By Michelle Dillon, Digital Marketing Specialist
If you’ve been lucky enough to work or chat with longtime Seacoast Science Center Volunteer Bill Schoppmeyer, I have no doubt you walked away inspired by a career focused on continuous service, learning, and then teaching. In speaking with him and then sitting down to write this piece, I realized this is not only a story of how Seacoast Science Center has impacted Bill, but how Bill has impacted us too!
Bill studied technical theater in school, but with not many jobs close to home, he instead joined the Navy and spent many years of service below the water as a submarine crew member. Following this he was a firefighter, EMT, paramedic, chemist, magician (we’ll get to this, don’t worry!), and most recently working at the power plant in Seabrook, NH.
When Bill joined our volunteer crew fifteen years ago, he was already a jack of all trades. Volunteers like this are magical; truly magical! After moving to New Hampshire, he came to the Center one weekend for a visit. He was looking for somewhere to connect with the community. When he saw SSC’s volunteer opportunities poster, he decided to come in and meet with, then new to the job, Volunteer Coordinator Laura Bahl.
The rest, I guess you could say, is history. And, Bill sure does have a long history with SSC. Laura joked, “If there was a list of all the jobs Bill has done for us over the years, it would be a long list and you would not believe some of the things on there!”
Let’s give it a shot: handyman, tent repairman, hay staddle foreman, cotton candy maker, squid dissection expert, volunteer mentor, electrician, and yes, magician. In the early years, Bill would join us for events or programs, sharing magic tricks with attendees and staff to grab their attention. In these magic shows, he would teach as well; sharing facts about science and the environment. Bill believes, “It is all about engagement.” Magic was a way to engage, and through this engagement, he began to take on more tasks at the Center. Bill has even helped run programs, and is currently our squid dissection expert. Recently he joined us to show new staff members the ropes of dissecting prior to our Nature@Nite event.
Through his volunteerism, Bill has been able to share his love of science and art with the community. He can connect with, mentor and educate the young generations. Bill also adds, “At Seacoast Science Center, I am able to meet people with the same values, ideas and beliefs. I am able to teach and help the Center share its message of ocean education and conservation. These connections are the best, and simplest part of life.”
As we wrapped up our interview, I asked Bill, “How do you feel the Center has changed in your years here or how has it changed you?” His response, “We’ve both grown! We’ve gained confidence in each other, learned from each other, and given to each other and our community.”
I’ll say it again, magical! Thank you Bill for bringing your magic to Seacoast Science Center.
