Waves of Potential

By: Cora Davis, Communications Director

Hillary is in front of their tall ship while she and her team clean and work on repairs in Savannah, Georgia.

Hillary has a gift for seeing the potential in something and making it better. She worked at a bike shop and has even fixed her own car. When she served with NDMV at the World Ocean Center, she channeled those gifts into helping students with their untapped potential.

“I think there are a lot of valuable experiences you can gain from this that you wouldn't get anywhere else,” Hilary said. 

A day in the life of an NDMV member at the World Ocean Center can look like spending the day cleaning and tending to the tall ship, working with students, and using the ship as a classroom to create dynamic learning experiences. Hilary could have a couple of day classes with 5th and 6th-grade students. She could also have a weeklong program with high school students. 

Hilary believes that while the students learn about tall ships and sailing, what they are really learning is much more profound.

“You know, [the students learn about] sailing and tying knots and this and that. But really, what they're gaining from this experience is a new perspective. I think they gain confidence. I think they gain a belief that they can achieve more than they thought they could.”

Hillary has had some once-in-a-lifetime experiences throughout her service year. One night, she was working the night shift during a longer excursion and got to watch a rocket launch. “There's a lot of nights like that on transit, but I think that night sticks out in my mind as, like, one of those things that add to so many little experiences that you can only get being out here on the ocean, on this boat, with these people that I care about.”

Hillary has been letting the wind lead her sail through life. She’s grateful that she had this opportunity and found it to be very gratifying. When asked what she loved about the experience, she said, “I like the aspect that there's the sense of teaching and feeling that you're making an impact on other people's lives…I feel like it’s an environment where I feel like I'm learning a lot. I feel like I'm growing and helping other people grow, and I think that's really satisfying.”

Hillary has undoubtedly received her service year as a gift. We hope she can see the gift she has been in her students’ lives.

“I appreciate the fact that I’m here,” she said with joy.