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September Members 2008
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McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Ben Blonder
Ben grew up in New Jersey where he spent most of his time in front of a
book or a computer. Recently, he has developed a passion for biology
and the outdoors, which has taken him on an adventure to Idaho. Ben
graduated in 2008 from Swarthmore College with degrees in physics and
biology. He enjoys cooking, catching salamanders, and building small
boats. |
Boise Watershed Education Center
Boise, ID
ESD112 |
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Tom Bouton
Tom and his brother usually hated piano as kids. During a big flood in
the early 1990's, they could have started a front-yard swimming hole
in suburban Chicago, but his mom made 'em get in the car for their
lessons. Growing up, aside from being forced to pound out Schaumm
music for kids, he treasured the Midwest lakes, lime stone trails and
praries with family, friends and scouts. For college, he moved to
Ashland, Oregon where he completed a B.A. in English at Southern Oregon
U. Tom did a term of service for Americorps in the Fir forests of
southwest Oregon with the Reigonal Ecosystem Applied Learning Corps in
2003. He is starting his second term of service with the Boise
Watershed, and continues to enjoy music and outdoor sports. He has
worked as an English as a Second Language/Cultural Studies teacher in
Illinois and the People's Republic of China and is excited to continue
with students in Idaho. |
Inland NW Trails Coalition
Spokane, WA
ESD112 |
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Bryan Bussard
Bryan Bussard is a 24 year old lad, raised and currently living in
Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Eastern Washington University in
2007 with a degree in History. He was married to his wife, Jessica, in
2006. He has spent extensive time working in the West Central
Neighborhood of Spokane with impoverished youth. When not working, he
enjoys cycling, hiking, the outdoors, discussing politics, and
videogames. One day, he hopes to travel a bit and save the world in his
own little way. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Patrick Corbett
Pat was born in Vancouver, Washington but most of his formal upbringing
was in Boise, Idaho. After graduating from Boise High School, Pat
attended several colleges and Universities looking for a good fit to
continue his football career before finally finishing up at Boise State
University. Before he graduated and after his college football
eligibility was up, he spent a year coaching and playing football for
the Utrecht Vikings in Utrecht, Holland in the European Professional
Football League. Upon graduation from Boise State, Pat began his career
as a Health, Fitness and Physical Education teacher. His teaching career
has taken him all over the country and to diverse communities including,
Metlkatla, Alaska, a Native American reservation, Wellton Arizona, on
the border of Mexico, Savannah, Georgia, Coeur d' Alene, Boise and
Meridian, Idaho, Lompoc and Pasadena, California and Daphne, Alabama.
He is also an instructor for summer programs, clinics and camps
throughout the country and overseas. The past four years he has added
Environmental Studies to his teaching. Along with his teaching, he has
also developed and instructed courses in Fitness, Nutrition and Stress
Management for adult and continuing education students. He also writes
technical articles for a sports journal. Pat along with one of his high
school classmates created a business called “Roughin It Outdoor
Adventures In Fitness”, a White Water Rafting and Hiking organization
that guides, trains and educates individuals and groups about the
outdoors. Pat hopes to someday reach people and governments on an
international scale and make a major contribution to the world and the
environment of planet earth. Pat's motivation comes from his mom, who's
life was dedicated to making the world a better place.
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Mountain Rides Transp. Authority
Ketchum, ID
ESD112 |
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Julie Daniels
Julie was born in Montana, but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. When not
in school, she spent much time participating in many hygiene and
clothing drives benefiting women and children in crisis. She is also
an animal lover. Since moving to Ketchum, Idaho, she spends her free
time hiking with her dog, Charlie B. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Education Award Only Program
Serve Idaho |
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Tim Dillon
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PCEI
Moscow, ID
ESD112 |
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Jacob Dolence
Jacob Dolence hails from Laramie, Wyoming. As a young child, he spent
much of his time outdoors playing on giant granite boulders at the
world famous climbing area, Vedauwoo, Wyoming. Later in life these
outings influenced him to devote much of his time to climbing and
conservation of climbing areas. Jacob attended University of Idaho
eventually earning a B.S. in Conservation Social Sciences. One of
Jacob’s favorite quotes is from Martin Luther King Junior:
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have
to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject
and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul
generated by love. Jacobs’s current goals include trying to save
the world, being a positive influence on children, and getting out rock
climbing as much as possible. Other interests are anything to do with
sustainability, mountain biking, and eating cookies.
