Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20 Corps Member Spotlight: Shelby Smith

By: Sarah Williams

Shelby Smith, from Clare, Michigan is a corps member for Maple 1 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. She arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start her 10-month service term working with a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 1 is made up of eight people from across the country and they will serve together around the Midwest.

When asked why she decided to serve in the NCCC program, Shelby says, “I love what NCCC stands for and I have always loved helping people. Traveling is just a bonus.”

Before Shelby became a NCCC service member she was working at an animal hospital and going to community college.

Maple 1’s fourth round project is at the Lauritzen Gardens – Omaha, NE.Maple 1 will assist Lauritzen Gardens with a major tree planting project as they recover from unprecedented restoration challenges resulting from the City of Omaha routing sewage lines through the garden. Tasks include: removal of invasive plant species and greenhouse plant propagation.

Some fun facts about Shelby:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? Two broke Girls, because it is hilarious.

Q: What is one place you would really like to visit? All of Europe

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be? A horse

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

Q: What is the most challenging/exciting thing you’ve ever done? Joining the NCCC program