Finding Joy in the Unexpected 

For Sonia Yost, a senior English literature major at PennWest Edinboro, persistence paid off in unexpected ways. After trying unsuccessfully to join skydiving trips her freshman year, she finally took the plunge last fall – literally. Through the Campus Outdoor Recreation Experience (CORE) program, Sonia was able to fulfill her longtime bucket list item.

"I remember being in the plane and watching us just go up and up and up and just wondering, like, how far are we going?" Sonia recalls. Despite getting sick during the jump, she describes it as "an incredible experience to just be falling through the sky... it was indescribable."

But it's not just the adrenaline-pumping activities that have made PennWest special for Sonia. The university's recreation programs have created opportunities for meaningful connections that might never have happened otherwise. During a spring break trip to Kentucky's Red River Gorge, she discovered her hidden talent for rock climbing – an activity she initially approached with dread.

"That day was the day that I was looking forward to the least out of that whole trip," she admits. "But looking back on it now, it was one of my favorite days of that entire week, just because it was something that I was absolutely dreading. I didn't think I would be able to do it, but I came out of it feeling just on top of the world."

These PennWest experiences have taught Sonia valuable lessons about challenging her own limits. "I never thought that I would do a lot of the things that I've done through CORE (Campus Outdoor Recreation Experience) and through Campus Rec," she reflects. Now, she's looking forward to her next PennWest adventure: skiing at Holiday Valley in New York, continuing a journey of self-discovery that began the moment she stepped on campus.

 

Listen to Sonia's story on the Power of PennWest Podcast