Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Corey Milligan

By: Rebecca Bigler

Corey Milligan, from St. Paul, Minn., is a member of Maple 7 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 7 is made up of six people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

“I felt that it was time for me to focus on myself and do my duty to help people as necessary,” Corey said, when asked why she joined NCCC. “I also am young, and I wanted to do this opportunity before life takes over.”

Corey brings several skills with her to NCCC, which help her be successful throughout her term with the program. She can sew, knit, crotchet, do crafts, and take good photography. She also has skills with a computer and word processing. She has experience in the woods with camping, plant life, essential survival skills, fire building, and setting up camp. She is a good cook and can identify rocks and geologically related things.

Prior to joining NCCC, Corey had studied for one year at Central College, pursuing an associate’s degree in liberal arts. She graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in 2009. After finishing the program, Corey hopes to finish her degree and travel abroad to Europe.

NCCC is not the first service experience that of Corey’s life. “I fondly remember my service in Minnesota Conservation Corps,” Corey said. “(I) know it was the best time I ever had and had a lot of memories made. In NCCC, it will be tripled and quadrupled even more and I will enjoy my service a lot.”

Maple 7 recently finished a service project that ran from October 18 to November 2 with Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Neb. The team assisted as the gardens underwent unprecedented restoration challenges as a result of the city of Omaha routing sewage lines through the garden. The team assisted in projects such as erosion control to shore up garden hillsides, removal of invasive plant species and replanting of native plants.

Some fun facts about Corey:

Q: What is your favorite movie? The Terminal

Q: What is your favorite book? Harry Potter

Q: What is your favorite candy? Hershey’s dark chocolate

Q: What is your favorite food? Pho (Asian/Vietnamese)

Q: What is your favorite animal? Cat

Q: What is your favorite super hero? Parents

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? London

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Biking, writing, photography