Katie Robb, Fairbanks North Star Borough AmeriCorps* Umbrella VISTA Leader (oh man, what a title…)
Originally born in Maine, Katie moved with the family down to South Carolina at the impressionable age of 10. After many sweltering years at the beach, she ran as far away as she could (while still staying in state) for college and landed at Clemson University in the upstate. After graduating in 2007 with a degree in Sociology, Katie took on her first year of AmeriCorps VISTA in Columbia, SC (the one section she had yet to live in…) working at a NPO called Communities In Schools of the Midlands. In March of ’09, with her year of service up, she packed up her car, grabbed a friend, and drove the almost 5000 miles to Fairbanks, AK where she now serves as Leader to all the other wonderful VISTAs in the interior of Alaska! When not handling VISTA duties, you can find Katie crusading for recycling in the Borough, working many a crossword puzzle, exploring every inch of Alaska every chance she gets to take an outdoor trip or cooking something utterly delectable with the veggies she receives from her local CSA…mmmmm
Cassidy Phillips, Fairbanks Youth Drop-in Center VISTA
I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska during a summer when the fires broke out and turned the sun into what looked like a copper penny. Shortly after that I lived on the big island of Hawaii until our house was eaten by lava (true story…we are still paying taxes on some land buried under black rock!) So we went back to Fairbanks (no volcanoes) where I went to school. I could say I was raised by wolves (a wild pack of them roaming the valleys) but it would be a little stretch of the truth. The truth is my father looks like a bear and my mother looks like a gelflink which still doesn’t explain why I look like Pan (crossed with Peter Pan). But I do thoroughly enjoy hand-picked berries and going on wild mystical adventures in the woods. Some of my favorite things in this world revolve around creativity such as: drawing, writing, and playing music. And the thing I enjoy the most (whether it is in this world or some other) is using my imagination to create new ways of looking at things. I also find myself continuously fascinated with language; its history, its uses, and its mystery. But all in all I am just another person on this earth hoping to affect other people in a way that helps them to realize who they are and what potential they have. I am excited to serve with the AmeriCorps VISTA program; I think that by doing my small part in my community it will overflow into the whole.
Born in Englewood New Jersey on September 17, 1984 and grew up in West New York, NJ; a small urban city directly across the Hudson river from New York City. He grew up in a multicultural working class community comprised of a predominantly Hispanic population. After attending 9 years of Catholic school he went on to the public Memorial High School. The path of education lead him from high school to Fordham University in Bronx, NY where he spent only one semester before leaving the world of higher education for the world at large. He pursued a career in the film industry over several years, achieving minor success and becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and even lived in Hollywood for four months before returning to NY. His homecoming would not last long, as he took to the road again moving to Miami Beach, FL. As a result of his time and experience in FL, he gained a career in the cosmetics industry and the skill of makeup artistry. Returning once again to NY, he quickly moved up the corporate ladder within the cosmetics industry; moving from the retail level of Sephora to becoming one of the youngest executives at Stila Cosmetics. After 2 years at Stila and vast exposure to the world of cosmetics, including participating as a makeup artist 3 years in a row at New York City’s Fashion Week; he departed from Stila to accept an even higher level management position with Stila’s competitor, CARGO cosmetics. At CARGO he lead the North East team to unprecedented success while heading up and implementing the national launch of the world’s first Eco Friendly luxury cosmetics line, PlantLove Cosmetics. While he enjoyed his success, he longed for a deeper meaning out of the energy and effort he put into his career, and left the corporate and cosmetics world to serve his fellow Americans with Americorps. And he lived happily Ever After, The End.
