Below is the list of the members in each of the two AmeriCorps Cape Cod houses and some biographical information about each of them. Additionally, profiles have been added for our 6 AmeriCorps Recovery Act members and our 2 AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Brian Dinizio I was born in Germany in 1986, and 9 months later, ended up on Cape Cod. I lived in Mashpee until just a couple of years ago and now live in Duxbury, MA just 25 minutes from the Sagamore Bridge. Now at 21 years old, with a recently earned B.A. in Political Science from Merrimack College and a disdain for suits and commutes (acquired through my internship at the State House), I decided to do something different. Fueled by my love of the place I grew up on, appreciation for the great outdoors, and innumerable viewings of every episode of Planet Earth, I hope to give something back to Cape residents and of course, the environment. Since I essentially wandered through my college career with vague life plans and a confused look on my face, I am now more focused, and plan on this experience to help open doors and set me on the right path to a career that involves my most sincere interest, the environment. Oh and by the way, I can throw a Frisbee pretty well and grow one heck of a mustache.

Sarah Frese I am 23 years old and from New Port Richey, Florida which is located on the gulf coast just north of the Tampa Bay area. I am a recent graduate from the University of South Florid (USF)a with a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, GO BULLS ! While at USF I took advantage of several opportunities to get involved. I was a volunteer in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement organizations, a member of Greek Life, a Resident Assistant and participated in National Student Exchange (NSE) through the University of Tennessee. My involvement has allowed me to travel internationally (Costa Rica and Dominican Republic) and locally to give back to the community through different service projects. One significant volunteer experience that influenced my life is the time I spent in New Orleans rebuilding the community. Through my university, I have led groups of my peers to the disaster areas to do hands-on construction, interact with the locals, and gained an understanding of the soul of Louisiana. This has been key in to my decision to devote a year of time to service before pursuing my master’s degree. During my free time, I enjoy swimming, outdoor activities, catching up with friends, and shopping. I am looking forward to my adventures in Cape Cod with my fellow Corps members, learning more about the area, and wearing more layers of clothing since it might be a little colder than the Florida sunshine!

Colum Lang Hello, I am Colum. I am 22 and I recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelors degree in environmental engineering focusing on municipal processes (water and wastewater engineering, solid waste management etc). I am interested in all things outdoors, mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, kayaking etc and I am excited about the potential for some kayaking and mountain biking adventures in Cape Cod. This past summer I had an adventure at Mount Rainier National Park where I worked on trail construction and maintenance and spent my time off going on epic bike rides and backpacking trips. My personal interests include topics of sustainability, especially with regard to water, energy and the interaction of the two.

Katheryn LeFevre I am 22 years old and come from snowy Buffalo, NY. I graduated from SUNY Geneseo in May where I majored in English Literature. While at school, I was lucky enough to study abroad in London and got to travel around Europe and it really set off my passion for traveling and exploring new places. Once I settled back into the small town of Geneseo (which doubles its population during the school year), I became restless and came to the conclusion that I wanted to do something fun and out-of-the ordinary before going to grad school to get my master’s in Library Science. This year I hope to focus on exploring the Cape and doing interesting things that I can look back at with pride. I love to read, bake (I make a mean cupcake), watch cheesy television and play field hockey in my spare time. Though I admit I do not really know as much as I could about the environment, I am excited to learn more and ask as many questions as I can!

Erin Leonhardt I am 22 years old and I am from the town Brewster on Cape Cod. While growing up on the Cape I developed a strong passion for the bay, ocean and all its little critters, even the ones that pinch. I pursued my passion for the ocean and graduated with a B.S. in Marine Biology from Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. One of my great experiences at RWU involved studying coral reefs and marine invertebrates abroad in Bermuda, where we also went scuba diving for class. Also, at RWU I spent three years working with the Rhode Island Oyster Gardening for Restoration and Enhancement program, which is a restoration program that provides oysters and habitat to Narragansett Bay. While working with RI-OGRE I gained both an appreciation for smelling like oysters, and an understanding of the importance of oysters in the marine ecosystem. I am excited to continue aiding the environment while being a part of the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program. In addition, I was not only excited to study the ocean at school, but also excited to be part of the RWU Women’s Swimming and Diving Team. I enjoy being part of a team and look forward to being a part of the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program.

