VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE #172
AIR DATE 04 30 2021
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
School as Life
((SOT))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, I researched online. I found Facebook communities. I
met other moms like myself that are new to homeschooling
and we just started.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Horses for All
((SOT))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Our mission is to make horseback riding accessible and
affordable to the inner-city, the Baltimore community that
may not have the opportunity to do it.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Pandemic Reflections
((SOT))
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
You kind of look back at your life and you think: Did I live to
the most extent? Do I have anything held back? Do I have
anything I need to say to a family or a friend?
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) SHIFTING TO HOMESCHOOLING
((TRT: 8:57))
((Banner: Always Learning))
((Reporter/Camera: Lisa Vohra))
((Map: Mclean, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((NATS))
Nevra: So, what religion did most of the Japanese people
belong to?
Hendrix: Buddhism.
Nevra: Buddhism, very good.
Nevra: And do you remember what a missionary is? I know
that’s a new concept.
Hendrix: No.
Nevra: These are people who travel.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Hendrix was attending the regular public school and it was
going fine last year. And then the lockdowns happened and
school closed.
((NATS))
Nevra: …spread the teachings of Jesus.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
And then they announced the plan for fall, which was, at first
it was, you know, “Do you want to sign up for in-person?”
which we wanted to. We did. And then it turned into, “Well,
it’s only two days a week.” And then it turned into fully virtual.
And then I thought, “Okay, well, I guess it will be just like
spring, and as long as we get it done, we’re good.” But then
they announced that it’s going to be all synchronous and
they’re going to follow a bell schedule. And that’s when I had
these visions of, you know, six hours a day in front of, you
know, a camera and his computer, and I just, he’s an eight-
year-old boy.
((NATS))
Nevra: Last question. Where did Zen Buddhist look for truth?
Did they have a priest or a pope?
Hendrix: From what their hearts said.
Nevra: From their hearts, exactly.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, I researched online. I found Facebook communities. I
met other moms like myself that are new to homeschooling. I
learned about the curriculum that’s available. I found all
these podcasts about different homeschooling
methodologies. And in the end, I just found some materials
online and I bought them. I got a whiteboard and we just
started.
((NATS))
Nevra: Five times 30 minus five times five, because 25 here,
is 30 minus five. Are you looking?
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, for us, you know, it’s not like there’s an official start to
the homeschooling day. Sorry. Because, to me,
homeschooling and schooling, education is something that
should just be a part of life.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
There are methods of homeschooling that are very aligned
with the public school curriculum with tests along the way.
And then there are at the other extreme, which I would say
I’m sort of tending toward now as I’m getting into it, which is,
some people call it unschooling, which is really about
teaching schooling and education as a way of life. Not
something that just happens in a classroom, but happens
every day, at any hour of the day.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I mean, we’re doing the homeschooling together. We’re
having breakfast at the same time in parallel. We are doing
dinner prep. We’re doing a few chores. And we’re kind of
getting everything done together. And you say, well that’s a
lot. But you know what? When Hendrix is sweeping the floor
while we are doing, let’s say, spelling exercises or
multiplication quizzing, actually the brain works better.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
((Hendrix Ledwon, Third Grader))
Nevra: Are there any friends that are doing homeschooling
with us?
Hendrix: Oh, this is Poopy Bear. This is Moo-Moo. This is
Snakey. I didn’t name these two.
Nevra: Hendrix, please sit down because I need to get to
work soon. Okay, thank you. Okay. You ready? This chapter
is called, The Foreign Conquest of China. The Rise of the
Manchu.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Sometimes I would get these notes from the teacher about,
you know, something that wasn’t perfect, that’s usually when
you hear from the teacher, right? Why aren’t you paying
attention? Why are you going off with your friends? Why are
you, you know, disrupting class? But now as I get to know
him better, I understand where that’s coming from. I
understand his personality. So somehow, even though we’re
spending more time together, I would say that we have less
conflict.
((NATS))
Nevra: China was growing. Down in the South of China…
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I feel a lot closer to him. I feel better attuned to where he’s at
academically.
((NATS))
Nevra: We just are going to add what we learned to our
book of centuries, which helps understand what we’re
learning in history and the context of what’s happening in
other parts of the world. So, what we’re learning about, I
think is in the 1600’s. Come Hendrix, bring your pencil.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
There are times when, you know what, the brain just isn’t on.
He just doesn’t feel like it. So, we take a break.
((NATS))
Nevra: Okay, first give me some jump rope real quick, to get
the blood flowing. Because I find his brain works better when
his body is engaged. In fact, some of the reading and writing
stuff he does standing and spinning like this, because his
brain works best when he’s doing that. So, we just go with it.
