My name is Kennedy Hunt, and I am a current health science student at ETSU hoping to work in pediatric medicine. Originally from Mt. Juliet, TN, my path to ETSU has been guided by my desire to work with children, and I played around with many different careers that would allow me to do so (nursing, public health, elementary teaching, etc.) until I discovered the opportunity in medicine. It is my dream to be able to provide preventative education and accessible healthcare to children whose families may not otherwise be able to access it. Beyond this, I want to help facilitate early childhood relationships with the self, prioritizing understanding one's place in the world, emotional intelligence, and the ability to take care of ourselves and listen to our bodies. These interests ultimately led me to the Earth School, where I hope to understand how to navigate intentional and patient communication with children, guiding them to make choices that align with their well-being, while simultaneously learning how to do so myself. 

I have been helping at the Earth School since January of 2024, and I fell in love with it on day one. At the end of every day I've been on the farm, I've come home with new skills and perspectives on how to self-regulate, have difficult (but necessary) conversations, new craft ideas, and a general sense of relief, joy, and rejuvenation. Being on the farm is quite different from my experiences as a student and throughout my childhood, and to experience first-hand how an intentional connection to nature can benefit human relationships with oneself, others, and the world around them makes it clear to me how necessary it is to equip children with the same skills. It is my hope that I take these experiences with me into my future career, allowing other children and families to better understand their relationship with the earth and world around them.