Gabriel Lundgren I am 23 years old and grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts. I am an environmental tech student at Cape Cod Community College. For the past two years I have been working for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and this summer I had the privilege of working as a Park Ranger for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Cape Cod Canal. I have conducted interpretative visitor assistance programs in addition to safety patrols and natural resource management projects. I am seeking to broaden my knowledge and skills through serving the Cape Cod community with AmeriCorps year 11.

Riley Moffatt I am 24 years old and grew up about an hours drive east of San Francisco. I recently graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz (after transferring from Diablo Valley Community College- Go Vikings!) with a BA in Environmental Studies. My focus at UCSC was in national and local environmental policy as well as coastal and marine science. I strongly believe in protecting the environment and our natural resources as well as public service. I am eagerly looking forward to serving both these passions with AmeriCorps Cape Cod. Playing in the outdoors is my favorite way to spend my free time. I enjoy backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, mountain biking in the Santa Cruz Mountains, skiing in Tahoe, and cannot wait to explore the outdoors of the New England. My interests include cooking, playing/watching sports, music, meeting new people, reading, coffee, and riding my bike everywhere! I cannot wait to meet my fellow AmeriCorps members and staff and am sure the upcoming year will be the experience of a lifetime.

Sean Murphy I am 23 years old from Dedham, Massachusetts. Before enrolling in the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program, I served for ten months with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) based out of the Sacramento, California campus. While as a member of AmeriCorps NCCC, I was engaged in diverse service projects in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, California and Oregon. Proceeding this term of service, I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in May 2008 with a degree in Political Science. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, music, reading, running and various other outdoor activities. Despite being born and raised in Massachusetts, my previous experiences on the Cape are limited so I am intrigued by what this year will have in store.

Amanda (Amy) Ranum I am 23 years old and I recently graduated from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC near Myrtle Beach with a degree in Business Administration. I grew up, lived and worked on a 220-acre golf course in Bridgehampton, NY. I have worked with a few local non-profit organizations in the past but nothing to the extent of AmeriCorps. I love the beach and consider living near the water a necessity. I am so excited to be moving to the Cape and to be starting the next chapter of my life. I am looking forward to all kinds of new experiences and to meeting new people.

Kevin Wade I am a recent graduate of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas (The Little Apple!). At K-State, I received a Master of Architecture with a Concentration in Urban Planning and Design. If you know any architecture majors, you are aware that I was awake for nearly all of the past five years as I spent them frequently pulling “all-nighters” in the design studio designing, drawing, and modeling. Keeping me sane through this rigorous course of study has been my favorite pastime of long distance running. I was a member of the High School Track and Cross Country teams in my hometown of Independence, Missouri (also the hometown of Harry S Truman), and found that my love of running really developed in college as an escape from the design studio. Along with running I love to fly kites, sketch, and engage in long conversations.

Caroline Walden I am 22 years old and Guilford, CT is the town I call home. This past May (2009) I graduated from Boston College with a degree in Human Development and Communication. Although my degree is in education, my true passion lies in ecology, nature, and anything outdoors. Whether it be doing yard work or lying on the beach, I am truly happiest when I am outside. While at BC I was a member of the women’s soccer team for all four years. However, this September will be the first fall in 18 years that I will not be lacing up my cleats. Although I am sure I will miss it, I look forward to directing my energy to new and exciting endeavors. I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle and hope to continue to do so throughout Cape Cod. I look forward to my 11 months with the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program. I see it as a new adventure: an opportunity to explore and immerse myself in a new place.

Korinda Walls My mom raised me to be a Treehugger. She put me on a healthy regimen of John Denver albums and Marty Stouffer nature shows when I was in preschool. Combined with a heavy dose of my dad’s leadership traits, I have grown up to become a 21-year-old advocate for ethical environmental action. For the past six years, I have been working to build the movement toward a sustainable future. I have taught sailing and waterfront education at a Girl Scout camp, instituted recycling programs in the dorms at my undergraduate school, apprenticed in Permaculture at The Farm Ecovillage Training Center, and worked for Energy and Environmental Services for the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I recently graduated from Indiana Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, concentrating in Ecopsychology. Now I am ready for another adventure! As an Indiana native, I am excited to be moving to the coast, and even more excited to serve the Cape Cod community alongside a group of like-minded, energetic young people.