((NATS))
Nevra: A hundred. Wow. Okay, quick handstand. Three
tries.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
You know, it’s interesting, because, I think, when I was a
child, I don’t think I would have liked the idea of
homeschooling. I really wanted to get out of the house, but
for Hendrix, he really likes it. And when I ask him why, what
do you like about it? He said, “Well, it’s at my level.” And I
think what he means is he likes how tailored it is to his
interests and his moods.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
It doesn’t mean that we don’t sometimes do things he’s not
in the mood for, I mean, like math, right. You have to learn
some of the foundational math concepts in order to do the
fun, interesting math later.
((NATS))
Nevra: Go up to the board and show me how you would
figure out seven times thirteen. And remember the most
important thing is to show your work, not just getting the right
answer, but showing your work.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Also, because I work, I get a little bit of help. So, his former
nanny, who is also a former teacher in our county, is now a
learning coach for him. So, she does a 90-minute online
session with him every weekday.
((Hendrix Ledwon, Third Grader and Heather, Teacher))
Hendrix: I did some IXL [on line learning classes]
Heather (teacher’s voice): Uh huh.
Hendrix: which was easy.
Heather (teacher’s voice): Which IXL did you do?
Hendrix: Oh yeah, my mom wanted us to do an IXL about
Buddhism...
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
We’re working on some website enhancements. So, I’m
getting ready for a presentation this afternoon on some ideas
of how to enhance the website.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
And then usually when she’s done around noon, my
husband takes over and takes care of lunch, so I can
continue working. And because I’ve done most of the dinner
prep in the morning, I can work until six. And, you know, that
works well since the company I work for is in Mountain Time.
So, ten o'clock for me is eight o'clock for them when they’re
just coming in. So, it works. And also, some of the
homeschooling is on weekends or on evenings.
((NATS))
Nevra: Okay, what’s he going to write about this week?
Heather (teacher’s voice): So, he’s, he wanted to write a
story similar to like The Wind in the Willows.
Nevra: Oh, similar to The Wind in the Willows.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
At the beginning of the lockdown, we were scared, I think,
like everyone, and we were very isolated. And then, over
time, I started to see the impact on him. And, you know, he’s
an only child and I just, I made a point of arranging playdates
every single day.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Nicky is the daughter of a long-time farm customer, and it
took all these years that we didn’t realize that we both were
parents of an only child about the same age. And it wasn’t
until this, you know, pandemic, and we both pull our kids out
of school, and we just happened to be talking one day. And
we realized, yeah, let’s get the kids together, and they
became great friends like instantly. So now, they hang out
every week.
((NATS))
Hendrix: A deer, a deer. See if I can pet it. Probably not.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
When I first started with this, I thought, you know what, it’s
just going to be temporary. But now, as I’m doing it, I’ve
fallen in love with it. It’s an amazing approach.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I can’t see sending him back this year, and I’m already
thinking ahead to the future. I really don’t know. I mean, I
think my biggest worry is the social connection, right? When
you’re homeschooling and everyone else is in school, the
social connection, social skills, they kind of come
automatically.
((NATS))
Nevra: And his army.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I do worry that he’s missing out on some of the group school
connection, and I think we just have to take it day by day and
see.
((NATS))
Nevra: What does scarce mean?
Hendrix: There’s not a lot.
Nevra: There’s not a lot, exactly. And expensive. Soon, the
army ran out of money to pay...
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Providing an Opportunity
((SOT))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Bear likes to have a very confident rider. Another reason
why I put you on because you seem like you had a lot of
confidence.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) HORSE CAMP
((Previously aired October 2020))
((Banner: Horses for the City))
((Reporter: Marsha James))
((Camera: Philip Alexiou))
((Editors: Philip Alexiou, Marsha James))
((Map: Baltimore, Maryland))
((Main characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((Sub characters: 2 male; 2 male))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
When I was early childhood, my mother would take me to my
uncles who were sharecroppers. They had mules and we
rode the mules and that was it. And then when we moved to
Baltimore, I got involved with Nixon’s Farm, where we did a
summer program and I got involved with the horses.
And that was in the early 60s and so I've been just at it ever
since.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
I had a favorite. It died and it was the genesis of this whole
program. The program is City Ranch and our mission is to
make horseback riding accessible and affordable to the inner
city, the Baltimore community that may not have the
opportunity to do it.
((NATS: Ahesahmahk Dahn and a Volunteer:
Well here, get, you know what the password, the code is,
right?))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Volunteer, City Ranch))
I’ve been here since February, so not too long, but I couldn't
imagine my life without horses. So, I'm very thankful to find
this place.
((Volunteer, City Ranch))
I love it. I wouldn't come here if I didn't.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
The one thing that I focus on is taking the horses to where
the children are,
((Photo Courtesy: City Ranch, YouTube))
because if they don't have financial resources, getting out
here, whether it's on a bus or an Uber or whatever the
current method of transportation is, is difficult. So, we want
to take the horses into their community.
