Marika Bierma
UW Class of 2022
PDX
SEA
The PNW is and always has been my home, and I love everything about it! I was born in Tualatin, OR and I grew up on a seventy-five acre farm just outside of Aurora, OR. Here are just a few of the people, experiences, and locations that have shaped me into the person I am today!
My family means the absolute
world to me. I am the oldest of three girls, and my sisters are some of my best friends. They are my biggest supporters, my greatest role models, and the best listeners I could ever ask for. My parents have provided me with everything I have ever needed and more and I love them with my entire heart. They are the reason I am the person I am today, and for that I am forever grateful.
The farm that I grew up on is the one place I cherish the most. have fond memories of riding on my father’s lap on the four-wheeler to scout out animal tracks, catching fish in the ponds, getting caught with blackberry juice running down my shirt from summer berry-picking excursions, and canoeing down the Pudding River surrounded by trees sporting a rainbow of colors. Nature is my happy place, and the seventy-five acre farm that I grew up on instilled that in me. I was involved in 4-H, where I entered sewing, photography, knitting, baking, art, and dairy goats in the county fair. I watched a goat give birth at the age of twelve, and I spent hours sitting in a dusty pen, laughing as the newborn kids jumped and explored. There were always new places to investigate on the farm. I climbed trees, hopped over creeks, searched for arrowheads, and found quiet reading nooks. The peacefulness and innocence of life on the farm is a childhood that I am so appreciative of.
My hobbies have helped me to discover what I am truly passionate about. I grew up playing soccer for many years and then decided to switch to cross country during my junior year of high school. Running is now one of my favorite pastimes. I love the serenity and the rush of endorphins that follow a good run. I have also met some of the most kind and amazing friends and role models through this sport. In addition, I play the piano for enjoyment, and I have been playing for almost thirteen years! Though I'm no Beethoven, I enjoy the challenge of learning new pieces and the relaxation of practicing. Other hobbies include baking, hiking, reading, and photography.
Traveling is something that my parents chose to immerse my sisters and I in throughout our entire lives. Because of this, I have officially caught the traveling bug. I love exploring the world and experiencing unique cultures, languages, food, and architecture. Traveling also helps me connect with my ancestry, for my father's parents were both born and raised in the Netherlands before immigrating to the U.S. in their twenties. The summer before my freshman year at UW I had the chance to travel to my grandparents' homes and to visit other distant relatives. Learning about my family's history through travel has been a powerful and exciting experience. For this reason and many others, I have such a strong desire to visit every nook and cranny present on this planet.
