It was a rainy Friday evening when Rylee Bundy, Sara Lynch, Sarah Noyes, and GG Giarrusso embarked on a journey that would set the stage for their time at Walking Mountains. The four Foley Graduate Fellows gathered for a night of karaoke, and amidst laughter and nerves, someone suggested they sing “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. As they stood on stage and sang, “Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in…,” something clicked.
That moment, full of vulnerability and joy, set the tone for what their fellowship would be: the story was still unwritten, and they would get to write it together. Later that summer, as the time to choose a name for their cohort approached, the lyrics still resonated. GG asked, “What’s the smell after rain called, anyway?...Petrichor!” Nature’s perfume— the name for the scent after rain. It felt perfect, connecting them to the natural world they were learning to protect while embracing the importance of being present.
Being a fellow at Walking Mountains is about more than teaching—it’s about growth, community, and embracing the unknown. All four educators spoke about the joy of applying what they were learning with students the very next day. “It’s so exciting to see how other people teach and bring that magic into my own practice,” Rylee shared. The fellowship has been a continuous cycle of learning, experimenting, and refining.
Sara added, “Every day is a fresh start. This fellowship has allowed me to reflect in a productive way, and it’s a safe space to try new things without fear.” Sarah found joy and grounding through connection, saying, “Being able to connect with the students, my cohort, and other Walking Mountains employees has been amazing. I’ve found confidence with new participants, and seeing my growth in such a supportive environment has been incredible.”
These mountain mermaids describe themselves as a team that works hard, plays hard, lifts each other up, and stays present; always reminding one another to find the joy and magic in nature.
(Pictured left to right: Sarah Noyes, Sara Lynch, GG Giarrusso, and Rylee Bundy)
Looking ahead, Petrichor has high hopes. Rylee dreams of building confidence as a young teacher and developing standout curricula. Sara sees herself growing as both an educator and a person, leaving a legacy for the team. GG, always mindful of the world around her, looks forward to the changing seasons and the cohort’s growth. Sarah wants to absorb as much knowledge as possible and is eager to translate her learning into tangible ways to teach and support students.
When asked what message they want to share with the world, Petrichor hopes Natasha Bedingfield will honor them by speaking at their graduation in the Summer of 2026. They extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible and leave you with this reminder: “Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in.”
Tayler Branson is in her second year of the fellowship. She is so proud of her friends in Petrichor and cannot wait to see where the fellowship takes them!