's dictionary defines it as a "theory that views environment rather than heredity as the important factor in the development and especially the cultural and intellectual development of an individual or group." This is great, but a textbook definition is pointless if we can't define the word ourselves. Often times we associate a particular kind of person with the word "environmentalist." But should we? Why can't anybody be an environmentalist?

Before Sc3, when I thought of the term "environmentalist," I automatically pictured a white, mid-20s male who owned 7 pairs of Birkenstocks. I had always held a passion for helping the environment, but I, for some reason, disliked the term "environmentalist." I found that many so-called "environmentalists" were also condescending know-it-alls who forced their world view on others. Sc3 changed all that.

Given my perspective, I was a bit nervous (but also excited) about shipping off to a place (Sc3) where I'd be surrounded by them. I assumed that they'd have one conversation with me and look at me like the uneducated person I thought I was, but quite the opposite happened. Many people I've spoken to have said that as soon as they stepped onto the NCTC grounds, they felt at home.

During my first dinner at Sc3 I felt out of place. I was surrounded by tons of wonderful, outspoken people who were up to date with the news and knew exactly what they were talking about. As a person who had just gotten into environmentalism, I felt like a sour brown leaf in a forest of green ones. I would listen to these people talk with admiration, but never engage. The next morning, I woke up and whether it was the frigidity of the West Virginian morning air or something in my organic breakfast, something changed. Throughout that day I began to take notice of the diversity in my surroundings. Diversity in skin color. Diversity in where "home" was. Diversity in laughter. People from my school sat next to people from all over the world. By my second dinner, Sc3 felt like a second home.

There are multiple memories I acquired during the short span of that week, but one specific memory I find myself prying into often occurred on the second to last day of the program. We were working on a project where we recorded bits of personal stories roughly based off of how we got interested in environmentalism. I met two of the most different people I had ever met. They came from the same state, but from what I'd overheard, held drastically different outlooks. As I listened to their stories back to back, I realized something. Despite these two peoples' differing views, as they each told their stories, neither one of their voices was bland or indifferent. Nobody, in fact, in my OST group or throughout the week, spoke with a hint of flailing emotion in his or her voice. All week, I'd been searching for the reason why I felt so at peace with my surroundings, a feeling that does not come easy to me.  I found that reason here.

I found that reason in the speculation that we were all voices. Every single interaction I experienced at NCTC was different. Whether it was with my roommate or a person I ranted to about animal rights once, every conversation forced me to look at my surroundings in a new perspective. Each communication provided me with fuel. I had been so caught up on defining my experience at Sc3 that I failed to realize that it was precisely the lack of a clear-cut, black-and-white definition that Sc3 gave to me that made it special.

Although Sc3 was one of the best weeks of my life, I don't feel nostalgic for its experiences like I would with any other excursion, whether it be childhood sleep away camp or a camping trip. I don't feel wistful during the school year because I know that while we may be thousands of miles apart in distance, every member of Sc3 - faculty, student, or professor - is united in interest and in faith with a common purpose.

We are much more complex than could ever be defined. By categorizing ourselves, we lose our diversity. I realize now that we each have a backstory that transcends categorization. It is our attitude that unites us. I am not ashamed of the term "environmentalist." I am proud of it. To me, it means that I am part of a community of people who have chosen to be positive about the future of our environment and dedicate a part of themselves - whether it be their entire life or simply a minute each day - to preserving our home. While we may all track different area codes, at the end of the day, the most important one is the one we share.

To learn more about Sc3, nominate a student, or apply, visit www.greenschoolsalliance.org/sc3