Claire Jensen received her award in 2023 and has sent us this update.

Currently, I am a little more than a month into my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I have walked through Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. I am in Virginia now and am doing great. My body has been feeling fantastic despite walking almost 600 miles so far. I’ve met multiple people and we formed a “tramily” (trail family). We camp together and sometimes we hike and sing together as well. 

I have seen some amazing views throughout the hike especially in the Smokey Mountains. In the Grayson Highlands of Virginia I got to see many wild ponies. Also, in North Carolina and Tennessee I swam in many lakes and rivers.  

All in all, I am doing very well and am so thankful for the generous scholarship to help me achieve this goal.