From ocean views to cornfields: Iowa holds special place for sophomore

From+ocean+views+to+cornfields%3A+Iowa+holds+special+place+for+sophomore

by Ashley Dalsing, Special to The Simpsonian

While most college sophomores are still frantically searching for a major that suits their interests or finding time to nap in between classes, sophomore Kelsey Schott doesn’t fit the mold.

Schott is a religion major with minors in math and political science and plans to attend law school or become involved with student affairs when she graduates in two years.

Schott is also involved on campus as the president of the Campus Activities Board, a senator on the Student Government Association, a first-year community adviser, a member of the speech and debate team and a member of Delta Delta Delta.

“For me, personally, I stay organized with a calendar that helps me keep track of everything going on, and I simply manage my time better when I am busy,” Schott said. “I also try to determine if I am truly enjoying the activities I am involved in. It helps having such a great support system of friends and family who build me up the most.”

Despite her hectic schedule, she still has time to be a regular college student. She enjoys spending her free time being around friends, following politics and keeping up with Netflix shows, such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Schott grew up in Fort Dodge. When she was 13 years old, her family packed up and moved to a quaint little town on the Cathance River in Bowdoinham, Maine.

Attending Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine, Schott’s discipline of being involved in extracurricular activities began. “I was in the theater, choir and band,” Schott said. “I was also the vice president of the 2014 class, a student representative for the school board, in charge of social events and volunteer work for the National Honor Society, as well as being the president of the Interact Club, which was a volunteer club sponsored by Rotaract.”

When it came to applying for colleges, Schott applied to smaller schools in both in New England and the Midwest.

“While I was applying for schools, I decided I wanted to move back to Iowa,” Schott said. “The application process with Simpson stood out above all of the other schools I applied for, and when I came to visit it felt like a community here. I just felt at home.”

Being only 20 minutes away from the ocean to being surrounded by cornfields, one might question Schott’s decision in moving back to Iowa for school.

“The biggest thing for me is the people,” Schott said. “I love the people in Iowa, which is why I wanted to move back here. The people in Iowa are much more friendly than in Maine, and even though my family is from Maine, I consider myself an Iowan more than anything else.”

Simpson has become Schott’s home away from home. Being over 1,000miles from her family, going home isn’t an option until winter break and, sometimes, spring break.

“It’s totally worth it being at Simpson and not getting to go home as often because Simpson, to me, feels like home.”