Katie’s dream, a reality
Actors in “The Puha Squadron” include Rob Williams, Katie Shultz, Taupunakohe Tocker, Mohi Critchley and Maria Walker. The play was written in the native language, Te Reo Maori.
In the One Tree Hill Domain of Auckland, this tree is at the top of a volcanic peak that once was a fort for the Maori people.
Enjoying a day in Pittsburgh was a big deal when I was a kid, and the annual drive to Conneaut Lake Park each summer felt like driving to the end of the earth. The world seems a lot smaller now. Life has definitely changed.
Today’s youth have much more available. College-planned educational trips to distant countries continue to increase. No place seems off limits.
As young graduates, my daughters were fortunate for a school-sponsored instructive visit to Old World Spain, France and Italy. A trip like that wouldn’t have been within my reach as a young woman. Today, opportunities for study abroad are frequent and include all sorts of programs. With state-of-the-art technology, travel is also much quicker.
Early this year, I learned that my friend Katie Shultz planned to travel halfway around the world to New Zealand. As a young girl, Katie loved watching the Travel Channel, hoping one day to visit Ireland and Germany and all the countries of her ancestry. She also wanted to become familiar with hidden cultures around the world.
While a student at Waynesburg University, Katie joined a mission trip to Arizona last year. After a week of tutoring on a Native American reservation, Katie’s interest piqued. She decided then that she wanted to learn more about customs and ethnic traditions of others, but on a larger scale.
Once more an opportunity arose while at Waynesburg University. As a theater student, Katie applied for a scholarship through the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership. She was eager to complete the application process, hoping an opportunity would open doors to travel to New Zealand to study theater and the country’s performing arts. Delighted with acceptance into the program, Katie joined 11 other students from the U.S. landing in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, and then onto Auckland.
I was certain that with Katie’s adventurous spirit, her dream would find reality. She would make the most of this trip and her memories would remain with her forever. Living among the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, was where she hoped to begin her quest.
Maori (meaning ordinary people) originated in New Zealand with settlers arriving by canoe from Eastern Polynesia prior to the 1300s. They localized their Polynesian dialect, known as Te Reo Maori, referring to New Zealand as Aotearoa.
As a young girl Katie’s interest in the theater and acting grew, joining crews at Little Lake Theatre from the age of 12. The stage, costumes, scenery and performances were her passion. In New Zealand, daily classes in the performing arts program had Katie learning traditional Maori theater in the country’s native language. The play, “The Puha Squadron” or “Te Tira Phua” is a story about three kids who go on an adventure to visit a magical pohutukawa tree. Also, it’s a story of perseverance and friendship filled with action, superheroes and comedy. Katie joined the theater group, taking their performance of “The Puha Squadron” on tour to schools and venues in the surrounding communities.
“If I had to pick what I liked most about New Zealand, it’s the natural beauty and that I enjoyed touring with the dance group,” Katie said with a smile. “I liked meeting different people and listening to their reaction to the play.”
Busing and plenty of walking is how Katie made her way through Auckland, to the grocery store, to church and historic places. She also joined fellow students on a hike to the Mt. Eden Volcano. At 196 meters, Mt. Eden is reported to be the highest volcano in Auckland. They also visited the spectacular Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. Activities such as zorbing and kayaking were also on Katie’s list of things to do. Rolling downhill on a track inside a transparent plastic globe and boating on Lake Rotoiti made for an adventurous weekend in Rotorua.
Living and studying abroad is eye-opening. Not only do students become respectful of other cultures, but the experience gives them a better understanding of their own customs and values. International experiences are invaluable, building self -confidence and enduring social benefits. The destinations are endless.