Grabbing life by the horns

By day, Letitia Senechal is a full-time curriculum specialist who occasionally teaches computer graphics at Modesto Junior College.

But at night and on weekends, she's a singing, painting, hiking, skiing, biking, reading and writing dynamo.

"Twelve years ago, I was singing opera in Las Vegas and painting murals in school rooms," said the 35-year-old Modesto resident. "My creativity and passion for education led me to get a master's degree in instructional design and technology that allows me to pull all of my passions -- design, communications, education and grabbing life by the horns -- together."

Born at Camp Pendleton, she's lived in the Washington, D.C., Beltway area, New England, South Carolina, Las Vegas and the Bay Area.

"I consider myself bicoastal. Dad was a pediatrician whose career took him into medical administration, and mom was a fantastic nurse," she said. "They worked everywhere."

Her love of the great outdoors brought her back to California.

"I just realized that I wanted to hear the crunch of dry pine needles and granite and feel that cool and cleansing high Sierra air, without paying for a plane ticket," she said.

Senechal will put her vocal skills on display at Modesto Junior College's graduation ceremony, where she will sing the national anthem. And today, she's singing in a quintet for MJC's faculty recital.

Q: You are a curriculum specialist at Modesto Junior College. What does that entail?

A: I implement all decisions of the college's curriculum committee. For example, if the committee says a course needs to change from four to five units, I revise that information in the college catalog and put it in the central database that supports registration, admissions and other college processes. In essence, I make sure the vision of faculty gets implemented to their standard. I also write a lot of the "friendly" content of the catalog that helps students understand what they must do.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

A: Working with all academic disciplines in the development and planning of their courses and programs. I take great pains to write and design for our audience. I believe my work allows me to play an instrumental role in helping individuals navigate the pathways that will ultimately change the course of their lives, no pun intended.

Q: Was this your original career goal?

A: Oh, nay! Who would even begin to know what a curriculum specialist is?

There is a bit of poetic justice to my current job title. As a college student who was a little too immature when I arrived, I struggled through my undergraduate experience. It wasn't until I had a compelling insight from an attentive adviser that I realized why the great college design exists. To this day, I am like the car saleswoman for the college experience. I just want to help people figure out why college matters for their souls and not just their résumés or wages.

Q: You're an ardent outdoors person. Where did you develop this passion?

A: It was planted in the '70s during my family's 12-hour drives from San Diego County to Lake Tahoe for hiking and skiing trips. It was probably sealed after one too many frozen, muddy New England winters, which can restrict your mobility for about eight months each year.

Q: What's the most rigorous or demanding outdoor activity you've ever attempted?

A: Roller-blading across the frozen University of Connecticut campus as a means of commuting to and from my student job in food services.

Q: How often do you get to partake?

A: When I'm not overcommitted to projects, about once a week. I'm trying to be wary of my gas mileage these days, for reasons both economical and environmental.

Q: Describe your perfect day?

A: Waking up just as the sun is peeking over the east fence in the yard, piling in the car with my dog, Mickey, and my boyfriend, Mitch, family and/or friends and any of the following: a bicycle, skis, hiking boots, swimsuit, downhill skis or camping gear, and heading for the hills. Add some good music, some blarney -- there are strong Irish traits in my family -- and belly laughs.

Q: What's the best thing about living in Modesto?

A: The people, by far. Unpretentious, generous and unguarded. For the most part, no one tries to be someone he or she is not.

Q: What's the worst thing about living in Modesto?

A: What I wouldn't give for the ability to ride my bike without feeling like a target on the road. I want to do my part to spare the air. I just don't think I should have to risk my life to do it!

Given health statistics for Stanislaus county, it seems it would be in our community's best interests to expand and streamline our nonautomotive infrastructure so that it's easier for recreation to become a part of our daily routine.

Are you a member of Generation X? Want to X-Press Yourself in The Modesto Bee? Know someone who does? Send suggestions to Donna Birch at: dbirch@modbee.com; The X-File, c/o The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; fax 578-2207 or call 578-2309.