Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Team Leader Spotlight: Andrew Newell

By: Rebecca Bigler

Andrew Newell, from Fairless Hills, Pa., is the Team Leader for Cedar 3 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 3 is made up of eight people from across the country, and they will serve together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region.

“I've wanted to do more than just week long mission trips and Habitat (for Humanity) trips,” Andrew said. “I've been interested for years but finally graduated and have a small window to do this year of service, possibly even two. It is a step after college to challenge me outside of a classroom and help me decide where I want to go in life.”

Prior to joining NCCC, Andrew graduated from Millersville University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He had attended the school more than full time in order to graduate in three years instead of four. He also graduated from Pennsbury High School in 2009. After finishing the program, Andrew has three options he is looking into. One option is to enlist in the military and use his degree to become an officer via OCS. Another option is to get his master's degree, possibly in business or emergency management and contract with ROTC to become an officer in the Signal Corps. His final option is a career job in computer science.

Andrew had an interesting story to share from his musical past. “I went to Hong Kong in March 2008 for none other than marching band. We played in front of 40,000 spectators at the Rugby Sevens Tournament. I have a 7 second internationally televised recording of the pinnacle moment in my marching band career. Dead in front, no one to go off of, and hundreds of hours of practice boiled down to one perfect snap to the left. I don't care if no one but the cameraman saw it.”

Cedar 3 is working with YMCA of Metro Minneapolis in several locations across Wisconsin and Minnesota from May 2 – 31. The team is assisting the YMCA of Metro Minneapolis with facility upgrades to many of their overnight and day camps. Tasks include but are not limited to painting, building a Gaga Pit, building nine square program areas and land maintenance.

Some fun facts about Andrew:

Q: What was your first job? Canoe rentals

Q: What is your favorite movie? Glory

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? “Take a breath, embrace everything, and just go with the flow the first few days.”

Q: What is one place in the world that you really, really wish you could visit? The deepest part of the ocean.

Q: What is your favorite candy? Almond Joy

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be and why? The legendary kraken, but I’d be all cool about the ships and just go exploring.

Q: Are there any sayings your parents repeated over and over that you can still remember clearly? “Just do it.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Cycling, hiking, watch a good movie, Reddit.

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC? Challenge yourself.