Aimee Wang I am 22 years old this August, grew up around Boston, and majored in illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Although I love telling stories and making art, I also want to get out and do something with and for others in a more concrete way - which led me to AmeriCorps Cape Cod. I have lived and worked very briefly on farms in the US and the UK in the past two years, and gained a deep appreciation for working outdoors, with my hands. I love traveling and aim to one day visit all of America's national parks (so far, I've been to 19 of them). However, most of my practical experience relates to drawing, painting, and graphic design, so I have a lot to learn!

Erik Boyer I am 23 years old and from North Wales, PA. I graduated in 2004 from Gordon College in Wenham, MA with a B.A. in Biology and a concentration in Environmental studies. My interests in the field of ecology are invasive species management and restoration ecology. While at Gordon, I participated in amphibian reproduction in vernal pools. I also participated in track and cross-country and I was a team captain my junior and senior years. I developed an interest in invasive species management and restoration ecology during my time at Ausable, a environmental field studies school, in Mancelona MI where I worked on restoring a field where a building had stood for many years. Some of my other interests include running, hiking, reading, and spending time outdoors. In the past year since graduation, I have been an assistant track coach at Gordon College, and I have volunteered at Appleton Farms, a property of the Trustees of Reservations. During my time at Appleton Farms, I have been a trail steward, and I have worked on clearing out invasive plants around the property. After AmeriCorps, I plan to pursue a Masters in Ecology related to restoration. I look forward to being a part of the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program and I hope to raise awareness of environmental issues within the Cape Cod community.

Jennifer Burkhardt I am 22 years old and originally from Rochester, NY. I just graduated from the University of Rhode Island where I majored in biological sciences and minored in Leadership Studies. While at URI I was fortunate to be able to participate in so many different opportunities. I was involved in the Student Senate, the student alumni association, different mentoring programs, and a local sorority by the name of ZETA. I also spent a semester studying abroad at James Cook University in Australia where I discovered a love of learning about new cultures and backpacking to new places. Some of my other interests include sailing, skiing, camping, meeting new people, reading, spending time in coffee shops, and learning how to play the guitar. My environmental background is mostly concentrated in the area of marine biology. I have been working in a marine ecology lab for the past two years where I have participated in research mainly focused on algae and the different roles it plays in the environment. I never thought that I would like working with algae, since I was terrified of it as a child, but I have come to love working with it and would like to continue to do so hopefully in graduate school. I visited Cape Cod as a child and I have wanted to return there. I am so happy to be doing so now. I am really looking forward to being a part of this incredible program and working with the community of Cape Cod this year.

Ryeon Corsi I am 22 years old, and I just graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota with a B.A. in American Studies. I am excited to see how my humanities background will mix with that of the more science-minded folk. While I do not have a formal background in environmental studies, I do have experience in disaster relief, after gutting houses in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans in 2006, and teen mentoring, as a college buddy to an awesome thirteen year old living in town. As a member of Americorps Cape Cod, I am excited to spend this coming year learning and playing with people who want to engage in our environment physically, intellectually, and responsibly. I am interested in improving my interactions with the land and animals around me as well as helping others understand their roles within the natural world. I cannot wait to get to know the housemates by living and traveling with them. I know there will be times when we discover each other’s quirks. For instance, I like to spend my alone time rocking out to (what-some-might-deem-awful) music. I can’t wait to find some new running buddies and Lost (tv)mates with whom to spend the down time along the way!

Kevin Denney I am 23 and from Glen Ellyn, IL which is just west of Chicago. I just graduated from Lewis University with a B.S. in aviation security and a minor in business administration and my dream is to one day manage a large airport or airline. I really enjoy helping people and I would really like to have a career where I can help people everyday. I have been a volunteer with the Red Cross since 2006 and have been deployed nationally to the Iowa floods and Hurricane Dolly of 2008 as well as responded to many local emergencies such as house fires and pipe bursts. They were very humbling yet great experiences. I was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol for two years where I was an instructor and search & rescue team member. I am a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan. I have a brother who is a junior at the University of Illinois and sister who is a sophomore in high school as well as a dog, Tux. I am excited to be working with Americorps and with people who are driven. Specifically, I am excited to use my experiences with the Red Cross and all the emergency training I have had to help Cape Cod prepare and respond to emergencies. I think working on an assortment of projects will be great. I am also excited to be in the northeast, which is the one area of the U.S. I have not explored much.

