Program Assistant/Educator

Member of FMR staff since: March 2007

Duties: Coordinate and lead storm drain stenciling programs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and assist with stewardship and educational events, as well as event and volunteer coordination for FMR programs and activities.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Professional experience: Crew member, Minnesota Conservation Corps (through AmeriCorps); Program Leader, YMCA Camp Minikani (through AmeriCorps); Assistant Playground Coordinator, Greenfield Department of Parks and Recreation; Playground Leader, Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry; Intramural Supervisor and Customer Service Representative, UW-La Crosse Recreational Sports.

Born: Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Hobbies: Biking, hiking, photography, sports (as both a participant and spectator), traveling, exploring new cities.

Favorite book: Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls

Favorite animals: I am a lover of many animals, which is probably why I am currently fascinated with the series Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel. For pets, I love dogs and rabbits. And if I could be any animal, I would definitely be a duck.

Favorite music/bands: Definitely depends on my mood. Anything live, especially acoustic. Anything I can sing to, or that I can move to. Citizen Cope, Jack Johnson, Howie Day, G Love and Special Sauce, Jurassic 5, Matisyahu, Charlie Parr, Sarah McLachlan, US3, Louis Armstong, Ella Fitzgerald. My roots are grounded in Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, Jimmy Buffet, old school Michael Jackson, SuperTramp, and Hall and Oates. Live performances by the Blue Man Group and STOMP are phenomenal, and I am determined to see U2 in concert some day.

Favorite location on the river: Considering I am new to the Twin Cities, I have yet to pick a favorite location in this area. In my days at La Crosse, I spent a lot of time admiring the Great River from Riverside Park, as well as from Pettibone Park on the Minnesota side of the river. I also enjoyed driving north from La Crosse along Hwy 61 — The Great River Road — through Winona, Wabasha, Lake City, and Red Wing.

Last big vacation: A Family trip to New York, to see my mom sing with her college alumni choir at Carnegie Hall in November 2006. The best part was watching her on stage, and experiencing the same proud feeling that my parents felt of me when they supported me in all my school activities, watching me on stage or on the field. Other highlights of the trip included the musical Chicago on Broadway, the Empire State Building, pizza at Grimaldi’s, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and gourmet cupcakes from Crumbs.

Quote: “People don’t stop playing because they get old, they get old because they stop playing.” Read more…