I recently had the pleasure of hearing from two of our 2021 George E. Jonas Scholarship recipients; Ian Christensen and Chelsea Beyrand. Read what they had to say about receiving the scholarship below:
Ian Christensen CRS ‘15
My name is Ian Christensen and I had the great pleasure of representing Colorado, USA at Camp Rising Sun Clinton in 2015. Raised up in Denver, my experiences at CRS inspired me to go on to pursue an international education attending art school in Italy and later joining the Paris Institute for Political Studies where I majored in Politics & Government in the Middle East and North Africa. I would later join a dual degree programme with Columbia University, from which I just graduated with a degree in Sustainable Development. I am currently searching for internships and jobs in the energy transition and environmental conservation sectors while preparing applications for graduate fellowships such as the Luce and Schwarzman scholarships in East Asia.
The George E. Jonas Scholarship was an enormous aid to my life on several levels. Combining GEJ with the five side jobs I was working, I was able to fully pay off one of my largest student loans long before graduating! But perhaps more impactful was the reflection I had while preparing my application. What had I actually accomplished since camp? What values or lessons have I carried with me through the years? During such an unprecedented time we’re in, I realized that I had forgotten myself a bit in all the commotion. Putting my mind back into the safe and introspective spaces of tent talks and evening programmes grounds me, and reminds me of what we (the brothers and sisters that mark the legacy of Mr. Jonas himself) are meant to do on this earth.
I encourage anyone considering applying to think about how your behavior or attitude may have changed since camp…what has inspired you to carry on these last few years? What little things have you done to ease others’ burdens or to spread positivity? I certainly didn’t invent any new medicine or solve world peace to be proud of where I’ve come, where I’m going, and to know that I was deserving of this award. You are too!
Chelsea Beyrand Stendis ‘07
My name is Chelsea Beyrand and I attended camp in Stendis in 2007. Since camp, I have been able to serve on the Health & Safety Committee and attend the 2019 Alumni Reunion in Denmark. After completing my undergraduate degree at Boston College and my graduate degree at Columbia University, I have found myself back in school at the University of Minnesota getting my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia. After spending the last four years working in pediatric critical care, I decided to further my nursing education and transition into the role of becoming an anesthesia provider. Going into surgery can be a very frightening and vulnerable time for patients and their friends/ families so I hope to be able to be an advocate and support system for patients and keep them safe throughout their surgery or procedure. My long term goal is to be able to work in disaster relief and aid in providing emergency surgeries in critical situations.
Receiving the GEJ scholarship was just one more way camp has continued to support me in my development in the 15 years since I attended camp. It was a reminder that I have a strong community behind me that not only believes in me but wants to support me as I continue to advance my education.
The advice I have for younger students is twofold-- to give yourself time to explore your interests and to be open to the twists that may come your way. My undergraduate degree was in comparative theology. It was only after working in Namibia and being exposed to inequities in women's health that I became interested in healthcare and decided to go back to school to pursue a career in nursing. If you had asked me at 18 if I wanted to be a nurse, I would have vehemently said no. Alas, here I am completing a doctoral degree in a field I have become so passionate about.
I also urge current campers/ recent alumni to remember there is a vast alumni community within CRS that is eager to support you and serve as resources or mentors. If you're interested in a career and want to learn more about what it is like working in that field, it is safe to say we likely have an alumni in that specialty or someone will have a resource to connect you with. The CRS community is truly an incredible group to be a part of and I am so thankful to have attended camp back in 2007 and all the opportunities that have followed.
To learn more and apply for the George E. Jonas Scholarship for Undergrad and Graduate students currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program, click here:
The deadline to apply is June 20th.