 AmeriCorps Staff and Member Biographies
AmeriCorps Staff:
 Andrew King, AmeriCorps Program Manager - Andrew is from the east coast of the United States, but has lived on the west coast for the past two and a half years. Last year he served as an AmeriCorps member at the NYC Outdoor School. He rather enjoyed himself. Andrew enjoys listening to and playing music. He enjoys playing guitar, ukulele, harmonica, piano, and singing. Fairly recently Andrew discovered the sport of disc golf and enjoys playing a round or two each week at the park. He enjoys riding his bicycle and being both indoors and outdoors throughout the day. He loves to do art and is fascinated by crossword puzzles. Andrew is very excited for another year of adventure with AmeriCorps at Northwest Youth Corps.
Brian Scott, Corps Respond Woodsboss - Brian has been a long time NYC'er and trail junky. Living as far off as Bend, OR and County Donegal, Ireland, he enjoys an eclectic taste in music, traveling, and delving into the cultural experiences of local food stuffs. His spare time is spent either reading provocative sociological texts or bad Fantasy/Sci-fi novels. Working trail in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, California, and Nevada; co-managing a Horse Stable on the Olympic Peninsula; Community Organizing for grassroots programs across the Pacific Northwest; and being a literary critic have all been interests or previous jobs for Brian. He graduated from The Evergreen State College with a B.A. in Literature and Poetry with a minor focus in Sociology.
AmeriCorps Members:
ODS Garden Coordinator
 Rosie Sweetman - Rosie grew up on a homestead ranch in southern Oregon where she gained a deep understanding and profound respect for many things non-human such as plants, wildlife, water, soil and seasons. While growing up in “the middle of nowhere” provided her with a lot of time with chickens, cows and goats she often found people to be a little more interesting, especially those who laugh. Rosie graduated from University of Oregon where she focused her studies on a major that would most likely land her a job outside: Environmental Science. She went on to work in watershed restoration on the north Oregon coast and then to small-scale farming outside of Eugene. She loves to work outside but has found that without people around its not too fun. With a great desire to work with people and share ideas, thoughts and jokes she decided that working at the Laurel Valley Educational Farm would be the perfect job (and it is). Rosie enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee, jumping into water, working on bicycles (and riding them), playing music, watching pollinators, learning about plants, climbing things and of course growing food. Things she doesn’t really like: wet socks and aphids. And here is the latest joke she made up: Q: What is an insect’s least favorite beverage? A: Fly's Water (flyswatter).
ODS AmeriCorps Members
 Camille Stoudt - After spending a year working in the inner-city schools of Philadelphia, Camille decided it was time to head for the West Coast to get back to the mountains. She got the passion for travel and service after spending a month in South Africa and hasn’t been able to shake it since. Reading, hiking, developing friendships, and coloring in her dinosaur coloring book are what you will usually find her doing in her free time. As far as aspirations go, Camille plans to be some sort of social worker or school counselor, mother, friend, outdoor enthusiast, and the new Wonder Woman after finishing her year at The Outdoor School.
 Jeffrey Roscher - Jeffrey Roscher is a 25 year old human (of the male variety) from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Commonly referred to as "Jeff", he attended and graduated from Penn State University with bachelors' degrees in the arts of Psychology and Sociology in 2006. Since graduation, he has found employment in a variety of jobs, most recently completing his first term of AmeriCorps service in Philadelphia with City Year, Inc. In August, 2009, Jeff and his trusty companion and life-friend, "Shark" the cat, trekked across the great land of America; following his heart to the pines of Eugene, Oregon in order to complete a 2nd term of AmeriCorps service with Northwest Youth Corps' OutDoor School. A slightly interesting fact about Jeff is that he prefers to be outfitted in earth tone colors, primarily your darker browns, greens, navies, and blacks, enjoying the simplicity it provides when needing to dress himself.
 Liza Boyle - Liza was born and raised in the beautiful town of Boulder Colorado, where she learned all about the outdoors primarily through: hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, canoeing, and climbing trips, all of which she continues to enjoy. After graduating from high school she moved to Stockton California where she obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Pacific. After college AmeriCorps seemed an appropriate choice and the OutDoor School an appropriate place. In addition to being outside Liza enjoys travelling, reading, games, good food, sleep, and just living in general. She also hopes to invent a perpetual-motion machine.
 Melissa Hicks - Melissa is originally from Colorado but has recently relocated to Eugene by way of San Diego. With a huge love for traveling she has taken groups of high school students to Baja and Guatemala on service learning trips and enjoys seeing students growth as they are exposed to different cultures. Melissa has worked in a project based learning environment for the last 4 years and is excited to incorporate the environment and field studies into education. When she is not planning her next trip abroad she enjoys reading, listening to live music and taking long walks with her little dog.
