ERT Year 18

 

The crew you have been sending down here to the Shawnee is so awesome! They really cranked out the miles for me doing maintenance and are really helping the Hidden Springs Crew out on the Hart’s Bluff Trail. – Kelly Pearson, Shawnee National Forest

Chad Angell – 2nd Year Member
Joplin Response Team Lead

Age: 27
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
Education: University of North Texas – Emergency Administration and Planning
Resume Highlights: Environmental Inventor’s assistant, Sports Coordinator for the YMCA
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: When two lives were found after we deployed search and rescue teams 3 days after the May 22nd tornado hit Joplin: a mother and a baby.
Why did you Join: to serve our country by helping those who need it the most: those recently affected by disaster. To preserve the environment by serving in our nation’s forests.
Favorite Project: May 22nd tornado response Joplin, MO, and the Halfway Creek bridge project in Butte, MT
Future Plans: Continue working in the disaster field
Hobbies: Frisbee, origami, hiking, movies, foreign/vegan food

“AmeriCorps St Louis plays an integral role in Missouri’s disaster plan, and I think every state would benefit from having a program like ERT.”

Luc Fiedler – 2nd Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Moline, Illinois
Education: SIUE
Resume Highlights: Kohl’s, R&T construction, Klancy Staging and Labor
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Felling a flaming snag on a fireline
Why did you Join: It was a good opportunity to get experience and help my country
Favorite Project: Roaring River State Park Conservation
Future Plans: Paramedic
Hobbies: Soccer, gaming, quoting Step Brothers

Lisa Formanik – 2nd Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Education: John Carroll University – BS Psychology
Resume Highlights: completed independent study in El Salvador and the Yucatan; backpacked in Senegal and the Gambia
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: our first full-team meeting in Joplin and anytime we’re around a campfire
Why did you Join: This program offers such a unique way to serve, it was impossible to turn down the opportunity. It allows for independence and growth while still providing a strong sense of community and support.
Favorite Project: Taum Sauk, St. Louis “Good Friday” Tornado Response, all things Montana
Future Plans: entering the field of Public Health with an emphasis on Disaster Response/Humanitarian Aid
Hobbies: reading, hiking, bonding with my new puppy, and training for a half marathon in Joplin/Tough Mudder in Colorado with some current members and ACSTL alumni

“Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons, It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth” – Whitman

Kendall Gosch – 2nd Year Member

Age: 25
Hometown: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Education: University of Wisconsin: Milwaukee – Print Journalism
Resume highlights: AmeriCorps NCCC alum, served in Joplin, sailed a science vessel around the Bahamas
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Responding to wildfires, sandbagging with the National Guard
Why did you join: To serve while I’m young and able to, to travel, to have an adventure, and to do something I know I’ll be proud of in 50 years
Favorite Project: Any time I get to burn something.
Future Plans: Get a good job that’s not behind a desl. It will probably include some kind of fire.

Hobbies: Putting puzzles together, hanging out with teammates, reading

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”– Mark Twain

Will Menning – 2nd Year Member

Age: 25
Hometown: Huntington, Vermont
Education: Norwich University – BA International Studies, Minor in French
Resume Highlights: Blueberry farmer, maple syrup tapper, Census worker, hay bail thrower, pizza cook
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Felled 125 trees in one day to restore a glade habitat.
Why did you Join: To be a proponent of positive change
Favorite Project: Felling trees
Hobbies: Riding  my motorcycle, rock and ice climbing

“This aint my first rodeo” -Bruce Willis

Dustin J Shackleford – 2nd Year Member

Age: 22
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Resume Highlights: Doctorate in Divinity from the Universal Life Church, Emergency Medical Technician, and Camp Ottari Health Officer, Eagle Scout
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Feeling the tree hit the ground during my Class B sawyer test
Why did you Join: For the adventure!
Favorite Project: Cuiver River State Park Prairie Expansion Project
Hobbies: backpacking and writing on my typewriter

