Inge Hoogerhuis reached out to the Pigeon Press last month with the idea that we start a new feature where we “ask a student or teacher some cool questions” to spotlight the wonderful community we have at the school. The staff took the idea and ran, coming up with 20 Northwest Academy-style questions. Of course, Hoogerhuis would have to be our first guest/victim. Hopefully, this will be the start of a wonderful new series. Enjoy!
1. How did you parents choose your name?
My mother read a book when she was 12 and she loved the main character, named Inge. Apparently, I am nothing like her.
2. What’s the most interesting dream you’ve had?
I can’t write it here. But, I think it would make a great book or movie. Think Stephen King meets Nora Ephron.
3. Do you think you’re an introvert or an extrovert? Why?
I am an extroverted introvert – I love people and I need them! And, I have to get away and go to my quiet room to create and ground myself.
4. What’s the worst (least effective) way you’ve tried to cope with quarantine?
Scrolling social media. Although I have enjoyed all the animal videos.
5. What was your closest call with death?
I hit a pole and rolled my car. I was reaching for a record album that had fallen off the seat. It made the front page. I was lucky.
6. What/who has influenced you the most in your life and why?
Anne Frank – her story woke me up to my family’s story. Judy Garland because she made me want to sing when I was five. Coming out – gives you a different mindset from the dominant culture. Opens up possibilities. My parents – they are beautiful people. I’ll stop…
7. What is your dream job?
This comes pretty dang close. I could imagine teaching voice. Or running a Bed & Breakfast in Tuscany.
8. What is an object you will keep your entire life and why?
My guitar. She’s too good for me.
9. If anything, what about you has changed during your time at NWA?
My appreciation for how art can positively affect the human experience has only grown deeper. And that young people are capable of great art.
10. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To literally reach into people’s hearts and take out their fear and hatred – kind of like Dumbledore pulling out memories to put in the Pensieve…
11. If you had to bring one comically large or comically small item to an abandoned island, what would it be and why?
Geez. Hard pass.
12. What’s your worst fear?
Global Warming. And losing my voice.
13. What gives your life meaning?
Love. Music. Nature.
14. If you could have any famous dead person as the president of the USA, who would it be and why?
Martin Luther King Jr. He was inspirational, clear-eyed, a visionary, charismatic. He could build coalitions. He was so brave.
15. With 15 minutes until nuclear annihilation, what snack would you want to be your last?
I don’t think I could honestly eat. But… French fries.
16. What’s your biggest kitchen screw-up?
Where to begin?
17. What’s the worst injury you’ve had? What happened?
I’ve had a few. But the time I put my hand through a restaurant check spindle stands out.
18. What’s something most people disagree with you about?
I like the weather in Portland.
19. What’s your favorite type of bad weather and why?
Snow storms. I love how they dramatically change our landscapes. And who doesn’t love a snow day?
20. What’s the most useless talent you have?
I don’t know if it’s useless…I have a really good sense of smell. It must be because my nose is long and it has more smellers up there. I smell too many smells….
