Who Am I Blog

Harry Will: Odd Fellow 

      Hello!

    My name is Harrison Will, but I prefer to go by Harry because Harrison is too formal and it often gets mistook for a last name. I am Harry, not Will. I was born in Danville, and I lived with my family in Middleburg and Selinsgrove until I was 10 years old. We then moved to Manheim in Lancaster County, where we have been living since 2017. Out of the two areas, I prefer Lancaster's access to city life and commercial spaces but do enjoy going back to Selinsgrove and Synder county to relax in the middle of nowhere. I have family in both areas, so I visit the latter very often.

Our home in Manheim, after the snow storm this past January

    Speaking of family, I am the 3rd oldest of four children with two loving parents. I have my Dad, Mom, my older sister Amelia, my older brother Theodore, and my younger sister Lynora. Together we are, Emmy, Teddy, Harry, and Lyni. My sister Amelia, or Emmy, lives in Belgium, after learning the French language in high school and going on an exchange program wherein she fell in love with the place. She inspired me to learn French, and I hope to visit her apartment someday, maybe even this winter. My older brother Theodore, or Teddy, works as a Nuclear Electrician on submarines in the navy. He has recently married, and I see him, his wife, and their kids semiregularly. Lastly, my younger sister, Lynora, or Lyni is a senior in high school. We were buds when we were younger but now, we don't talk as much. I am still very close with all of my family and enjoy calls or visits when I can while at school.

Clockwise from top left: Lyni, Emmy, Teddy, and Myself

   

    At Bloomsburg University, I am studying to become a Speech Language Pathologist, with a double minor in both French and Psychology. After my undergraduate degree, I am required by the state to acquire both a master's and a license. I will then take this education to either work with young kids in an elementary school setting, or in a retirement home with geriatric clientele. I am undecided as to which age group I would like to focus on, as both are intriguing to me. I took on a psychology minor to widen my academic basis and develop my critical thinking ability. The French minor, on the other hand, is purely for my own entertainment. The major and double minor work alongside other general education requirements to fill up my school schedule, keeping me busy and preventing me from having to tack on other random classes. I am also an honors student at the university, which comes with its own unique class requirements.
    In addition to being a part of the University Honors program, I am also a member of several clubs on campus. I am the secretary of the Bloomsburg University Equality Alliance, or BUEA for short. In this club I help organize meetings, resources, and discussions, as we build a community for the LGBTQA+ on campus. I've met several of my best friends in this club and enjoy the opportunities it provides to get connections as well as having fun with new people. I am also a frequent member of the Bloomsburg University Distance Running Club. I love running, and this club is basically a free excuse to schedule off time to run with other people. Often the hardest part about running consistently in college is making time out of a very busy schedule to do so. This club has also given me chance to meet new people and create many odd memories. 

BUEA Exec, clockwise from top right Leo, Max, Monica, Salem, and Myself

  

  

    Beyond academics and clubs, and new to me this year, I am now a resident assistant of Lycoming Hall on campus. Although the first couple weeks of training, decorating, and move-ins were very stressful, I am slowly beginning to love my job. It is really exciting and scary at the same time to be the voice of reason for an entire floor of residents. I love making decor, offering advice, and having meaningful conversations that foster a deep relationship and comfort for residents. I also really appreciate all of my wonderful coworkers, and have become best friends with many of them, if not at least very close. I feel supported by my team and empowered to help all of my residents.

    Weirdly enough, my first job and the one I return to each summer between school also has a lot of lovely residents. When I'm at home, I work as a dining service assistant at the local retirement home. I've worked there for a little over three years now, serving food out of steam wells to at times over 150 residents. My managers at that job aren't always my favorite, but the residents and my coworker friends are irreplaceable. I love getting to know each resident in all of the different dining rooms when I can and connecting with other staff that share my future occupation. It really is a great job to have. 

    When I'm not studying, working, or participating in my clubs, I like to have time to myself. I've often been called an old soul, and this is reflected in my musical and literature tastes. To me, nothing is better than a playlist full of 50s and 60s music. My favorite musical artist is Del Shannon, although recently I have also been listening to a lot of jazz by Teddy Wilson and Chet Baker. Jazz and Oldies music are usually what I prefer, but I have dived into French music, Belgian pop, and indie as well. I greatly recommend taking a listen to Stromae, a Belgian pop artist from the 2010s in current whenever you get the chance. I also enjoy reading a good book, my favorite author being John Steinbeck. I loved East of Eden, and am currently rereading for the 2nd time, marking my third time through. Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath are also great, but to me the top 3 are East of Eden, 1, Travels with Charley in Search of America, 2, and In Dubious Battle, 3. I could talk all day about my favorite Steinbeck novels, and in fact I do have a presentation ready if ever given the opportunity. Besides novels that are at least 50 years my senior, I also love reading dystopian stories. I recently finished Adam Silvera's wonderful They Both Die at the End trilogy and would strongly recommend it, it is quite the tearjerker. 

    Reading, listening to music, running, and studying for school cover most of my day, and with what time I have left I love to step outside and enjoy nature. My favorite days are when I can combine my hobbies or schedule with being outdoors. Trees, flowers, grass, the open sky and the odd bug or bird relax me to a cellular level. I need the reset to establish who I am.

All these things make me, Harry Will, an odd duck waddling.