 "Photo: Kaitlynn Parrott")
For a generation so driven by fast-paced technology and quick-fix solutions, it would be a wonder to see someone step back from their own life to explore the world's problems, come up with solutions, and decide to shoulder the fate of humanity.
Although it may seem an impractical way to go about life, especially in college with a full schedule of classes, work and campus organizations, there is one student on-campus who is making it work for the benefit of the world around her. With long, flowing blonde hair and a style unmistakable for that of the 1960s, UW-Whitewater junior Karen Drydyk encompasses the very essence of peace and love. So how did the "campus hippie," whose life revolves around creating peace for family, friends and strangers alike, become the poster child of peace? "I wasn't always like this," Drydyk said. "I went through being a Goth during my freshman year of high school." Drydyk said that during high school, she believed she "wasn't a part of the world." After introspection and journaling, she soon realized that she needed to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. The Rock River Peace Group in Fort Atkinson became Drydyk's first experience in creating peace. It was her involvement with this group that propelled her to share this desire with more than just the one peace group. During her freshman year at UW-Whitewater, Drydyk started Peace, Education, Activism through Creative Engagement, an organization dedicated to supporting peaceful solutions to both personal and worldwide problems. "I felt that [UW-Whitewater] was lacking a strong voice in support of peace," Drydyk said. "[I] thought that I could unify and build upon that voice by creating a student organization." Drydyk said it has been her involvement with PEACE, especially their annual Rock for Peace event at the Greenhouse Café, that has shown her how much impact peace can have on the world. Her mission encompasses not only peace, but education as well. During Homecoming week, Drydyk organized the Change for Change drive, a non-profit organization that helps young adults raise money for charitable causes. The drive raised more than $700 to build a library for the UW-Whitewater sister-school in Uganda. "I strive to give people a free, fair and good education," Drydyk said. "I work hard to benefit other people." Last year, through the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Drydyk received the Youth Peacemaker of the Year award. Although an impressive award to receive at such a young age, the honor hasn't gone to Drydyk's head. "I don't do things to be recognized," Drydyk said. "I do them because they make me feel good. I want people to take notice of our generation doing good things, providing a sense of unity." Walking around campus with a sense of purpose greater than herself doesn't give Drydyk any reason to shy away from the stereotypes and labels bestowed upon her. "People look at me and see my long hair and my odd sense of style and think that I am a hippie," Drydyk said. "I have never tried to conform to that word, 'hippie' and a word like that doesn't bother me." Some may wonder how a person can be so intent on delivering peace to the world around her without asking for anything in return. For Drydyk, the answer goes no further than her simple approach to life. "Some people are so serious," Drydyk said. "Make peace everyday by making others smile and laugh."
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