Junior Zookeeper from 2013 - 2014
Grade: 4.00/4.00
Attended the John Ball Zoo School where I was selected for a position as a Junior Zookeeper. Through this comprehensive program, I gained experience with;
animal care, zoology, zoo maintenance
biology, environmental studies, conservation
education, science communication
volunteering and coordinating events
wilderness survival techniques
Zoo Areas
Birds (Pelicans, ducks, owls, and tropical birds)
Amphibian House - "Frogs & Friends" (Frogs and salamanders)
Farm - "Red's Hobby Farm" (Cows, goats, chickens, sheep, and hedgehogs)
Responsibilities
Animal care: feeding, transporting, assisting with medicine intake
Exhibit maintenance: water filtration clean up; exhibit hosing, squeegees, and cleaning; raking and shoveling; set up transitions
Event coordination: "Zoo Goes Boo!" Halloween tabling and face painting, various spring programming
Schooling:
From the website:
"Zoo School offers a rigorous curriculum that takes education to the next level and prepares scholars for the real world by encouraging creativity, independence, and academic excellence."
"Our program...explores not just the core content areas, but also topics such as astronomy, zoology, forestry, chemistry, and physics."
"Scholars have the opportunity to participate in unique educational experiences including animal feeding, raising salmon, recycling, navigating trails, and water sampling. They also participate in two camping trips during the school year–one locally in Kent County and other areas along the lakeshore–that make for unforgettable memories."
Camp Rogers & Camp Hayowentha
Photos of me at the Climate March in Grand Rapids, MI (including on the local news!) in late 2019.
I volunteer and am an activist for many organizations and causes.
I am deeply invested in environmental protection causes. As a member of Astronomers for Planet Earth, I actively engage with climate activist initiatives, recognizing the urgency of safeguarding our planet for my and future generations.
Among other causes, I also volunteer for Veterans groups (such as the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and Guitars for Vets) and advocate to end all deportations of veterans.
Conference Session (November 2024)
Hiking: Minnewaska State Park, River-to-Ridge, Rail Trail, Lemon Squeeze, Sky Top Tower
Favorite hike: 24.6 miles from my Residence Hall to the River-to-Ridge Trail to the Lemon Squeeze, finishing with Sky Top Tower trail and the walk back down the mountain.
Walking: Broadway/W 225 St to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal
Favorite hike: 21.7 miles in 8 hours and 16 minutes from one end of Manhattan to the other! Included visiting the MET Cloisters, several parks (including Riverside Park and Central Park of course)
Biking: Riverside Park from Navy Pier to the Museum of Science & Industry
Favorite hike: 32 miles from Navy Pier along the Lake Michigan coast and Riverside Park to Jackson Park for the Museum of Science and Industry. Additionally, biked the area around Jackson Park.