Idyllwild Arts Technical Director and Theatre faculty member Todd Carpenter had said prior to beginning the 860-mile Race Across the West that his goal was to finish. He did considerably better than that, finishing first in the solo (not team) under-50 age division and second overall. Thirty-two racers competed in the RAW solo category…

In talking with Idyllwild Art Academy senior Quincy Ryan, one is struck by his brooding restlessness and his struggle of coming to grips with philosophical contradictions — of finding his unique voice and identity through rigorous introspection and self-examination. It was surprising to find a young man working through existential issues that many older people never choose to examine or consider.