I was born on March 30, 1980 in Hilton Head, SC. I have one sister named Amy who lives in Hendersonville, NC and is studying Culinary Arts at AB Tech. Our parents have a bed and breakfast in Hendersonville named the Elizabeth Leigh Inn. We moved around while I was growing up but stayed in the south. My father's job-preacher man-took us to St. Augustine, FL where I started my gymnastics career. I was a gymnast for 15 years before retiring due to shoulder and back injuries. After leaving the world of gymnastics I gradually shifted my energy towards the mountains of western North Carolina. I lived outside of Atlanta, GA for 9 years before coming to Brevard College in western North Carolina. I am currently a senior with a major in Wilderness Leadership and a minor in Geology.


My second semester at Brevard College, I studied abroad in Altmunster, Austria. Seeing different cultures around the world can be very humbling as well as empowering. While living there, we took advantage of the rail system and traveled to Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and all over the country of Austria. I developed a genuine interest in lifestyles outside of the US and enjoy traveling abroad. Hearing about the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for a geologic field study with an incredible group of people was hard to pass up. Travelling inland to several volcanoes and experiencing coastal life as well gave us a chance to see some of the immense diversity this incredible place has to offer!
I anticipate graduating in the Spring of 2002 with a degree in Wilderness Leadership and geology. I am interested in furthering my geology degree at some point in the future. I am currently looking into a possible internship with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). I completed my Wilderness internship at Earthshine Mountain Lodge in Lake Toxaway, NC. For now I am happy living in my house in Brevard with my roommate, Dee, and our animals.