Alumni Spotlight: Paula Stewart Iken

As our call begins, Paula Stewart Iken smiles proudly, her Camp Mohawk road sign prominently displayed in the background. From the very first glance, it is clear that Paula is the embodiment of a spirit that lasts a lifetime.

Paula began her time at Mohawk in 1981 as a Ute camper. From there, she worked her way up through the units, becoming a CIT in 1985, a junior counselor in 1986, and a full counselor in 1987.

During her time at Camp, Paula developed a particular fondness for the waterfront. She remembers the laid-back atmosphere and welcoming people who made it such a special place. Through instructing classes such as boating and swimming, Paula realized that leading and teaching were two strong skill sets of hers. Beyond the activities, Paula’s fondest memories of her time as a Mohawker are rooted in the connections she formed while singing songs around the campfire and participating in the classic evening activities we all know and love. In fact, it was through my conversation with Paula that I learned Dutch Auctions used to take place in the red zone of the waterfront, with campers swimming back and forth to their counselors!

It was often at the end of each summer that Paula realized just how unique these experiences were. Returning to the “real world” of high school felt almost ironic, especially after spending the summer immersed in a tight-knit community, filled with conversations and moments that felt more real than anything else.

Over the years, Paula had the special opportunity of experiencing both sides of mentorship; first looking up to role models and then becoming one herself. As a camper, she remembers looking up to her second-year Seniors counselor, Amanda Quaintance, who played guitar beautifully and sounded just like Stevie Nicks. (If you attend a future alumni event, you might just be lucky enough to hear Amanda sing yourself.) Later, as a staff member, Paula became that same source of inspiration, counseling and encouraging none other than Sarah Smith during her time in Mohicans. Despite the challenges camp faced in her JC year in 1986, Paula was especially proud of how hard she worked to pass on the love of her favorite place to future generations.

After leaving camp, Paula continued to draw on the skills and strengths it had given her. Living on a college campus was something she took to easily. After all, if you can live with seven other girls in a small cabin, living with a roommate is a walk in the park! She went on to build a career in hotel and restaurant management and later in corporate retail. After getting married and having her son, Trevor, Paula moved to Ohio. At this time, her teaching skills previously developed at camp, came in handy as she became a college lecturer in English composition. Paula likens the role to being a camp counselor, only instead of instructing swimmers, she was guiding emerging writers. Following the unfortunate passing of her husband, Paula decided to return to her New England roots, where she is now a town administrator, living in the state of Vermont.

Looking back on her camp experience as a young adult, and reflecting on her more recent alumni experiences, Paula has some sage advice that many Mohawkers will recognize as true. It is the kind of wisdom that really only resonates with hindsight: appreciate camp for all that it is - a community where every member is part of something extraordinary, together. It is a multigenerational web of sisters whose bonds can be life-changing, if one takes the time to nurture those connections. If she could go back, Paula says she would return to the waterfront, appreciate the workout one gets from walking up the hill to the dining hall, and most importantly, embrace the innocence of it all.

The next time you stop by an alumni event, take a moment to say hello to Paula; she just might tell you the story of how she came to own her coveted Mohawk sign.