|
|
Candidate Bios
President-Elect [ duties ]
Secretary [ duties ]
Treasurer [ duties ]
Board of Advisors (two positions open) [ duties ]
Candidate for President-Elect
- Marjorie Foelker Varner (TX 79)
NYSC gave me some of the truest friends and most inspiring experiences of my life. I was honored to be selected to attend and felt great kinship with my fellow campers, albeit with a certain amount of awe. If you are reading this, you know the feeling. The weeks spent at NYSC influenced my aspirations and values and gave me a mighty yardstick by which I judged all that followed. Although I eventually chose a decidedly non-science path and currently hold a job which requires no math beyond simple arithmetic, I never took for granted what I learned that summer: trust freely given, acceptance and admiration for all talents, fierce dedication to what is true and right.
I firmly believe in strengthening the alumni organization dedicated to bringing our diaspora of campers back together, whether physically or as we have experienced it through media such as Facebook. Woody’s near loss brought many of us closer than we had been in decades. I spent a good amount of time that year searching for lost alumni in support of Ray Rappold’s tireless efforts. This summer I dipped my toe deeper into the NYSCAA pool by organizing a mini-reunion in New York City. Yes, it is hard to make the reunions when you live half way across the country or overseas. But there is a magic in reconnecting with your bunkmate, or the guy you talked to for hours on the bus, or the counsellor who sang so beautifully at the campfire. It is good to know that camp lives on in our memories but it is even better to be there in the flesh to support and reaffirm friendships. Meshing those relationships across the various camper years only makes us stronger.
After receiving my BA in English at Rice, I worked for Arthur Andersen in management information, transferred to the DC area, and continued working in the IT field until my daughter was born. Later I briefly worked in the travel industry before taking my current position as Executive Director of the Arlington Learning in Retirement Institute. I enjoy logistics and am an enthusiastic booster. My daughter is off to college and my son is beginning high school. I would be honored to serve as President-Elect of NYSCAA. To quote a folk singer, If not now, then when?
Candidate for Secretary
- Emily Holmes (IN 1993, Staph 1995-1996)
I have really enjoyed my first year as NYSC secretary... and it has been a successful year! For the first time in a while, the NYSCAA published an online spring newsletter and got the following year's elections scheduled on time. I set up a Basecamp account, so for the first time ever the NYSCAA board and officers can now use the internet to track and manage both short-term projects and long-term goals. And of course, I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with other campers as we planned for the future and started laying the groundwork to get us there successfully.
I attended Science Camp as an Indiana delegate in 1993 and returned on staph for two more years. Since then, I have been a successful internet entrepreneur and web designer and have developed a real passion for using the internet to bring people together. I think the coming year will be crucial for building online resources that help us connect more with one another, whether it's sharing job opportunities with recent science camp alumni, locating people to have dinner with when traveling, or just finding each other on Facebook and reminiscing about rhododendrons. I have a lot of ideas that can help us connect and I hope to be re-elected so I can continue turning those ideas into reality.
- Marc Sanchez (NM 2002)
Science camp holds a special place in all of our hearts. Whether we came for NYSC or for YSLI, the retreat to the rolling green mountains of West Virginia leaves an indelible mark. My passion for environmental stewardship, a spirit of adventure, and my interest in the law all came from my summer at Camp Pocahontas.
I am nominating myself for an officer position to continue to give back to an organization that gave so much to me, and to ensure that the science camp experience continues to be a thriving opportunity for students. As a lawyer I believe I have the management and writing skills to carry out the responsibilities of secretary. I am an excellent communicator and a diligent writer; it would be a great pleasure to serve as Secretary.
Candidate for Treasurer
- Pam Dekle Twigg (AL 1978)
As a delegate from Alabama in 1978, I little realized when I first arrived at NYSC what a profound effect it would have on my life. In 1993, I had the opportunity to return to camp for the first time as a lecturer, and I have returned almost every summer since to teach directed studies. I draw a tremendous satisfaction from working with a new group of delegates each year, and have had the wonderful experience of watching many of them grow into successful young adults and return as staph, lecturers, and professional colleagues.
I am currently a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and have had experience in serving on the steering committee and Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization also committed to science education and outreach activities. I would like to offer my services as Treasurer for the NYSC Alumni Association, to help provide leadership and support for a group that has meant a great deal to me.
Candidates for Board of Advisors (BOA)
- Paul Frye (WV 1969)
As one of the delegates from West Virginia attending the National Youth Science Camp in 1969, I was already greatly fond of Pocahontas County, but during my time at Camp Pocahontas that summer I fell in love with the traditions and was moved by the special spirit of the NYSC organization. At that time “Hutch” was our spiritual leader, but over the years since then our president, Woody McCallum, has led us both in spirit and song through numerous reunions and activities. I was proud two decades ago when NYSCAA elected me to serve on the Board of Advisors. I live in Pittsburgh now, and work as a psychiatrist. I am medical director of Vista Behavioral Health Associates. I still play guitar and sing those old folksongs. We still do Appalachian running sets and New England contra dances.
I am now hearing that NYSCAA call again, and with humility request that you consider me for another three-year term on the Board. In addition to my past service on the Board, I would say that my participation in the committee that revamped the constitution in the 1990’s represents part of my qualifications. My goals if elected would include supporting Michelle Clauson LaRue in her plans to update the organizational structure and make the Alumni Association work better for the membership. For more than 30 years now I have been working with Ray Rappold and Steve Blasberg on advancing the cause of NYSC and enhancing the welfare of its delegates, and I believe we have worked together well in various capacities and on various enterprises related to NYSC and the Foundation. Please give me your consideration - many thanks.
- John Giroir (LA 1989, Staph 1990-1995)
I attended the NYSC as a 1989 delegate from Louisiana and fell in love with West Virginia and the Science Camp, as many of you have done. I moved to West Virginia to work with the NYSC and NYSF. Now, for over 17 years, I have lived in Charleston, WV – home of the NYSF and just three hours from Camp Pocahontas. I currently serve as President/CEO of the YMCA of Kanawha Valley in Charleston, WV. By serving on the NYSCAA Board of Directors, my main focus will be to help connect more alumni to the NYSCAA and continue to strengthen the collaboration between the NYSCAA and the NYSF. Given my prior experience with the NYSC, NYSF and NYSCAA, I feel I am well-suited to serve you and the NYSCAA. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you through the NYSCAA. Thank you.
Vote now! All votes must be received by 11 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
Note: Voting is now over.
|
Back to Top