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Michael Hayes

Tia Shoemaker said living in Alaska can be a "humbling experience."

Experiences with discomfort often lead to reward.

That was the message delivered during Monday’s All-School Meeting by guest speaker Tia Shoemaker. Shoemaker, an Alaskan native, pilot, writer, and hunting guide (within her family-owned Grizzly Skins of Alaska guiding company), recalled a childhood living in the remote area of the Alaska Peninsula, detailing her encounters with bears and other wild animals, as well as a harrowing experience landing a plane after its engine had failed. 

“There’s nothing comfortable in moments like that, but all of these experiences of discomfort and reward helped prepare me for the life that I wanted, and shaped who I am today,” she told students.

Shoemaker spent time answering students' questions in Ms. Mahoney's Environmental Science class.

A conservationist, Shoemaker also touched briefly on the controversial Pebble Mine, a proposed open-pit mine located near Alaska’s Bristol Bay. Shoemaker has worked in recent years to raise awareness about the potential negative environmental impacts of the plan to extract gold, copper and molybdenum from the mine.

During her visit to campus, Shoemaker spent time with Ms. Mahoney’s Environmental Science class. The students asked Shoemaker questions about her day-to-day life, from her ability to balance hunting and working to her usage of social media while living in such a remote area.

While observing the beauty of Berkshire's campus, Shoemaker encouraged students to explore the outdoors whenever possible.

“Your school motto, ‘Learning­–not just for school, but for life,’ I love that. It resonates with me. Because when you step out in nature, even just outside of your comfort zone, you’re not just learning for that single moment. You’re equipping yourself with skills and wisdom, you’re going to carry that for the rest of your life.”

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ABOUT TIA SHOEMAKER