((NATS))
((Danielle, Volunteer, City Ranch))
I really like being here at the farm. This is one of the most
accepted like places that I feel…Oh, I’m sorry
Bear...just because I've never really had a barn buddy until
came here and I've been riding for 10 years. Everyone here
is so nice and welcoming and I feel like a part of the family
even though I've only been here for a few months. And this
little dude is Lucky. Mr. Dahn was explaining how he was
born here and he came as a surprise so they named him
Lucky Surprise. And then this is Bear. I think he is one of our
oldest horses owned by the Ranch. I know you see my food.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
So, just letting it all hang out.
So, what got me involved since 2009 was, I was fresh out of
high school. I've always loved and worked with horses. And
when I went to Artscape in the summer of 2009, I was totally
encapsulated and Mr. Dahn was able to give me
that outlet. And I've been able to work with so many
students, so many children, so many adults and really, just
share my passion with other people.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Bear likes to have a very confident rider. Another reason
why I put you on because you seem like you have a lot of
confidence. Let him know what you want him to do. Talking
to him is very, very important. Remember, leg yield. I want to
see you be able to get him over those rails. There you
go. Get him to pick those feet up all the way
through. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Stop your horse.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Erin is a very knowledgeable person.
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Keep the pressure. Keep the pressure.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn))
She has taken on a lot of responsibility here. She knows the
program probably best than anybody else because she's
been here so long. And now she's doing the instructing,
working with the youth.
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Roll him up and turn him in, turn him in, turn him
in. Excellent. Pull him out.
((NATS))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
A situation in life happened in our family that made me look
at what I was doing and how I could be a part of the solution,
what's going on in Baltimore as opposed to part of the
problem. And there were no horse programs. And I said,
“Well, you know, I ain’t the smartest guy in the world but I
know there's no competition.” So, it was an easy one to get
in and grow the business. And that's what has happened. No
other programs in Baltimore do
this. Right, Benji? Where are you going?
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Let's get them all the way up top. Take that bit out and we
can give them some apples.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Okay. Creating an institution that outlasts me. When
I'm gone, there is still a City Ranch. It doesn’t necessarily
have to be the same name, but there's still an
equine program dedicated and focused toward the
community of Baltimore City.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Manhattan Life
((SOT))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He owes me 20 dollars. That's the one that owes me 20
dollars.
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) TIGER HOOD
((TRT: 6:00))
((Topic Banner: Capturing New York))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin))
((Editor: Kyle Dubiel))
((Map: New York City, New York))
((Main characters: 1 male))
((Sub characters: 2 female; 1 male))
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Come on baby. Ah, shucks. Real men ride pink bikes, baby.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
My name is Patrick Q.F. Barr. I'm a photographer,
photojournalist, restaurant worker and a urban golfer. I play
golf with milk containers.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
I don't know if you go through lights, but I do. I don't play golf
every day but I can play it whenever I like, which is the
beauty of it.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
As a photographer, what makes me stop and press the
button right away is, some shots are just, you know, it's
situational. So, it's just a feeling. It's instantaneous when you
just see something happening and you say, “Well, I got to
capture that for the record, you know.”
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Some shots are like that and some shots you have to really
like think about.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Are they going to be important in 20, 30 years, you know?
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
He owes me 20 dollars. That's the one that owes me 20
dollars. I remember seeing that car on McDougal. Couldn't
miss it with that damn paint job.
Are there any moments or photographs or situations that
have captured my interest?
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Well, wow. One of them is Sebastiamo, Sebastiamo Monte.
He was a restaurant owner on Bleecker street, 281 Bleecker
street, Osteria Fiorentina.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He used to stand out there all the time, you know, just
standing out there like, you know, just casually looking at
people, trying to pull into the restaurant. At night, I used to
walk by him all the time. But then, when I got serious about
the pictures again, I walked by him one day and I said, “You
know what man, you're beautiful. And I got to get a picture of
you one day.” And then I walked away. A couple of weeks
later, I saw him standing out there again and I just said, you
know, “Don't move.” As many times as I walked by him
before, when I saw him standing out there again, it got me
excited.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Another situation was when, when I was walking by the park
and I saw a fireball from the side of my eye and I said,
“Wow. Okay, I know who that is.”
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
And I haven't seen him in years. Tony “The Fireman” Vera.
And he's been entertaining people in the park for years. So,
when I saw that fireball from the side of my eye, which I
haven't seen in years, I said, “Wow, got to get that, got to get
him.” And you know, I was really lucky to get him because
that was his last week of performing in New York and he
retired after that.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
This guy was walking by when I was playing golf one day
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
and we got to talking and I got around to find out he was a
golfer and he has a really good swing.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Oh, you got to be kidding me. Snap out of it.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I got started playing golf when I found a golf club in a
garbage can
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
and I had a tennis ball on me. So, I started hitting the tennis
ball against a building that was under construction, but it
didn't come back down after a while because there was so
much scaffolding, and, you know, it just stopped and got
stuck someplace, but I didn't want to stop. I like the feeling of
swinging. And so I said, “Okay, I've got to find something
else to hit.” So, I got some milk containers and I just started
hitting them. And you know, it's better than hitting a ball
because they don't roll away.
