January Alumna of the Month 2023: Lydia Prebish ‘15

1/5/2023

When did you start at Viz?

7^th grade

Where did you go to college after Viz, and why did you choose that school?

I attended the University of Tulsa for undergrad. I visited a LOT of colleges, but TU was my last stop. The campus was pretty and not too big or too small. Their history department was focused on subjects I really liked, and the anthropology department had connections for working at the Gilcrease museum. The school also had an enthusiastic recruiter for STL, which helped too. 😊

What is one of your favorite Viz traditions or experiences, and why?

I think the senior first-day welcome is fun. When I was in 7^th grade, I remember feeling very shy and intimidated by all the seniors running around and cheering, but it also was exciting to think that maybe I’d have that much enthusiasm for Viz by senior year too.

This month's virtue is Simplicity. Can you reflect on what you learned about this virtue at Viz and how that impacts how you embody this virtue in your daily life as an adult?

Since attending Viz, I have valued the virtues of St. Francis de Sales. While the way that I practice my faith has changed over time, those virtues still hold strong. Simplicity does not have to mean living with as little goods as possible, although it can be interpreted that way. For me, simplicity is having self-compassion. Life can come with so many moments of stress and despair, but with simplicity, you give yourself the grace to find a solution that works for you. Simplicity is not laziness or the "easy way out,” but rather, it gives you the tools to face each challenging scenario with whatever capacity you have at the time. Simplicity is having the grace to ask for help when you need it, to take some of the pressure off yourself to be perfect, and to find what works for you in your day-to-day life.

Are there any significant skills that you learned that you can attribute to your time at Viz?

Public Speaking with Mr. Strohmeyer! He taught us skills that would allow us to have confidence in our writing and speaking abilities. We were given a space to practice without fear of judgment. Being a strong presenter allowed me to excel in undergrad and graduate school, and the same skills transferred to job interviews and speaking at conferences for work. Today, most of my job is public speaking, whether it is giving a history tour with SeeSTL for the Missouri History Museum or leading field trips at the Soldiers Memorial.

What is something you are most proud of?

I am really proud of the work of my colleagues and me at the Missouri Historical Society. We do not shy away from telling the full truth of history. We believe that by giving the students and the general public a richer understanding of a historical context, they will be better prepared to address the issues of today.

What is something you hope to accomplish in the future?

Short term, I'm working to get trash cans in the bathrooms at my museum for the disposal of feminine products. Long term, I would like to be in a museum leadership position to help guide the field into the future.

If you could share one piece of advice with Viz students, what would it be?

Be patient and persistent.

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