Who I Am Becoming Now

This blog post is written by Carmen Berrysmith, who has served at tSB in many levels since 2013. Upon her departure as the Program Coordinator, she wanted to make sure to communicate her departure to the current and past community. We will see her soon as she will continue supporting tSB. ❤

If you find yourself reading this first I would like to thank you for your time and second, I would like to say hello. This organization has been home to so many and I have extended and received this “hello” from many roles. Starting as a prophet in my senior year I quickly learned tSB had the spark of passion I felt in myself when I brought composting to Cleveland High School or planted my first tree with Tilth Alliance (formerly Seattle Tilth), and strive to find in everyday life moving forward. I wanted to stay close to tSB after I graduated High School so I became an intern and later a volunteer and even the Soiree MC (2018, 2019, and 2020).

“Failure is a feeling before it becomes an actual result. It’s vulnerability that breeds with self-doubt and then is escalated, often deliberately, by fear”
– excerpt from ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama

Hopefully, these stressful times provide room for us all to grow and strengthen existing relationships, learn from one another, and receive the support that we need to endure until the present challenges give way to new opportunities. COVID created a lot of personal and professional self-doubt for me and with work pressures rising as the 2021 Core Program approached the decision was made that I should vacate my position and rest. Prophets, Peer Leaders, Snowboard Instructors, Staff, Board members, Volunteers, Sponsors, community partners are all members of the tSB family and many of those connections are strong and last well beyond a season or two. To possibly maintain contact I have created a Google Form to provide a place for you to share with (only) me; contact info, words of wisdom, and love towards my journey after my professional time at tSB.

I’m grateful for the time I’ve been granted in this community in many different ways and hope to make more than an appearance in the future.

Thank you for your time and don’t forget to rest, Carmen