On March 3^rd, students gathered in Daniels Auditorium, seeking seats next to classmates. Melanie Gajewski, who graduated Nichols College in 2014, stood at the front of the room. The projector screen lowered behind her and everyone went quiet.

For the past three years, Dr. Mauri Pelto, Nichols College professor and NASA recognized glaciologist, and Melanie have worked together to create videos for the college. Following graduation, Melanie was given an amazing opportunity: Dr. Pelto asked her to join his research team on the North Cascades Mountain Range this past summer. She was part of a five-person team that traveled across glaciers and collected scientific data regarding glacial melt and recession. Dr. Pelto has directed the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project since 1984, charting trips to predesignated glaciers each year. Melanie was specifically recruited to be the videographer, taping the overall day-to-day experiences as well as scientific research. She prepared for six months prior to the expedition, going to Wachusett Mountain and practicing self-arrest techniques as well as improving her hiking abilities. She was excited for the trip, but had no idea what it truly had in store.

“I thought I was just going to go out there, hike a mountain, climb some ice. I didn’t think I’d learn so much about myself,” Melanie told the audience. During her journey, she connected with nature, even writing a book about her thoughts, experiences and revelations.

The end result was an amazing video, chronicling their trip to Washington State and their two-week journey across the glacier. I have known both Melanie and Professor Pelto for a few years now, and following their riveting presentation I only had one question: Where do I sign up? No amount of words can describe the beautiful mountain imagery: click here to watch and enjoy for yourself.

Nichols College had the honor of welcoming Jesko von den Steinen to campus on February 28, 2015. Jesko is a professional actor, clown, choreographer, filmmaker and creative designer. He mainly lives in Berlin, Germany and Montreal, Canada, but he travels around the world speaking to others about his experiences, especially with The House of Dancing Water, the world’s largest water-based performing arts show.

Jesko decided at age 14 he wanted to be an actor. He went right to college after high school; two years into college he received a call from Cirque Du Soleil telling him they had a position for him. This is a dream for any young man or woman who wishes to pursue a career in theatre. He told them he wanted to finish college and then he would join.

During his time at Cirque Du Soleil, Jesko worked as a clown. He knew that he did not want to be a clown forever, that he wanted to do something bigger. The economic crisis of 2008 caused him trouble; work was scarce. Luckily he received a call from City of Dreams Corporation to join The House of Dancing Water. He currently plays the lead role, “The Stranger,” and has been working with them for five years.

Jesko inspired us to make goals that are within our reach and goals that are far-fetched. He told us that if we have a dream, then we should make it reality! It is to be expected we will fail many times before we succeed.

Jesko’s TED Talk from October 2014 is available to watch HERE!

The Hoeys are your average Irish family. In fact all of our names are Irish: Patrick, Sean, Catherine, Robert, and Mary. Saint Patrick’s Day is also referred to as St. Paddy’s Day, and to me, it’s the most important holiday ever. As St. Paddy’s Day approaches, many people are decked out in green to show their true Irish pride. Even if you aren’t Irish, you are for that one-day of the year: March 17. Our Irish heritage is something we value and cherish in the Hoey household.

Every morning on Saint Patrick’s Day there is always candy on the counter for my brothers and me. As children, my parents used to tell us about the leprechauns and how they would come into the house at night and leave candy. We also always go to the parade in Worcester. When we were younger, we would go out in our Irish sweaters made by our friend in Ireland. Sadly, our sweaters no longer fit considering they were made many years ago when we were just kids.

On Saint Patrick’s Day, both of my grandmas visit and my mom makes corned beef and cabbage. She makes so much of it that for the whole next week we have corned beef sandwiches, or just left over corned beef every night for dinner. If you have never tried it before, I highly suggest you do; it will change your life forever. We only eat it once a year, so I look forward to this day from March 18 until March 17 the next year.

This year, I attended the Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday March 15^th in Boston with my friends from home. We were ready in our greenest Irish pride garb! It was cold, but, regardless we still had a lot of fun. Then today, Saint Patrick’s Day, we will have our annual home cooked corned beef and cabbage meal with my family.

I look forward to seeing how everyone celebrates St. Paddy’s Day with your Instagram and Twitter posts. I also hope the leprechauns are good to you!