2018

Buckler’s Mead Academy Volunteer — Yeovil, United Kingdom

Volunteer mentor and workshop presenter for the Einstein Academy, a gifted-and-talented after-school program for Year 8 pupils at Buckler’s Mead Academy in the southwest of England. Each student worked on a project that had meaning to them and presented their findings in an “American science fair”-style end-of-year exhibition. Course ran July 2017 – July 2018.

Contributor to The Five Parishes Post – Ilchester, United Kingdom

Writer for the local newsletter, The Five Parishes Post, serving Ilchester, Podimore, Yeovilton, Limington, and Northover.

Yeovil Creative Writers Member — Yeovil, United Kingdom

Member since 2016 of the local writing group Yeovil Creative Writers, which meets bi-monthly to share and critique work from participants in all genres.

2017

Buckler’s Mead Academy Volunteer — Yeovil, United Kingdom

Volunteer mentor and workshop presenter for the Einstein Academy, a gifted-and-talented after-school program for Year 8 pupils at Buckler’s Mead Academy in the southwest of England. Each student will work on a project that has meaning to them and present their findings in a “Shark Tank”-style end-of-year exhibition. Course ran July 2017 – July 2018.

Contributor to The Five Parishes Post – Ilchester, United Kingdom

Writer and cartoonist for the local newsletter, The Five Parishes Post, serving Ilchester, Podimore, Yeovilton, Limington, and Northover.

Yeovil Creative Writers Member — Yeovil, United Kingdom

Member since 2016 of the local writing group Yeovil Creative Writers, which meets bi-monthly to share and critique work from participants in all genres.

United States Senate Youth Program Mentor — Washington, D.C.

Competitively selected as a military mentor and Senior Marine for the 2017 USSYP. Responsible for mentoring seven high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in public service. The mission of the USSYP is to provide an intensive, week-long educational experience in Washington, D.C. for 104 high school students exploring the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches as well as gaining an in-depth view of the Senate and the Federal government as a whole.

Buckler’s Mead Academy Speaker — Yeovil, United Kingdom

Motivational guest speaker and workshop presenter for the Buckler’s Bards, a gifted-and-talented after-school literary program for Year 7 and 8 pupils at Buckler’s Mead Academy in the southwest of England. My focus was on working hard, overcoming adversity, and achieving realistic goals to increase literary excitement, creating a life-long passion for reading and writing.

Stanchester Academy Volunteer — Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, United Kingdom

Volunteer teacher for the Edge Academy, an after-school program at Stanchester Academy for motivated students who want to do more than the expected standard. My course was How To Make A Graphic Novel and ran from February – May 2017 for 15 Year 7 and 8 students.

Program Ambassador for Goddard College’s MFA in Creative Writing — Plainfield, VT

Representative for Goddard College as a current graduate student for prospective students since 2016. Duties included answering questions, replying to emails, and calling or Skyping with interested future students, especially military veterans.

2016

Stanchester Academy Speaker — Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, United Kingdom

Motivational guest speaker for Year 11 students at Stanchester Academy in the southwest of England focusing specifically on working hard, aiming high, and succeeding in reaching realistic goals using my experience as a female attack helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps as a real-world example.

WGDR Radio Interview — Plainfield, VT

Hand-selected radio interviewee with three other writers for the show “Ethereal Possibilities of A Floating Particle of Dust” with host Karla Haas Moskowitz about being a writer and my aspirations for the future. (Two-hour interview.)

The Pitkin Review Lead Genre Editor — Plainfield, VT

Volunteer for The Pitkin Review, Goddard College’s bi-annual literary journal for its Master of Fine Art (MFA) graduate students. Lead Editor in Fiction submissions for the Fall 2016 issue, Editor in Drama and Fiction submissions for the Spring 2017 issue.

2015

United States Senate Youth Program Mentor — Washington, D.C.

Competitively selected as a military mentor for the 2015 USSYP. Responsible for mentoring six high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in public service. The mission of the USSYP is to provide an intensive, week-long educational experience in Washington, D.C. for 104 high school students exploring the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches as well as gaining an in-depth view of the Senate and the Federal government as a whole.

2009-2014

Air Show Volunteer/Attendant — Multiple States

As an AH-1W pilot, volunteered to attend multiple air shows in order to increase awareness of female helicopter pilots in the Marine Corps, especially among teenagers and college-bound youth.

2014

Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Advanced Leadership Academy Mentor — Ashville, NC

Project Coach for the 2014 HOBY ALA. Mentored eight high school juniors and seniors to create a social entrepreneur project that was executed over one year. HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.

2013

H.J. MacDonald Middle School Speaker — New Bern, NC

Guest speaker at a local middle school focusing specifically on a Q&A session with at-risk teenage girls. Presented the story of how I got to where I am today through hard work, study, dedication, and motivation.

2007

Professional Training for Midshipmen Assistant SPC — Quantico, VA

Volunteered to delay flight school to become an Assistant Staff Platoon Commander for seven classes of United States Naval Academy midshipmen during the summer. In charge of daily physical training, Marine Corps classes, overnight bivouac evolutions, and scheduling dry-fire and land navigation training ranges.

2004

Cherokee Heights Middle School Mentor — Madison, WI

Mentor for a semester to at-risk Hispanic and African-American middle school youth during the after-school hours for all academic subjects, but focusing on English and Math in particular.

2002

Tri-County Humane Society Volunteer — St. Cloud, MN

Volunteer at my local humane society. Duties included: feeding and watering dogs, cats, rabbits, and small rodents; exercising dogs and socializing cats; and cleaning cages, equipment, and rooms.