The photograph for this week’s adventure shows Jackie Branch with her pup Sushi in a rare moment of idle time. I say this is a rare moment because Jackie is seldom without a project. She is a busy young lady. I wish I had half her energy and motivation. Perhaps the fact that she is 12 years old and I am 75 helps to explain the difference. However, what I can recall from my time as a 12-year-old does not compare to Jackie’s long list of accomplishments. I was busy, but generally not very productive. My energy and activity were quite probably the result of what is now known as attention deficit accompanied by fairly regular consumption of Orange Crush with a Zagnut candy bar chaser. It was a wild ride and a challenging distraction for my parents and sisters.   

Jackie, on the other hand, has channeled her energy. She has learned how to be successful at many things, often simultaneously. Her many interests have accounted for unique explorations both in schoolwork at The Center for Teaching and Learning and in the village. She has managed to be curious about many things with the help and support of her parents, her school and her community.

One of her most recent accomplishments came with the completion of a nine-week program at Boothbay Sea and Science Center which she has attended for eight years. With much study, training  and on the water preparation, Jackie has met the requirements for the position of Apprentice Councilor for the coming season’s nine-week program. She will help participants learn knot tying, boat rigging, sailing and science. This is a goal Jackie has had in mind for some time, a much coveted position.

Additionally, Jackie and her dad Ross Branch have been working on and practicing the fine art of lobstering. Ross has a recreational license which allows him to fish five traps and harvest his catch for personal use — no selling of the bugs! Jackie has spent a fair amount of time aboard her dad’s lobster boat, Jacqueline, a 38-foot wooden craft built in 1967. In an earlier life the boat carried passengers as the Rogue Island ferry. Together Ross and Jackie are working on outfitting a 20-foot Aquasport, Roxy’s Girl, for the upcoming season to log time and knowledge toward a student apprentice commercial license which allows Jackie to fish 25 traps as a minor enrolled in school. Jackie hopes to sell her catch and raise money for future projects, and perhaps accumulate more traps. 

While at CTL, in more academic surrounds, Jackie’s light has shown as a writer of poetry. Last year, her poem, “You don’t have to be good,” was selected and awarded at the Sarah Mook Poetry Competition. There were 1,000 entries from students around the world.  CTL has helped many young students over the years perfect their writing skills.

Jackie will finally get to take a breath as she takes a two-week trip with her mom, Roxana Kiss, to visit family in Romania near Bucharest. It will be interesting to hear about Jackie’s new experiences and to see what creative ventures bloom.   

Bon voyage, Miss Jackie.