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Grad shares his field of dreams

The environmental magnet program at Hudson’s Bay High School has opened fascinating fields of study (literally) for Shawn Gist, a 2008 Bay graduate. He treks through cow pastures and fields for his research. Shawn is so enthralled with the opportunities he’s discovering, he used his spring break to fly from New York to Vancouver to share his story with Bay students in the ACES (Architecture, Construction, Environmental Services) program.

As a high school freshman, Shawn entered the magnet program at Hudson’s Bay, then called Habitat Planning/Civil Engineering. He soon developed an interest in biology and the environmental sciences. He was one of the original planners for the school’s hydroelectric project. “It started as an idea on a napkin,” said teacher Steve Lorenz. “It was Shawn’s napkin.”

In his senior year, Shawn’s family moved to New York, but Shawn stayed behind with his grandmother so he could graduate from Hudson’s Bay. Shawn then entered Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York.

For the past three summers, Shawn has been involved in environmental research. One project has led to another, and those projects have brought scholarships, allowing him to continue his education. He’s now been accepted into Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Ithaca, New York, where he’s hoping to get an undergraduate internship to help finance the costs.

On April 22, Shawn was at Hudson’s Bay speaking to students in Advanced Natural Resources, Advanced Horticulture, and Advanced Design Technology. “What I learned in books, I’m now using in research every day,” he said. “You can apply what you’re learning now to college classes and the field.”

In a PowerPoint presentation, he shared photos and charts depicting his research. He’s studied ammonium nitrate’s effect on plants, contaminated streams, and plant viruses. “You work to solve problems, research what’s been done in similar situations, try things out, test and test again,” he said.

He’s surveyed property and taken preventative measures to avoid plant contamination from aphids. Sometimes his job involves talking to property owners to explain the purpose and get permission. This summer he will work with farmers on good agricultural practices and food safety.

“The basic horticulture I learned here at Bay I’m now using and making $15 an hour,” he told students.

He’s found that environmental research, if presented well, can fund new research and scholarships. He had just received a scholarship based on his Plum Pox virus work. “You must be able to explain your ideas,” he told the class. “You have to go out and present research to keep projects funded. Get passionate about what you’re doing.”

As Shawn shared portfolios of his work, he suggested: “Show them your work. Let them see something tangible. Have something that shows processes, start to finish.”

After the session, Romel Taruc Sarchi hung back to quiz Shawn a bit more about his projects. Romel, a sophomore studying Advanced Design Technology and Advanced Horticulture, is part of a team developing a “green” roof (planting of drought-resistant plants on top of a building to reduce energy costs) at Hudson’s Bay.

In the ACES program, ideas and projects build on one another. “We are always designing and creating,” said Lorenz. “We’re always looking for work experience and internships for students.”

With perspective, Shawn now has a better appreciation of his high school studies. They’ve led to amazing opportunities in science and environmental fields. “It’s good to keep an open mind,” he said.