Maddie Lybrand

Hello! My name is Maddie Lybrand and I caught my first fish today!

It’s not exactly trophy sized, and I doubt the average fisherman would be impressed, but I was - and that's what counts! Before today, I had only been fishing a handful of times and had no luck. But, my luck finally turned today, and aside from the bugs, humidity, and endless mosquito bites, I had a blast!

Growing up, I was raised by my grandmother, so fishing wasn’t exactly part of our daily routine. Instead, I grew a liking to many indoor activities, such as drawing, painting, reading, sewing, and any other “grandma-like” activity you could imagine. This may sound incredibly boring to most, but I loved it. Those quiet, creative moments shaped part of who I am.

Since coming to college, I have had the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and try things I have never done before - like fishing! Somewhere between the long, sweaty walks to class and late night pickleball matches with my friends, I have come to love the outdoors more than I ever expected. Now, I love to go on hikes, swim, fish, and play sports outside, such as volleyball, tennis, and pickleball. In fact, I was able to go spelunking this past spring, which was both incredibly terrifying and thrilling, but I would 100% do it again. I am grateful for these new experiences and to have friends that are always up for an adventure.

Although I still love a good craft project, I also enjoy exploring new activities. These new experiences have changed me in meaningful ways, and it only took one small fish to prove it!