Jacob is a second year AmeriCorps member who served with the McCall
Outdoor Science School last year. We're very excited to have him join
us for another service term! |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Genevieve Gerke
Genevieve was raised in Moorpark, California, and spent the summers
traveling and waterskiing in the southwest with her family. She moved
to Boise, Idaho, at age 14, attending high school there. She graduated
from the College of Idaho in 2008 with a degree in Environmental Studies
with a focus in Global Studies. She spent one semester in Cuzco, Peru,
and summers were spent working at camps in California and Idaho. She
has been a competitive runner for 12 years and also enjoys yoga,
crochet, reading and working with kids. She is extremely excited for
her year working with MOSS and AmeriCorps. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Lin Gray
Lin grew up in central Idaho, but didn't entirely appreciate its beauty
until she found herself at Hampshire College in Massachusetts studying
sustainability. (It just wasn't the same.) Over the past several
years she has done wildlife surveying, studied natural building,
permaculture, and other aspects of community sustainability, and
interned in the Environmental Science department at the University of
Idaho. Last year Lin pursued her most recent interest,in teaching, as
an intern at the Woolman Semester - a high school semester program
studying peace, social justice, and sustainability. She hopes to
continue expanding her knowledge and skills as an educator while
serving at the McCall Outdoor Science School and has faith that her
next steps will become more clear
over the course of the year. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Melissa Hamilton
Melissa was raised in Saratoga Springs, New York. She spent her younger
years exploring streams, hiking, and camping in the Adirondack
Mountains. She attended the University of South Carolina, enjoying two
semesters at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After completing her
B.S. in Biology, Melissa served with Americorps and the Student
Conservation Association working with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation. She was the Wildlife Ecologist for the
Hudson River Otter Stewardship Program. She then continued to educate
the public on environmental concerns and awareness. She has worked for
nature centers doing environmental education in New York, Georgia,
Florida, and Alaska. She is looking forward to teaching environmental
education during the snowy winter months of Idaho at the McCall Outdoor
Science School. |
PCEI
Moscow, ID
ESD112 |
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Ali Jo Hart
Ali Jo grew up in a “domestic zoo.” Her family has cared for multitudes
of creatures including dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, hamsters, rats,
gerbils, fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, snails and even spiders.
Consequently, she has always been passionate about animals and felt a
deep connection with nature. Ali Jo's favorite childhood memories
include roasting marshmallows over camp fires, riding bikes with her
brothers and sister, catching toads, playing in mud holes, and hiking
through her hometown desert landscape. She has lived her whole life in
Washington and recently graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Natural
Resource Sciences (concentration in Wildlife Ecology) and a Minor in
Biology. While Ali Jo was an undergrad at WSU, she spent her summers
working at the Oregon Zoo rearing endangered butterflies, raising mule
deer near the WSU campus and researching tiger salamander behavior in
conjunction with the School of Biological Sciences. In her spare time,
Ali Jo enjoys camping, cooking and spending time with her family and
friends! |
NE WA Forestry Coalition
Spokane, WA
ESD112 |
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Candace Hultberg
Candace Hultberg-Bennett was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest
and grew up enjoying the outdoors and drag racing with her family. In
2007, she graduated from Eastern Washington University with a
Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with emphasis in wildlife, fisheries,
and conservation; and will be returning to EWU for her graduate’s
degree in biology Fall 2008. Some research she has done includes,
forest management effects on small mammal populations, wild kokanee
salmon tracking, bull trout and hatchery kokanee sampling, rare
carnivore remote camera sensing, and also work with non-releasable
birds of prey. Candace has been married to Cameron for three years, a
Navy veteran and a mechanical engineer, who she met at EWU. Since the
age of two she has had a deep devotion, which created a ‘great
inquisition’ of all organisms. She and her husband have opened their
home to mostly rescued animals including a blue-throated macaw,
chinchillas, dogs, cats, snakes, tortoises, and many others. In her so
called ‘spare time,’ she enjoys time outdoors hiking, camping,
bird/mammal watching, gardening, and yoga. |
Spokane Clean Air
Spokane, WA
ESD112 |
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Marlesha Keys
Marlesha was born and raised in San Diego, California. She started
playing soccer at age seven and never stopped, taking advantage of
SoCal's perpetual sunshine playing year-round. When choosing a college
for her undergraduate education, she decided to take on the challenge of
changing seasons and migrated north to Spokane, WA. In 2008, she
graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor's Degree in
Mathematics with minors in Economics and Computer Science and a
concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership. Though still adjusting to
winters with snow, she has found that short trips back to San Diego a
few times a year help curb the homesickness: she loves to visit her
cousins--five-year-old Craig and three-year-old Kate--most of all, and
plays a few games of Beach Volleyball, teaming up with her (much more
skilled) uncle, Phlyn. Her favorite SD spots include Mission Trails
Regional Park, the San Diego Zoo, the many museums of Balboa Park, and
the beaches.
