Category: Eminent 2021-2022

Eminent Person Interview – The Reflection

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get an interview for my eminent person this year. I did, however, get an interview for my pervious eminent person this year before I changed, so this really changed and helped me make up for not getting an interview.  

I think that first of all, I should’ve been more open-minded when looking for a person to interview. I tunnel visioned on people who were close with my eminent person and didn’t think about reaching out to someone who maybe wrote a few articles or blog posts about him. It was only after the due date for getting an interview when I found someone on the Alpinist blog site who had written many many great posts on Marc Andre. Part of the problem with tunnel visioning on these people was that they were really hard to get a hold of and required a bit more work to contact. Not only this but I was also so nervous about reaching out to people that it took a lot of convincing to get myself to send emails. If I ever have to reach out to people for interviews, I will definitely be more open-minded and hopefully confident. 

However, as I mentioned before, I was able to get a better view on what the interview gave insight on with my previous eminent person. I was doing Louisa May Alcott before Marc-Andre and I did an interview with a professor from Kansas State University who studies Alcott’s work. I was so nervous for the interview and had originally just wanted to get it over with, but as I did the interview and reflected on it later on, I realized just how valuable the interview was. Talking with someone about something they’re passionate about is really inspiring and makes you more interested in that person. He was really interested and genuine in his love for Alcott’s books and message that it inspired me as well.  

With this in mind, I had a better idea of what I had to do to make up for not having and interview for Leclerc. I know that I needed to get a view of him through the eyes of people who knew him, were inspired by him or were apart of his life. I went looking for a lot of resources where there were people talking and giving their opinions of what kind of a person he was like. People like his close friends and girlfriend were really helpful in this. I also looked for more videos of him and about him. I found that I was able to learn a lot more about a person when watching them interact and talk than I could on a few words on paper. One really big resource to me was the documentary, The Alpinist. In the documentary, not only do they talk about his accomplishments, but also his impact on other people, his personal life and countless interviews with other famous mountaineers about Marc-Andre. I found that out of anything I connected most with him through watching the documentary.  

 

Eminent Introductory – Marc-André Leclerc!

“When I’m in the mountains, life is so incredibly simple” – Marc-André Leclerc (Mortimer & Rosen, 2021) 

Marc-André was making breakthroughs and records in the mountaineering world, and almost no one knew. It wasn’t just his outstanding achievements that drew me in however, but it was his attitude and view on life that I felt a strong connection to. It was interesting to learn that he learned by going outdoors and doing as well. He was someone who did not enjoy learning in the classroom, and I can relate to that. Marc also learned a lot by figuring out skills and puzzles on his own through his rock climbing and hiking. I find that its easier (and more fun) to learn that way as well. As learners I think we both are ambitious in our passions and goals. Marc and I both love the outdoors. He was a solo climber who would spend weeks out in the woods camping and climbing with his girlfriend, while I on the other hand will jump at any chance of hiking I can get. He has a connection and love for being up on the mountains and alpines that I can really connect with. Although I have not climbed many huge mountains in my day, I am hoping that I one day will climb many. We were also both raised in a family who encouraged our passions , which I am thankful for.

For one, I feel that Marc is a pretty determined person. He has a goal in mind and works and figures out ways to achieve that, which I try to do as well. He was a resourceful person and worked with what he had at the time. This is think is something that I both have, and try to work on. On both levels I think Marc André and I are both generally happy people, we both want to experience and explore. Part of what Marc-André does is what I want to do in TALONS. He pursues his passions and goals for the sake of himself and his love for it, not for the approval or fame of someone else. He climbed because he found true enjoyment in it, the exploration of it all being his drive. I’d like to pursue my own passions in TALONS and explore and experience as much as I can.  Marc is a technically trained climber, which I am most definitely not. While I may be your average hiker, I have no experience in climbing or mountaineering like he has. I have a pretty good amount of knowledge in technical climbing, and a close enough connection with the sport. I am also not able to connect with him as much because he is a guy. While I don’t identify with being a dude, I don’t think that gender really has an impact on the subject and areas I would be looking at. 

Marc is mainly known for his mind-blowing winter solos of Torre Egger in Patagonia, and the Emperor Face of Mount Robson in which he was the first. In his lifetime he was doing all sorts of crazy climbs and adventures solo that he was inspiring and shocking people all over the world. Marc will be known for his crazy solos for sure, but it is his story and the impact that he left on those around him that will remain as well. In the documentary about him, The Alpinist, they talk about not only his achievements, but interviewed those who met him, all of which who said he left a positive and fresh impact. His ding on the universe will be his attitude and story. Drugs were pretty harmful to his passions and ultimate goal. He also struggled to get started when the education system didn’t work with him. All he wanted to do was get up and move when he was stuck in a desk to the point where he was homeschooled for a while.  Through these struggles however, it was ultimately the people who surrounded and supported him who got him through. His mom Michelle and girlfriend Brette really pushed him past those challenges. 

