Sometimes, it's cool to be a geek!
I admit I was a little nervous – mine was the only session involving something completely removed from academics! Most people had sessions on critical thinking, studying abroad, marketing, finding yourself, etc. My session, “Puppets, Foam, and Fleece” definitely seemed like it was coming out of left field in comparison with the other topics! Nevertheless, when I was approached about the opportunity, I jumped at it! I had gotten the chance to talk to a group of students at a performing arts high school about puppetry and it was a lot of fun then… I could only hope that this time would go as well; and it did!
Sometimes being “that guy that makes puppets” makes you the oddball. Sometimes, being the oddball feels amazing – getting to talk about puppets and have people respond positively to you is very validating. I also love the idea that out of that group of students there just might be one or two who are toying (pardon the pun) with the idea of trying their hand (again, pun) at puppetry.
During the presentation, I gave my “origins” story, talked design, building, and performance. I also talked about some of the life lessons I’d taken away from puppetry that I thought were applicable to academic success. All in all I had fun, and I think the students did as well! Either way, I got to spend an hour of my workday playing with puppets – who could ask for more?? 
Awesome!