Cecelia's photos

Semester Trip to Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. three

Washington D.C. two

Washington D.C.

Semester Reflections

It's been a challenge for me being at SOAR, but I have learned and gained a lot this semester. Some of my greatest accomplishments would probably have to be becoming more of a leader, making good decisions, and getting my priorities straight. I have learned that there is no limit to what I am capable of doing and if I put my mind to it, anything is possible.

For instance, before I came to SOAR, I would have never thought that I could hike 102 miles with a 40-pound backpack on through all sorts of obstacles. All in all, my favorite moment is probably going to be the day when I fly back home to Boston. This is because I will bring home all the incredible qualities that I gained and learned here with me. I have realized that everyone has things to work on, but the only way to change something is to change yourself and compromise.

By being at SOAR for three months I have gained an appreciation for things at home that I don't have here. For instance, having a hot shower everyday is a lot better than going two weeks with out one. Also back home, the food is a lot better. In addition, a warm, dry, comfy bed is always nicer than sleeping in a drenched sleeping bag in the freezing wet rain. All these are very important to me, but my biggest appreciation is my FAMILY! I miss and need them so much, especially my brother, who means the world to me and is my best friend.

-Trinity


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James Thomas Tatman’s semester reflections:
Favorite moments:
Running in the afternoon.
Reading THE LIGHTNING THIEF

Greatest accomplishments:
Getting Ipods
Hiking a hundred two miles on the AP trail.
Getting Jack The Dipper ice cream two times.
Getting through the three-month semester.

Self-discovery:
I can do more than I think I can

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Semester Reflections for Andrew:

Self-Discovery
It’s cold in the cabin. Burr!
Morning runs are fun!
The staff and teachers here are nice J
My favorite job during the semester was Yoda because I could wake you guys up.
Wade is funny!
Erin was funny on the Nantahala River when she wore fake teeth!
Mark is a good hiker!
Cate is always friendly and is always helpful and there for me when I needed help doing my homework!
Cecelia is always offering to help other people. She helps me when I write newsletters, need grammar and spelling help, and when I need help with homework she was always helping me when Cate wasn’t available.
Trinity is one of my good friends here.
Emily is a very friendly and helpful person.
James loves trains, likes applesauce, and his favorite color is orange!
I became a good hiker and I also improved my running skills A LOT!
Dylan’s mom’s cookies are amazing. He was always very generous when he hands them out to the group. He is also a good artist.
David is impatient when he’s hungry or wants something that he can’t have right away. He sometimes is whiny and complains often.
Travis is a good poem writer.

My Greatest Accomplishment:
On the 1st A.T. trip, I thought it was pretty hard but I got over it and I learned that I should always try my best with whatever I do.

My favorite moments:
I like going to the Rec. Center in Waynesville. My favorite memory was when we went to the Haunted Hay Ride on Halloween.
I love going to Jack the Dipper so I can splurge on my two favorite flavors of ice cream - cookie dough and strawberry.
I like going to Wal-Mart. When we go there I think that it is fun because I can go shopping whenever I want.

By: Andrew Berry

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Travis' Semester reflections

This semester I have realized many things about myself, my surroundings, and how the two mix.
I have discovered that I rather enjoy writing poems and am rather good at them. I have discovered that everyone is equal and that I am no better than any old person walking down the street.
My greatest accomplish this semester is probably either being able to hike more than 100 miles on the AT within a month or learning from my mistakes, accomplishments, and other people’s mistakes and accomplishes.
My favorite moment in this entire semester would have to be coming into the parking lot at the Nantahala Outdoor center, knowing I would never have to hike the Appalachian Trail again or seeing everybody’s reactions towards all of my poems.
I appreciate the fact that our group has been able to make it through LIVING together for three months straight without having any major issues.

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Dylan's thoughts:


I would have to say this was one of my most favorite expeditions this semester. I pushed myself to the max.

Although this expedition was longer and colder, it seemed to be easier than our first AT expedition as I'm now more fit than I was. Some of my group members are still challenged but they are doing way better than last time we were on the AT. It’s actually a little hard to grab the concept that I hiked 103 miles on the AT at age 15.

I cant wait to see what D.C. will have in store for me!

Biggest Accomplishment: being able to hike the 103 miles without giving up.

Favorite Moment: When we,The Indecises were at the Firetower.

What I mosted appreciated: I apreciated that I am more fit then when I came here.

Dylan

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Emily's reflections:

This semester I discovered I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to.


