How Conner Prairie Shaped my Journey
Growing up in Hamilton County, Conner Prairie was more than just a museum, it was a place woven into my childhood. I spent countless hours there with my family, on school field trips, and at summer camps. It was a space where I felt connected to history, nature, and creativity. So when I learned I could become a Youth Volunteer, I knew I wanted to be part of it, but I had no idea how influential it would be for my life.
Early Disappointment and a Lesson in Resilience
My older sister had already been part of the Youth Volunteer program and eventually became both a Youth Agriculture Captain (YAC) and a spinning team captain. I looked up to her and the community she had found. I wanted to follow in her footsteps, so I applied as soon as I could.
But my first application didn’t go the way I’d hoped. I was ten at the time and I was shy, quiet, and nervous during the interview. A few weeks later, my mom got notice that I hadn’t been selected. I was devastated.
Still, something in me held onto the dream. I reapplied the following year, this time at eleven, with a little more determination and a lot of heart. That year, I was accepted, and I’m so grateful I didn’t give up.
A Place to Grow
When I first arrived as a volunteer, I was nervous and unsure of myself. I remember sitting quietly during training, worried I wouldn’t fit in or make connections, especially since so many people already knew my sister. I feared I’d be compared to her or struggle to find my own place.
But Conner Prairie quickly showed me that this was a place where everyone could belong. The staff and other volunteers welcomed me as I was and helped me grow into who I could become.
Over the next several years, I gained confidence, discovered new interests, and stepped far outside my comfort zone. I learned how to interact with guests of all ages, ask questions, and take initiative. I started in Animal Encounters, helping with daily chores and animal care, and eventually expanded into Prairietown interpretation and the textiles program.
Unexpected Passions
One of the biggest surprises for me was how much I came to love spinning and weaving. At first, it felt intimidating. Spinning looked so effortless when others did it, but I quickly learned how challenging it was. Still, I kept going to trainings, built my skills, and soon it became something I looked forward to.
I eventually joined a youth spinning team, completed at the State Fair Sheep to Shawl competition, and later became an assistant captain, and then a full captain. That role gave me the chance to help train new youth, organize team plans, design our pattern, and lead practices. I even became the team’s weaver, and weaving quickly became one of my favorite things. It gave me a creative outlet and a way to relax and reset, something I didn’t expect to find at a living history museum.
I also became a YAC and dove deeper into the world of agriculture and veterinary science. I helped care for animals, led trainings, and learned from mentors who challenged and supported me. Through both programs, I developed strong leadership skills, built a sense of responsibility, and discovered how much I enjoy teaching and mentoring others.
Beyond Conner Prairie
The skills I gained at Conner Prairie, like public speaking, leadership, and problem-solving, prepared me for one of the most important decisions of my life: attending the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. This public residential high school challenged me in every way and helped me grow into a confident leader.
And once again, Conner Prairie played a role in that journey.
My sister’s YAC friend, Rachael Moore, now Conner Prairie’s Agriculture Experience Manager and an alum of the Academy, introduced me to the school. Her support gave me the confidence to apply and ultimately attend. Without that connection, I may never have found the place that shaped my future.
A Full-Circle Moment
My junior year at the Academy, my guidance counselor shared an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program. It’s a competitive eight-week internship for students passionate about community service, including a trip to Washington, D.C. I applied that year but wasn’t selected.
I’m no longer the timid eleven-year-old afraid to speak up. I’m someone who has led teams, spoken in front of crowds, lived away from home, and pursued big dreams. And it all started at a place that believed in young people and gave me the space to grow.
Much like my first Conner Prairie application, I didn’t let that be the end of the story.
I reapplied as a senior, this time with stronger leadership experience and a deeper commitment to service—and I was accepted. What I didn’t know at the time, but was thrilled to learn, was that I’d be placed at Conner Prairie for my internship.
Eight years after submitting my very first application to be a youth volunteer, I returned as a Student Leader to the place where my passion for service began. After years of volunteering, mentoring, and growing here, it truly felt like a full-circle moment.
Why It Matters
Conner Prairie has shaped my life in more ways than I can count. It’s where I learned to fail and try again. It’s where I discovered hidden interests and strengths. It’s where I became a leader and found a second home.
To anyone thinking about volunteering or getting involved, I can’t recommend it enough. This place changes lives.