Hello from NC!
February 14, 2010
Sherry Ayres S’96 is in touch and is now living in North Carolina. Two months ago, she and her Ecuadorian hubby Luis just had a baby girl, Fiona Sophia. They are delighted. She is doing the working mom juggling act… back at work and taking classes again. She currently works with youth as a private academic coach.
Charlotte Maxwell
February 14, 2010
Krista Alderson, P’87-88 is now the Executive Director of the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic in Oakland, CA. The clinic provides free alternative medicine treatments to low-income women with cancer as well as organic food, interpretation services, transportation and medical services. She loves the organization for the mission and has used over 350 volunteers to deliver services to 800 clients. GO KRISTA! She is grateful for the great values that Legacy has taught her…about community service and being there for one another in times of need.
Greetings from Germany
February 14, 2010
Oksanna Baitinger S’96, ‘02-’04 writes from Berlin where she is staying with her parents and says she misses everyone at GYV. She wants to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
Enjoying Science…
February 14, 2010
Jason Meyer, S’ 08 & ‘09 is thinking of returning to GYV in ‘10. He misses everyone and has switched majors from Biology to Biochemistry…..and leaning towards studying epigenetics and neuroscience in graduate school. He plans to receive a pre-med certificate upon completion of college. Good luck Jason!
Playing Fiddle in Donegal
February 14, 2010
Charlotte-Anne Malichewski P’07 is doing a study abroad program in Ireland…playing fiddle in Donegal. To read about her adventures, visit http://www.scribd.com/full/25925802?access_key=key-8m5q1pk413odxl76npq.
Michael Ogunnusi
January 21, 2010
Nationality: British
GYV Participant: 1996 (staff)
Education: PhD research student at the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. The research aims to get a fresh look at the mind of State governance and deepen the moral debate about the provision of targeted and support services for young people in the UK.
Most Interesting Countries Visited: Japan, Basque Country and the US.
Favorite GYV Memory: My memories of GYV include cultural sharing nights, (very) early morning Ti Chi, playing football in the hot sun, reciting poetry, slap stick comedy with custard pies, drumming, and the wonders of tofu (before and after consumption!) GYV introduced me to a type of education that values individual worth and builds inclusive relationships rather than generate resistance or rejection. My experiences at GYV still influence my passion for youth work as I remember the stories that the young people brought with them and the optimism and joy of the potential futures they took away – transcending culture, language, opportunity, and the even the politics of war. It left my spirit with a global footprint and the knowledge that changing beliefs can change behaviour.
Biography: My background includes youth work, social work, research, civil rights & police monitoring. I remain particularly interested in helping young people in times of challenge, often based in settings that are characterised by conflict. From the Caen Peace Museum to integenerational projects in Funibashi my work has taken me to the Netherlands, Basque Country, Japan and France to meet with cabinet ministers, colleagues, and young people.
In 2006 I published an article entitled ‘Keep It Together, Keep It Safe: Violence, Peace and Young People’ (Development Education Journal, October 2006) and the following year I set up ‘Peace Techniques’ a self-founded company that offers training and projects to promote youth perspectives and actively challenge the acceptance of aggression and violence.
I now also lecture part-time at De Montfort University at the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences and the Youth affairs Unit, where I am studying for my PhD. This year I am really excited about the potential of a new project called ‘XL’ that plans to create safe communal spaces as part of an international network to holistically integrate age, culture and ability.
For all my friends of 1996 Alumni, please get in touch and send me pics and your memories at my email mikeo_2007@yahoo.co.uk. Peace.