Even though I don’t like hiking all that much because of the difficult terrain I still push myself to climb up them. Last AT trip I was very impressed with myself. The first day of the hike was a difficult hike but I was still ahead of the group. I kept looking behind me as no one was there….

I yelled to the group and told them that I found the shelter and Cate told me to keep hiking towards it. I would say that it was about 10 feet from the AT trail. This shelter was called Standing Indian Shelter. For about 5 days straight I was ahead of the group.

My greatest accomplishments over the past 3 months at SOAR have been that I can hike about 7 miles a day on the AT even though it is cold and the terrains are hard at times. I thought I would never hike the AT. I am not much a big fan of hiking but when our expedition leaders Cate and Mark told us that we have hiked the AT over 100 miles. I was very pleased to have the privilege to do so. Logan told me he was proud of me for doing so well on the trail. I told him that I was doing this for my mom not myself. I just kept thinking of her and remembered that she likes hiking so that made me keep moving. I think that I will definitely want to go hiking with her after the semester is over. Possibly hiking the AT again.
- My favorite memories were when we were staying at the fire tower even though it was very cold and rainy. The view on top of the fire tower was amazing and very breathtaking. This place is perfect for picture taking,
- What I appreciate the most is when group tells me things that make me happy. For example, the second AT trip I was ahead of the group and they came up to me and said, "Good Job Emily!" That just makes my day. I love it when people give me compliments and compliment me on a job well done. If you want to see me in a good mood don’t make me angry and don’t insult me. That’s what I tell my fellow peers of the group. Hopefully they will learn someday.
Thanks and enjoy this newsletter.
Emily Doyle

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Cecelia's
Semester Reflections:

Self-Discovery:
I have discovered that I am now a better poem writer.
I still need to work on my organization and time management but they are improving.
I am not throwing fits at all, which is a huge improvement from when I came to SOAR.
I need to work on not getting in other people’s business as much as I do.
I have learned to pick my battles carefully.

I am in better shape and have lost some weight while being here.


My Greatest Accomplishments:


It was learning to do things on my own without being asked.
It am not having people do everything for me and - I am capable of doing many things by myself.
It am now completing tasks I thought I would never be able to do.

I have learned to trust myself and other people more.
I learned never to give up and to try my best at everything I do.
I learned to deal with the people here as best as I can.



My Favorite Moments here at SOAR:

My favorite moments were going to school and learning new things and expanding my knowledge on subjects that I already knew.
Also, going to the Waynesville Rec. Center and engaging myself in fun activities such as playing Dance Dance Revolution, swimming, and working out.
I like going to the Rec. Center.
I like going to Wal-Mart so we can work as a team when we do food buys.

I liked when we went to see the Alpacas at Joe and Laura’s Alpaca farm.

I liked when we went whitewater rafting down the six-mile long Nantahala River.

I love when our group behaves well together and works amazingly as a team without that much bickering.
I love going to Jack the Dipper because we can get ice cream and ice cold water.



What I most Appreciate


I appreciate being taught new things and expanding my knowledge on what I already know.
I appreciate my group respecting me when I am trying to complete my role.
I appreciate learning how to do things on my own without other people’s help.

Dylan's photos

Trinity's photos: Final AT expedition

1. Trinity sitting with SOAR's cat Izzy.
2. View while hiking down to the Nantahala River.
3. A hunting dog that followed us for two days! We named it Rambo :)
4. Overlooking the pretty blue hills.
5. By standing on the fire tower, we could see for miles!
6. We made it to a road :)
7. Sunset from the fire tower.
8. The beginning of a beautiful sunset.
9. There's so many colors!
10. A half moon.
11. The sun hiding behind the mountains.
12. Another sunset picture.
13. From the fire tower we could see a forest fire in the distance, that we passed by the next day!

A day on the river

Exciting Experience
By: Dylan Smythe
& Emily Doyle
As the rapids started to calm I looked around at my surroundings; a kingfisher fluttering up to a branch, squawking at the intrusive rafts entering its hunting ground. The water was very shallow, no more than two or so feet deep.
As we drifted along I looked at the odd formation of rocks that we passed. With a sudden jerk, the raft dodged a fallen tree that over time had collected a lot of fallen leaves. As we neared the last rapid, also the largest, we, the group decided to pull over and walk to an area from where we could see the rapid. It was a three-tier rapid in which you’d flip if you entered the rapid incorrectly.
As I passed through the rapids smoothly with a few splashes on the way, I saw that the other group was soaked! It seemed to be that they went in a little awkwardly. By the time that my group got to the take out, the first group was already loaded and waiting for us.