((NATS))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Wow, look at you.
((Speaker 1))
Oh, I thought you were looking at me.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I am looking at you.
((Speaker 2))
What's in there? Can you tell us what's in there?
((Speaker 1))
Yes. This is a Senegal parrot.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I play golf with milk containers on the street. That's what
these are for. They're milk containers stuffed with
newspaper.
((Speaker 1))
Okay.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, photojournalist and street golfer))
And I hit them towards the box.
((Speaker 1))
I see.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. I go by the name, Tiger Hood.
((Speaker 1))
Very good.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
See, Tiger Hood.
((Speaker 1))
I hope you're as...well…
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
The name Tiger Hood, it was a no brainer, to be honest with
you. I mean, I'm in the neighborhood. So, one of my favorite
golfers, the favorite golfer of mine, Tiger.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and I came here when I was
four years old. I'm Jamerican. We lived in the Bronx,
Brooklyn, Queens, Strong Island for a while, moved down to
Atlanta, Florida and got homesick for New York, so I came
back.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Come on, come on, come on, come on. Follow me. Come
on, you got it, looking good baby, come on.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
The rules to street golf are just: Always be respectful, ABC -
Always be careful.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Playtime's over baby.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I used to carry four cameras. Black and white, color, you
know. Like I would have
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
two Pentax K1000s or two Cannon AE1s, whichever one, I
would put black and white film in one, color film in another,
so I can compare the shots.
((NATS)
((Taco))
I think it's amazing.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Thank you.
((Taco))
I love the story which you are telling about like what inspired
this and that and who that man is.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. I appreciate that. Thanks. Yeah.
((Taco))
I'm just, yeah.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He's going to be…
((Taco))
Never mind. I'm just a bit nosy.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
No, no, no. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Oh, Tiger Hood, NYC. Tiger Hood. Oh, yeah. Tiger Hood.
Yeah. I play golf with milk containers on the street. So, yeah.
((Taco))
Tiger Wood?
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Hood.
((Taco))
Oh, Hood.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. Girl, I'm from the hood, man.
((Taco))
Oh, you're from the hood. I'm from the hood too.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Shoot. Okay, you're sure not Richmond?
((Taco))
The South African hood though. It's all the same. The hood
is all the same.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah.
((Taco))
So which one is you?
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
That's me kissing my mom on the cheek there on top. Yeah,
I think that would be it. And yeah, Patrick.
((Taco))
My name is Taco, by the way.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Nice to meet you, Taco.
((Taco))
Beautiful work.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah, stay in touch.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
My ultimate goal is to be a historian, photojournalist. When I
take a photograph, it's about truth. What you see is what it is.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Okay, come on now. Come on. Come on, baby. Playtime's
over. There we go. Woo. All right.
((NATS))
((PKG)) CONNECT WITH – OLIVIA DILLON
((TRT: 02:20))
((Topic Banner: Connect with – Olivia Dillon))
((Reporter/Camera: Arturo Martínez))
((Locater: Fallon, Nevada))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
I'm Olivia Dillon. I'm a fifth generation Nevadan. I am a
mechanical engineer, going to graduate school for ocean
sciences, to study oceanography and how microplastics are
affecting our world.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
Because of quarantine, I was able to come home and be
with my family, and for me, this year, one of the most
memorable moments that I will never forget is when I found
out I did have COVID. I did get COVID and that was very
significant because I felt like I was going through something
that a lot of people were afraid of. I was afraid of. My friend's
mother had passed from COVID so, there was a lot of fear
around getting it and not sure if you were going to end up in
the hospital the next day or if you were going to be okay.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
You kind of look back at your life and you think: Did I live to
the most extent? Do I have anything held back? Do I have
anything I need to say to a family or a friend? You know, just
in case this doesn't turn out well. I think if I ended up passing
away tomorrow, I would feel okay. I have done everything I
could, up until this day. So, it encourages me to continue to
live like that. So, I don't have any regrets.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
Also, this year, there was a lot of like fear. But I spent a lot of
time with myself and out in nature and I will cherish these
memories that I made this year more than anything.
You get a lot of joy out of doing the simple things: Growing
your own food, taking care of your animals. While I'm here,
it's a great opportunity to really connect with the Earth again.