“They say you do the first year for yourself and the second year for the program”

Abby Simons – 2nd Year Member

Age: 25
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Truman State University – BS Psychology
Resume Highlights: Special Needs Counselor at Camp Happy Day for 5 years, English Teacher in Pacasmayo, Peru, Vice President of Alpha Phi Omega during College
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: The Missouri Department of Conservation threw me a surprise birthday party before a prescribed burn in Lebanon, Mo
Why did you Join: To be a part of a national program that actually works to serve our country at the ground level. I joined ACSTL to better serve during a disaster response and former ACSTL members spoke very highly of the program.
Favorite Projects: Johnson Shut-ins conservation and firecrews: where I learned to appreciate Missouri’s beauty, The first time in Montana, the Second time in Montana, any future projects in Montana: where I learned that almost everything is better near a mountain, and the Joplin Tornado Response: where I grew the most.
Future Plans: Attending Grad School in Public Affairs/Administration
Hobbies: Yoga, Travel, Photography, Hiking

“AmeriCorps St. Louis has strengthened my mind through disaster response, my muscles though hard-work, and my leadership skills through volunteer management. I have become a much stronger person this past year.”

Grace Bertsch – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: Xavier University – Criminal Justice
Resume Highlights: AmeriCorps trail crew member with SAGA in Alaska, volunteer with Lighthouse Youth Services, volunteer with Hospice of Cincinnati
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: anytime a group of crew members start singing and dancing together
Why did you join: Wanted to be able to hike to work in the morning and work in the outdoors
Favorite Project: Peck Ranch Conservation Area building fire line
Future Plans: explore, adventure, learn
Hobbies: living out of my backpack for days on end, hula hooping, foot-stomping music, Mother Earth, nutrition and vegan deliciousness

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir

Lucas Boyd – 1st Year Member

Age: 22
Hometown: Denver, Co
Education: University of Colorado at Boulder – Integrative Physiology
Resume Highlights: Valet driver – driving a Lamborghini 15 feet
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Serving in the Joplin Tornado Response by helping a homeowner lay 80 feet of cement sidewalk by ourselves.
Why did you join: I love America.
Favorite AmeriCorps Project: Every weekend in Joplin organizing and serving along with the hundreds of volunteers throughout the city.
Future Plans: Nursing school
Hobbies: Running marathons, hanging out with my dog, hiking, fishing

Saul Clift – 1st Year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Education: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Global Studies
Resume Highlights: Bartender, Intern at Community Health Charities of MN, Attended Yoga classes in Northern India.
Favorite Americorps Moment: Getting to know everyone in Montana and interacting with Southern Missouri Residents.
Why did you Join: To experience a new adventure, meet wonderful people and travel around to new parts of the country.
Favorite Project: My first spike at Elkhorn, Mt and realizing what I’d just signed up for.
Future Plans: Move to Chicago, possibly Grad School.
Hobbies: Playing/watching soccer, traveling, hanging out with friends, City Museum!

Scott Cressler – 1st Year Member

Age: 22
Education: Iowa State University of Science and Technology – Environmental Science
Resume highlights: Summer Field Technician for Iowa DNR Fisheries
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: getting to hang a flag on a property after cleaning it up in Joplin
Why did you join: to be able to help others in their moments of need
Favorite Project: Roaring River state park – glade restoration
Future Plans: Working in conservation
Hobbies: hiking, golfing, camping, reading

“Live life for the moment not the future… “

Jason Edwards – 1st Year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: University of Missouri: Columbia – Environmental Science
Resume Highlights: Water Quality Intern for The University of Wisconsin Extension.
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Becoming federally certified by the US Forest Service and watching my comrades do the same.
Why did you Join: To make a difference and gain valuable experience.
Favorite Project: Trail construction and maintenance on the Montana/Idaho border.
Future Plans: Work for a few years and then attend school for my Masters Degree
Hobbies: Anything involving sports, drums/music in general, watching action and comedy movies, reading articles

