ERICA MARTIN – AL D. SCHOLAR

As I watch Las Vegas disappear from my plane window, I have so many emotions flying through me. Holding back tears, the only certainty I feel is that I could never have a year without Conference ever again. Being a mother and wife takes so much effort from my small amount of “work free” time that having friends, especially those outside of the industry, isn’t a possibility and the few friends I  do have are mostly coworkers. I was and still am baffled that in one week’s time a group of complete strangers can not only work together seamlessly, but bond in such a way that now I couldn’t imagine not knowing these beautiful souls. Everyone was so incredibly welcoming and supportive, constantly looking out for one another and ensuring their fellow volunteers/attendees were eating or getting enough water. I kept hearing everyone throw around the word family before attending, but it’s true. It’s a thousand best friends leaning on one another, swapping tips, asking questions, or just sharing a cup of coffee. It’s a week full of love and support from people with the same struggles as you, coming together for the same common good.

The classes were absolutely life changing. Even just knowing that you’re doing things correctly and affirming you’re doing right by your clients is a wonderful feeling. Those small AH-HA! moments where a simple thing clicks or that conversation about a new or different technique really is just so invigorating. As sad and hard as it is already being away from those kindred spirits, it’s fantastic having that blood flowing again and being recharged and better prepared for my clients. It’s great to take back what you have learned to improve your studio and be able to think critically and make smart changes to your environment for the better- ment of you and your clients.

I also have to give a special thanks to the Al D. Scholarship Committee and Punkmedics (so much love for Badur and my Punkmedics PALS) for giving me and my other Scholars this opportunity. I will never accurately portray the love and gratitude I have for all of you (thankfully I can at least write my feelings down instead of inaudibly blubbering, tears streaming, snot and all). These people work so incredibly hard behind the scenes and then on top of that, try and give other Scholars like me this life altering adventure (for me 11 years in the making). I hope so very much to be able to have the opportunity to volunteer again next year, but no matter what, from this year forward, I’m a new permanent face you’ll see at Conference. A year’s time in between seeing your family is hard, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything! See you all next year!

JESS FARRAR – AL D. SCHOLAR

I can see how Conference and the entire Vegas experience is considered overwhelming to an Al D. Scholar, being that a lot of us are from different  cultures and countries but I have honestly never felt more at home than I did that week with all of you at Bally’s. I had no idea what to expect going into this and even now I’m struggling to put it into words, the best way I can describe it is, for me, a formative experience. I am not the same version of myself coming away from APP as I was in the run up to it, and that is thanks to each and every person I met and interacted with that week. Kind words, encouragement, so many high fives, and being fed occasional snacks does a lot of good! It was due to the confidence instilled by my volunteer family that I was able to fully enjoy this life-changing week, meet people in the real world who I’d only previously spoken with in passing online, and take away new friendships and relationships as well as a bundle of knowledge from the incredible selection of classes I took. Simultaneously learning and working was more manageable than anticipated, which left me with more energy to make new friends and get outside (my two weaknesses!). I feel like I attended Conference at the right time for me, and it’s definitely a cornerstone in my piercing career.

NINA RENNIE – AL D. SCHOLAR

It’s  June  20th,  several  days  after  Conference; the slowest and quickest nine days of my  life. As an Al D. Scholar this year, we have been asked to write about our experience working with the APP for the 2017 Conference. I say with and not at because I had the pleasure of working alongside the greatest friends I will ever meet. I won’t lie, it was a struggle and difficult to work the long hours and still find the energy to push on, but it stretches beyond that for me. I woke up with a strong sense of purpose and felt that I was needed. Without the help of the Al D. Scholars, volunteers, Caitlin and many others, would there be a Conference for us to enjoy? Many of my peers and fellow piercers had come to us personally and publicly to thank us for our solid work. To have these people, who I have barely spoken to over the internet or merely admired from afar (being afraid they wouldn’t give someone like me the time of day), personally thanking us for putting the show together? I could feel the appreciation sink into my heart.