((NATS))
CLOSING BUMPER ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE #172
AIR DATE 04 30 2021
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
School as Life
((SOT))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, I researched online. I found Facebook communities. I
met other moms like myself that are new to homeschooling
and we just started.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Horses for All
((SOT))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Our mission is to make horseback riding accessible and
affordable to the inner-city, the Baltimore community that
may not have the opportunity to do it.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Pandemic Reflections
((SOT))
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
You kind of look back at your life and you think: Did I live to
the most extent? Do I have anything held back? Do I have
anything I need to say to a family or a friend?
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) SHIFTING TO HOMESCHOOLING
((TRT: 8:57))
((Banner: Always Learning))
((Reporter/Camera: Lisa Vohra))
((Map: Mclean, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((NATS))
Nevra: So, what religion did most of the Japanese people
belong to?
Hendrix: Buddhism.
Nevra: Buddhism, very good.
Nevra: And do you remember what a missionary is? I know
that’s a new concept.
Hendrix: No.
Nevra: These are people who travel.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Hendrix was attending the regular public school and it was
going fine last year. And then the lockdowns happened and
school closed.
((NATS))
Nevra: …spread the teachings of Jesus.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
And then they announced the plan for fall, which was, at first
it was, you know, “Do you want to sign up for in-person?”
which we wanted to. We did. And then it turned into, “Well,
it’s only two days a week.” And then it turned into fully virtual.
And then I thought, “Okay, well, I guess it will be just like
spring, and as long as we get it done, we’re good.” But then
they announced that it’s going to be all synchronous and
they’re going to follow a bell schedule. And that’s when I had
these visions of, you know, six hours a day in front of, you
know, a camera and his computer, and I just, he’s an eight-
year-old boy.
((NATS))
Nevra: Last question. Where did Zen Buddhist look for truth?
Did they have a priest or a pope?
Hendrix: From what their hearts said.
Nevra: From their hearts, exactly.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, I researched online. I found Facebook communities. I
met other moms like myself that are new to homeschooling. I
learned about the curriculum that’s available. I found all
these podcasts about different homeschooling
methodologies. And in the end, I just found some materials
online and I bought them. I got a whiteboard and we just
started.
((NATS))
Nevra: Five times 30 minus five times five, because 25 here,
is 30 minus five. Are you looking?
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
So, for us, you know, it’s not like there’s an official start to
the homeschooling day. Sorry. Because, to me,
homeschooling and schooling, education is something that
should just be a part of life.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
There are methods of homeschooling that are very aligned
with the public school curriculum with tests along the way.
And then there are at the other extreme, which I would say
I’m sort of tending toward now as I’m getting into it, which is,
some people call it unschooling, which is really about
teaching schooling and education as a way of life. Not
something that just happens in a classroom, but happens
every day, at any hour of the day.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I mean, we’re doing the homeschooling together. We’re
having breakfast at the same time in parallel. We are doing
dinner prep. We’re doing a few chores. And we’re kind of
getting everything done together. And you say, well that’s a
lot. But you know what? When Hendrix is sweeping the floor
while we are doing, let’s say, spelling exercises or
multiplication quizzing, actually the brain works better.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
((Hendrix Ledwon, Third Grader))
Nevra: Are there any friends that are doing homeschooling
with us?
Hendrix: Oh, this is Poopy Bear. This is Moo-Moo. This is
Snakey. I didn’t name these two.
Nevra: Hendrix, please sit down because I need to get to
work soon. Okay, thank you. Okay. You ready? This chapter
is called, The Foreign Conquest of China. The Rise of the
Manchu.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Sometimes I would get these notes from the teacher about,
you know, something that wasn’t perfect, that’s usually when
you hear from the teacher, right? Why aren’t you paying
attention? Why are you going off with your friends? Why are
you, you know, disrupting class? But now as I get to know
him better, I understand where that’s coming from. I
understand his personality. So somehow, even though we’re
spending more time together, I would say that we have less
conflict.
((NATS))
Nevra: China was growing. Down in the South of China…
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I feel a lot closer to him. I feel better attuned to where he’s at
academically.
((NATS))
Nevra: We just are going to add what we learned to our
book of centuries, which helps understand what we’re
learning in history and the context of what’s happening in
other parts of the world. So, what we’re learning about, I
think is in the 1600’s. Come Hendrix, bring your pencil.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
There are times when, you know what, the brain just isn’t on.
He just doesn’t feel like it. So, we take a break.
((NATS))
Nevra: Okay, first give me some jump rope real quick, to get
the blood flowing. Because I find his brain works better when
his body is engaged. In fact, some of the reading and writing
stuff he does standing and spinning like this, because his
brain works best when he’s doing that. So, we just go with it.
((NATS))
Nevra: A hundred. Wow. Okay, quick handstand. Three
tries.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
You know, it’s interesting, because, I think, when I was a
child, I don’t think I would have liked the idea of
homeschooling. I really wanted to get out of the house, but
for Hendrix, he really likes it. And when I ask him why, what
do you like about it? He said, “Well, it’s at my level.” And I
think what he means is he likes how tailored it is to his
interests and his moods.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
It doesn’t mean that we don’t sometimes do things he’s not
in the mood for, I mean, like math, right. You have to learn
some of the foundational math concepts in order to do the
fun, interesting math later.