Alex Geiselmann – 1st Year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Webster University – BFA with an emphasis in Painting
Resume highlights: Archaeological dig: Chacalilla Nayarite Mexico. Bigshark Bicycles
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: When I found out I could sleep outdoors in a hammock in Montana for a month.
Why did you join: I was interested in helping my community and I wanted to learn all new skill sets along the way as well as expand on those I already have.
Favorite Project: My favorite project was my first, because I had to build a bridge and I had never done anything like it before. I was so far out of my element I really felt like I was learning something and making a difference while doing it.
Future Plans: I plan to go to grad school and become a famous artist
Hobbies: bicycles-hiking-computers-motercycles-camping-art

“Americorps has helped open me up to many new opportunities and pushed me to learn new skills I may not have even considered.”

Laura (June) Gould – 1st Year Member

Age: 22
Hometown: North Sciuate, Rhode Island
Education: Northeastern University – BA International Affairs, Minor in Human Services
Resume Highlights:  Alternative Spring Break in Jamaica. We camped out for a week in the middle of the Outback
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Connecting blown fire line while running out of gas. We had maybe 20 feet to go and only a few drops of mixed gas to get us there. We just made it. It felt good to meet our personal goals that day.
Why did you join?: I believed this was where God was leading me. I was looking for disaster experience and something meaningful to do in my gap year between undergrad and graduate school. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend this year, it has caused me to grow already in so many ways.
Favorite Project: Johnston Shut-Ins East Fork Burn Unit
Hobbies: reading, arts and crafts

“ACSTL ERT is like nothing I’ve ever encountered before. Conservation. Wildland firefighting. Disaster Response. The diversity of programs and opportunity to grow and push myself in so many different ways is great.”

Samuel Hilsabeck – 1st Year Member

Age: 20
Hometown: Jacksonville, Illinois
Education: High School graduate, some college education
Resume highlights: Served a 10 month Americorps term tutoring/mentoring two second grade classrooms with City Year:Louisiana in Baton Rouge, a roller skating rink floor guard
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: The first night of camping at Fleecer Station just outside Butte, Montana, sleeping under the big, big starry sky.
Why did you join:  St. Louis to learn new skills, to experience new perspectives, and to work outside in the Ozark Mountains.
Favorite Project: Burning cedar piles at Roaring River State Park
Future Plans: I plan to travel around the southwest for a bit, taking in the people and places. Then I should continue schooling in the Spring.
Hobbies: I enjoy running, biking, hiking, climbing, singing, painting, dancing, smiling, breathing, laughing, and yoga.

“A year from now you will have wish you had started today.” -unknown quote

Jena Hood – 1st Year Member

Age: 29
Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia
Education: Valdosta State University - MS Sociology, BA Sociology & Gender Studies
Resume highlights: swinging hammers, raising money, and coordinating volunteers for Habitat for Humanity; child abuse and neglect advocacy for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA); emergency preparedness planning for hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: I joined Americorps on a Monday, by Thursday of the same week, I was fighting my first wildfire.
Why did you join: To gain new skills, serve my country, and guide my future career goals.
Favorite Project: Glade restoration at Roaring River State Park
Future Plans: WOOFing across the U.S.
Hobbies: the beach, hiking, camping, home renovation projects

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”

Dee Van Huss – 1st year Member

Age: 29
Hometown: Robert Lee, Texas
Education: University of Texas at San Antonio – Interior Design/Architecutre
Resume Highlights: Joined AmeriCorps in 07 with Habitat for Humanity, worked with Habitat for 4 ½ years
Future Plans: Where the road takes me
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Every moment is a great one!!
Why did you Join: New adventure, to live life
Favorite Project: Montana Land Stewardship
Hobbies: DANCIN!! Frisbee, laughing, enjoying the company of others

“Live life to the fullest!”

