Rachael Panning
Rachael Panning attended The Outdoor Academy as part of Semester 17 in 2003. She died at age 29 on July 17, 2017 after a two-year struggle with brain cancer. While at The Outdoor Academy, Rachael made friends whom she was close with for the rest of her life. Already an outdoor enthusiast, her time at The Outdoor Academy made her even more of a conservationist and wildlife lover, which shaped her later career. Rachael went on to attend Colby College in Waterville, Maine and graduated with a Biology/Environmental Science degree. Rachael then worked in a number of conservation-oriented jobs around the country including as a researcher of wolves in Montana, burn ecology in Yellowstone National Park, and sage grouse in California, and as a land trust steward in Wyoming.
Throughout her life, Rachael was passionate about spending time in the outdoors. She loved camping, mountain biking, road biking, hiking, skiing, and bird watching. Rachael liked to travel and successfully completed her goal of visiting all 50 states with a trip to Hawaii in November, 2016. Most of all, Rachael loved people. Rachael was kind, caring, and considerate, and was a wonderful friend to many. Rachael’s time at The Outdoor Academy had a profound impact on her life.
Your gift in Memory of Rachael Panning will provide funding for scholarships for more students to attend The Outdoor Academy, a place that was very special to Rachael.
.