Yelena Petkova, Joels Place Development Director VISTA
I’m Russian. That’s my nationality. I was born in Georgia the Country (yes…lol…there is a country named Georgia), and it’s an itty bitty country right next to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran! My backyard was the Black Sea…but I don’t really remember it since I was 1 1/2 when I moved to America. I’ve seen tons of photos though. My dad was a photographer so we have tons of pics…it’s really neat. I think that’s why I love to take photos so much. I love my Russian family; they are so amazing, and so funny. My mom and dad are amazing. My brother and sister are great role models. I love people. I think everyone is so unique, and everyone is a puzzle…there’s so much to each person. It’s so fun hanging out and getting to know my friends and family and others. Strangers are friends I haven’t met yet. I’m a pretty simple person. I think. I enjoy reading books; I’m a self-proclaimed book worm…just not recently for some reason? I don’t know. I love watching movies, especially with my friends and family. I usually will never watch a movie if I’m alone, I just don’t like to (I like to share the moments with others). I’m a musician. I’ve been playing the piano ever since I was six years old. I thank my parents because they made me take lessons. Now I just love playing. I play the guitar as well. It’s awesome. I also play the harmonica. =) I have fun with that one. I like to play the blues. haha. I know. But it works. I’m an artsy person. Anything to do with art, I’m there. Painting, drawing, mod-podging, finger-painting is awesome. It’s so much fun… I like getting to know people. I love life stories, so if you have a cool story, or even a not so cool one, I have a listening ear. Random fact but, I like to rap. Hehe…I try. So if you ever feel the courage, I can free style for ya. (you might laugh though, so might I). =) I think cultures are beautiful. Someday I would like to travel to Greece, Georgia (my country), Australia, Albania, and Russia. I would really like to go to Egypt (my favorite country). I think I’ve studied Egypt for the past 8 consecutive years. It never gets old. Oh, if you ever want to make my day, just smile hugely and say hello. I’ll probably do the same. Actually I will. =)
Leanne Rocha, Fairbanks Senior Center Development VISTA
Being born and raised in raised in Hilmar California, Modesto County area, then moved high school years to San Luis Obispo County (starting her new way of a adult life) and then finally to Monterey County in receiving a BA in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Kinesiology at CSU Monterey Bay. Graduating spring ‘09, (finally no more school) this is her first year in AmeriCorps VISTA at Delta Junction, Alaska. In August, she’s flying up to Alaska and starting a serves in working with all the other VISTAs in helping others. She adores butterflies, as well as nature in any weather. When not working, you can find Leanne giving her time at the local church volunteering, being outdoors at the beach of CA or walking around Fort Ord in Monterey.
Kimberly McGrath, Fairbanks Neighborhood housing Services VISTA
Kim was born and raised in St. Louis, MO but developed the urge to explore at a young age. She has resided not only in the state of Missouri but also in Wisconsin, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. Backpacking solo in Europe for a summer is one of her most memorable experiences with the added pleasure of locating and connecting with previously unknown relatives in Sicily. Her broad range of working experiences include her service leadership positions in the credit card processing industry, new business consultant, crew member on a charter yacht, real estate investment and a current license in massage therapy to name a few. She has waived goodbye to the University of Missouri to continue her education by serving as a VISTA in Fairbanks, AK. Two previous trips to Alaska just weren’t enough and she has returned to pick up where she left off! Her love of animals, gardening, fishing, learning and exploring with her camera by her side keep her busy in her time off.
Heather Shadduck, Fairbanks Neighborhood housing Services VISTA
Heather grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania with wide open spaces, spending as much time as possible barefoot and star gazing. Most of her time was dedicated to field hockey, basketball, and Key Club. After high school, Heather left the boondocks for State College to become a Nittany Lion. While at Penn State she took advantage to travel to some of her favorite places like Portland,OR, Boston, Montreal, and Denver with Circle K and Model United Nations. Of course her favorite moments were cheering on her beloved Nittany Lions football team with 110,000 of her closest friends chanting JOE-PA-TER-NO and WE ARE… PENN STATE in the S-Zone! In a moment of genius (or foreshadowing), she learned to ice skate during a gym class her senior year. Heather graduated in May 2009 with a Political Science degree, and is excited to experience Alaska with AmeriCorps VISTA! If you ever want to get on her good side, just hand her a Starbucks Coffee and anything with chocolate or peanut butter. Any spare time she has is spent volunteering with the Kiwanis Family, cheering on the New York Yankees, and baking/cooking family favorite soul food recipes to share with her friends
Jill Roseberry, Fairbanks Youth Facility VISTA
A country girl at heart, Jill was born in Indiana, but has lived in Kentucky as long as she can remember. Unable to bear the thought of going too far from her super awesome family, she attended Western Kentucky University, as close to the border as she could get without actually crossing it. She graduated with degrees in Sociology and Religious Studies, and no, she has no idea what you’re supposed to do with those degrees. So on a whim, she applied for a job in Alaska and now is selling her faithful car, Benji, and packing all her belongings to head North. Other than getting crazy ideas like moving to Alaska, she loves Jesus, her family, traveling the world, and is a huge nerd that reads all the time.
