Discovering Belonging and Passion:
Honoring Everett Brubaker ‘10
Everett Brubaker’s journey has been marked by personal growth, community involvement, and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. From his early days at Eastern Mennonite School (EMS) to his current role in driving social and environmental change, Everett’s story is about the power of calling and the pursuit of passion.
Finding a New Beginning at EMS
Everett’s journey with EMS began in 7th grade, following a move from Arizona to Harrisonburg in 2004. The transition was significant, he found himself in a new environment, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and a faith culture he had never encountered. His father’s job at Eastern Mennonite University prompted the family’s relocation, and Everett’s family was in search of a nurturing educational environment for him and his brother.
Reflecting on his initial days, Everett shared, “I didn’t have any friendships going in, and wasn’t exactly sure what a Mennonite was. I was nervous, yet excited to start a new chapter.” It was a leap into the unknown, but one that would shape his future in profound ways.
Passions Ignited Through Music and Creativity
EMS’s “Big Brother” program provided immediate connections, helping to ease the transition. “Walking into the chapel and seeing my big brothers waving to me was a relief,” he recalled. One aspect of chapel, music, became a significant part of his life, as he learned to sing and read music—skills that helped him understand himself better.
Everett also found joy in creative projects, such as making movies with friends. For a literature class project, Everett recounted filming a take on Robin Hood with friends. “Instead of spending a few hours to write a paper for extra credit, we sunk well over 100 hours on making a film and cementing lifelong memories. Absolutely worth it.'” He also started a band in eighth grade with fellow classmates Logan, Phil, Ashton, all 2010 graduates, called Prevail. They even recorded and produced an EP and played EMS talent shows. These experiences embedded a love for storytelling and collaboration, skills he would carry with him into adulthood.
A Call to Environmental Stewardship
One of the most transformative experiences for Everett at EMS was a trip with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which sparked a passion in him for environmental sustainability. Led by his future father-in-law, Mr. Blosser, the trip opened Everett’s eyes to the interplay between humans and the environment.
“The power of experiential learning was immense,” Everett explained. “Seeing people work passionately, covered in mud, and understanding our interconnectedness within our ecosystem was a revelation.” This journey ignited a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and community engagement.
Bringing People Together for a Thriving Future
Today, Everett finds joy in bringing communities together. He has kick- started a community garden, worked to make homes in need more energy efficient, and on Earth Day this year organized a large gathering of local environmental leaders. His focus is on making connections that enable both people and the planet to thrive. After a recent job loss due to federal budget cuts, Everett’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to propose a new role at the emerging local nonprofit Renew Rocktown, where he now serves as Director of Development. His work involves scaling up the organization’s efforts to build local capacity for sustainable change.
In the wake of a heartbreaking setback losing a job he loved that was fulfilling and making a difference, he was able to find resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation
Reflecting now, Everett emphasizes the importance of belonging at that critical time when he joined EMS. “When a child feels they belong, everything else—academics, sports, engagement—improve,” he said. He credits EMS with providing a sense of belonging that has anchored his friendships and character development. He hopes that EMS will lean into an expansion of creating a sense of belonging for all students.
Everett’s story is one of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of community. As he continues to lead initiatives for environmental and social equity, his journey serves as an inspiration for others to find their place, pursue their passions, and create meaningful change, no matter the circumstances.