Dan Fister I grew up in the city of St. Louis, Missouri with my wonderful seven siblings, two parents, a dog, and a handful of chickens. I am twenty-two years young and just graduated from the liberal arts institution of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. I received a wonderful education, getting a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology, with a minor in agriculture. Living in beautiful north-eastern Missouri during college, I grew to love, learn about, and think critically about the ecological systems that sustain us. I am passionate about working for a socially just and ecologically healthy, sustainable, and diverse planet. I love do-it-yourself culture, be it food (growing, preservation, wild edibles, hunting/fishing), music and art (I’m a banjo picker; I love bluegrass and Appalachian music), or bike travel.

Colleen Flanagan I am 22 years old, and I just graduated from Boston University with a degree in International Relations. Since I was little my family has gone on vacation to Cape Cod; my love for the Cape began at an early age! I am from rural Boylston Massachusetts, and I love the outdoors. I spent three summers working on a nearby farm, and one of my ambitions in life is to become an old crazy plant lady. I rediscovered my love of hiking and being outdoors during a five day sea-to-sea hike while studying abroad in Israel. In addition to hiking, I love backpacking and traveling and learning about new and unfamiliar places. While working as the waterfront director at a girls' summer camp, I had the opportunity to learn more about environmental issues and easy ways each person can help the environment. I am excited to move to Cape Cod, be near the beach, meet some great people, and, most importantly, do something I care about!

Margaret Kane I am 22 and from the city of Champaign, Illinois (about 2 hours south of Chicago). I recently graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Environmental Studies, and pretty much love learning anything and everything about our mother earth. During my senior year of college, I worked as a Sustainability Educator in the residence halls, teaching and motivating other students to lessen their environmental impact. One of my favorite college experiences was spending a month on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, hiking in the temperate rain forests, kayaking, rock climbing, doing yoga, etc, all while learning about environmental psychology. During my last two years of college, I went on Alternative Spring Break trips down to New Orleans and Galveston, where I was able to volunteer with AmeriCorps members doing disaster relief work. This summer I worked as an Environmental Education intern at a Nature Center in Illinois, and had a lot of fun teaching different programs for children (I love the tall grass prairie!). In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, biking, hiking, and anything else outdoorsy. I have never been to Cape Cod and am very excited about this upcoming year. I hope to learn a lot and give something back to the community.

Kaelyn Modrak I grew up in a town outside Rochester, NY where I cultivated my love for Jane Austen, The Band, and hamburger joints. I attended St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT; there I studied English literature, classic civilization and global studies. St. Mike’s gave me so many wonderful opportunities: I studied in Dublin for a year, went ice climbing, hiking, kayaking through the Wilderness Program, and learned the beautiful subtleties of the English language. This past year, I have been living in Brunswick, Maine working as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Habitat for Humanity / 7 Rivers Maine as their Youth Coordinator. I have not only learned the correct way to swing a hammer, but also the immense capabilities of volunteers. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for recycling and find great satisfaction breaking down a cardboard box. I am extremely excited to be working in the environmental field! Although I have no background in science, I have always been passionate about keeping our earth healthy.

Dan O’Hara My name is Dan O’Hara. I was born September 23, 1985, and I am currently 23 years old. I was born in Boston and raised in Needham, Ma. I am the middle of five children. I went to Xaverian Brothers High School (class of 2004) in Westwood, Ma. I played Soccer and ran Track & Field, and I was involved in community service with the school’s Campus Ministry. I went to college at the University of New Hampshire, Durham campus. I was a Decathlete on the Track & Field Team for all 4 years. I majored in History, specializing in Modern American History, and the History of Disaster. I wrote my senior thesis on Hurricane Camille. I was also active in community service through UNH Alternative Spring Break. I graduated cum laude in 2008. After graduation, I joined Americorps NCCC class XV for ten months of national service. My projects included, FEMA disaster, Project Green Light New Orleans, Camp Victor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization in Greensboro, Alabama, and Stephen F Austin State Park in San Felipe Texas. I am excited to be a part of Americorps Cape Cod because my family vacations in Dennis, Ma.

Abby Strietmann A love of the outdoors has always been a prominent characteristic of who I am. Consequently, I graduated from Xavier University with a biology major and an environmental studies minor in May, 2009. While at Xavier, I embraced my interest in conservation by participating on Alternative Break service trips. I served in New Orleans a year after Hurricane Katrina, I participated in a research trip to Costa Rica to study the impact of pesticides on Rainforest ecosystems, and I assisted a research team investigate the impact of the invasive species Amur Honeysuckle on Midwestern ecosystems. These trips and research groups inspired me to intern for the Student Conservation Association as a member of a conservation trail crew in Baxter State Park in Maine in the summer of 2008 as well as serve on the Utah Conservation Corps in the summer of 2009. In college, I also embraced my fondness for making people laugh by performing as Xavier's mascot, "The Blue Blob," at basketball games and other campus events. As a 23 year old, Cincinnati native I have spent the majority of my life in the Midwest. I love to play lacrosse and field hockey, as well as, run and hike. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, exploring new music stores and coffee shops, and listening to music.

Chris Valis I am 21 years old and I come from a relatively small town in Maryland called Bel Air (sorry, no fresh prince here). After attending the local community college, as well as working for the past two years, I feel like I need to take a more direct approach to what I want to do in life. I took a break from college and started working at Rocks State Park as a Ranger. I loved interacting with the park visitors on a daily basis and found the experience to be greatly rewarding. I am a very strong advocate of civil liberties and equality for all. I love learning about different cultures and customs. I hope to gain a lot of knowledge about Cape Cod, and learn some invaluable lessons and skills form my experiences. I am really looking forward to the quickly approaching year of service.

Amie Vos I have lived out my 23 years of life in Minocqua, Wisconsin, a small town in the Northern part of the state. I come from a close-knit family of six; I have an older brother, two younger sisters and two amazing parents. I graduated in 2007 from Viterbo University, a college located in La Crosse, Wisconsin with a degree in Psychology. Before coming to Cape Cod I worked at an Outfitting Company in Minocqua called Chequamegon Adventure Company, where I worked as a canoe and kayak guide for 3 summers. Through this job, I got my certification in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and had many experiences in kayaking in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, as well as canoeing in many of Northern Wisconsin’s Lakes. With my family and friends I have canoed much of the Boundary Waters Canoe area, backpacked in the Porcupine Mountains, and have camped all over Northern Wisconsin, parts of Northern Minnesota, and Southern Michigan. I am looking forward to serving the community of Cape Cod for a year. Thank you for the opportunity.

Peter Woodruff I am 22 years old, grew up in rural Indiana, and attended Hamilton College in Central New York, where I earned a BA in Environmental Studies. I am an avid runner, and enjoy all things outdoors including skiing, slack-lining, swimming, etc. My love for exploring the outdoors has led to the related interests in environmental education and natural resource conservation. This past summer I worked with the National Forest Service on a wildlife biology crew in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains monitoring carnivore populations. I have held summer jobs with the National Park Service in Alaska on the Yukon River (with a backcountry patrol crew), as assistant-director for Hamilton College’s wilderness orientation program “Adirondack Adventure,” and as a camp counselor in southern Michigan. While on the Cape, I hope to find many new opportunities that further my love for the outdoors, and to encourage others to share in protecting our environment.

Alison L’Heureux Out-going and fun loving are a few words that might describe me. I enjoy being out-doors, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. During the summers and into October you can find me cheering on the Boston Red Sox, as I am a huge fan. I am proud of my accomplishments thus far in my life; however I am very excited about being a member of the AmeriCorps program. There is a lot to take part in and explore in this world, beyond the cubicle wall, which is where I found myself the last three years. I hold an AS from Dean College in fitness. Physical fitness is something that is very important to me. I also have a BSBA from Suffolk University. During college I was a student ambassador and peer tutor. After earning my bachelors degree, I worked at a private two year college in Massachusetts. Though I was born in and have lived in New England for 10 years I grew up in North Carolina. I enjoyed the experience of living in the southeast. I look forward to what is in store for all of us during our time serving Cape Cod.

Alex Murray-Laird I am 22 years old. I was born in New Haven, Connecticut on July 4th 1987. I am the third of four children. I have lived half my life in Western New York, and the other half in St. Augustine, Florida. I graduated with honors in Spring 2009 from the University of North Florida. I majored in Political Science and minored in History. One of my school terms I studied abroad at University in Reading, England. During my time there I was able to travel to over fourteen locations all around England, as well as visiting Wales, Scotland, Italy and France. I am a tremendous fan of soccer. I love to watch, play, and discuss it at any opportunity.

Jonathan Safran I’m 23 years old and was born and bred in Newton, MA – about 10 minutes from downtown Boston. I recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri with a BA in Economics from the College of Arts and Sciences and a minor in business from the Olin School of Business. I have been tutoring for the past 3 years, first with Varsity Tutors in St. Louis and then Kaplan Premiere SAT Prep since I moved back home. I love to volunteer and help out, and had the chance to work at Nathan Hale Elementary School tutoring 2nd and 4th graders 2 days a week since last February. I like going on odd adventures and exploring new things and places. Odd facts about me include being on my high school ping-pong team, speaking Hebrew fluently and having lived my whole life in Massachusetts with never having tried lobster.

Alex Soper After doing a year of service with AmeriCorps Cape Cod in Wellfleet last year, I decided to return to this great program. Before last year, I spent my entire life in North Carolina, graduating from Wake Forest University after growing up in the piedmont city of Durham. With the assistance of long underwear, a good coat, and warm gloves, I’m hoping to last through another brutal winter as a Recovery Program member. I am looking forward to living in the bustling metropolis of Hyannis, especially since Trader Joe’s is right around the corner.

Mike Towle “Mike Towle Cape Cod Season 3” This is how my girlfriend’s family refers to my third year working on the Cape. Cape life is so interesting that sometimes I do feel like I’m living a T.V. show. Season 1 takes after graduating from UMass Lowell with an environmental science degree and following a year of teaching high school level physical science. With this experience behind me I was ready to try my luck in Wellfleet, Massachusetts serving in Year 9 of AmeriCorps Cape Cod as the Outreach Coordinator and Wellfleet House Member Leader. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding years of my life. With a clearer direction in my environmental future I soon lined up a job with the National Environmental Education Development (NEED) Collaborative to be a Teacher/Naturalist in Truro. This started Season 2 of my Cape Cod life. Through this job I further developed my professional skills, became a sound naturalist and birder, and also learned a lot about myself. When the year came to an end though I knew I had to move on. I was dying to get my feet wet with GIS related programs and hopefully find a more science based occupation. On a whim, my good friend and past AmeriCorps Supervisor recommended that I join the new AmeriCorps Housing program on Cape Cod and I said sure. With further thought I’m very happy about my choice. It offers me a chance to further direct myself, time to apply for grad schools, a chance to finish more GIS classes, learn a lot about housing issues, and an opportunity to make new friends. So I’m all in and very excited for this Season 3 on Cape Cod.

Mary Webb I am a 22 year old from the suburbs of Toledo, Ohio. I just graduated from The Ohio State University (O-H!) with a degree in architecture. For the past year or so, I have worked for a non-profit design center in Columbus, where I recently branched out to designing coloring books for towns and cities in the area. I enjoy being outdoors, traveling, eating ice-cream, creating crazy adventures with friends, adding to my already too-large book collection, and listening to the rain. After taking a 10 day road trip across the country this summer and loving every minute of it (even when sleeping at Wal-Mart), my plans for the future now include winning the lottery so that I can continue to extensively travel the U.S. and the rest of the world. While I wait for that to happen, I plan to attend grad school so I can eventually become a licensed architect. After living in Ohio my entire life, I am excited to move to Cape Cod for an incredible year of service and exploring!

Kathleen Seymour I am a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and a resident of West Hyannisport. I majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy. These studies led me to a variety of amazing internships in my college career, including interning for the Children’s Rights Alliance in Dublin, Ireland, and at The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under Law in Washington D.C. Through these experiences and my strong educational background, I developed a passion for civic engagement and providing a voice for the voiceless. Working as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Barnstable County Department of Human Services has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to invest my talents in the community that I was raised in, while enabling me to put the Jesuit principle of service into action.

Catherine Mueller Born and raised in New Jersey, I am a recent graduate of the University of Rochester in New York where I majored in anthropology and minored in American Sign Language. I also had the opportunity to spend a semester practicing Spanish in Madrid, Spain. Through my studies, I developed a love for different cultures and an interest in the human experience we all share. I applied to be a VISTA because I wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life, and though I didn’t know it at the time, this experience has had quite the positive impact on my own life. My job is to give back to my community, everyday. How many other people can say that? I am especially excited about my assignment, which is to create a volunteer network on the Cape. The goal is not only to engage more of our residents in the care of their communities, but also for them to get something out of it. If a volunteer feels he/she is benefiting from the experience, it is much more likely that the volunteer will continue to contribute their time and energy. I look forward to fostering a strong relationship between Cape Codders, nonprofits, and their communities.