Marlesha embraces her 'reduce, reuse, recycle' creed and looks for ways
to make this lifestyle more achievable for others. She has an avid
interest in health and nutrition and a love of all things British.
Someday, Marlesha hopes to earn a Masters Degree in Economics, focusing
on the economics of environmental protection. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Mike Kruse
I grew up in Holland, Michigan, right near Lake Michigan. As a child I
remember going to the beach a lot and spending a lot of time on the
lake swimming and hanging out with family. I went to high school in
Michigan and after my freshman year of college at Michigan State
University, I moved out to Idaho to continue my college career at the
University of Idaho. After one year there, I had to get away from the
computer and see what else was going on. I spent six months working
for the Student Conservation Association living and working all over
the State of Wyoming and later completing the program in southern
California. After the SCA, I spent five months living, studying and
travelling in New Zealand. Upon my return from New Zealand, I decided
I would go back to the U of I and finish my schooling. I took the long
way there, and spent 35 days on the road seeing a good portion of the
country. At the University of Idaho, I received my B.S. in
Conservation Social Sciences. I really love spending time outside
mountain biking, hiking, swimming, climbing and anything of the like. I
enjoy listening to music and I love to play it. I am happy to be
serving as an AmeriCorps member at the McCall Outdoor Science School
teaching kids about the outdoors and their environment, for I feel
education is extremely important. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Hillary Loomis
Hillary grew up exploring the streams near her home in Stevens Point,
Wisconsin. She is happy to be an AmeriCorps member with the University
of Idaho's McCall Outdoor Science School's Mobile Environmental
Education Corps. She hopes to inspire kids to take a closer look at
their own backyards. |
Environmental Resource Center
Ketchum, ID
ESD112 |
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Megan McGowan
Megan was born and raised in Virginia. She attended college at the
University of Vermont and Virginia Tech, studying wildlife biology,
environmental policy and planning, and sociology. While in college,
Megan wrote for the Collegiate Times newspaper and spent her evenings
working with community groups on social and environmental issues.
After her AmeriCorps service ends, Megan hopes to attend graduate
school in plant and soil sciences. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Julie McWhorter
Julie McWhorter enjoyed her childhood in Jupiter, Florida, as a tree
climber, beach stroller, and amateur poet. After high school
graduation, she taught English in Russia and pursued a degree in
Elementary Education. She has traveled in 18 countries, taught sixth
grade and worked in non-profit as a grant writer since then. She
decided to "Follow her Bliss" and move to the Pacific Northwest to
kayak, hike, cross country ski, rock climb, and snowshoe. After
teaching environmental education at the McCall Outdoor Science School
in Idaho, she plans to attend Portland State University for a Master's
in Environmental Science and learn a musical instrument. |
PCEI
Moscow, ID
ESD112 |
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Laura Milewski
Laura has come a long way from the beautiful and lively city of Chicago
to join the PCEI team as the Community Outreach Specialist for a second
AmeriCorps term! It was as an undergrad at Lawrence University in
northern Wisconsin that she fully developed her passion for
environmental work and saving the entire planet! During her last year
at LU, she worked in the Volunteer & Community Service Center as a
coordinator of environmental and social justice programs. This
experience, along with her work as a quasi-environmental educator
through Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program, fueled her passions
and Laura now strongly believes that she really can begin to change the
world. Overall, Laura enjoys rocking out on her flute, making small talk
with her little brother and sister, playing with her beautiful new dog
Mya, spending time with her wonderful fiancé, and stargazing. Most of
all, she hopes to someday do service work in Africa.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Gandhi |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Jennie Newman
We all undergo changes that lead us in different directions. That is
how Jennie arrived at the McCall Outdoor Science School as a field
instructor. She graduated from Boise State University with a degree in
psychology and, over the past few years, has gained a lot of experience
working with people on the psychological spectrum. However, one key
experience was working in the Sawtooths for three summers which
solidified her love for the outdoors. MOSS is a perfect opportunity to
meld these significant experiences of people and the outdoors. Jennie's
main goal is to help increase the awareness of our environment's
inherent value in others. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Brett Nobile
Brett grew up in Poquoson, Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay. He remembers
in his youth saving baby turtles caught in crab pots while out for an
evening paddles. He remembers the look in the turtle’s eye just before
freeing it. It said, “Thank you, Brett Nobile, now go and do more!”
Since his turtle experience, he’s felt motivated to continue learning
about the natural world. When he took environmental science and
statistics at Govenors School, he felt lucky to have inspiring
teachers. Through Govenors School, he did a mentorship at the Virginia
Institute of Marine Science. He was unfortunatly unable to save any
baby turtles during this time, but his understanding of channel
characteristics increased significantly.
