Normally you wouldn’t see an EMT working on a farm. However, for Christine Side, sustainability is a passion both in terms of farming and saving lives that provides her with inner peace.
Side, of Moorestown, took an EMS class her sophomore year of high school and passed her state exams in 2014. She currently volunteers with the Mount Laurel squad on the weekends.
“Being an EMT has taught me how to remain calm in high pressure situations,” Side says.
Volunteering as an EMT, working at Lew’s farm market in Moorestown and attending class left little time for the campus life activities at RCBC until she spotted a friend packaging seeds for a new seed bank the college recently initiated at the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences.
“I didn’t know RCBC had so many specialized clubs on campus,” Side said. “I used to work 60-70 hours a week and didn’t have time for extra activities, but once I saw the seed packaging event, I knew I could help the college.”
Side is currently propagating seeds for RCBC’s Culinary Center on the Mount Holly Campus. She found out what herbs they use the most and began growing them. Once they are ready to plant, she will plant them in the campus’s garden.
“I want to give back to the college, even when I am no longer a student,” Side said.
After she graduates, she is planning on going to Rowan University and majoring in Bio Chemistry and Psychology with an honors concentration. She plans on graduating from Rowan and getting her PHD or MD and specializing in neuropathology or psychopathology She discovered her career path while she was working at the Evergreens nursing home dementia unit.
“One thing I would tell students at RCBC, is to get involved,” Side said. “I got involved my last semester and wish I found some of these clubs’ sooner.”
Christine’s story is part of RCBC’s 50 stories for 50 years. In honor of the college’s 50th anniversary, RCBC is profiling students, faculty, administrators, alumni and the college community. Anyone interested in being featured can contact rcbcnews@rcbc.edu. To follow along on social media, use #RCBC50Stories.