Personality Profile: Ms. Nelson Deep in the bowels of upper A-hall at A.J. Dimond High School, a tall, lean, blonde English teacher instructs 3 classes a day on classic American Literature. If you asked this person their name, you would officially meet Marci Nelson, dedicated teacher of 15 years at Dimond, former Dimond prom court member, and traveler among other things. She is a unique, outdoorsy individual who has a passion for books and what they encompass. “I loved literature,” Nelson explains as she delves into why she became an English teacher. “I have a fascination with growth and thought.” And there’s no one she would rather share that growth with than the impressionable yet intelligent students of Dimond High. In fact, Nelson outwardly voiced her fondness for teenagers, who she claims are the best group of people to be around. Nelson is fortunate enough to have had students that admire her fervor for classic American authors and books and her dedication to opening her students’ eyes to the many buried treasures in any given piece of literature. “She showed me an entire new way of looking at literature,” former student Savana Hartley said. “She taught me that you have to look beyond the surface, dig a little deeper and you will find gold.” In her spare time, Nelson enjoys a plethora of activities. Among her hobbies she lists running, hiking, travelling, spending time with friends and of course, reading. Nelson also is the owner of a popular local clothing company, AK Starfish Co., which she also enjoys managing in her spare time. Her down-to-earth nature could certainly be attributed to her Alaskan upbringing. “My dad spent a lot of time with my brother and I outdoors when I was growing up,” Nelson said. “Those memories are special to me.” As well as having years of Alaskan experiences under her belt, Nelson spent time in Washington as a young adult attending college at the University of Puget Sound. “I have a passion for travelling and meeting new people,” Nelson said. “So for me, those four years were stimulating.” In addition to her Washington experience, Nelson spent time living in China, where she taught at a banking college at the age of 23. Nelson cherishes the time she spent in the country, crediting her stay there with the revelation that all people are really the same and want to be loved and accepted. Prior to her time spent in Washington and China, Nelson was a devoted and involved member of the Dimond High School student body. Besides being a member of prom court, Nelson fondly recalls her high school years that were completed by participating in varsity cross-country running and varsity cross-country skiing, as well as being an active member of student government. She credits these activities with the lasting friendships she created and has maintained since high school. “When you spend that much time with people… you form incredibly tight bonds,” Nelson said.