 Patrick O'Connor - During the waning hours of that night, the September rich trees began to sway. Hurricane Diana was offshore, sending squalls of cold air clamoring off the Outer Banks, bouncing off the sand hills skyward, then beginning a steep descent over the central piedmont region and striking Raleigh an hour later, startling the trees from above, blustering their pale green underbellies into the open, occasionally depositing a fine grit of sand or an exceptionally large locust onto the concrete as a calling card from the Sahara. Labor pains rent the night, and by midmorning the baby had arrived. Out of the eye of the hurricane was birthed your AmeriCorps: Patrick Coman O'Connor. After completing his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he decided that Oregon would be a most excellent place to live. He teaches Geometry and Movie Appreciation. His interests include Geometry, movies, disc golf, Gaius Julius Caeser Octavianus, and organ music.
 Tiffany Cordova - Tiffany is a native Oregonian and lover of the beautiful Northwest. She is a recent graduate from University of Oregon's Family and Human Services program. Tiffany enjoys running long distances, practicing yoga, coffee breaks, discovering new music, visiting art museums, and learning about the outdoors. She has spent the past year working with incarcerated and adjudicated youth within Lane County. She is also a former intern of NWYC. Tiffany is passionate about working to empower youth and is excited to return to ODS for a new adventure!
Rural School AmeriCorps Members
Allison Kunerth - I am a first year AmeriCorps member serving in the Rural Schools Program, out at Marcola Elementary. I run an afterschool program that serves about 15-20 students from 3:40-6:00pm where we have fun with arts and crafts, studying, snacks, music and lots of games. I also teach in the classrooms, tutor individual students, and put on community events. I am a west coast kid that has lived in Eugene for 4 years, and I am finishing my degree at the University of Oregon in General Science, with minors in Music and Chemistry. I live with my dog Joey, and we both love to get out and enjoy Oregon through walks, hiking, camping and other adventures! I have had many varied experiences from firefighting, to teaching music, working in the hospital and even doing research with zebrafish! I hope my experiences serve me well, and I look forward to a fun and exciting year out at Marcola!
 Jennifer Ewing - My name is Jennifer Ewing and I'm originally from a small Washington town called Bickleton. Don't worry if you've never heard of it; no one has (even though it's the bluebird capital of the world). From Bickleton, I went to college at Eastern Washington University, where my husband and I received our degrees in June. I have a BAE in English and my husband received a BA in Philosophy. The day after graduation, we loaded up everything we owned in a U-Haul and came to Oregon. Eugene's crazy culture suits us well. My husband and I are both involved in the community and have felt very much at home with the aging hippies and radical activists.
 Jennifer Barker - Jennifer is the Rural School AmeriCorps Member for Lincoln Middle School in Cottage Grove. Jennifer, having four children of her own, has been a volunteer in the South Lane School District, Pop Warner, Little League, and South Valley Athletics for many years. She jumped at this new opportunity to work with the children in her community hoping to share her enthusiasm of nature and community involvement. She enjoys the outdoors, gardening, sports, river rafting on the Umpqua, and spending lots of time with her husband and children.
 Katie Turner - Katie is working in Oakridge, OR at the Jr. High and High School. She grew up in Gladstone, OR, which is a small suburb about 20 minutes south of Portland. She got a B.A. in History at U of O but not before studying abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia for 5 months. After graduation, Katie spent some time working the financial world before realizing that education was where she wanted to be. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, knitting, sewing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
 Linnea Lindberg - My passion for gardening began over two thousand years ago. But in this lifetime it started in rural Minnesota surrounded by acres of fields, ponds and woods. Eventually I moved to Oregon for greener pastures (and a longer growing season). My first love was tropical plants. There is hardly a variety I haven’t grown, propagated or killed. Years of horticultural endeavors followed - landscape design, greenhouse management and retail nurseries. My interests include the raising and releasing of Monarch butterflies, creating garden art out of recycled materials, and of course, gardening. I am the self proclaimed Mother of all dogs. My hope is to pass on to the students not only the skills of organic growing but also an appreciation of how incredibly miraculous Mother Nature is. Look closely at all the colors, textures, designs and shapes. Embrace the births and deaths. It's an amazing energy flow, peaceful to be a part of.
 Ryan King - Ryan makes the transcontinental trek to the Pacific Northwest from his hometown of Glastonbury, Connecticut. He is a recent graduate from Oberlin College where he studied Biology and Environmental Studies. A hydrophilic with an appetite for adventure and challenge, Ryan’s career pursuits include youth leadership development, green architecture, sustainable design, and community involvement. An intrepid optimist and ice cream addict, Ryan seeks thrill by running long distances, combating hurricanes, envisioning a better world (his eyes are green for a reason), and finding the good in humankind.
