What is a student? Or better yet,
what defines a student? From one of the myriad dictionaries available online
the following: “A Student is a person engaged in study; one who is devoted to
learning.”
Meet
Alda Siebrands, a product of Middle America and all its positive virtues. But she’s so much more. Alda’s thirst
for knowledge, including the arts and wonders of nature, is constant. While others
with her professional credentials might dominate a conversation regaling an
audience with he rescue adventures at
sea or her encounters as an attaché in
the international world of diplomacy, Alda listens and learns.
In
a moment of peril, which heaven forbid I should ever encounter, there is no one
I would rather have leading the way than Alda Siebrands, a leader, a
humanitarian, a student.
Alda Siebrands
Having lived and traveled as an adult in third world
countries for years at a time, I know I am someone who has lived the ideal of
what America can offer, something that most of
the world’s citizens don’t have available.
I grew up poor (unaware of the poor part at the time) on a
small Iowa farm. I went to public schools and received a tuition
scholarship and a government loan that made college possible. I had my first
full-time work experience in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica, traveled much of Latin America, and then made a career in the US
Army and US Coast Guard. For most of my military career I was a helicopter
pilot and flew in amazing places including South Korea, Australia, Antarctica,
Venezuela, and, of course, all across the United States. What an opportunity.
Now retired, I live in a gorgeous place and enjoy fresh
air and nature at its finest with my best friend and, thanks to a fair-minded
citizenry, my same-sex spouse.
Sadly, I have observed America becoming more like many of
the third world countries I traveled by lessening the contributions to the
future for her poorer, less advantaged citizens.
- Who are you? List 5 nouns that define you!
Spouse – Friend – Nature-Lover – Observer – Adventurer
- What have you done that you’re most proud of?
I have taken the positives and negatives that have come my
way in life and used them all to make my life more interesting.
- If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?
I would have been more thoughtful to people in need who have
crossed my path in life.
- On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?
I am disappointed that people only seem to see how things in
life affect themselves, seldom others.
Joy comes throughout the year walking around our property,
and on larger scale, the Olympic Peninsula where we live, observing Mother
Nature relentlessly at work.
- Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?
I would like to be a philanthropist. Every time I hear or
read a story of local needs, I would love to be able to open my checkbook and
not think twice about providing funds not only to help close the gap where needed,
but to make a positive difference in
someone’s life.
Footage
of sea rescue.
