Photo Shoot

Today was a beautiful spring day. My brother and I spent the day with our dad and photographers from The North Face. I got to miss school, ski and get paid!

Me, Alex and my dad in Shirley Canyon for a photo shoot Spring 2017

We've done photo shoots and videos before. We were in a Visit California Commercial last year and in Squaw advertising the year before.

Visit California Commercial February 2016

Squaw Photo Shoot Winter 2015

Want to come too?

I am so excited. I have been accepted to be a Student Ambassador for the Truckee Source to Sea paddling and environmental learning expedition. The trip combines two of my favorite things: kayaking and nature studies!

Here's information about the team and about the trip. If you want to come, you can be a guest paddler. Register here. You can also donate at GoFundMe.

Kayaking with my cousin Athan. August 2016

Applying

Earlier this year, I was a flag bearer for the World Cup. It was my first time applying for something myself. I learned that you need to do a good job on the essays.

So, when it came time to apply to be a Student Ambassador for Rivers for Change, it was easier for me. Here's my essay.

On the river, I am home. I have been going on river trips since I was a baby. I have spent more days than I can count on the South Fork of the American River. And have swum almost every rapid! In the summer, my family takes me and my brother on a month long rafting road trip to places like the Lower Klamath and the Lower Salmon. I love it so much that I never want to leave. A few years ago, we even did a very long trip that connected the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Main Salmon, and the Lower Salmon. I have been down the river on oar boats, catarafts, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks, hard shell kayaks, and paddle boards. I got my first hard shell kayak when I was 4 years old. I learned to roll in the pool when I was 7. But, I’m still working on my river roll! I have taken Junior Guides Rafting Camp, as well as kayaking classes in Coloma. I have also completed an adult Swift Water Rescue course.
            I love running the river, but I love camping along the river just as much. I like finding edible plants that I have learned about in my Native American studies class. I also like identifying animals, fish, birds, snakes and bugs (except for spiders) that are in my waterproof nature guide book. I have seen a bear, an island with thousands of tiny frogs, bald eagles, river otters, ducks, and lots of fish. I learned how to fly fish a few years ago, but I always catch and release.

I want to go on this trip to learn more about the Truckee River and then teach it to kids in my school. I want to do this so that kids know what is happening to their environment and together we can help fix some of the problems. I also want to spend time with other kids that feel the same way that I do about the river.

Flag Bearer for Mikaela Shiffrin's World Cup Win!

As a girl growing up at a ski resort and on ski team full time, Mikaela Shiffrin is our role model. She is so focused and determined and such an incredible skier. I recently got to watch her win a World Cup title in Slalom here at Squaw Valley. And I was fortunate to be selected to be the French and then the Canadian flag bearer in the two days of opening ski parades and to be the American flag bearer in her award ceremony. Best experience ever!

I'm the flag bearer for Mikaela Shiffrin World Cup Win at Squaw March 2017

Mikaela Shiffrin wining World Cup Title - with me holding the American Flag

The flags are surprisingly heavy

From mom

Two years ago, we hit the reset button. Our kids think that it's because I watched too many TED Talks. Like Hackschooling or Raising Successful Kids Without Over-Parenting.

But really, those TED talks simply validated the nagging feeling I'd had ever since the kids were born. The feeling that childhood had changed since we grew up in the '70s. And not in a good way.

So, we decided to make changes ourselves. We moved, changed jobs, enrolled at an independent study charter school, and joined ski team full time.

Two years later, however, I still struggle to let go of a "checklisted childhood." A blue print to ensure that my kids will be successful. But at least now the checklist has evolved . . .

• Spend time outside, especially in weather. Ski if it's a powder day. Kayak if the rivers are flowing.
• Create from scratch. Garden, cook, bake, build and make.
• Learn the art of selling. Work, volunteer, fundraise and donate to charity. 
• Embrace minimalism. Consume mostly stories: read and listen to audio books.
• Give academic work your best effort. Go to school, when you have time.

I can see that with these changes my kids are becoming themselves. Who they were meant to be. Not who I wanted them to be.

This blog, written by my daughter, is about pursuing passions.

Annual family Cherry Creek photo
Lower Salmon River. August 2015