in the Great Outdoors - California State University, Sacramento

Speech pathology & Audiology
White water
and waves
Alumna Laura (Waters) Horn (B.S.
Audiology 2002; M.S. Speech Language
Pathology 2005) can see the ocean from
her front door. That close proximity has fueled her
latest passion: surfing. Laura and Clayton Horn
chose to locate their home in Crescent City to be
better able to enjoy a lifestyle founded on fresh air,
exercise and adventure sports.
Since they met nine years ago, the couple has
snorkeled in Hawaii, skied at Sugarbowl and Alpine
Meadows, fished for steelhead trout, kayaked
through class-five white water, biked up mountains
and backpacked through wilderness—and that is
the short list.
“People at Sac State would probably remember
me from my injuries,” says Horn. “At the start of my
master’s program, I came to class with my shoulder
strapped up and 11 stitches across my eyebrow.”
While kayaking in the white water of the Tuolumne
River, she flipped over and struck the rocks. It took
her more than three hours in 90-degree heat to hike
out of the deep canyon. She dislocated that same
shoulder three more times before getting it surgically
repaired. None of her injuries has daunted her
zest for the great outdoors, however.
8 Update Spring 2007
On the cOver
HHS Faculty On Wheels
Many HHS faculty and staff ride bicycles to campus on a regular basis. When asked why
they choose to ride two wheels instead of driving the usual four, their responses were all
variations on the same themes: easier on the environment and the wallet, easier to park on
campus, and healthier.
Most cyclists have long histories riding, but RLS lecturer Kathy Martinez recently completed her first
Century Ride, America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, which was 100 miles around Lake Tahoe; Martinez’
RLS colleague Jennifer Piatt was also riding in that group. Both professors have been involved in the
Team-In-Training Cycle Program which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Says Martinez,
who will ride with the Program again this year: “I believe that each of us CAN make a difference.”
RLS professor Kath Pinch’s ten-day tour along the southern coastline of her native Australia wins
the most unusual ride designation. Daryl Parker, KHS professor and a competitive cyclist since he
was 15, says he had one of his best rides when he got lost in a rural area outside Quebec, after coaching
a junior cycling team for an international race. Parker currently rides for the Specialized/Bicycles
Plus racing club. KHS colleague Akbar Davami notes that one reason he rides is for the sheer
joy of it. When asked what he would tell others, he says “Give it a chance, you’ll love it.” n
She was working in the Rio Linda Unified School
District almost two years ago when the opportunity
arose to work for Del Norte County Unified School
District in Crescent City. Says Horn, “My husband
and I love the area here. Life is slower, simpler,
healthier, and there are so many great outdoor
activities available. And I just love
working with children.” She adds
that her school district has an opening
for another speech pathologist
and audiologist—in case one of her
fellow alumni is interested.
Horn credits Sacramento State
for the education and support that
has enabled her to work in the field
she loves while living in a locale that
allows her and her family to enjoy
the outdoors.
Laura horn
Left to right: Bryan coleman-
Salgado, Kathy Martinez,
Jennifer Piatt, Beth Kivel and
Joyce Mikal-Flynn
On a PerSOnaL nOte: Laura and Clayton Horn’s
daughter Kaeli Ann was born in August 2007.
Laura says that when she was three months pregnant
with Kaeli, she briefly kayaked a class 3 river,
introducing her daughter to adventure before she
was even born. n
photo courtesy of laura Horn