Nicholas Storch, Fairbanks Amateur Hockey Association VISTA
I was originally born in Baltimore, but moved Erie, PA before I was a year old. So most of my memories are after Baltimore. I actually grew up in a small town called Edinboro ; still in PA. I Grew up and eventually had some wander lust build up, so I bought a bus ticket to Anchorage. This trip really ended in a small town about two hours south of Anchorage call Seward. There I participated in the mass genocide of all things fish for a few years before moving the campaign to the Bearing Sea. At this point I had relocated to Wasilla for a winter. A little bit of time passed and I decided to give university a chance, and wound up in Fairbanks. I studied here for a few years, or maybe it was only one, before I found myself attending class’s at the University of Hull in Scarborough North Yorkshire England. I studied and frolicked about while in Europe picking up many amusing stories. Eventually I had to come back to Fairbanks as my kittens were patiently waiting for me. After that I took some more classes before joining the work force again. That brings us to Vista.
Evan Daigneault, Fairbanks Community Cooperative Market VISTA
I moved here from Bozeman, Montana. I have a degree in Environmental Studies from Montana State University. I was born and raised in Rockport, Maine. I enjoy snowmobiling and winter recreation. I have four cats and live in a small cabin outside of town.
Katy Blomquist, National Safe Place at Joel’s Place Coordinator VISTA
Katy was born and raised in the Golden State, but shortly after high school felt the itch to leave home and explore the outside world. So one August morn she packed everything into her little Honda Accord and drove to the great state of Texas! For three years she explored the US from her launching point of Middle-of-Nowhere-Texas. It was a great time – full of humidity, bird sized mosquitoes and lots of new friends – but three years in the South was all this west coast girl could handle! In 2009 Katy moved back to California, specifically, to the great town of Santa Cruz nestled along the northern coastline. Before joining AmeriCorps Katy worked for the Salvation Army Camp and Conference center in the Santa Cruz Mountains, however, the call of the wild resounded and Katy gladly packed up and headed north. Some things Katy is looking forward to about Alaska are: Denali, lots of pines and furs and evergreens!, new friends, real winters and working at Joel’s Place. Some things she will miss about California: wearing flip-flops all year round.
Randy Russell, Fairbanks Rescue Mission Recycling Development VISTA
Randy Russell was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania; thirty-five miles downstream the Ohio River from Pittsburgh. His obnoxious childhood behavior was well-harnessed on stage. By 18 years old, he achieved three Henry Mancini Awards for Acting. Randy traveled further downstream the Ohio River to college at Ohio University in Athens, OH. He designed his major in Media Productions focusing on Film, Theater, and Video Production. Randy worked at the Campus Recycling Facility outside of class. He performed collection duties, sorting, and salvage (also known as dumpster diving). Renowned historian and native Pittsburgher, David McCullough delivered the commencement speech to Ohio University’s bicentennial class of 2004; Randy’s college graduation. He spent that summer apprenticing a glass blower. In the autumn he backpacked Western Europe. Randy returned to Beaver in the winter and freelanced as a Production Assistant taping commercials with Comcast Spotlight. Unfulfilled in 2006, Randy applied and gained acceptance to Antioch University New England in Keene, NH for an Individualized Program in the Graduate Environmental Studies Department. He designed his curriculum of Industrial Ecology and Sustainability with a focus in recycling-based waste management. While attending graduate school, he was fortunate to attain a consulting gig with the Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse Electric Company fulfilling an Environmental Coordinator role at a Westinghouse Nuclear Component Manufacturing facility in Newington, NH. Randy created an educational video on Material Recycling Facilities and conducted a literature of Integrated Waste Management. Restless to implement real strides in sustainable development, Randy sees Recycling Development Vista as a unique opportunity to exercise his talents, knowledge, and skills while helping others.
Graduate Project Videos:
Single-Stream Recycling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOir_DcB8B4
Dual-Stream Recycling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd39H9pGHKU
