Et cetera : NCCC Class 21 Corps Member Spotlight: Beau Martz

By: Marilyn Ponce

Name: Beau Martz

Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, ID

Beau from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is serving on team Cedar 5 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. He arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start his 10-month service term with the program. Cedar 5 is made up of eight people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.

Before his term of service Beau attended North Idaho College for a year and afterwards worked on an oil pipeline in Northern Colorado. He brings an array of skills with him to the program including being adept with electronics or most mechanical devices. In addition, he is very team oriented and excellent at following instructions.

Beau talks about his motivation for joining, “I wanted to further better myself and provide my resources and energy to those less fortunate”.

Cedar 5 served on their first project in St. Paul, Indiana 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.

On their second project in West Bend, Wisconsin the team served 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 focused on restoring ecosystems by planting trees, restoring stream banks, and clearing trash from local conservation areas. They are also created and maintained boardwalks in both the Land Trust and Lac Lawrann. Finally, the team performed prescribed burns in order to reduce unwanted invasive species, like buckthorn, and to promote the growth of native species, such as black cherry trees.

Cedar 5 is currently serving with the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity by focusing on building new homes, serving alongside the future homeowners and families. In addition to new home construction, the NCCC team is repairing and renovating homes with Habitat's A Brush with Kindness program and managing projects in Habitat's ReStore discount home improvement store.

After completing the program in November, he plans on re-enrolling in school to finish his degree.

Some fun facts about Beau:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? The Walking Dead because Rick Grimes is the man.

Q: What song best describes you? Anaconda by Nicki Minaj

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? Ability to fly at the speed of light because who doesn’t want to fly?

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? My first year of college and dorm life at Carroll College

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without? My family, food, air and water

Q: What is one thing you would like to try but have not had the chance? Skydiving