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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

New York State AmeriCorps Kickoff


Despite the dreary weather, 47 Rochester AmeriCorps members and staff enthusiastically boarded a bus to Saratoga Springs on November 11 for the annual New York State AmeriCorps Kickoff. Over 400 NYS AmeriCorps members from Buffalo to Long Island were in attendance for the overnight event. Members had the opportunity to network and learn about other programs; bond over their service experiences, complete a Veterans Day service project and receive leadership training.

Throughout the two day affair Rochester AmeriCorps members shined bright. Member Emalee Arnold opened the celebrations with a spectacular performance of the National Anthem and veterans Cosetta Cartagena and Chris De Vaun Parker were recognized for their military service. Our dedicated members were the last ones to leave the group service project, completing over 20,000 packages to be sent to veterans, activity duty military personnel and first responders; truly exemplifying the AmeriCorps call to “Get Things Done.”

Even in less formal ways our members were able to represent the program with fervor. During ice breaker activities Alex Arpag took the stage to teach the crowd some basic boxing techniques and Curtis Flood was a finalist in the mega Rock Paper Scissors competition. When programs were asked to create a haiku, Rochester AmeriCorps members created not one, but two poems. Clare Boehly presented the group haiku to much fanfare and then Emi Okada created an authentic Japanese poem translated into both languages, eliciting thunderous applause.

With all of the promotion it was no wonder why the Rochester AmeriCorps table was crowded with people during the program fair. With the help of members, staff were able to advertise the program and speak about the ways Rochester AmeriCorps serves the community through education.

Catherine Farrell
Rochester AmeriCorps
12/15/2015