Wonder Russell

In Alaska she learned to fly. In Thailand she became an Advanced SCUBA diver by doing long form math problems at 100' under the Andaman Sea. She danced with Bedouins under the stars in the kingdom of Jordan, serenaded a bar full of locals by demand on St Patrick's Day in Dublin, tracked the Big 5 on a self-guided safari in Africa, explored the base of Cotopaxi, the world's tallest active volcano, in Ecuador, attempted paragliding, skydiving,and canyoning in travels through Europe, and flew gliders Steve McQueen-style in Montreal. While living in Washington state she also competed in barrel racing with her former racehorse, Thoroughbred gelding 'Trapper.' She was also a volunteer firefighter with Spokane County station 94, the "pride of the prairie." She drove a fire engine, is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and has chopped the chimney chase out of a smoldering house at 3am with an axe. In 2005 she was the only American awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award, presented at St James Palace. This is the highest attainable level of a prestigious merit award for young people.