Chuck ’26 is rediscovering the beauty of his hometown through a new lens both literally, with drone footage, and figuratively, through his service project, aimed at sharing that perspective to foster wellness, gratitude, and deeper connection to place.
As I finally reached the summit of that old mountain I’ve climbed many times, it was much different this time around. When my drone was in the air and running, I noticed all the landmarks I grew up among, however it was from an entirely new perspective. Yes, it was the same rounded mountains, shining lakes, and valley rivers, however it felt as if I were seeing them for the first time. They felt like something I had to get used to again, and capture a whole new kind of beauty within them. I noticed I felt an overwhelming sense of luck and gratefulness, simply due to the fact that I was able to see that land in that light. It made me think of my summer service project really starting to take shape and how it’ll enable people to see Delhi from that lense. I wonder how I can utilize the internet to most effectively spread my work and deliver the message. My original ideas still seem promising however, I’m open to new methods. I’ve set up meetings with a professor at my local university. We’re thinking I might be able to help out her wellness program for students and employees. All these ideas seem like a lot in the moment, but I try to focus simply on the beauty in front of me. It reminds me of the feeling of returning to my hometown after my first time living elsewhere for an extended period of time. It’s a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and comfort.
