Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Julia Sanders

Julia Sanders, from Fort Collins, Colo., is a member of Maple 1 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 1 is made up of 10 people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

“After doing my senior service project, I realized that I loved doing service work and wanted to serve in a bigger way than I had in the past,” Julia said. “AmeriCorps NCCC was the ideal choice – it both gave me the chance to go help people and serve like I wanted, while also giving me the chance to grow up some and gain some life experience. I was also looking for possible gap-year programs to do once I left high school.”

Julia brings several skills with her to NCCC, which help her be successful throughout her term with the program. She is flexible, creative, a good problem solver, works well in teams, outgoing, a good communicator, and can think outside the box. She takes direction very well and always gives 100%. She is also a musician and can speak Spanish decently.

Prior to joining NCCC, Julia was working a few different jobs and going to school. She attended Fort Range Community College for one semester, working toward a general associate’s degree. She graduated from Fossil Ridge High School in 2012. After finishing the program, she plans to continue going to school, potentially to get an education certificate to become a music or science teacher.

“I have lots of experience in the arts, be it music, dance, painting, drawing, jewelry making, or pretty much anything else you can think of,” Julia said. “I also have been told that I am very good at explaining things and I am a good teacher and tutor. I have lots of experience being in front of people and talking with people.”

Maple 1 is currently working from July 15 to August 2 with the Boys and Girls Club of Portage County in Plover, Wis. The team is assisting the club through summer programming assistance and facility upgrades. Maple 1 is developing and implementing two minicamps within the five program areas of the Boys and Girls Club to allow the youth to explore a couple of areas in greater depth.

Some fun facts about Julia:

Q: What is your favorite movie? Month Python and the Holy Grail, Life is Beautiful

Q: What is your favorite book? Harry Potter series, Shadow of the Wind

Q: What is your favorite candy? Sour Patch, Starburst jelly beans

Q: What is your favorite food? Italian food, pork chops

Q: What is your favorite animal? Okapi

Q: Who is your favorite super hero? Ironman

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? Itlay

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Sing, write, draw, read etc, artistic things