((NATS))
Nevra: Go up to the board and show me how you would
figure out seven times thirteen. And remember the most
important thing is to show your work, not just getting the right
answer, but showing your work.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Also, because I work, I get a little bit of help. So, his former
nanny, who is also a former teacher in our county, is now a
learning coach for him. So, she does a 90-minute online
session with him every weekday.
((Hendrix Ledwon, Third Grader and Heather, Teacher))
Hendrix: I did some IXL [on line learning classes]
Heather (teacher’s voice): Uh huh.
Hendrix: which was easy.
Heather (teacher’s voice): Which IXL did you do?
Hendrix: Oh yeah, my mom wanted us to do an IXL about
Buddhism...
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
We’re working on some website enhancements. So, I’m
getting ready for a presentation this afternoon on some ideas
of how to enhance the website.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
And then usually when she’s done around noon, my
husband takes over and takes care of lunch, so I can
continue working. And because I’ve done most of the dinner
prep in the morning, I can work until six. And, you know, that
works well since the company I work for is in Mountain Time.
So, ten o'clock for me is eight o'clock for them when they’re
just coming in. So, it works. And also, some of the
homeschooling is on weekends or on evenings.
((NATS))
Nevra: Okay, what’s he going to write about this week?
Heather (teacher’s voice): So, he’s, he wanted to write a
story similar to like The Wind in the Willows.
Nevra: Oh, similar to The Wind in the Willows.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
At the beginning of the lockdown, we were scared, I think,
like everyone, and we were very isolated. And then, over
time, I started to see the impact on him. And, you know, he’s
an only child and I just, I made a point of arranging playdates
every single day.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
Nicky is the daughter of a long-time farm customer, and it
took all these years that we didn’t realize that we both were
parents of an only child about the same age. And it wasn’t
until this, you know, pandemic, and we both pull our kids out
of school, and we just happened to be talking one day. And
we realized, yeah, let’s get the kids together, and they
became great friends like instantly. So now, they hang out
every week.
((NATS))
Hendrix: A deer, a deer. See if I can pet it. Probably not.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
When I first started with this, I thought, you know what, it’s
just going to be temporary. But now, as I’m doing it, I’ve
fallen in love with it. It’s an amazing approach.
((NATS))
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I can’t see sending him back this year, and I’m already
thinking ahead to the future. I really don’t know. I mean, I
think my biggest worry is the social connection, right? When
you’re homeschooling and everyone else is in school, the
social connection, social skills, they kind of come
automatically.
((NATS))
Nevra: And his army.
((Nevra Ledwon, Sales Director, Third Grade Parent))
I do worry that he’s missing out on some of the group school
connection, and I think we just have to take it day by day and
see.
((NATS))
Nevra: What does scarce mean?
Hendrix: There’s not a lot.
Nevra: There’s not a lot, exactly. And expensive. Soon, the
army ran out of money to pay...
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Providing an Opportunity
((SOT))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Bear likes to have a very confident rider. Another reason
why I put you on because you seem like you had a lot of
confidence.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) HORSE CAMP
((Previously aired October 2020))
((Banner: Horses for the City))
((Reporter: Marsha James))
((Camera: Philip Alexiou))
((Editors: Philip Alexiou, Marsha James))
((Map: Baltimore, Maryland))
((Main characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((Sub characters: 2 male; 2 male))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
When I was early childhood, my mother would take me to my
uncles who were sharecroppers. They had mules and we
rode the mules and that was it. And then when we moved to
Baltimore, I got involved with Nixon’s Farm, where we did a
summer program and I got involved with the horses.
And that was in the early 60s and so I've been just at it ever
since.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
I had a favorite. It died and it was the genesis of this whole
program. The program is City Ranch and our mission is to
make horseback riding accessible and affordable to the inner
city, the Baltimore community that may not have the
opportunity to do it.
((NATS: Ahesahmahk Dahn and a Volunteer:
Well here, get, you know what the password, the code is,
right?))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Volunteer, City Ranch))
I’ve been here since February, so not too long, but I couldn't
imagine my life without horses. So, I'm very thankful to find
this place.
((Volunteer, City Ranch))
I love it. I wouldn't come here if I didn't.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
The one thing that I focus on is taking the horses to where
the children are,
((Photo Courtesy: City Ranch, YouTube))
because if they don't have financial resources, getting out
here, whether it's on a bus or an Uber or whatever the
current method of transportation is, is difficult. So, we want
to take the horses into their community.
