Et cetera : NCCC FEMA Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Octavia Johnson

Octavia Johnson from Richmond, Virginia is serving on team Cedar 5 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program. Cedar 5 is made up of seven people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.

Before her term of service, Octavia graduated from the University of Tennessee as a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism major and Business minor. She found out about the program after searching for opportunities in the Peace Corps. Afterwards, she served her first term in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA as corps member in the Pacific region.

This is Octavia’s second term of service with AmeriCorps NCCC and says, “I enjoy motivating others and service is my passion. To have an opportunity to do both is the perfect choice for me.”

Cedar 5 served on their first project in St. Paul, IN serving with Flat Rock River YMCA Camp from March 12 to April 23 by renovating the camp and serving as camp counselors during the annual Spring Camp. The team built a 3D archery range, renovated the rock climbing wall, and maintained the camp's extensive trail network. Finally, they served as camp counselors to teach campers how to fish, rappel and rock climb.

They are currently on their second project in West Bend, WI serving with the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and the Lac Lawrann Conservancy from April 30 to June 10 by restoring ecosystems and expanding public access to nature. The team is focusing on restoring ecosystems by planting trees, restoring stream banks, and clearing trash from local conservation areas. They are also creating and maintaining boardwalks in both the Land Trust and Lac Lawrann. Finally, the team is performing prescribed burns in order to reduce unwanted invasive species, like buckthorn, and to promote the growth of native species, such as black cherry trees.

After completing the program in November, she plans on serving with the Peace Corps.

Some fun facts about Octavia Johnson:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? None in particular.

Q: What song best describes you? I Choose by India Arie

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?Instant knowledge absorption from books just by touching them.

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? Being honest with myself and giving up unhealthy behaviors in my life.

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without? Everything is materialistic, only physiological needs.

Q: What is one thing you would like to try but have not had the chance? A physical fitness program.