Hanni started at Oliverian as a sophomore in 2009. She graduated in 2011. There were many aspects of the school that she loved. When she first joined the Oliverian community, she was struck by how her peers and the staff were all so remarkably welcoming. She immediately felt at ease in a way that she had never felt in any other educational community. She felt she could be truly authentic. Her unique qualities were celebrated.
In Hanni’s view, Oliverian is a very warm and diverse community of individuals. Instead of community members having to fit into a mold, everyone’s unique qualities are honored. While at Oliverian, Hanni’s passion for photography developed. She loved taking pictures of and with her peers, and the staff supported her art by sharing it on the school website. Her love of photography was nurtured and as a result, over the course of her time at Oliverian, it flourished. For her senior project she created a video of her senior peers called “A Senior’s Perspective”. She interviewed her fellow classmates about their experiences at Oliverian and their feelings about graduating. For Hanni, it was a meaningful way to conclude a very special few years in the community.
After graduating from Oliverian, Hanni moved to Burlington, Vermont where she attended Burlington College. There she studied Human Services. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts, she attended William James College where she received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Over the years, Hanni discovered that she has a particular passion for the expressive arts. Ultimately, she plans to become a registered expressive arts therapist. She is very excited about being on this career path where she can utilize her love for art to help people heal and live meaningful and connected lives.
Hanni is currently working with residents with dementia who live in an assisted living facility in Massachusetts. She is thankful she gets to use the expressive arts by running her weekly poetry group, book club, and zumba. She feels grateful to be able to use an array of the expressive arts with elderly individuals.
What do you love about Oli?
What I love most about Oliverian is the one of a kind sense of community that it is. This incredibly accepting group of peers and staff offered me endless opportunities to look within myself and learn about my strengths and vulnerabilities. There was an unspoken but powerful message that was continually conveyed: it was safe to face the community, to learn more about oneself, and to grow with others. I take my Oli experience with me as I venture into new communities and develop new relationships.
