Getting to know the bloggers...

Hi!  My name is Kayla Bergquist and this year I am serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer for the City of Redmond.  My fellow AmeriCorp volunteer and I work with junior high after-school programs and a student leadership group called RYPAC.  Seattle has been my home for over four years after growing up in Boise, ID.  There are certain things I miss about a smaller town, i.e. the nonexistent traffic, but Seattle is a great city for young adults.  Most of my time has been spent on Queen Anne attending Seattle Pacific University and working towards a BA in Latin American Studies with lots of classes in Sociology and Linguistics.  After graduating in June, I spent the summer in Concón, Chile practicing my Spanish and living with a family, catxi.  My time in Chile didn’t last forever and I needed to find a job when I got back.  With an interest in social services, schools and working with underprivileged and at-risk youth AmeriCorps seemed to be a great fit.  It provides me with the opportunity to experience different areas I am interested in and hopefully help me to discern the next step I should take.  When I’m not at work I spend my time with my wonderful roommates, reading, dancing, doing anything outdoors and volunteering.  I’m excited to hear your questions, comments, concerns, doubts, disbeliefs…about my reflections on my time with the city.