Corps Respond Team Members
 Chad Smoot - Chad comes from the great state of Texas, where he attended Texas Tech University and studied Architecture. While there, he cycled daily and enjoyed activities that were both physically and mentally challenging, such as hiking, snowboarding, climbing and camping. He is extremely happy to be part of Corps Respond and NYC, and looks forward to the many adventures that await.
 Abby Wellumson - Abby is proud to be a native of northwestern North Dakota; however, after learning everything there was to know about potato farming and the Lewis and Clark expedition, she decided to expand her horizons by moving to the great city of Minneapolis where she earned a degree in Accounting while taking in as many Twins games as possible. Other than baseball, her interests include but are not limited to a vast array of literature and music, forestry, canoeing, fur trade era reenactments, curling, dark coffee, woodland creatures, and feeding an insatiable appetite for opportunities to learn and experience new things.
 Anna Gettles - Anna grew up in North Carolina but has lived in Oregon, Ohio, Virgina, and Connecticut. She was only 6 months old when she left Oregon and unfortunately struggles to remember anything about it. She is excited to be back in her birth state and explore the Pacific Northwest. In May 2008 she received her B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Theatre from Appalachian State University, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is honored to be a part of the NYC Repond Team and thrilled for the opportunity to work outdoors.
 Scott Pursner - Scott, much like a gerbil, refuses to stay still for long periods of time. Since his inception, he has always been on the move. Most recently, he has finished his pacific rim tour, which included jobs in Alaska, Australia, and Japan. These areas are a far cry from the wilds of Wallington, New Jersey, where he grew up. However, living there did prepare him for wanting to see the rest of the world. Aside from that, his interests include wandering around, speaking other languages, and learning about whatever he can. He's a curious guy. Also, he can't wait to get back into conservation work.
 Neal Steeno - Neal was born an American but is a Yooper by Da Grace of God. He comes from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Neal graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in design & photography. Inspired by great artists, activists, peers, and adventurers, he is eager to be living and breathing as an NYC'er. He has a deep interest in music, coffee, chess, diverse cultures, adventure, Festivus, and soccer. Come January, he's excited to create some tales, keep a sense of humor, and most importantly be a positive influence in the community.
 Matt D'Agrosa - Matt grew up in the small Oregon town of Scappoose. A graduate of the University of Oregon he enjoys using his Geography degree by telling people directions and driving places sans a GPS in the car. When Matt isn't out enjoying the beautiful Oregon countryside you can find him in the gym honing his basketball skills. Excited is an understatement when describing Matt's feelings about being a part of the Corps Respond, he is ready to get his hands dirty and have some fun.
 Maggie Shaneyfelt - Maggie hails from the mountain town of Bozeman, Montana. She feel in love with Oregon while attending Willamette University. Since graduating from WU in 2007 with a B.A. in Exercise Science and a minor in Classical Studies, she has worked n an ICU, backpacked and sea kayaked in New Zealand, and worked trails with the Montana Conservation Corps. She is extremely excited to be back in Oregon and even more excited to be a part of the Corps Respond Team.
 Heather Shellenberg - Heather is a transplant from California where she attended the University of California at Santa Cruz. After earning her B.S. in Marine Biology, she worked as a marine science educator, finding fun ways to teach kids about fishes and other interesting ocean creatures. Along with her love of the ocean, Heather enjoys hikes, skiing down freshly groomed mountains, traveling abroad and sampling other countries foods, and most recently has enjoyed growing fruits and veggies in her backyard. She is looking forward to all the new experiences that will develop with the NYC Corps Respond Program.
 Dylan Kuhne - Dylan Kuhne grew up in beautiful Fort Worth Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Natural Resources Management in 2008. With college finally behind him, Dylan set out on a two month, 2,500 mile bicycle journey that would take him from Lubbock, Texas to Eugene, Oregon. Upon arriving in Eugene, Dylan joined the NYC team as an assistant crew leader for the Summer Conservation Corps program. Now he’s delighted to be back as a 2009 Corps Respond Team member. Dylan enjoys music, adventure, camping, sustainable transportation and eccentric personalities among many, many other things. His favorite color is blue.
 Clarissa Allen - Clarissa hails from the land of bluegrass and the Derby, where she attended the University of Louisville and studied Philosophy and English. She is an avid reader, and a huge proponent of education as a liberator. Raised on two different lakes, she loves any time spent in or on the water. She also enjoys making music and chasing flying discs (ultimate frisbee, the greatest sport ever invented). She just can't get over how amazing this earth we all share is, and is very excited to experience a new part of it through her service with NYC.
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