((NATS))
((Danielle, Volunteer, City Ranch))
I really like being here at the farm. This is one of the most
accepted like places that I feel…Oh, I’m sorry
Bear...just because I've never really had a barn buddy until
came here and I've been riding for 10 years. Everyone here
is so nice and welcoming and I feel like a part of the family
even though I've only been here for a few months. And this
little dude is Lucky. Mr. Dahn was explaining how he was
born here and he came as a surprise so they named him
Lucky Surprise. And then this is Bear. I think he is one of our
oldest horses owned by the Ranch. I know you see my food.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
So, just letting it all hang out.
So, what got me involved since 2009 was, I was fresh out of
high school. I've always loved and worked with horses. And
when I went to Artscape in the summer of 2009, I was totally
encapsulated and Mr. Dahn was able to give me
that outlet. And I've been able to work with so many
students, so many children, so many adults and really, just
share my passion with other people.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Bear likes to have a very confident rider. Another reason
why I put you on because you seem like you have a lot of
confidence. Let him know what you want him to do. Talking
to him is very, very important. Remember, leg yield. I want to
see you be able to get him over those rails. There you
go. Get him to pick those feet up all the way
through. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Stop your horse.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Erin is a very knowledgeable person.
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Keep the pressure. Keep the pressure.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn))
She has taken on a lot of responsibility here. She knows the
program probably best than anybody else because she's
been here so long. And now she's doing the instructing,
working with the youth.
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Roll him up and turn him in, turn him in, turn him
in. Excellent. Pull him out.
((NATS))
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
A situation in life happened in our family that made me look
at what I was doing and how I could be a part of the solution,
what's going on in Baltimore as opposed to part of the
problem. And there were no horse programs. And I said,
“Well, you know, I ain’t the smartest guy in the world but I
know there's no competition.” So, it was an easy one to get
in and grow the business. And that's what has happened. No
other programs in Baltimore do
this. Right, Benji? Where are you going?
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch))
Let's get them all the way up top. Take that bit out and we
can give them some apples.
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch))
Okay. Creating an institution that outlasts me. When
I'm gone, there is still a City Ranch. It doesn’t necessarily
have to be the same name, but there's still an
equine program dedicated and focused toward the
community of Baltimore City.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Manhattan Life
((SOT))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He owes me 20 dollars. That's the one that owes me 20
dollars.
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) TIGER HOOD
((TRT: 6:00))
((Topic Banner: Capturing New York))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin))
((Editor: Kyle Dubiel))
((Map: New York City, New York))
((Main characters: 1 male))
((Sub characters: 2 female; 1 male))
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Come on baby. Ah, shucks. Real men ride pink bikes, baby.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
My name is Patrick Q.F. Barr. I'm a photographer,
photojournalist, restaurant worker and a urban golfer. I play
golf with milk containers.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
I don't know if you go through lights, but I do. I don't play golf
every day but I can play it whenever I like, which is the
beauty of it.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
As a photographer, what makes me stop and press the
button right away is, some shots are just, you know, it's
situational. So, it's just a feeling. It's instantaneous when you
just see something happening and you say, “Well, I got to
capture that for the record, you know.”
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Some shots are like that and some shots you have to really
like think about.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Are they going to be important in 20, 30 years, you know?
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
He owes me 20 dollars. That's the one that owes me 20
dollars. I remember seeing that car on McDougal. Couldn't
miss it with that damn paint job.
Are there any moments or photographs or situations that
have captured my interest?
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Well, wow. One of them is Sebastiamo, Sebastiamo Monte.
He was a restaurant owner on Bleecker street, 281 Bleecker
street, Osteria Fiorentina.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He used to stand out there all the time, you know, just
standing out there like, you know, just casually looking at
people, trying to pull into the restaurant. At night, I used to
walk by him all the time. But then, when I got serious about
the pictures again, I walked by him one day and I said, “You
know what man, you're beautiful. And I got to get a picture of
you one day.” And then I walked away. A couple of weeks
later, I saw him standing out there again and I just said, you
know, “Don't move.” As many times as I walked by him
before, when I saw him standing out there again, it got me
excited.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Another situation was when, when I was walking by the park
and I saw a fireball from the side of my eye and I said,
“Wow. Okay, I know who that is.”
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
And I haven't seen him in years. Tony “The Fireman” Vera.
And he's been entertaining people in the park for years. So,
when I saw that fireball from the side of my eye, which I
haven't seen in years, I said, “Wow, got to get that, got to get
him.” And you know, I was really lucky to get him because
that was his last week of performing in New York and he
retired after that.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
This guy was walking by when I was playing golf one day
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
and we got to talking and I got around to find out he was a
golfer and he has a really good swing.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Oh, you got to be kidding me. Snap out of it.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I got started playing golf when I found a golf club in a
garbage can
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
and I had a tennis ball on me. So, I started hitting the tennis
ball against a building that was under construction, but it
didn't come back down after a while because there was so
much scaffolding, and, you know, it just stopped and got
stuck someplace, but I didn't want to stop. I like the feeling of
swinging. And so I said, “Okay, I've got to find something
else to hit.” So, I got some milk containers and I just started
hitting them. And you know, it's better than hitting a ball
because they don't roll away.
