Shira Catlin

North Hampton, Massachusetts

What classes have you taken at COA? 
Human Ecology Core Course 
Changing Schools, Changing Society 
Introduction to Oceanography 
Apples, Orchard, and Cider: An Introduction to the History of English Agriculture 
Biology I 
Intercultural Education 
Communicating Science 
Fisheries and Their Management 
World Percussion

What has been your favorite class at COA? Why?
I would have to say that my favorite class at COA as been Changing Schools, Changing Society. This class stands out to me because it was my first education class, and I was given the opportunity to be involved with the local schools. I have always known that education is something I am interested in, but this class got my involved in the well designed education track at COA.

What was your favorite project at COA? Why?
My favorite project at COA was with perry pears. A pear I learned about while I was in England during the field component of the apples class. Perry pears are a small variety of pears, similar to cider apples, and can be fermented into a delicious wine or hard cider type beverage. I chose to do a project researching the history of perry pears around Maine, and the greater United States. This project was largely independent, but I also was able to work with Todd Little-Siebold, and John Bunker, who's known as the maine apple man. This was a very unique project, and it continues as I plan a future orchard.

What is your dream occupation?
My dream occupation is to either live abroad and educate small fishing villages about sustainable practices, or live on a perry pear orchard on the coast, and be an elementary school teacher.

Do you work on campus? If yes, where?
I work on campus for Buildings and Grounds, as the Campus Planning and Building Committee scribe.

What do you see yourself doing after COA?
After COA I hope to either go on to get a masters in a marine science related field, or education. I would also like to work abroad.

What country or state would you like to visit?
I would love to go to antarctica. I have always been fascinated with the lifestyle one must live there.

Where would you love to live?
I would love to live in a small village on the coast, or a large city near near the water.

What is happiness to you?
Happiness is being given the freedom to follow your passion and live a life full of adventures.

Have you had an internship? If not, what are your plans, for your internship?
I am having an internship this summer working with the Boat U.S. Foundation for boating safety, clean water initiative, environmental protection, and community outreach. I'll be spending the summer in Annapolis, Maryland.

What are your ideas for your senior project?
I have a few years before I complete my senior project, but I'm thinking it will be related to community involvement with the local fisheries. Or maybe more related to the intertidal zones. I love sea urchins.

What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
One of my favorite childhood memories is dressing up in ballet costumes and dancing around the house.

What is your favorite food to eat? What is your favorite thing to cook?
I love to eat spicy thai food! I love to cook kale chips, but I haven't mastered this skill yet.

What do you like to do when you're not doing school work?
When I'm not doing school work you can usually find me at the Y doing Zumba, running in Acadia, playing water polo, or sometimes doing taxidermy.

What are your favorite colors?
ORANGE! Also the whole rainbow. Orange and green are pretty good. Blue is the color of the ocean so I it's pretty awesome.

What are your favorite flowers?
I really enjoy tiger lilys.

What are your favorite animals?
Toucans and sea urchins are by far the best. I also enjoy dogs, fish, hamsters, and I love degus.

What came first, the chicken or the egg?
The egg!!! Two species cross bred and produced an egg and a chicken hatched out.

What is the motto you like to live by?
Just keep going and be happy.

Why did you choose to come to COA?
I wanted a small school by the coast. COA really got me though when they knew my name and not my registration number. I also really wanted a school where I could follow my own path as learner and not be put into any "track".

What do you like to study?
I like to study the intertidal zone, perry pears, and education. I am always interested in new adventures. I hope to learn more about fermentation during my time here.

Where do you like to study?
The library is pretty great, I usually sit on the physio balls. If its sunny out I like to sit out the red bricks looking out at the ocean.

Who are your favorite writers and poets?
Good question! Jacques Cousteau is great as well as Barbara Kingsolver.

Who are your favorite artists and musicians?
I love The Black Keys, Bon Iver, Louis Armstrong, Bach, Motzart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Kanye West, and everything that is awful on pop radio.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?
She-Ra princess of power. That TV is awesome.

What historical figure do you most admire?
Abraham Lincoln totally has my vote.

Who is your hero today?
Anyone who is living their passion.

What do you value most in your friends?
Courage, enthusiasm, responsibility, being respectful.

What do people say is your most marked characteristic?
People say I have a lot of energy and am generally happy.

What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I could ice skate like an olympian.

What is your least favorite spice?
Cayenne pepper.

Do you have anything cool or unique you would like to share?
I rebuilt a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle when I was 14.