Alumni Spotlight

To end the summer, we’ve featured six alumni across five semesters of Gap at Glen Brook. We’re proud of the unique traits they each bring! Read below about Zoe, Sofie, Anya, Carmen, Lucas, and Monty.

ZOE BRODSKY, FALL ‘15 

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY: Reflection time alone in the woods was special to me. I remember sitting on a particular rock looking out on a field, and if I stayed still enough I could get a few chipmunks to scurry right by my feet. 
MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW: Learning how to spend time on my own. Previously I had always made sure to surround myself with people, but Gap showed me how to spend time with myself. 
FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS: The ferns! 
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN 10 YEARS: I hope to just be starting a family, hopefully in a rural area with beautiful scenery. I see myself dancing, teaching dance, and working in the outdoors. 
ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY: A beautiful sunrise or sunset, or the way the sky looks after rain clears. 

SOFIE SCHMIDT, SPRING ‘17

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY:
Snuggling in on the couch with a giant bowl of our own homemade chili after cross-country skiing all morning in the woods, and dancing to ‘Sometimes it Snows in April’ by Prince – we had woken up to a beautiful blanket of fresh snow on April 1st!
MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW:
My 48-hour fasting solo in the woods forced me to surrender and let go of many things that were suddenly out of my control. This was scary, but ultimately liberating – letting go allowed me to create more space for new thoughts, feelings, and realizations to take hold. 
FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS:
Tiny pink mushrooms that grow in twos!
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN TEN YEARS:
 Living somewhere unexpected, and being a mom.
ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY:
The way concrete smells when it rains.
ONE SHORT QUOTE, POEM OR SONG YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE: “…little by little, as you left their voice behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world… determined to save the only life that you could save.”
-Mary Oliver, The Journey

ANYA ZIMMERMAN-SMITH, FALL ‘16

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY:
The portage we did on our canoe trip. It was so hard, I pushed myself in ways I hadn’t before and it was so rewarding. The difficulty of the experience brought our group together in a really great way.
MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW:
Trying to engage in conversation with fellow gappers who had different world and life views in productive ways.
FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS:
Ferns!
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN TEN YEARS:
Managing a community space with workshops, community events, singing, dancing, baking, intentional communication classes, yoga, farming, children, everything! 

ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY:
Smelling cheese :)

ONE SHORT QUOTE, POEM OR SONG YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin

CARMEN LEVIN, SPRING ‘18

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY:
My favorite Gap at Glen Brook memory would be taking morning walks to watch the sunrise. It was always beautiful especially after a big snow storm.
FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS:
Porcupine….or owl!
MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW:
My solo trip. On the second day I was freezing and soaked and I had to decide if I was going to go back to camp and that was really difficult!
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN TEN YEARS:
I honestly have no idea! Possibly working on a farm, possibly traveling, probably exploring new places and meeting new people.
ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY:
Puddles and pancakes
ONE SHORT QUOTE, POEM OR SONG YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE:
“Everybody’s free (to wear sunscreen)” -Baz Luhrmann, The “Sunscreen Song” 

LUCAS SMITH, FALL ‘17

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY:
Laying in a field watching the stars debating the Spice Girls 

MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW:
Being a leader on the camping trip 

FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS:
The random pheasant that came in to my camp and would not leave
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN TEN YEARS:
Who knows but it should be fun
ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY:
Pineapple

MONTY STEWART, FALL ‘15

FAVORITE GAP AT GLEN BROOK MEMORY:
The best writing classes one could ever take!
Wandering the woods and listening to Nirvana.
Making an epic 3.5 hour playlist with my best friend, DB.
Some really great naps.
MOMENT ON GAP THAT FORCED ME TO GROW:
At the end of the semester, when we were gathered about the fire, sharing the things we had learned. I realized that instead of gaining something, I had let go of things that were holding me back. And that was more valuable than any lesson one could ever teach in school or anywhere else. This empowered being I had wished to be had, not materialized before my eyes, but was just beginning to step into being. I have been on the path ever since.
FAVORITE CREATURE OF THE GLEN BROOK WOODS:
The GROG.
WHAT YOU GUESS YOU’LL BE DOING IN TEN YEARS:
Writing novels. Teaching, hopefully--I'd love to design a college course based around the topic of world religions.
ONE LITTLE THING THAT MAKES YOU VERY HAPPY:
Girls. Philosophy and girls.
ONE SHORT QUOTE, POEM OR SONG YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE:
The Romans didn't say "please" like we do. Instead, they said, "Amabo Te", which means "I will love you". So love you I shall, whoever you are!