While reflecting about my experience while rafting, I realized I actually enjoy the cold water while rafting. I realized I’m not as bothered by the cold as some of my classmates. I hope that the next expedition will be as fun as the first on the Appalachian Trail.

David's day on the river

On our last expedition we did many exciting activities. We went caving, canoeing, whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Although the other activities we did were very fun, my favorite activities were caving and white water rafting.
Caving was one of my favorites because we got covered in mud and water. It was especially muddy because it had been raining for about two days. There were some parts in the cave where we had to put our entire face underwater. There was a room in the cave where there was mud that you could put on your face. The mud was better then spa quality.
On the walk back to where we were camping after the cave everyone was freezing cold, because we were all wet and it was raining outside. White water rafting was one of my other favorites because it was a relaxing and enjoyable day on the river. When we went white water rafting I got the opportunity to guide the raft for a couple minutes; it was a blast! It took our group about two hours to raft the river. At times it was intense but fun. We all were soaked by the time we were done. I had a awesome time on my last expedition!

David

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The Lesser Wesser

By Trinity Belcher and James Tatman

“One, two, three, four!” yelled Joe, my raft guide. We were rafting the Nantahala River and were on the last rapid, Lesser Wesser: a level three rapid. The waves threw the raft all over the place. I closed my eyes hoping everything would get better, but opened my eyes to what we had just done. The raft had turned around!

We were headed backwards, straight in to the rapid! Everyone screamed as the raft got tossed between rocks, while water was pouring in! With in a split second, the raft had three kids less and I was one of them. The water was extremely cold and when I hit it, it took my breath away. Then I felt something hit my arm and I grabbed it. It was the safety rope; I held on to it for dear life, and within a couple of seconds I was back on land.
Although I wasn’t scared, I would rather that not happen again. I learned that falling out of a raft can be part of the rafting experience, and getting safely out of the river is easier than I thought.

Andrew's first snow of the year

ANDREW: Waking up in Winter Wonderland


I woke up to a white morning. I felt amazed because it was SNOWING! I woke up at six a.m. and I was completely awake. When I went outside this morning, I immediately said, “burr! Its cold.”

I felt like it was Christmas even though it was only the end of October. There’s a good chance of more snow falling at another time this semester. At six o’ clock in the morning, there was a lot of cold wind blowing on my feet and everywhere else on my body. Since it was so cold outside this morning we cranked the heat up to full blast in the van. It felt like a sauna. According to the weather report, it was 24 degrees in Asheville the day it snowed. I felt like I was in a dusty blizzard. This describes the first snow of the year at SOAR!


By: Cecelia and Andrew

Travis' Poetry

The Bermuda Triangle
A poem by Travis Knopf
Inspired by The sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan


An area in the sea
Rougher than skin
A spot on the earth
Meaner than a sin

A triangular shape
With spikes carved from rock
With animals down under
Thrashing in the dark

These monsters are strange creatures
Of every size and shape
Some cannot get through them
They can’t escape their fate

These monsters grab you
And take you to another world
This place can be known
It can be unfurled

The sea of Monsters
For that is what it is called
Is a terrifying place
It Will get you caught

Fear this place
For it may cause your death
But it can be conquered
Your fate is not set

Cecelia's poetry

The Sunshine after the Storm

Alone in the World
I was accepted by a friend
We were NEVER apart
Our friendship would never bend


Separated by force
We both became distant
We came back tighter
We became consistent


A terrible loss
Brought us to tears
It strengthened our hearts
But cut us with shears


We cried night and day
But after all was done,
Our bond was tighter
The fun had just begun!



WRITTEN BY: Cecelia Portz
EDITED BY: Travis Knopf


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Here are the titles to my photos. I hope you enjoy them :)



1. Trinity sitting with Izzy snuggling in her lap.
2. A storm brews over.
3. The overlook after a long day of rock climbing.
4. The cave welcomes us.
5. Secluded from everything except for the beauty of the Earth.
6. The Sun saying “Good morning” from around the corner.
7. Another one of God’s beauties.
8. Canoeing at noon.
9. Sunset of Watauga Lake on the first night of this expedition.
10. Sitting by a nice warm fire keeps us warm from the dropping temperatures surrounding us.

A moment is a treasure
that a picture can capture.
It’s a handful of joy
That is as exciting as a toy.

-Trinity

Expedition 2: Rocks, Rivers, and Caves