While most South seniors look forward to the exciting events at the end of the school year, such as graduation and prom in June, Senior Samantha Mankin plans to end her year early to hike the Appalachian Trail for 5 months, starting in early April, as her W.I.S.E project.
Ever since she was a child, Mankin aspired to hike the trail. “We live a life of rushing. Who can drive the fastest, run the fastest, learn the fastest.” To her, hiking the trail is an opportunity to “slow down and appreciate all that this life has to offer that’s not material."
For most, the dream of taking on such a task would remain simply a desire and would never materialize. Mankin, however, was determined from the start to complete her goal.
“You just have to never give up. Never, never, never give up, and give everything your all. You only live once. Don’t take no for an answer, and keep fighting for what you want,” she said.
At first, Mankin was simply going to research the Appalachian Trail as her W.I.S.E project. Then, she began thinking about actually hiking it over the summer. "At first it was kind of a pipe dream," Eileen Mankin, Mankin's mom, said.
From her experience, Makin hopes to prove to herself that she can survive hiking 2000 miles with only life's bare essentials in her pack. She plans to carry a little over 30 pounds of gear, the heaviest of which will be food.
To communicate with family and friends, Mankin will write letters and carry around a Peek, a device that will allow her to update a blog.
Although at first hesitant to the idea, Mankin’s parents support her decision and are proud that she is making her dream come true.
“We were not wild about the idea at first, but now we are really excited for her. She has really good street sense, and we feel as long as she goes with her instincts, she will be successful. It will be a real learning adventure about herself and life,” Eileen Mankin said.
When Mankin’s friend, senior Mollie McSherry, first heard about her plans before they were approved, she was excited but also skeptical that the trip would actually happen. The thought of Mankin being basically on her own was also slightly discomforting for McSherry.
“I was really worried about her doing this with only one other person because there are so many potentially dangerous situations.”
Even with the risk factors, McSherry added that out of all people she knows to take on such a difficult and adventurous task, Mankin is most capable. “She is independent, dedicated, friendly, positive, fun, intelligent and responsible. I don’t think you can take on such a big trip if you don’t have all these qualities”.
“She’s special enough that I have every confidence that she will not only make it through the trail but that she’ll enjoy it and grow tremendously in the process”.
Although Mankin will not be home for the end of her senior year, McSherry knows that what she will gain from her expedition will be worth the disadvantages.
“I think Sam will gain a level of independence and maturity from the trip that very few people our age have. She’ll have to cook her own meals, set up her own tent, and guide herself across all that land. I think she’ll learn to live on her own in a way most of us probably won’t until we’re out of college”.
Mankin’s W.I.S.E project even inspired others to hike the Appalachian Trail. Senior Ben Chesler has always had the desire to hike it but didn’t see it as a reality. “Even though I’ve always wanted to, I kept putting it off. I never thought I would do it at such a young age.”
Next year, Chesler plans to take a gap year, in which he hopes to work on a political campaign, travel the world, and work to pay his way. At the end, from April to September, he will hike the Appalachian Trail.
“Samantha Mankin definitely influenced my decision to do it … Seeing her taking charge and just going out and doing it definitely inspired me,” Chesler said.
From his trip, Chesler hopes to gain knowledge about himself and to prove to himself that he can do it.
“The feeling of getting by on your own in the wilderness is so satisfying. The solitude forces you to really look inside of yourself,” he said.
“I’ve only known Samantha for a few weeks, but she is one of the most impressive individuals I have ever met in my life. I can only hope to be half as driven as she is.”
“I’ll definitely be thinking about seniors 2010 on June 10th," Mankin said. "And maybe I'll do a little dance along the trail on prom day."