Eleven days ago I jumped on a plane to another country to learn and to give my best, not knowing what was in store for me in Las Vegas. What I received in turn, however, was everyone else’s best, as well as their love and support. I spent a lot of my time during Conference feeling overwhelmed, forgetting to take care of myself and making sure other people’s needs were met before my own. I did not mind, though. As long as my friends, teachers, and other volunteers were happy, I was happy. To be apart of this professional organization is a gift in itself. I learned many things about myself and those around me while I was working. Growing up, I did not have lasting friendships because I was that “weird” kid. Floating around, from friend to friend, trying to find  a sense of acceptance or even just to belong somewhere. Coming to Conference this year has changed my long and painful life of being alone and unaccepted by those around me.    I was in an area filled with a thousand nerds and weirdos just like me, and professionals at that! I was unafraid to push on and unafraid to show these people who I am and what I’m capable of, just by being in the same room. We all came together, from all over this beautiful globe, to learn from each other and to teach; even if it wasn’t in a classroom.

The sense of friendship and acceptance was the thing I have been searching for. The APP brought this to me, and I have eternal gratitude for showing me I am no longer alone. I have learned great things from my teachers and from my friends. I learned that it’s important to keep tissues on hand because if you met me this year, you know all I did was cry during Conference. I learned a true sense of community and that no one that I came into contact with thought they were better than me. My educators are regular people, and my friends and volunteers are regular people too. People who are living with crippling anxieties, insecurities, and doubts much like myself. We all come together once a year for the betterment of one another and hopefully put those other things aside. To ask for help, to learn, to make everlasting friendships and family. We leave our comfort zones and push on to grow as individuals and develop as human beings. If there is one thing I have truly learned working with the Conference this year, it is that I will never be alone again. Thank you to everyone at this year’s Conference, from the tippy top of my heart, to the bottom of my boots. Without any of my friends I have made on this journey, I would not be here typing out this essay. I worked hard to be here in this moment, but not without any of you.

Hugs and sloppy kisses!

ALICIA LOWE – AL D. SCHOLAR

Sometimes you have to lose before you can win. Last year I applied for, and didn’t receive, the Al D. Scholarship. Looking back, it was one of the best things that could have happened for my career. At the time of my first application, I was at the height of depression. Working in an environment that had no desire to change and no room for growth, I felt trapped. I saw the scholarship as a way to better myself and improve my situation. Every day, I checked my email hoping to be told I made it to the next round. That message never came.

Initially, the letter informing me that I did not make the second cut felt like a crushing weight. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried. The tears did eventually dry, and I found clarity; the scholarship wouldn’t change my situation. It wouldn’t bring better quality jewellery into the business, nor the support from my employer  to make necessary changes. I had to make the changes myself. I had heard about a job opportunity from a friend, and decided to try.

Once again, I checked my email frequently with hope. Once more, my email revealed disappointment. Over the course of a few weeks I went to work thinking I was able to hide how I was feeling. I was wrong. My employer had heard about my application and had chosen to let me go. My world around me spun out of control. Having been a piercer since an early age, I didn’t know what else to do. The next move escaped me. I decided to reach out to my network about the situation I found myself in. A piercer I knew allowed me to come in to shadow him, as well as talk.

After shadowing with him, it allowed us to open a dialogue regarding employment. He could only offer me a few days a week, but I was willing to try. I was happy to finally be in an environment that cared about their clients, and offered good quality jewellery. Around this time, I became aware of another shop in a different city that was also looking for a piercer. I nervously reached out once more to be sur- prised by another opportunity. Over the next several months, I travelled weekly back and forth between both businesses. This experience lead me to wanting to apply a second time for the Al D. Scholarship. Both of my employers were in my corner every step of the way this time. Their outpouring of support gave me renewed confidence that allowed me to discuss and submit my experiences over the past year.

