I was super honored to be nominated and selected to be in Ocala Magazine http://ocalamagazine.com 40 Under 40 July issue.
A week prior to being selected, I was turned down for a future employment opportunity and was struggling to understand the setback. Then I received the 40 under 40 email and I felt it was a sign that good things are coming and they’re better than what I was settling for.
I was asked to schedule a photo session for the next week. At the time I was gearing up for two weeks of swim lessons from 7:30AM to 7:30PM with no room in my schedule. My clients were amazing and flexible and allowed me to rearrange the schedule to make it happen. One client even allowed me to shower at her house in order to get ready. So I hopped out of a pool at 10:30, was sitting in a salon getting my hair/makeup done by 11:15, getting my pictures taken at 12, then hopping back in a pool at 12:30.
Shoutout to Havan Artman at Evolutions for doing my hair and Brandi Yeager for my makeup.
In the email they stated I could bring props so of course I brought my pottery! I knew I was going to be in a pool all morning so the night before I packed a cooler of ice to keep the strawberries cool. When I showed up and whipped out the strawberries everyone had a good laugh.
Then I had to keep quiet about it for a whole month. My friends and family came together to find me copies of the print magazine too. Thank you Autumn 🤍
It was such an honor to be nominated and picked for this issue. It reminded me that God is always on time.
I have included my full interview below 🤍✨
Name: Samantha Ingram
Age: 29
Kids: Nope
Occupation: Student Services Manager
Name of business/workplace: Marion County Public Schools
My grand goal in life: To glorify God in all that I do. It’s a daily struggle to die to oneself, I’m not perfect, but it is my goal.
When not working, I: am spending time throwing clay in my pottery studio or traveling with my Boo.
What I like most about living in Ocala: How tight knit our community is. Ocala is growing; but as a city we are still focused on what matters: the people. I have watched this community show up time and time again for others when they needed it most. Also, how is it that everybody knows everybody? I’ve now traveled to other continents and when people find out where I’m from they respond, “Ocala! So and so lives there.”
My biggest pet peeve: Gatekeeping. Nothing bothers me more than when someone intentionally holds another back from being successful. There is room for everyone at the table, come and have a seat. I’m still relatively new to the pottery world but I have been blown away by this community and how open the experienced are to teaching and passing on the art form.
One word that summarizes my philosophy of life: Faith
My greatest strength is: Determination. I will figure it out, just wait.
If you could have a superhuman power, it would be: I want to be able to breathe underwater. Every time I’m near water I just want to dive in and swim away. Oh the magic that must exist beneath the sea.
Community cause nearest my heart: The Arnette House. They took a chance and hired me straight out of college at age 20. I grew so much working alongside my colleagues there. The Arnette House serves so much of Ocala behind the scenes it is mind-blowing. I encourage you to check it out and see how you can get involved!
A guilty pleasure of mine: I love watching Selling Sunset on Netflix. I mean I binge it. So it’s no surprise I love scrolling Realtor.com too.
Any person in history I could have a dinner date with, and why: Esther from Persia! There’s just so many things I need to ask her. She was out of place, but she remained faithful and brave. She was patient, clever and bold. Her story provides so much evidence of how God works behind the scenes for our good and all we have to do is step forward. For such a time as this.
People who know me say I am: To the point. It is a running joke among my coworkers to be “Ingram’d” by me. I’m very direct because that is what I want from others. Everything works better when communication is clear. As a society we spend a lot of time talking and reading between the lines and I’d just rather get to the point.
Personal achievement for which I am most proud: Would have to be my pottery business. It is a hard art form to learn, but I keep showing up. I need people to know that I failed at least a thousand times before I got it semi-right. I started recording myself and sharing that on social media, requiring a lot of vulnerability, but it has been so rewarding to look back and see where I started. Becoming a potter has challenged me both creatively and intellectually. Pottery demands so much heart, art and science; from throwing on a wheel to successfully firing a kiln requires you to slow down and learn the process. If you ever have the time, check it out @singceramics on Instagram
Professional achievement for which I am most proud: Becoming a dean at Lake Weir High School. I started as a reading teacher and I miss it often. But as soon as I knew what a dean was I wanted to be one. I grew up in Ocklawaha so it was that much sweeter to become one at Lake Weir High. I have the privilege to build relationships with students, teachers and parents during the most difficult moments. I would be lying if I said it was sunshine all the time, there have been some really dark days. However, when I have the opportunity to remind a student they are not the bad choice they have made but so much more – I know I am right where I am supposed to be.
Favorite part of my profession: I just finished my 7th year in education. So this past May, the 6th graders I had my first year of teaching graduated high school. There is not a word to describe the feeling you get when someone you have witnessed work so hard attain that goal. There is nothing like it.
If there is one thing I indulge too much in, that would be: Social media. I spend too much time on Instagram, connecting with other potters, searching for inspiration, recording or editing my videos or pictures.
Top three things on my bucket list:
1: I’d like to start or assist in bringing the Empty Bowls Project event here to Ocala. It combines pottery with fighting hunger. I have so many ideas for how this could be a grassroots movement, so if anyone reads this and is interested in helping me let me know!
2: I would love to transition to pottery full time some day.
3: Visit the Maldives or Bora Bora. Either will do.