I think he’s worth remembering because he was so full of life. He didn’t make an effort himself to put his name out there despite his success, so I would be honoured to share his story! Especially since he died so young at the age of twenty-five, I think he deserves remembering. He was someone who truly loved what he was doing and the world around him. If we can learn anything from him, it would be to love our own world and push ourselves for the sake of ourselves. 

 

Next, I think I would like to learn more about his achievements and maybe parts of his adulthood/right out of high school. I think that would be really interesting. I also want to re-watch the documentary again, that was cool.  

 

References

Mortimer, P. & Rosen, N. (Directors). (2021). The Alpinist [Film]. Red Bull Media House & Sender Films. 

Franz, D. (2018). Marc-Andre Leclerc Remembered. Alpinist. http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web18w/wfeature-marc-andre-leclerc-remembered

Eminent Practice Peer Interviews – the Reflection!

Peer interviews this year were much different compared to previous years. It was a strange experience having to talk to your classmates in such a professional setting. For one, we were paired with people who we aren’t as close with to interview. If I’m being honest, I had talked to my interview partner and group quite a lot before hand, so I wasn’t as nervous as I would’ve been. This did make it a bit stranger though because I was so used to talking to them in casual conversation, it felt strange to have to ask about their school and personal life. 

 Starting the interview, I didn’t feel very prepared either. I wish I could’ve thought a bit more about my questions beforehand. The questions that I prepared either felt too personal or too base level, so next time I want to take the time to really think about the questions I wanted to ask before. It also took my group a while to start our interviews. We didn’t really know how to start them and who was supposed to interview who. This resulted in us starting a bit late and running a bit late as well. There was also a problem with how we were all going to sit in the interview. Since there were four of us in the small, cramped area of the hallway, we took a bit to adjust and find the perfect seating arrangement. Eventually, we found that it was best if we faced our interview partners and had the ‘critique-er’ diagonally. This especially worked because we were able to see the other persons’ face and how they were responding to the questions (well, as much of their face that we could see).  

During the interviews, I found that I really much preferred being the one interviewed rather than the interviewer. This may be my narcissism talking, but it was so much more comfortable and easier to talk about something you definitely know about, yourself. When being interviewed by my partner, I tried to make it as comfortable for them. I answered the questions as directly as possible and would make small talk and small jokes too. My partners’ questions were really well articulated, and it made the interview process all the better. It was very strange to have to have a one-on-one conversation with someone and have two other people there watching and taking notes.  

When I was the one interviewing, I immediately felt more nervous. The pressure of having someone take notes on your performance, and someone answering the questions that you’re coming up with was something I had not felt before. When I was interviewing my partner, I sometimes felt like I was so worried about saying the wrong thing, pausing and stumbling over my words, or asking a dumb question that it was hard to focus on actually taking in what the person was saying. I remember focusing so hard on having a point that the person was saying that I could later inquire or expand upon, that I almost couldn’t hear the rest of what they were saying. I don’t think this was very good as the point of the interview is to take in the information that the person was saying. I also found that I would overdo some parts in an effort to show that I was listening. I would sometimes monopolize the conversation by talking and responding to the person so much that it felt more like a conversation than an interview. I think next time I should overall just calm down and chill before interviewing, as I do pretty stupid things when I’m nervous.  

When critiquing the interviews, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge just by watching them interact. I was watching my critique partner interview their partner, and I was able to notice what they could improve on and how that could also apply to my own interview skills. For example, I learned a lot about long winded and layered questions than I ever would have just listening to myself interview someone else. It was also very strange to have to listen in on a one sided conversation. I kept feeling like I should be contributing but then catching myself and remembering that it was in fact an interview. I definitely also was able to gain a lot of know-how just by critiquing someone else.  

The interviews in whole were a good experience I think. I felt a lot more confident in my interview skill afterwards and am less worried about interviewing a complete stranger. Plus, now I know a bit more about my fellow classmates! 

Intro Blog Post – The Reflection!