Having previously applied, I had a better sense of what I really wanted to say this time around. Submitting was the easy part. Waiting for the phone call with the decision had me on pins and needles for days. When I answered Kendra’s phone call, my heart was in my throat. Every moment we talked I felt like my chest would explode until I heard the that would forever change my life, “Pack your bags! You’re going to Vegas!” I almost dropped the phone in disbelief!

The next few months were a blur as Conference rapidly crept up on us. Packing kept the nerves at bay, at least until arrival. The thought of being under the same roof as so many talented piercers from all over the world was enough to make my head spin. As each of the Scholars arrived one by one, seeing faces just as shy and nervous as my own helped to remind me that I wasn’t alone. I was not the only one feeling this way.

The first meeting with the volunteers helped to set the tone for us. They were warm, kind, and eager to help at every turn. No question was too silly, no moment overlooked, and some even did daily check-ins to make sure we were still doing ok and enjoying our classes. Every moment spent with them was full of smiles and care. It was an instant family I never knew I needed until the moment I met them. A family I am so grateful to be a part of. I really can’t thank them enough for everything they did, and continue to do.

The classes were incredible in so many ways. From Revisiting Basics: Tongue Piercing with Ryan Ouellette to Navel Piercings: Advanced Fundamentals with Jef Saunders and Luis Garcia; all were great classes. They helped to not only change how you approach a piercing, but to hear piercers you respect and look up to suggest similar techniques you’re using helped to reaffirm you’re doing something right. All of the speakers were very easy to approach with questions both during and outside of classes.

Conference has also helped me to gain the confidence I needed to continue reaching out to others and have less fear asking to shadow others or ask questions. A week after returning home, I reached out to Rob Hill and was able to spend several days shadowing with him at Prysm Body Piercing. Seeing things that were discussed in the Strategic Marking class applied first hand was incredibly eye-opening and I don’t believe I would have ever reached out to Rob had I not attended Conference.

I cannot say enough how unbelievably grateful I am to have had the opportunity to attend, as well as for everything else the experience has given me. My drive to continue to better myself has risen far higher than I thought possible, and I’ll be coming back every year that  I can. A piercer I know once asked me, “How far are you willing to go?” The answer may not be Vegas, but it’s a great start.

SAKU PENTILLӒ – AL D. SCHOLAR

It really was an honor to be selected as one of the Al D. Scholars this year. The process of applying came to me in the summer of 2016 when I was talking to a friend at a small suspension meeting and he asked if I would be interested in going to the Conference, and of course I was! He told me to contact Andre Nalin when I go to Germany for BMXnet. While there, I had a conversation with him, Nicole Holmes and Marita Wikström (previous Al D. Scholars) and they all told me that I should apply for the scholarship. Coming alone from Finland was the biggest cause of anxiety for me, but after three flights I met Caitlin at the airport and I knew I had made it.

When we had the first meeting with all the other volunteers, I knew that we would rock this year with all those motivated people getting together to make the Conference awesome for all the attendees! Getting used to the climate was impossible though, so I tried to stay indoors as much as possible. I arrived on Thursday, so I got to see what the casino was like before all the attendees started arriving. When the casino started filling with our group, I saw many faces super excited to see their other family and learn from the best of our industry. It made me feel butterflies in my stomach.

Work days were long, but with the volunteers taking care of each other like a little family they were surprisingly easy and FAST! You woke up in the morning and in the blink of an eye it was time to go to bed again. The classes were awesome and informative, and I returned home with my head buzzing from all the new techniques and ways to improve myself as a piercer. The Expo was everything I imagined and more! All the pretty people and jewelry! I bought lots of pretties and my first pair of new hooks, which I can’t wait to try out.

It really was a great opportunity to make friends and network with people from all around the globe. Meeting your idols face to face is something you never forget. If it would be possible, I would like to live in a Conference all day everyday! Thank you to all the attendees for making the Conference unforgettable, and to all the other volunteers for treating me as a part of the family. Love you all!