Hi my name is Crystal Montgomery and I am a transfer student from a community college in Maryland. This is my first time taking online courses at UMW. I am a Studio Arts major and my main focus is in photography. I prefer film photography to digital photography. I am originally from Waldorf, Maryland and moved to King George about two years ago with my boyfriend of six years, Austin. We have one dog and one cat and we always take care of two bearded dragons that were my Uncle’s because he passed away last year.
I am currently a teller at a bank in Dahlgren and my boyfriend works two full time jobs- one with local 26 and the other is a business that he owns where he services and sells pellet, gas, and wood stoves. So it is rare for us to get a vacation. Last summer we were able to see Motley Crue and Alice Cooper in Raleigh NC and this year we are taking it a little easier and staying at Lake Norman NC for a few days with family. I hope to finish up my degree this year and my goal is to become a teacher as well as run my own business. History has always been a subject of interest for me and I hope to take new information from this course and perhaps get some inspiration from it to put towards my art.
Hello Crystal!
Welcome to Mary Wash and I hope that you are liking Virginia. My roommate is big into studio art. I’ve seen what people can do with the skills learned in that major and I am always impressed. You said that history is an interest, are you minoring in it? Also good luck on becoming a teacher/business owner! I look forward to reading your work this summer session as well as receiving your responses.
Robbie Pratt
nice to meet you Robbie. No I am not minoring in history. My grandparents raised me and it was a tradition to visit museums for vacation-Dr. Mudd’s House, Stratford Hall so its just an interest I share with my grandfather. And as far as liking VA its great far more relaxed than where I am from in Southern MD.
Hello Crystal, my name is Jeffrey. Much like you, I am not from here and have not taken a UMW online course before. Do you plan on being a history or art teacher, and at what level would you like to teach? I have always preferred older kids, mostly because that means expanding on the topics more so than you would with younger ones. You mentioned running a business, what kind of business are you planning on making?
Hi Jeffrey, I plan on teaching art . Photography is my passion. It would be really awesome to teach the history of photography. So obviously I would prefer to teach an older age group. And as far as my business plans- a studio of sorts that allows people access to different equipment and a chance to learn new things about art and photography.
Hello Crystal,
My name is Christine, Your business plan of a studio where people can access different equipment sounds really neat. I am not talented in the arts, I consider myself creative and that is as far as that goes. I think it is really something when a person can transform things into spectacular pieces of art, etc. Photography is definitely a great way to do that. How exciting for you. I hope you reach your goals. Best of Luck to you.
Hey Crystal! I’m Shauna it’s nice to meet you! It seems like a lot of us are transfer students which is interesting! What made you pick UMW to transfer to? I have a few friends who live in King George, and it is a beautiful rural area. What do you plan to teach once you graduate? Do you want to teach Elementary or Secondary? Also enjoy your relaxing time in North Carolina, I look forward to getting to know you!
Hi Crystal, I am Kierra. I love photography. When i was younger, i wanted to get more into it but i always stuck with selfies! We having wanting to be teachers in common which is great! You and your boyfriend are a lovely couple. King George is a really nice area, it is so quiet and peaceful there. I hope you enjoy your trip!
Hey Crystal, my name is Brian, welcome to the UMW community. You’re going to love it here. Prior to moving from NY I owned a company called Agency Access, (agencyaccess.com) we specialized in the placement of photographers designers and illustrators. It was mostly print photography though. Its a fascinating industry the film photography has to be even cooler. Thanks for sharing and welcome to VA.
Hi Crystal. This is my first time taking an online class also! I love photography as well but was never was able to pursue it after they removed the dark room from my high school. I love all animals and think the fact you take care of bearded dragons is amazing. I used to have a gecko named Geico but we had to give him away.