Brett attened college at the University of Mary Washington in
Fredericksburg, VA. While working on a bachelors of science in Geology,
he gained experience within the National Park Service first as an intern
with the SCA at Oregon Caves National Monument. Brett had his first
environmental education experience at the Caves, taking 4th and 5th
graders through the caves and the surrounding old growth forests. While
baby turtles were in short supply, there was much to be done for bats,
baby and otherwise. After returning to VA to study, Brett was off again
to California this time to work at Devils Postpile as an Interpretive
Park Ranger. The following fall, he finished his program, earned his
B.S. and took off for Canyonlands, UT to work his third season for the
National Park Service.
Brett lives his life by these words: “The barefooted man’s feet are
hard not because the ground is hard, but because LIFE is hard.”
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Faith and the Environment Network
Spokane, WA
ESD112 |
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Shelli Pitner
An Idaho native, Shelli spent her childhood and a great deal of her
adult life enjoying and exploring the mountains, rivers, and lakes of
Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. Holding a B.A.
in Education from Gonzaga, and a M.Ed (focusing on environmental
education) from Lesley University, Shelli is committed to working
toward the protection and sustainability of the earth and its
creatures. She recently moved back to the inland northwest from the
Seattle area where she was involved with People for Puget Sound, Pierce
County Environmental Summit, serving Seattle’s homeless community and
community gardening. A certificated elementary and special education
teacher, Shelli is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member with the
Faith and Environment Network as Outreach Coordinator where she works
with area communities of faith, local government and non profits
agencies. Shelli lives in Spokane with her 18-year old son Joey. Her
daughter, Jami is married and a student at Gonzaga. Shelli spends her
spare time gardening, camping, playing music, and attending community
events.
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Deer Flat Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
Nampa, ID
ESD112 |
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Mia Puopolo
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Palouse Discovery Science Center
Pullman, WA
ESD112 |
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Sian Ritchie
Sian has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of London and PhD in
Horticulture from the University of Reading (both in the UK). At
Pennsylvania State University and then Washington State University, she
worked in research laboratories focusing on the molecular regulation of
seed germination and dehydration stress in plants. She also holds a
Masters Degree in teaching from Washington State University and has
worked in education in the Pullman, Washington schools (grades K-12)
and currently is the Education Coordinator at the Palouse Discovery
Science Center in Pullman, Washington. Sian loves being in and around
trees and mountains, hiking, skiing, camping, finding creatures in the
undergrowth, and sharing that enjoyment and interest with her family. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Laura Sass
Laura was born and raised in Port Clinton, Ohio. She spent her
childhood playing softball and helping out on the family farm. She
attended the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, as well as
studying abroad with Semester at Sea. Laura is happy to be an
AmeriCorps member with the University of Idaho's McCall Outdoor Science
School. |
West Valley Outdoor Learning Center
Spokane, WA
ESD112 |
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Audra Sims
Born in Utah, Audra grew up in the southern U.S. and graduated from high
school overseas. Exposure to the outdoors started early (a toddler in
elk camp) and matured through summers camping, hiking, and fishing.
Formalizing her outdoor passion, Audra graduated from the University of
North Texas with a Parks & Recreation degree. Her current service with
AmeriCorps extends a 20 year run as an Environmental Educator and
Outdoor Recreation Instruction. Quotable Quote: Life. Be in
it! |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Alix Schweitzer
Alix grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her childhood summers
exploring her grandparents cattle ranch in central Kansas. This early
experience created a lifelong interest in prairie and rangeland
ecosystems. She is very excited to have the opportunity to share her
love of nature and the outdoors with students at the McCall Outdoor
Science School. In her free time, Alix enjoys live music, crafts,
spending time outside, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Jen Smola
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McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Elizabeth "Libby" Szarkowski
Elizabeth was born and raised in Vermont. She spent her childhood
camping and hiking in Vermont's Green Mountains. There she developed a
love for plants and began sharing her knowledge with anyone who would
listen. She attended Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts.
She focused in Plant Biology and Biogeochemistry, with research in
vegetation mapping and plant community analysis in northern peatlands.
During her college experience Elizabeth enjoyed being a Teaching
Assistant and working with local Girl Scouts. With these expereiences
she realized her passion for Environmental Education and applied to
McCall Outdoor Science School to refine her skills. |
McCall Outdoor Science School
McCall, ID
Serve Idaho |
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Piper Worthington
Piper was born in Portland, Oregon. She grew up hiking and camping
around the state with her family, especially enjoying summer trips to
Wald Lake. She attended Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
focusing her studies in Anthropology and Sociology, Spanish, and
Environmental Studies. Piper is looking forward to the coming year
working with youth and further exploring her place in the world. |
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