Ditty Bag
Guardians of the Planet
Staff Facts
What's in a name?
100
In maritime superstition, doing this while on deck is said to summon wind or storms, risking danger to the ship.
What is whistling?
100
This young indigenous leader focuses on community resilience in the fight against storm damage and sea-level rise in southern Louisiana.
Who is Devon Parfait F18, Chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw.?
100
This cheery staffer has a dark side--they held Grover hostage for a whole month.
Who is Jenna?
100
Trombone player Freddie Lonzo sang this sentimental "wedding" song at Preservation Hall in New Orleans.
What is "Making Whoopee!"
200
1948 is the current number of individuals in this dynamic community.
What is the WM alumni body (now including you)?
200
This pragmatic leader is the granddaughter of Aroostook County potato farmers and was the first woman in her state to serve as Attorney General and as her home state's chief executive.
Who is Governor Janet Mills?
200
Serial killers aren't on the curriculum at WM, but this staff member had an up-close and personal experience with one.
Who is Tom?
200
This beloved Williams-Mystic mascot, the first of any "official" house mascots, arrived in the fall of 1992.
Who is Grover?
400
This corner of the planet has over 365 rivers, including one that was used to film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
What is the island of Dominica?
400
This U.S. agency tracks hurricanes, maps the world's oceans, manages the nation’s fisheries and employs several dozen WM alums.
What is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?
400
This wild and crazy staffer has climbed to the top of the Morgan without a harness and took the fast route down by burning the backstay.
Who is Laurie?
400
This 85-mile stretch of land contains more than 200 petrochemical plants and refineries, many in majority-Black districts.
What is Cancer Alley?
800
The marine dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans is one of many marine organisms that cause this well-known phenomenon.
What is bioluminescence?
800
An author and natural resources policy expert with a focus on collaborative decision-making summarizes her work by saying, "Don't be a poopyhead!"
Who is Dr. Tora Johnson?
800
In the "They Just Can't Stay Away" category, these staffers have worked for WM more than once.
Who is Laurie, Amanda & Anna?
800
This marine policy guest was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by President Obama in 2011.
The Honorable Susan L. Carney
1000
Despite powerful jaws that can snap shut in just 50 milliseconds, this reptile is also known for gently cradling its offspring in its mouth to transport them.
What is the American alligator?
1000
This enthusiastic and knowledgeable educator and sustainable systems expert had many of you pondering why we use water to flush human waste.
Who is Kyle from Hurricane Island?
1000
This multi-talented staffer once had "interview Santas" as part of her job description.
Who is Amanda?
1000
Akonting, bangie, guitjos, banza and bonjaw were common terms used in past centuries to describe this musical instrument.
What is a banjo?
1200
Despite defecating as often as every 7 minutes, these birds can travel up to 70% farther if flying together in v-formation than if flying alone.
What are Canada geese?
1200
This Williams-Mystic alum, who serves as the State of Maine's Lobster Biologist, was quoted as saying, "Williams-Mystic lasts as long as you want it to."
Kathleen Reardon S99
1200
This staff member has a colorful past: they were cast as a "New England prostitute" in the Steven Spielberg film, Amistad, filmed at Mystic Seaport.
Who is Anna?
1200
Made from old rope, this protective covering is used aboard ships to protect sails from chafing against standing rigging.
What is baggywrinkle?