Ivy Ivers- 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: New Washington, Indiana
Education: Hanover College – Psychology
Resume Highlights: Studied abroad for a semester in Australia
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Exploring the area around Eminence, Mo with my teammates
Why did you Join: Mostly for the disaster relief experience
Favorite Project: Joplin Tornado Response
Future Plans: Maybe something in disaster relief
Hobbies: Basketball, volleyball, learning guitar, reading, traveling

“I love working more directly with people, being able to help them in practical, tangible ways in times when they need it most, seeing the gradual progress here and feeling proud to be a small part of it.”

Steven Lawson – 1st Year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Education: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh – BA Environmental Studies and French
Resume Highlights: Worked in Léogane, Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
Favorite Moment: Getting sent to respond to a wildfire during my first week.
Why did I join: For a new challenge and because I thought it would be a great opportunity and an interesting experience.
Favorite project: Roaring River Land Stewardship
Hobbies: Camping, hiking, working out

 

Stephanie Lee – 1st Year Member

Age: 22
Hometown: Waldoboro, Maine
Education: University of Maine – Mass Communication
Resume Highlights: Second female to work in a merchandiser position for Pine State Trading Company
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Jumping into a car with my team leader and two others, driving to my first wildfire and receiving the most intense safety briefing while clinging to my personal protective gear, getting tossed around in the backseat.
Why did you Join: “What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each another?”
Favorite Project: Fire Response in the Camdenton, MO area and fighting four wildfires in a weekend.
Future Plans: Travel and experience this vast world.
Hobbies: Crafts, guitar, reading, writing, exploring, snowboarding, scuba diving

Liz Leman – 1st Year Member

Age: 22
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Education: Elon University – BA History and International Studies, Minor in German Studies
Resume Highlights: Traveled to Sri Lanka in January 2011 as part of a program I had worked with for over 2 years in college and to do research for my thesis. Specifically, watching the sunrise on Adam’s Peak after climbing stairs for 2.5 hours to get there. The serenity and adrenaline and community of it was incredible.
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Any moment with one or more of the following: campfires, Montana, hiking, sing-alongs, dancing, Cheez-Its, dogs, laughing, sunrise/sunset/sunshine, or a shared and tangible accomplishment.
Why I joined: I knew it would be an adventure, whatever happened. I wanted to learn a unique and useful skill set, to do something outside/not in an office, to move somewhere new and travel, and also I was not ready for grad school!
Favorite Project: Working at the Ozark Trail at the end of November/beginning of
December. We had a great group and got a lot of work done, even though it was freezing cold.
Future Plans: Work for another year or so (possibly a second year?), then attend law school. Find my passion and never let it go. Retire to Dalmatian Plantation.
Hobbies: Cooking, singing, musicals, reading, movies, ice skating, running

“I like the person I am in AmeriCorps better than the person I was before.”

Sara Ann Levine – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Education: Georgetown University – BSFS in International Politics, Certificate in International Development
Resume Highlights: EMT-Basic with Georgetown EMS, President’s Office Intern at Conservation International
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Spending the day doing saw certifications. We were broken down into smaller groups but everyone was supporting everyone and it was a really good feeling knowing I had 21 other people pulling for me.
Why did you join: I joined because I wanted to find a way to give back. I also wanted a year of adventure, learning things I would never have learned if it weren’t for this program.
Favorite Project: Working on the Ozark Trail for five days, camping out while completely cut off from the rest of the world.
Future Plans: I am hoping to move back to DC and work for an international NGO while studying for the Foreign Service Officer Exam.
Hobbies: Reading, watching movies, crocheting, baking, hanging out with friends

“This man reminded me how very important it is to show people that you care, even if it’s just a phone call. Although we can’t physically help right now, sometimes all people need is a little hope, and that we can give them.”

Warren Mercurio – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: University of Central Missouri – Crisis & Disaster Management, Minor in Fire Science
Resume Highlights: Firefighter with Warrensburg Fire Department
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Every moment as an AmeriCorps member.
Why did you Join: To experience new things, see new places, meet new people, and to gain experience in the field of disaster management.
Favorite Project: Montanta Land Stewardship Projects
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, hockey, camping, boating, anything outdoors!

Ali Morgan – 1st Year Member

Age: 18
Hometown: San Diego, California
Education: High School
Resume Highlights: Was the youth volunteer coordinator at a cat shelter for 4 years
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: all these awesome people cheering me on to finish the pack test!
Why did you Join: To get experience in something I was already interested in as a future career and to experience something other than the West Coast.
Favorite Project: Building fireline at the Shut-Ins, and getting to drop my first tree. It was not pretty but I will never forget it, and how much I learned from that one tree.
Future Plans: go to college for Conservation Biology, travel, get a job that makes me happy. Hopefully something in wildlife conservation.
Hobbies: beach, camping, being with friends, laughing, stumbling (upon)

“I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.” ― Thomas Carlyle

Laura “LP” Perry – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Crawfordsville, Indiana
Education: Elmhurst College – BS Psychology and Philosophy
Resume Highlights: YMCA Camp Crosley Counselor
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Hanging out with most of the staff in Potosi for our saw certification week and being able to learn from experienced sawyers and each other while earning our official certifications was really gratifying.
Why did you Join: For service and exploration.
Favorite Project: Joplin Tornado Response
Future Plans: Attend Grad school
Hobbies: Soccer, reading, going to the movies, my extensive shoe collection

“Only when you see this [the area the tornado struck] do you begin to understand the destruction of the tornado. From there, only after speaking with affected homeowners can you begin to understand the devastation of the tornado. Finally, only when you begin your service in Joplin do you get a truer understanding of the hope there is for Joplin”

Angela Rineer – 1st Year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania
Education: Lock Haven University – Health and Physical Education
Resume Highlights: Teaching Taekwondo to all ages
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Felling my 2nd tree during my saw test using a bore cut for the first time.
Why did you Join: For the adventure, to serve others and to experiences new things
Favorite Project: Calling Flood survivors and being able to talk to them
Future Plans: Teaching Elementary Health and Physical Education
Hobbies: Soccer, teaching Taekwondo, drawing

Krista Schilling – 1st Year Member

Age: 25
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Webster University – BA Sustainability & Human Rights
Resume Highlights: Baker, Horse-drawn Carriage Driver, Americorps NCCC Alum
Favorite Americorps Moment: Laughing with my team.
Why did you Join: To challenge myself, to work with amazing people doing amazing things.
Favorite Project: Roaring River State Park-burn piles and wonderful experiences with exceptional people.
Future Plans: To be happy.
Hobbies: Archery, dance, poetry, baking.

“Do you ever feel like where you are is exactly where you’re supposed to be? That’s how I feel right now.”

Marty Sellers – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Buies Creek, North Carolina
Education: The University of Nebraska – BA Economics and History
Resume Highlights: Resident assistant, carpet cleaner at Stanley Steemer, assistant curator at an Art Gallery
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Climbing Fleecer Mountain in Montana in the snow
Why I Joined: I wanted to experience something different and exciting
Favorite Project: Peck Ranch Prescribe Burn Unit Preparation
Future plans: Volunteer for another year with ACSTL and attend graduate school
Hobbies: pick up sports, reading

Andrew Sexton – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Moorestown, New Jersey
Education: The Boston College University – BA Philosophy and Political Science
Resume Highlights: Costco Grocery Cart Wrangler, Camp Counselor
Future Plans: Become a lawyer, Learn how to surf, Visit China
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Swimming in Deadman’s Lake
Why did you Join: This sounded exciting and meaningful
Favorite Project: Montana Land Stewardship Projects
Future Plans: Become a lawyer, Learn how to surf, Visit China
Hobbies: Jogging, Basketball, chess, reading, chainsawing, sports blogging

Amelia Tegerdine – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Education: Northwest Missouri State University – Interactive Digital Media, Applied Advertising
Resume Highlights: Designer for a newspaper, Multimedia Developer for an
information technology center, Book Shelver at textbook warehouse, Housekeeper at a Colorado Resort, Youth Soccer Referee, NCCC Corps member in the Southern Region
Favorite Americorps Moment: My favorite AmeriCorps moment will be when I get my Federal Chainsaw Certification, but until that happens it will have to be the trail building and camping in the snow along the Ozark trail for 10 days in December
Why did you Join: To gain more experience in wildland firefighting and felling trees
Favorite Project: Johnson’s Shut-in’s before Christmas
Future Plans: Find a job in the design/creative fields or an environmental related field; continue to feed my experience addiction
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, fishing, sports, really most anything outside, reading, designing for print and websites, creating multimedia productions

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning.” Louis L’Amour

Cody Turner – 1st Year Member

Age: 23
Hometown: Panora, Iowa
Education: University of Iowa – Religious Studies and Communication Studies
Resume Highlights: Catholic Youth Camp life guard, cook, and climbing tower instructor
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Sitting around the campfire in Montana with everyone on the team was always the best way to end a day.
Why did you join?: I joined AmeriCorps because I wanted to do something meaningful with my life rather than work at a mundane job after college. There is nothing better than being able to serve and help those in need.
Favorite Project: Constructing part of the Continental Divide Trail along the Montana/Idaho boarder
Future Plans: Enjoy my time serving in AmeriCorps St. Louis and see where it takes me after.
Hobbies: Frisbee, Soccer, Skiing, Hiking, and Kayaking

Mark Wilson – 1st year Member

Age: 24
Hometown: Cherokee, Iowa
Education: University of Northern Iowa – Biology: Ecology and Systematics
Resume Highlights: AmeriCorps Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa (Crew Leader), Iowa DNR, UNI Botanical Center, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Intern, Grave Digger
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Working and living with the ACSTL ERT team last year in Joplin for two months while serving with CCI.
Why did you Join: Due to my experiences in Joplin, knowing that this is an amazing program, with amazing people, doing amazing things.
Favorite Project: The last one…until the next one.
Future Plans: Find a job that I love to go to every morning.
Hobbies: Reading, plants, politics, numerous outdoor activities, and video games

Sam Zytka – 1st Year Member

Age: 19
Education: Point Park University – Some Courses
Resume Highlights: I worked in a bakery and a gym
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Hiking up Mt. Fleecer in the beginning of the year
Why did you join: I thought it would be a great experience and lots of fun
Favorite Project: Eminence, Mo Land Stewardship Projects
Future Plans: Going to the University of Pittsburgh next fall
Hobbies: Reading, watching movies, parkour, pick up sports

Clare Holdinghaus - First Year
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
University: Beloit College
Degree: Political Science, Philosophy
Interesting Past Jobs or experiences (ex; Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru): City Year Corps Member in Philadelphia, Associate with the DC Public Schools Chancellor’s Office, Beloit College Grounds Crew
Future Plans: Another year with AmeriCorps St. Louis, then continuing to work in the field of disaster relief or wildland firefighting.
Favorite AmeriCorps Moment: Fighting a wildfire at night. It was surreal seeing a line of fire roaring up the side of a mountain with the stars above and perfect quiet all around.
Why did you Join: I want to help those in need in times of crisis, and I want to have the opportunity to see and do new things on a regular basis.
Quote about AmeriCorps St. Louis (Can be pulled from your great stories): “I love the satisfaction of attacking a problem head-on and seeing the results. I love problem-solving in the moment. And I love being on a team of people who are supportive, strong, clear-headed, and positive.”
Favorite Project: Building cedar piles at Roaring River State Park. There were so many beautiful moments up there in the Ozark Mountains.
Hobbies: Playing music, reading, sewing, running, exploring, philosophizing

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