“It has been wonderful to live in community. Even when we disagree with each other, it’s been really cool to be very respectful of each other, to act out of a deep caring for each other.” – Mary Schrag
Mary Schrag, a native of Moundridge, KS, graduated from Bluffton University with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. While at Bluffton, Mary was active in the Honors Program and Chapel Planning Committee. She won Third Place Bi-Nationally in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest. Mary is also a traveler, having studied abroad in Guatemala and in Trinidad & Tobago. While in Guatemala, Mary pursued her passion for women’s rights by serving with ANADESA, a community development organization and women’s cooperative. She is serving at Green Building Alliance.
Nate Feuerstein: What have you enjoyed the most about living in community?
Mary Schrag: It has been wonderful to live in community. Even when we disagree with each other, it’s been really cool to be very respectful of each other, to act out of a deep caring for each other.
Nate: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Mary: I’m more of an extrovert than I thought I was! I thought of myself as an introvert for the last few years, but I really enjoy being around people, which I wasn’t expecting.
Nate: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Mary: Free time. It’s great to have free time to go on adventures and do fun things. And to get to do that with a group of really good people. That’s been fun.
Nate: What surprised you most about Pittsburgh?
Mary: I think how “small town” Pittsburgh feels and how fast I adjusted to it being in a city. I’ve always lived in small towns so the idea of moving to the city intimidated me, but I’ve gotten used to it quickly and it already feels like home.
Nate: What is your favorite “family recipe” for your house?
Mary: We’ve had some really amazing meals. Perm made homemade tomato soup and that was really good. Basically everything that everyone cooks is delicious. We have not had a bad meal yet.
Story by PULSE Participant Nate Feuerstein.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: