Meet the VISTAs

VISTAs - Volunteers in Service to Amercia - took to the schools this week, working with families, students and teachers to provide opportunities and encouragement. Below are a bios of just a few of the 42 new VISTAs volunteering this summer and - for some - throughout the next school year.

Samuel Carman
 

Age: 30
Hometown: Bennet
College/Career background: AA  SCC-Milford, BA Peru State College Social Science/Language Arts Ed
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
I wish to secure a position in a Nebraska Public school , educating our youths to become productive citizens.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
It is a great opportunity to expand my knowledge of education.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
I expect to learn from our students while promoting academic excellence in their education experiences.

Tim Oehring

Age: 21
Hometown: Lincoln
College/Career background: Peru State College
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
After my summer of service I will be returning to Peru State College to continue my degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
I was a VISTA last year in the same program and had an amazing experience. Interacting with the students and the school staff helped me confirm my passion for education.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
I expect that I will gain a better understanding of how Title One public schools function. I hope that I will be able to interact with the students and hopefully be able to provide them with a positive role model. I expect that this summer and these students will bring the same impact on my life personally as my previous experience last summer did.

Nadya M. Mercedes 

Age: 27
Hometown: Caguas, Puerto Rico
College/Career background: Some college/ im still a student in university.
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
When i finish VISTA ill be going back to college since i have two years left. Although this experience will help me out in deciding what to do after the two years.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
A friend talk to me about it and when i read online it seem like a great experience for me to do. Not only academically speaking but as a person. I believe we need to be exposed to different environments to grow as human beings.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
I expect to be able to make a difference in the kids lives, make relationships that will endure, and learn from the administration of this whole experience (americorps, parks and recreation, and LPS...) since I’m going to be a teacher in a close future.

Kelsy Reynoldson

Age: 20
Hometown: Eagle
College/Career background: Senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University  
majoring in Language Arts Education.
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this  
year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
I'll finish school within the next year or two. My dream within the next few years  
would be to join the PeaceCorps and work with students in other countries for awhile. Eventually I think I'd like to find myself in a challenging school district (Washington D.C. perhaps) where I could  work with students who will inspire me.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
I learned about VISTA from a few peers who participated in the program last summer. It sounded like a perfect opportunity to work in our community with  
students who need the support.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with
a public school system?
I expect to learn more about the complex way in which public education is a part of our community and how education  effects the lives of everyone. I want to gain experience by working  with the skilled faculty and staff of LPS who so far have taught me more about education and the classroom than any class I've taken in  
college. I expect to be challenged and in the end I expect to be a better person for it.

Ryan Conrad

Age: 40
Hometown: Columbus, NE
College/Career background: Southeast Community College-Lincoln Campus Associate of Applied Science, Alcohol/Drug Counseling Specialization Peru State College-Psychology Major Graduation 6 months from now.
Do you know what you want to do after your year of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
A job in the Mental Health field working with youth and I want to get my Masters in Social Work.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
Know a few people who had a good experience doing this last year!!
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
Some networking opportunities and some experience using my human service skills with the kids.

Heather O'Keefe

Age: 21
Hometown: Latham, NY
College/Career background: Sociology Major/Psychology Minor at Stonehill College, Class of 2013
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
After I graduate next spring, I would like to either apply to a year of service such as City Year, or a MSW program.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
I was interested in becoming a VISTA because of the unique experience to travel to a different part of the country and work with other committed leaders.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
I am excited for the challenge of working with middle school students, because all of my past experiences have been with elementary school children. I believe in the ability of public schools to provide for students, their families, and communities just as well as private schools do, and I am passionate about the Community Learning Center framework's commitment to promoting holistic well being for students.

Sarah Miller

Age: 25; 26 on June 14
Hometown: Beatrice
College/Career background: I just graduated in May from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with my bachelor's in Spanish and English, with a minor in Gender Studies.  I plan on becoming an interpreter, and later going back to graduate school for English.  
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
After my summer service, I plan on going to Nicaragua for eight months to volunteer to teach English to rural elementary school children in poverty through a grassroots organization, La Esperanza Granada.   
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
I think education in the most important thing anyone can pursue in life, and this education can be found not just in the classrooms, but also through lived experiences. I applied for this program because I wanted to do something that mattered in my own community.  I think volunteering is an important part of being a good citizen for your community/state, country and our world. Change is possible, but not without people who care. Furthermore, I think that children are where the change needs to be, because they are now and they are the future. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of VISTA because the program fit perfectly in the time I have left and will give me the preparation necessary when I go to Nicaragua.  
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
After the first two days, I realize that I can't even begin to think that I might know what I can possibly learn this summer.  Regardless, I want to take advantage of all of the learning opportunities this program has provided, and all of the opportunities to learn from the kids and other teachers and helpers.  This experience is completely new for me, because I have never worked with kids so young before, and while it is tiring and hard work, I can't wait to do it.  I think one thing I'm learning about the public school system is the limitation placed upon it, as well as the limitations placed on the kids and the teachers.  I expect this experience will be very rewarding.

Ashley Paton

Age: 21
Hometown: Plymouth, Mass.
College/Career Background: I am currently a senior at Stonehill College majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Sociology.
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
I am spending this summer trying to figure out what I want to do next year (whether it is doing a year of service or going to grad school).
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA?
I have always been involved in volunteering and becoming a VISTA is a great way to spend the summer volunteering and making an impact.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system?
I hope to bond with the kids I'm working with this summer. I really want to teach them about as much as I can this summer: both life skills and enrichment.

Erica Bartz

Age: 22
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
College/Career background: UNL—BA in Film Studies, Minor: English
Do you know what you want to do after your time of service, or is this year a part of that process to help you figure that out?
After the summer’s over, I plan on finding a full-time job in Lincoln for the meantime, and researching grad schools to apply to.
What led you to applying for and becoming a VISTA? I originally got the idea to apply from my mom and dad, who were VISTAs in the 1970s when they graduated from college. I was also attracted to the opportunity to work with a tight-knit community that cares about its students, and reconnecting with people I met years ago when I went to LPS schools.
What do you expect from this experience, particularly in working with a public school system? I really hope to successfully encourage students to do well in school right now, and to continue on in college. As a former writing tutor, I’ve seen the importance of providing a good educational foundation, and the power of language and writing. If I can support even just a few students, I’ll still be happy with the impact I’ve made. I also would love to learn from LPS employees and students, and hear their stories.

 

---

Published: June 7, 2012
Updated: July 5, 2012