((NATS))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Wow, look at you.
((Speaker 1))
Oh, I thought you were looking at me.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I am looking at you.
((Speaker 2))
What's in there? Can you tell us what's in there?
((Speaker 1))
Yes. This is a Senegal parrot.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I play golf with milk containers on the street. That's what
these are for. They're milk containers stuffed with
newspaper.
((Speaker 1))
Okay.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, photojournalist and street golfer))
And I hit them towards the box.
((Speaker 1))
I see.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. I go by the name, Tiger Hood.
((Speaker 1))
Very good.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
See, Tiger Hood.
((Speaker 1))
I hope you're as...well…
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
The name Tiger Hood, it was a no brainer, to be honest with
you. I mean, I'm in the neighborhood. So, one of my favorite
golfers, the favorite golfer of mine, Tiger.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and I came here when I was
four years old. I'm Jamerican. We lived in the Bronx,
Brooklyn, Queens, Strong Island for a while, moved down to
Atlanta, Florida and got homesick for New York, so I came
back.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Come on, come on, come on, come on. Follow me. Come
on, you got it, looking good baby, come on.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
The rules to street golf are just: Always be respectful, ABC -
Always be careful.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Playtime's over baby.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
I used to carry four cameras. Black and white, color, you
know. Like I would have
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
two Pentax K1000s or two Cannon AE1s, whichever one, I
would put black and white film in one, color film in another,
so I can compare the shots.
((NATS)
((Taco))
I think it's amazing.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Thank you.
((Taco))
I love the story which you are telling about like what inspired
this and that and who that man is.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. I appreciate that. Thanks. Yeah.
((Taco))
I'm just, yeah.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
He's going to be…
((Taco))
Never mind. I'm just a bit nosy.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
No, no, no. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Oh, Tiger Hood, NYC. Tiger Hood. Oh, yeah. Tiger Hood.
Yeah. I play golf with milk containers on the street. So, yeah.
((Taco))
Tiger Wood?
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Hood.
((Taco))
Oh, Hood.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah. Girl, I'm from the hood, man.
((Taco))
Oh, you're from the hood. I'm from the hood too.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Shoot. Okay, you're sure not Richmond?
((Taco))
The South African hood though. It's all the same. The hood
is all the same.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah.
((Taco))
So which one is you?
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
That's me kissing my mom on the cheek there on top. Yeah,
I think that would be it. And yeah, Patrick.
((Taco))
My name is Taco, by the way.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Nice to meet you, Taco.
((Taco))
Beautiful work.
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
Yeah, stay in touch.
((Photo Courtesy: Patrick Q.F. Barr))
((Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street Golfer))
My ultimate goal is to be a historian, photojournalist. When I
take a photograph, it's about truth. What you see is what it is.
((NATS: Patrick Q.F. Barr, Photojournalist, Street
Golfer))
Okay, come on now. Come on. Come on, baby. Playtime's
over. There we go. Woo. All right.
((NATS))
((PKG)) CONNECT WITH – OLIVIA DILLON
((TRT: 02:20))
((Topic Banner: Connect with – Olivia Dillon))
((Reporter/Camera: Arturo Martínez))
((Locater: Fallon, Nevada))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
I'm Olivia Dillon. I'm a fifth generation Nevadan. I am a
mechanical engineer, going to graduate school for ocean
sciences, to study oceanography and how microplastics are
affecting our world.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
Because of quarantine, I was able to come home and be
with my family, and for me, this year, one of the most
memorable moments that I will never forget is when I found
out I did have COVID. I did get COVID and that was very
significant because I felt like I was going through something
that a lot of people were afraid of. I was afraid of. My friend's
mother had passed from COVID so, there was a lot of fear
around getting it and not sure if you were going to end up in
the hospital the next day or if you were going to be okay.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
You kind of look back at your life and you think: Did I live to
the most extent? Do I have anything held back? Do I have
anything I need to say to a family or a friend? You know, just
in case this doesn't turn out well. I think if I ended up passing
away tomorrow, I would feel okay. I have done everything I
could, up until this day. So, it encourages me to continue to
live like that. So, I don't have any regrets.
((Olivia Dillon, Mechanical Engineer))
Also, this year, there was a lot of like fear. But I spent a lot of
time with myself and out in nature and I will cherish these
memories that I made this year more than anything.
You get a lot of joy out of doing the simple things: Growing
your own food, taking care of your animals. While I'm here,
it's a great opportunity to really connect with the Earth again.
((NATS))
CLOSING BUMPER ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
SHOW ENDS
