Tuesday Whitt & Axel Whitt Memorial Scholarship

I believe everyone who has experienced the loss of someone close in their life, should have the opportunity to experience the healing powers of nature.

My mission is to create two memorial scholarships in hopes to honor the lives of my late brother and twin sister. And give others the opportunity to learn about the nurturing powers of nature.

My Story

When I was two years old, my twin sister passed away from a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. Fifteen years later, my older brother succumbed to an accidental drug overdose. I know death we live side by side, and by understanding death, I’ve also come to understand nature and healing. I’ve been at Renaissance since kindergarten, and I’ve lost two of my three siblings while attending this school. I’ve experienced firsthand what it’s like to grieve and heal while immersed in an outdoor education setting and participating in voyages throughout my life. Throughout my time at Renaissance, I’ve embarked on 21 voyages, and I’m about to set sail on my 22nd. I’ve experienced everything nature has to offer, and I’ve developed an intense love for it. A significant part of this feeling stems from the opportunities I’ve had to confront and heal from profound losses in my life. I was raised in an environment where I spent my grieving and healing process in nature. This has allowed me to truly understand and feel the profound impact the outdoors can have on life after death.

Backstory

Over the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in nature, learning about trees, climbing to the tops of mountains, backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, pumping water from rivers and lakes, sleeping in tents, and under the stars. Discovering every nook and cranny that Mother Nature has to offer us. I was raised in nature, and because of that, I have fostered a profound relationship with the environment, enabling me to experience a tremendous amount of healing. Since the beginning of human civilization, trees have been integral to our existence. They provide us with oxygen and purify the air, offering shelter and serving as a source of wood for fires, which has enabled us to cook, stay warm, and light up our surroundings. But most importantly, trees heal. We are all intimately connected to nature, born with such an innate need to be surrounded by all forms of life.