This is my first full season working on Star Island and it’s been amazing so far. I got introduced to the magic of this place through someone I was visiting last summer in 2012, and loved it so much I decided to apply to work here this summer. I was very pleased to be offered the position of music director — to get to play, arrange, direct, accompany, put shows together. These are many of the things I do in my normal life for fun, so the thought of getting paid to do them (not to mention on a gorgeous island) was pretty exciting. It’s a welcome change of pace from the craziness and the heat of summer in New York City, that’s for sure!

On a weekly basis my job here consists of accompanying hymns at chapel services in the mornings and evenings, depending on the needs of the conferences. I also organize a Pel Chorus, made up of all staff members. We rehearse a few times a week and perform in Pel Show, which I also organize. I make sure that all the acts are ready, and accompany or collaborate with performing Pels. It’s a lot of fun. Occasionally, the conferences need me for other things like playing at social hours, rehearsals, talent shows, etc. so I’m always available for those sorts of things as well. One of the nicest things about my job is the flexibility and the independence. There are a certain limited number of things I am needed for at specific times, like chorus rehearsals, chapels, and of course Pel Show — but more or less, I make my own hours the rest of the week. I can spend time practicing, playing piano in the lobby, organizing small rehearsals for Pel Show acts, organizing, cleaning, etc. It’s great! Sometimes if I don’t have enough to do I also help other crews.

I feel extremely fortunate to get to work in this beautiful, amazing place. The other Pels are wonderfully sweet people, I have a great supervisor, and everyone here is constantly working to protect the sacredness of Star Island. It’s a historical place that people have been coming to for almost centuries, and it’s meant a lot to many, many generations of people. The fondness that the longtime Shoalers have towards this place is incredibly contagious for a first-year like me, and I’m quite sure I will come back again and again. (I will come back! I will come back!)

~Sara Lewis

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My name is Carrie Pope and I am the Bellhop Supervisor at the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island. What does a bellhop do? It’s hard to list because there is so much! I have a fun and constantly changing job that requires you to move around a lot. Sometimes you use your brain to solve complicated and obscure situations which is great because using your brain is awesome! It’s also awesome because bellhops get to work with almost all the crews on island. We also keep things looking clean and tidy around the hotel and get to play mailman every morning (on business days).

Living on Star is like a dream. Sometimes I still can’t believe I get paid to work in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. There is always an astounding landscape to see and a cool ocean to jump into on hot days. Although the island may be small, there is always something to do. The modesty of Star makes it easy to participate in simple and fun things with your friends like playing cards, bocce ball, or just going for a walk. It’s awesome.

The true value of this place is reflected in the people that live and work here. The community life is unlike any other. I have come back for three summers in a row because I was hooked after my first year. I always wonder whether this place simply attracts awesome people or that being here makes people awesome. I have concluded that it must be both. Working here has changed my life in more ways than I can describe and I know people in this community will be part of my life for years to come. You get to know people in such a different and intimate way — away from technology and other mainland distractions — that is priceless in this day and age.

Apply to Be a Pelican!

Applications are now open to work on Star Island for the 2023 summer.

Start Your Pelican Application