Hi. My name is Shanna
…it rhymes with “banana”.
I am 23 years old.
This is the “About Me” section, so I’m told.
Take a moment and pull up a chair,
And please read what I have to share….
…if you dare.
I came pretty close to making this whole section a poem, but I think I will stop there 🙂
Like I said, my name is Shanna. I hail from the cozy town of Rome, Georgia, and I recently graduated from Berry College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in education at Berry, which will be put on hold for the incredible opportunity to tangibly serve my Heavenly Father in 11 different nations!
Here’s a semi-brief timeline of my life:
Little Shanna:
The early years of my life were filled with humid Georgia summers, roadside lemonade stands, kool-aid mustaches and bicycle races in the driveway. Jamie, my younger sister, and I were blessed to have parents that poured so much love and joy into our childhood. Mama was the librarian at our elementary school, which meant we could read as many books as we wanted and play on the “big kid” slide after school. Daddy worked the night shift driving a fork-lift for General Motors 90 minutes away in Atlanta. On weekends he would take me on canoe trips down Cedar Creek where I learned to bait a line and reel in a catfish or two.
The Teen Scene:
I entered my teen years wearing straight-legged jeans, clunky sneakers and a giant T-shirt with a Black Labrador on the front. (From one of those souvenir shops where you pick out your favorite dog breed…it was my favorite shirt!) I was tom-boyish and I loved sports and the outdoors. Softball and basketball were my favorite sports, and I devoted many afternoons to shooting hoops and/or catching grounders. I was extremely shy as a teen…. To the point I wouldn’t even ask for permission to go the bathroom during class. It didn’t help that I was the tallest kid in my class, reaching 5’6” at the age of 12. (I’ve stayed that height ever since.)
Thankfully height wasn’t as big of an issue in high school, as my peers eventually entered into my altitude. I continued in my love for sports, and soon discovered the wonderful game of Ultimate Frisbee. I had a close-knit collection of friends, and after graduation we went our separate ways, yet our friendships have endured.
College Years:
I attended Berry College where deer outnumber students 7:1. I established my psychology major early on, with initial hopes of one day becoming a marriage/family counselor. I lived on “Mountain Campus,” where my dorm hid 3 miles deep into the world’s largest college campus. I developed some incredibly deep friendships during my time at Berry, built on coffee dates, late-night Reservoir swims, hammock hang-time, and spontaneous Atlanta excursions. During my junior year I had the opportunity to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, I expanded both my Spanish-speaking and Tango skills. Graduating from Berry was a bittersweet experience, and my time in college was both a transformative and treasured experience.
The Current Situation:
For the past few months, I have regressed back to the comforts of home-cooked meals, nearby laundry services and free housing –yes, I once again am residing with my parents. I began graduate classes in August, pursuing a Master’s of Education degree…my career dreams now revolve around a classroom setting, malleable young brains, and Spanish vocabulary. I balance three jobs: greeting guests at WinShape Retreat, facilitating groups on the challenge course at WinShape Wilderness and substituting at Unity Christian School. I also serve as a Bible study leader to some amazing 10thgrade girls every Thursday morning at Chick-fil-A. As October approaches, these things will be put on hold as I choose to step out in faith and follow Jesus’ guiding across nations’ borders and into the homes and hearts of His children.
Random Fun Facts:
-17% of the world’s population is left-handed. I am proudly in that minority.
-I eat Chick-fil-A at least 3x a week.
-My mom makes the best homemade chili known to man.
-I have a lazy eye.
-My Georgia accent is pretty distinct.
-“The Sandlot” is my favorite movie. Ever.
-My best friend is currently on The World Race. Her name is Mary Magoni. Read her blog…it will touch your heart.
-I have a crazy scar on my right leg that looks like a shark bite.
-BBQ ribs, baked beans and a big ol’ sweet tea are the ingredients to a wonderful meal.
-warming my toes by a crackling campfire fills my heart.
-I did the high jump for my middle school track meets. (My jumps weren’t very high.)
-I jam out to country music from the 90s.
