Et cetera : NCCC Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Anna Schmidt

By: Marilyn Ponce Name: Anna Schmidt Hometown: Sebring, FL Anna from Sebring, Florida is serving on team Maple 2 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in January of 2015 to start her 11-month service term with the program. Maple 2 is made up of eight people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest. Before her term of service, she graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She was also a full time nanny for a wonderful family and whose children she cherished dearly. Anna brings a range of leadership experiences from areas such as volunteering, mentoring, participating in the Highlands little theater, student government association, Rebuilding Together, and leadership classes in high school. Anna talks about her motivation to join NCCC, “I honestly love to help others. I have grown up volunteering since I was about six years old and always enjoyed working with others in projects that are for the better good. I couldn't be more excited to start this new journey in my life.” Maple 2 served on their first project in Memphis, Tennessee serving with Living Lands and Waters with a week-long Alternative Spring Break program by assisting with collect debris from shorelines and islands of the Mississippi river alongside 200 volunteers and college students. Afterwards, they travelled to East Moline, Illinois to help with the Million Tree Project in which members bundled, packaged, delivered, and planted native trees. Through their efforts, the team provided more food and shelter for wildlife, prevented soil run off and erosion, and created diversity along waterways. They are currently on their second project in Indianapolis helping Jameson Camp deliver their outdoor education program by educating children about environmental conservation and assisting with rock wall climbing. In addition, they are helping maintain the trail by removing invasive species such as mustard garlic and honeysuckle. After completing the program in November, she plans on attending graduate school in Michigan to get her Masters and become a Speech and Language Pathologist. Afterwards, she hopes to get a job at a hospital in Michigan, preferably near her family. Some fun facts about Anna: Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? I love too many TV Shows such as How I met your mother, Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and The Walking Dead Q: What song best describes you? I don’t want to be by Gavin Degraw because it is about being yourself and not trying to make yourself into something you’re not Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? I would to be able to teleport to go back in time and see all of our history. Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? This program because I can’t wait to see what this year holds for me. Q: What is one thing you can’t live without? My world of books. Q: What is one thing you would like to try but have not had the chance? Backpack through Europe.