Kara Oikarinen, Beta Xi
By Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon, Staff Writer
Few of Alpha Sigma Tau’s women truly immerse themselves in the philanthropy effort at Pine Mountain Settlement School. But Beta Xi Chapter’s Kara Oikarinen is the exception. As the first Alpha Sigma Tau intern at Pine Mountain Settlement School, she is personally contributing her share for the progress of mankind.
Upon her arrival at the school’s campus in March, Kara was very excited to be involved with the philanthropy effort that has been so close to Alpha Sigma Tau’s heart since 1945. Over the years, financial contributions have been made through the National Foundation by collegiate and alumnae chapters and individuals, and collegiate and alumnae members have shared their time and talents when visiting the school.
Since its opening in 1913, Pine Mountain Settlement School has provided an educational and nurturing atmosphere for children of the Appalachian population.
“Since my Pinning in 2007, I have been really interested in Pine Mountain and its purpose,” said Kara. “By educating children, we may see a generation rise up that refuses to let beautiful places be torn apart.”
“Students come from both privileged and underprivileged areas, rural and urban areas,” said Kara. “Some students have never truly been in the woods, others have been outside, but may not understand how finite our resources are.”
As an inspiring teacher and Social Science and Biology Education major at Michigan Tech University, Kara was ready to dive right into her responsibilities. With 12-hour work days, Kara is exposed to every aspect of the school.
The majority of Kara’s time is focused on what takes place in the classroom. Classes, which take place inside and outdoors, are taught twice a day, and each class is approximately three hours long. Parents and teachers may also attend classes, but the instruction is left to the intern.
“I have really improved my classroom control and discovered my own style of teaching, what works and what doesn’t for students,” says Kara. “I have a greater understanding of the past and present culture of Appalachia, the importance of self-sufficiency and the new importance of coal mining and up and coming tourism.”
Each week, the children are separated into groups of 25 students or less, depending on how many students are attending the school, and the students usually stay with their original group of classmates for the entire week. Pine Mountain instructors switch groups so that each teacher spends time with each group at least once.
Kara often reviews lesson plans for the following day while the children enjoy time outside on the playground in the late afternoon. Kara’s lesson plans closely follow Kentucky’s core curriculum standards. Some of the most popular classes she teaches include Early Settlers, Stream Ecology, Native Americans, Orienteering, Geology and Forest Ecology.
In addition to classroom instruction, Kara also takes part in evening activities, such as evening hikes, folk crafts, folk dancing, cornhusk flower making, and Appalachian music and story telling. Kara also cares for the animals that live on the campus.
With little time for relaxation, Kara tries to squeeze in personal time for reading and practicing crafts, such as knitting and woodcarving.
Even as a small-town girl from Calumet, Michigan, Kara was initially surprised at how remote the campus is. Since her arrival, Kara has watched TV fewer times than she can count on her fingers and only checks her email once a week. She travels to the store once a week or less and can’t remember the last time she ate fast food.
“Without the help of Alpha Sigma Tau and other dedicated volunteers, this place may not survive, letting the youngest generation forget that their grandparents made their own instruments, butchered their own meat, and did not have the luxury of running water,” says Kara. “Pine Mountain is keeping cultural heritage alive.”
Kara encourages other Alpha Sigma Tau women to become more hands-on with Pine Mountain Settlement School.
“This internship is great for teachers, ecologists, biologists, foresters, social studies and social workers,” says Kara. “This is the kind of experience that can help people get a better idea of what direction their career should take.”
Although Kara’s internship concludes on May 31, she plans to stay an additional few weeks to assist with summer day camps and continue her work on the campus.
“I feel very personally accomplished in having not only been to Pine Mountain, but to have given it my hardest and most personal work,” said Kara.
