Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Team Leader Spotlight: Nick Rossmiller

Nick Rossmiller, from Portland, Ore., is the Team Leader for Cedar 6 in NCCC’s Class 19. He arrived in Vinton on January 8, 2013, to start his 11-month service term leading a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Cedar 6 is made up of 11 people from across the country, and they will serve together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region.

“I chose to serve out of a sense of civic duty,” Nick said. This is his second year with NCCC, having served his first year at the Vinton NCCC campus as well. His commitment to the program is still strong. He feels that he has “an obligation to give back to the country much of what I have, up until NCCC, only received.”

Nick has several skills that he brings with him to the Team Leader position. “I enjoy working outdoors and have experienced with a variety of tools from chainsaws to nail drivers.” Those skills have prepared him for an assortment of projects that he might be assigned to throughout his term. The prospect of sleeping in the great outdoors doesn’t bother him either. “I enjoy camping, hiking, and fishing, and studied environmental science & policy at university.”

Prior to joining NCCC, Nick was working in a park on Blue Lake in Portland. He graduated from Sultana High School in 2005 and California State University Long Beach in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. After finishing the program, he hopes to attend law school in Oregon or join the Peace Corps.

Cedar 6’s first project is working in Jackson, Mich. with YMCA Storer Camps. The team is assisting in the Lands for Learning program, in which they are removing invasive species from the land that the camp uses as an outdoor classroom. Cedar 6 also has the opportunity to lead educational invasive species removal sessions with students in which they are educating the community on proper techniques to remove invasive species. The team is also serving as cabin leaders for school groups (typically 5th and 6th graders) for two weeks.

Some fun facts about Nick:

Q: What was your first job? Mowing lawns

Q: What is your favorite movie? Rushmore

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? “Stay flexible and enjoy every moment.”

Q: What is one place in the world that you really, really wish you could visit? Germany

Q: What is your favorite candy? Heath

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be and why? Duck. Land/sea/air, companionship.

Q: Are there any sayings your parents repeated over and over that you can still remember clearly? Stop!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Watch sports, movies, stand-up comedy, play soccer, talk politics, read.

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC? Experience great places and faces all while saving the world.