“Obroni!” It means white person or foreigner, during my 5 month stay in Ghana I heard that word more than I heard the word ‘Arete’ in 2007. I recently returned from studying abroad at the University of Ghana, Legon in West Africa. I didn’t know why I was going

Maya Normandie brings forth that confrontation with the numinous (the sacred) that had been a continuous encounter on ourArete trips. Sometimes, as in 1993, it was so overwhelming that "hysterical" reactions frightened two of the girls. Sometimes it took a student back to meaningful moments of earlier religious

Tracy Durnell has helped administratively with time and computer expertise over the years since her 2003 trip with Arete. Full of fight, substance, she has emerged as a strong and dependable leader. Here, in her essay, we gain a personal glimpse into the world that she sees today, her boldness

Callie Anderson, of Arete 2009, has been studying in Switzerland and traveling since graduating from Drake. Her essay tells of an early grasp of extended arête, how it defines and expands a lifetime of challenges. Photos - Callie about to ride on a camel, standing on the remains of the

Jenny Marshall was the youngest on the 2007 Arete trip, but her essays during the nine months of preparation were most impressive. She wrote beyond her years. Jenny is still "the youngest" when you consider her being a freshman at the University of California, Santa Barbara, yet having

Emma Fazio was a member of Arete 2003. We can let her photograph justify my having called her, 'the Apache.' In addition to her beautiful appearance, Emma was continuously supportive of minority groups, passionate about social justice. A 300 meter hurdler and member of our mile relay team

Jason Kintzel of Arete '91 was a combination of IQ and emotional trauma. Our future Arete web site chief engineer was a full dose participant in the history, archaeology and fun, the laughter and appreciation of incredible beauty that we experienced, when he wasn't in a phone

Christina Teply has expanded her travel itinerary considerably since her '85 and '89 Arete adventures. Like "45 countries." She graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a BA in French Studies. Not surprising to those who knew her in high school and on the

Tim Adams smashed into hurdles like Mark Foehr, Jason Chinn and Jason Kintzel, a kind of epic clash with fate in a fairly rugged event. Only Gareth Engler sailed over them with grace. (Foehr, Chinn, Kintzel and Engler were of Arete '87, '89, '91 and '87,

We knew her as Hebe on Arete '91, watched her rock to Mozart around the Drake track. Ingrid Johnson did not fake words. Maybe that is why she ran around with that particular guy on our team for awhile? Ingrid graduated from Evergreen State College in 1996, completed her

Rich Murphy of Arete '81 graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Foreign Service. After he joined the Laborer's International Union Local 368 in Honolulu, , Rich set out to destroy chemical weapons on a "tiny" island in the Pacific. Huh? Yes, the

Over the past three years Ann Glenn of Arete '97 and '99 has led travel groups across the U S, Vietnam, Cambodia and into our Swiss Alps. She writes, "I grew to know these regions/countries intimately, having a depth to the relationships with locals that is

Andrew Hagen finished up his Marin pole vaulting with a dramatic county final victory with a destroyed knee. This tells of his character. So does his academic prowess, graduating with a B.S. in biochemistry from UC San Diego after spending his senior year abroad in Lund, Sweden. Adrew is

Becca Novak is in her first year at Tufts University. This talented member of Arete 2005 is finishing up Intro to Acting, Arabic 1, Intro to Religion, and The Belle Epoque (french history just before 1900)at this time. Her next semester will include Arabic 2, Economics, Intro to Ethics,

Kirsten Richardson, Arete '87, was one of the leading girls who produced 4 straight undefeated dual meet seasons in the MCAL between 1986 and 1989. These girls were fierce and this beautiful blond was the envy of many a county lass. Kirsten is now the head instructor in a

Denise Belanger (#48) was a quick Tam sprinter, made the state meet in 1984 as a part of their fast 4 x 100 meter relay team. On her Arete '85 train trip to Switzerland from Paris she joined the well remembered, "hysterics". In Prague she ran, perhaps,

Robin Pendoley went on the 1995 adventure and remains one of Arete West's clearest spokesmen. After earning a BA in International Development Studies at UCLA, Robin went on to graduate work at the Harvard School of Education. He came to Arete through Theresa Martin, his Terra Linda running

Parker Sims was on the 2001 adventure, went to UC Berkeley. Degrees were in Socology and Mass Communications. Is a popular singer and performed in cappella groups and a "10-piece funk band" in college. Next, along with Arete veterans like Anne Sellery, Sararose Anderson, Jenny LaPlante, Dory Weston

Jen Ponig came to Arete by way of Theresa Martin, Arete ’79, ’83, when Theresa was coaching her at Terra Linda High School. Jen was better in cross country than on the track because of her wild nature and this led to three state finals. She placed 7th in division

A veteran of Arete '93 and '95, Jenny attended the University of Chicago. She received her degree in 2000 in literature. With honors! Today she works in New York City as a literary scout (i.e., locates American books for foreign publishers). Jenny attends book fairs for her

Dory Weston left for Arete '99, knowing that her mother was to have heart surgery while we were on the journey. Her father, Dick Weston, was with Dory at the airport before lift off (see photo). Good news arrived by fax in Damascus. The operation was successful. But we