It’s typical of the liberal arts that fine arts major April Costa ’09 would spend a month cutting through the Peruvian rainforest in search of South American fire ants.  The ant colonies led Costa and her research partners to rare species of birds that feed almost exclusively on the venomous six-legged creatures, a reward for enduring the long and grueling trek through the wild.  Documenting their behavior was the focus of her trip to South America and the centerpiece of her summer fellowship with St. Lawrence.  Costa explains, “We were looking at whether aggression between individual birds affected foraging success.  I learned quite a bit about the five bird species that we were studying.”

A double minor in biology and outdoor studies in addition to her fine arts major, Costa grew up in West Newbury, MA.  “Going to school here has opened up a world of opportunity that I never would have had,” she says.  “St. Lawrence has helped to prepare me for the real world; it’s the perfect fit for me.”

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Costa enjoys hiking, camping and horseback riding, as well as knitting and cooking.  For two years she lived in the Green House, an environmentally-friendly theme cottage near the St. Lawrence campus.  She has learned how to play the piano and has made remarkable progress thanks to a talented instructor and a good bit of self-determination.  “I’m looking forward to having my own senior recital next spring,” she admits.

After graduating from St. Lawrence, Costa intends to learn the ins and outs of cooking at culinary school.  Eventually, she hopes to open up her a bakery that specializes in food prepared almost entirely with local or organic ingredients.

“Because SLU is a liberal arts school, students are required to take courses outside their majors, gaining a broader base of knowledge as well as a better idea of what’s out there,” Costa concludes.  “I’ve grown a lot here.”