Kelsey Blodget, ’04, was co-editor-in-chief of the Octagon in her senior year along with four other seniors: Amy Endicott, Francie Neukom, Kelly Neukom and Katie O’Banion. Blodget attended Dartmouth College, where she double-majored in English and classical studies. She is the executive editor at Oyster.com, a hotel review website that is also a TripAdvisor company.
Q: What are your favorite memories of the Octagon?
A: Before the paper went to press, we had a group of (Octagon staffers), as late as 3 a.m., being really goofy and joking around. I also got to talk to really interesting alumni about the cool things that they were doing. I did a profile of Emma Fisher (‘02) about her travels in Patagonia.
Q: What were some big issues on campus when you were a student?
A: There were some controversial senior pranks, but they weren’t in my class. Someone parked a car on the roof of a building. Another year the seniors stole street signs from around Sacramento and spelled out “juniors suck.”
Q: How did working on the Octagon help you in college and your career?
A: It shaped my future. The reporting skills I learned helped me in college, working for Dartmouth’s newspaper and magazine. And it helps me today when I write and edit blogs.
Q: Were you in other activities?
A: I played soccer. I loved being on a team and spending time with my teammates. And (I participated in) the literary magazine. I also participated in many drama productions. I was Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls,” and shared the role with another student. Drama helped me with getting in front of large crowds.
Q: Have you stayed in touch with your classmates?
A: Not as much as I would like, but I see them at the school reunions. Since we had such a small class, I feel that we will always have a great bond.
Q: What were your favorite memories from the class trips?
A: The freshman and sophomore kayaking trips were amazing. We camped on beaches overnight in Tomales Bay, and I remember doing a night kayaking trip where we got to experience the bay’s bioluminescence. Every time we dipped a paddle in the water, it glowed. We also saw amazing wildlife throughout the trips; seals would pop up not far from the kayaks. I had a ridiculous amount of sand in my hair and clothes when I got back. There were no showers for four days!
Q: Do you have to travel a lot for your current job?
A: I went to Norway, Ireland and Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the trips were very packed and left little time for vacation. I really loved Costa Rica. I am going back this summer for a vacation this time. I loved the wildlife and views that I got to preview during my work trips.
Q: Who were your favorite teachers?
A: I loved my teachers at Country Day. I am very grateful to (Octagon adviser Patricia) Fels for teaching me a love of journalism. I loved my AP United States History class with Ms. (Sue) Nellis, my AP European History class and Ancient History with Mr. (Daniel) Neukom, my AP Art History class with Ms. (Kay) Schweizer and my Latin class with Ms. B (Jane Batarseh). It’s no surprise that I majored in both classical studies and English at Dartmouth, as my interests in history and English were definitely fostered at Country Day.
A shorter version of this column was previously published in the print edition on April 28, 2015.
