Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Member Spotlight: Mark Smith

AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20 Corps Member Spotlight: Mark Smith

By: Sarah Williams

Mark Smith, from Derry, New Hampshire is serving on team Oak 3 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. He arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start his 10-month service term. Oak 3 is made up of nine people from across the country who will serve together around the Midwest.

Mark says” I chose to do this year of service to help and serve others, develop new skills, to get to know myself better, and to figure out my strong and weak points so I can figure out what I would like to pursue a career in..”

Before Mark joined the NCCC program he was going to a community college to get general requirements out of the way while he figured out what he wanted to major in.

Oak 3’s first round project is at UW Arboretum, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Oak 3 is assisting the University of Wisconsin (UW) Arboretum with the removal of invasive weeds and brush, collection of native seeds, and transplanting native plants from the nursery to various Arboretum lands.

Some fun facts about Mark:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? The Simpsons because it’s had me laughing since I was six years old.

Q: What song best describes you? “Radio” By Rancid

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? Rockstar

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be? Fly

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? The most exciting thing I have ever done was going to see my favorite band in concert. Rancid.

Q: If you could come back as animal which one would it be? Bald Eagle

Q: What is your favorite book? “The Outsiders”