Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Michael Heisser

By: Rebecca Bigler

Michael Heisser, from Pleasanton, Calif., is a member of Maple 6 in NCCC’s Class 19. He arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start his 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 6 is made up of eight people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

“I wanted to do something that I can visibly see help others,” Michael said. “College courses make you learn so many things that you rarely ever use. I want to do something that matters.”

Michael brings several skills with him to NCCC, which help him be successful in his role as a Corps Member. He has leadership and good communication skills. He has the ability to work with his hands and think on his feet. He is a problem solver and aims to solve puzzles.

Prior to NCCC, Michael was working as a server and going to school. He completed over two years at Diablo Valley College. He also graduated from Amador Valley High School in 2007. After finishing the program, Michael hopes to use his new skills and experience to pursue additional college preparation, take advantage of electrical or other trade school, and make decisions about what to do with the rest of his life. Careers he is looking into are teaching, forestry, EMT, firefighter or community resources program design or leader.

“At this point, I just want to make a difference for others and have others appreciate me and the skills I have to offer,” Michael said. “I have never been given an opportunity to feel like I have something to offer. I am hoping that through this experience I will learn what I am truly good at and what I can offer to others. Maybe teaching or social work or another job will come out of this experience of supporting others and making myself available to work with and for others.”

Maple 6 is currently on a project that runs from July 15 to August 2 with Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill, Iowa. The team is assisting at the camp, which provides a recreational camping experience for people with special needs, as additional counselors. The addition of NCCC members allows the camp to have extra hands to try out programming, such as primitive camping, that they haven’t been able to do in a while.

Some fun facts about Michael:

Q: What is your favorite movie? The Number 23

Q: What is your favorite book? Sherlock Holmes: Sign of the Four

Q: What is your favorite candy? Starbursts

Q: What is your favorite food? Pepperoni pizza

Q: What is your favorite animal? Lion

Q: Who is your favorite super hero? Black Panther

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? Trinidad, for carnival

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Sleep, write poetry, watch movies