Commenting and looking through other blog posts this year was not only interesting, but also really helpful towards my own learning! I really enjoyed reading through the posts and finding out more about my peers and their interests, I think that it’s always really cool to listen to someone talk about their passions. I was able to learn a bit more about my classmates as well, even the ones I have known for a year now. By reading though the blogs, I was able to get ideas and inspirations for what to research next or how to write/format my next posts. It was especially the comments and the helpful criticism that I will definitely keep in mind for the future. I appreciated the sense of community that looking and commenting on blogs posts brought! By reading and commenting, it felt like we were all in the same boat and working towards this common goal, even though we had all such different people and passions. Some people in my group didn’t have their post up, which made it difficult to comment on, and it was also a bit disjointed and unorganized getting everyone in my small group to post their blog posts on teams. I think next time, I will definitely be more organized with my group, and I will have so many new ideas and inspiration for my next blog post! 

Louisa May Alcott – Introductory Blog Post

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“I want to do something splendid…
Something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead…
I think I shall write books.” (Alcott, 1868, Chapter 13 p. 4)

 

Not only did Louisa May Alcott change the world with her books, but she was also an inspiring and passionate individual. Alcott’s words and writing were what drew me in at first. The way that she expressed emotions with the most poetic words was so perfect and comforting to me.  She also had a passion for her writing, whether it be in poetry or writing novels. Although I lack the novels to show, I too have a passion for writing and poetry! Louisa May and I both enjoyed running outside and spending time playing outdoors. Her family was big on education and exercise as well. She believed strongly in women’s rights, which is something that I have a passion for. Alcott was also a creative person when it came to coming up with stories. I would like to think myself creative when it comes to making art or music too. She was determined to write, and wrote many of her main characters as strong, independent women. I can relate to this determination, although not in my writing, but through the way I can get really caught up in a task that I want to succeed in and get done.  

“Let us be elegant or die!” – Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Louisa May was a strong person who didn’t have a care for what others thought of her. She had a passion for running outside, writing, and stood up for feminism all when it was looked down upon to do so. Her writing inspired many people as I hope to inspire others, and I can only hope to be as strong and confident as Louisa May! The way that she did what she loved without the fear of judgement stopping her is what I aspire to do every day.  One way that Alcott and I might diverge is that fact that she did what she did for the money. She grew up in a poor household and as a result was motivated by the thought of money. While this may be a generational or time sensitive topic, I can understand Louisa’s motivations. I think that it is perfectly reasonable to have to do something for the sake of money (and I am very lucky to not be in that situation). I think putting yourself into different shoes is always beneficial to expanding your perspective and understanding of the world however. I look forward to being able to compare and contrast the different worldviews and motivations that Louisa and I have! 

 

 

Louisa May Alcott changed the way people in her time looked at women through her books. The writing of her novels like “Little Women” used realistic representations of women that reached out to many at the time. Her characters spoke to many people personally and changed the way women were wrote in novels, and thought of in society.  Louisa’s most famous book “Little Women”, thought published in 1868, has never failed to speak to the present generations. Despite its age, the novel tells realistic and relatable characters for young women of every age. People find themselves in the books and its world, making it a childhood story for people around the world. The books and iterations of the story have been popular and beloved up since 1868, and will continue to be! As a female writer in a predominantly male dominated society, Alcott had her work cut out for her. Her stories of unmarried, headstrong women did not fit in with the married housewife that existed in the stories at the time. Between caring for her family, sickness, and being financially stable, Alcott managed to find the time to write. Alcott, though she loved writing, needed money. She had the idea that if she was richer, she would be much happier.  

Louisa May spoke to so many people long after her death through her writing. She was way ahead of her time in terms of her views on what women should be allowed to do. I think that anyone who manages to still speak to those tens of tens of years after they die, had something special about them.  Not only did Alcott manage to outlive herself through writing, but she also stood up for feminism, anti-slavery and taking a run outside in the 1800’s! I think she stands for doing what you love without caring about others. Her books are a triumphant tribute to life and love and all the hardships that come with that we can all learn from.  

For the next phase of my research, I want to try and read through the book Little Women, or read another one of Louisa May’s pieces. I will probably not finish either, but I would like to get started on them. I also think that looking deeper into the personal life of Louisa May such as family and youth would be interesting. There is a lot of emphasis on her famous works, but I would like to know a bit more about her life before.

Citations 

Quotes 

Alcott, L.M. (1868) Little Women. Roberts Brothers 

Other Sources 

Norwood, A.R. (2017). Louisa May Alcott. National Women’s History Museum. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/louisa-may-alcott 

Brockell, G. (2019) Girls Adored ‘Little Women.’ Louisa May Alcott did not. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/12/25/girls-adored-little-women-louisa-may-alcott-did-not/ 

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