Adventurer Gretchen Settle

By Nathaniel Moore ENGL 336.002

A prime example of today’s 21st Century Woman, sophomore Gretchen Settle has major plans ahead. Being free spirited, adventurous, and non conventional may help 19 year old Gretchen along in her quest to become head of an animation company she does not work for, but instead she owns it.

Born second to the Settle household, Gretchen is one out of four siblings. Breaking the Settler family up would be difficult to do as the family is quite close. Not even the differences between Gretchen her eldest sister, 21, could erase the bond between them. On her relationship with her only sister, Gretchen comments “we’re similar, but we’re different. She’s the party girl of the house.” Add the fact that big sister would rather a romantic chick flick into the mix, while Gretchen would rather an adrenaline rush inducing horror flick, and the two expand in differences. Perhaps it is this fact that allows Gretchen to play video games with her two younger brothers, ages 15 and 9 respectively. Though Gretchen is quick to admit that her youngest brother tells her she is not good enough to play. A younger Gretchen recalls playing Dinosaurs with her younger brothers because she believes “Jurassic Park is the best movie ever.” In fact, a Jurassic Park figurine sits in Gretchen’s dorm room.

First job experience fit Gretchen’s characteristic traits pretty well. For six years Gretchen worked as a stable hand where she cleaned horse stalls, gave hay to the horses, and swept the floors. Her love for animals made this job an easy task for her given that she felt just right, or “in her element” she says. A love for animals is something that has stuck with Gretchen for a while. Working 20 stalls might be hectic for some, but babysitting two baby twins, who Gretchen considers nephews, being a stable hand was not as intense as some might find it.

Intentionally, Gretchen’s dream for the longest time was to open her own animal sanctuary. Though she has other plans, Gretchen is very adamant about her dream animal sanctuary becoming tangible.

Gretchen’s less than traditional qualities influence more than her home life, but her desired career influences and career paths as well. Majoring in creative writing, Gretchen aims to take on Disney. “I’ve always been a writer,” she claims. Her mom is very supportive, often asking her daughter “why aren’t you published?” Throw in a love for animation as well and Gretchen’s artistic abilities show through. Though she’s not fond of just any animation company. Modern day Disney does not sit well with the creative writing major, as she feels it is less about inspiring and more about monopolizing. Her biggest influence and inspiration would be Don Bluth, who she has been following since she first saw Thumbelina as a little child. “I love him so much more than Disney. He gives ten percent more background. He’s not afraid to be darker,” Gretchen states shortly before claiming Disney is afraid to go deeper with their storylines.

Frostburg State University will not hold Gretchen long, however, as she plans on transferring to Montclair University in New Jersey sometime soon. Once done with university, Gretchen has no plans of getting married because the idea does not excite her. Instead, Gretchen plans on travelling the world being an adventurer.