Traditional Members
Berit Olsson
Bio
Berit (she/her) is a recent college graduate from Warwick, Rhode Island. She studied Astrophysics, fascinated with looking at the world from new perspectives. However, after years in research, she learned that her passions of the outdoors and creativity were not being served. As she pursues a new path in Industrial Design, she was excited to spend the year in a new place delving into her passions of outdoor education. She loves to bike and trail run and is so excited to be in Colorado!
Berkeley Wall
Bio
Berkeley Wall (she/her) was born and raised in Virginia. Berkeley grew up in a small city called Salem, home of the minor league Red Sox—but not the witch trials—with her parents and older brothers. A recent graduate from Washington and Lee University, Berkeley received a Bachelors in Sociology and Anthropology and a minor in Poverty and Human Capability Studies. Throughout her undergraduate career, Berkeley prioritized becoming a global citizen and spent a year abroad focusing on public health, food studies, and the Spanish language, which directly lead her to serving with Alpine Achievers Initiative. This year, Berkeley will be in Alamosa working with students who speak Spanish as their primary language at Ortega Middle School and serving with AAI’s Backyard to Backcountry program on weekends. Berkeley’s passion for youth and the outdoors has taken her around the country during her collegiate summers working with summer camps, including Colorado in 2023. Eager to be back in Colorado, Berkeley is hopeful to share her knowledge and skills with Alamosa and connect with the many people of the San Luis Valley!
Gabriel Evans
Bio
Gabriel (he/him/his) is from Catoosa, Oklahoma. He recently graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, with a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Relations. He plans to take the foreign service exam and become a diplomat. He is excited to move to the San Luis Valley where he has visited since childhood. He enjoys working with people and is eager to inspire children to be their best selves.
Grace Zoldak
Bio
Grace Zoldak (she/her) is from Mount Vernon, Ohio. She graduated in 2025 from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in History and English. Over the past few years, Grace has worked for a summer camp that serves underprivileged youth. She is excited to begin serving in Salida, Colorado, at Longfellow Elementary.
Grace is eager to explore all the outdoor adventures Colorado has to offer—specifically hiking, running, and camping. She finds rest and expression through music, yoga, and art, and enjoys taking walks with friends.
Grace looks forward to meeting the students and making connections at Longfellow!
Jess Kishbaugh
Bio
Jess Kishbaugh (she/her) is from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2024 from Washington and Lee University with a degree in Art History and Middle East and South Asian Studies with a language emphasis. She is a second-year AmeriCorps member; over the past year, Jess has served across the San Luis Valley with the Boys and Girls Club running programming and building connections with youth. This upcoming year, she will be living in Alamosa and serving with the Boys and Girls Club again, more specifically with their Great Outdoors Colorado and Generation Wild programming, taking kids on outdoor adventures and working on the garden at the main club. Jess has loved exploring the SLV this past year and can’t wait to continue. If you are ever looking for a place of support or someone to chat comic books or art with, Jess is your person!
Jordyn Centerwall
Bio
Jordyn Centerwall (she/her/hers) is from Sacramento, California. She graduated in 2023 from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She plans to go back to get her Masters soon. Jordyn is excited to start her second term with Alpine Achievers Initiative and continue serving at both Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 and PALS. Her favorite memory from her first AmeriCorps term was the last day of school and helping out at a summer camp in Crestone. Jordyn also loves to read, write, bake, and discover new areas to run.
Even after living in Colorado for seven months, Jordyn is still blown away by the beauty of the Valley. In her second term, she hopes to go on more hikes, explore new cities, and, of course, make a positive impact on the students and community.
Joshua Krzywicki
Bio
Joshua Krzywicki (he/him) is a returning AmeriCorps Member from 2023. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, he has been involved in multiple skateboarding nonprofit organizations both as an independent contractor and a volunteer. Upon arriving for his service term with AmeriCorps, he will serve at Creede Rec.
Joshua hopes to continue contributing to positive change in the world during his travels while pursuing his passion for skateboarding and sharing it with others. In his free time, he enjoys other forms of physical activity such as basketball and baseball. Joshua also appreciates being outdoors altogether.
Joshua eagerly anticipates his travels and is thrilled to serve as an AmeriCorps Member once again.
Landon Young
Bio
Landon (he/him) is from Haymarket, Virginia. He is a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Political Science and has plans to become a teacher. During the summer, he typically works as a camp counselor for children with chronic illnesses. This is his first term serving as an AmeriCorps Member.
Landon is incredibly excited to be serving at Salida Middle School and the Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County! He has never been west of the Mississippi, so he is excited to explore all that Colorado has to offer.
Sadie Keller
Bio
Sadie Keller (she/her) is originally from Longmont, Colorado. She recently graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Mathematics. Passionate about serving others, Sadie hopes to build a career in the nonprofit sector—particularly in family support or workforce development.
This year, Sadie is excited to grow her skills and experience while serving at Bill Metz Elementary School in Monte Vista. During her time in Alabama, she worked as a math tutor for student-athletes and with several nonprofit organizations.
In her free time, Sadie enjoys golfing, hiking, climbing, and finding any excuse to be outdoors. She also loves reading, sipping coffee, and discovering new places. Sadie is thrilled to be back in her home state and looks forward to exploring the mountains of southern Colorado.
Educator Recruitment and Retention Program
Jennifer Miller
Bio
Jennifer is originally from New York City, but she has lived in Colorado for 40 years. She is entering her 22nd year in education and her second term as an AAI ERR AmeriCorps Member. Jennifer runs a study hall program at her local middle school, where she tutors and teaches what she calls “Life 101.” “Executive functioning skills are some of the most challenging skills for middle schoolers. Study hall provides an opportunity for students to get help, feel supported, and organize themselves for success.” Jennifer enjoys watching her students blossom from little children to young adults. “This time in life [middle school] is when a student finds their sense of self. I am honored to be a witness to and a part of that process.” Jennifer is excited to continue work with AmeriCorps, focusing on the mental health needs of students, which is integral to success in their journey. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys time at home and still water kayaking. Family, friends, and a connection to nature define Jennifer’s personal life.
Jerica Roquemore
Bio
Jerica is from Colorado. She is entering her third year at Canon City Middle School as a paraprofessional. This will be her second year as an AmeriCorps Member. She loves to work with children and watch them succeed in the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with her children, and her family.
Joyce Pretzer
Bio
Joyce received her Bachelors of Fine Art from CSU-Pueblo in 2018. Joyce is starting her first year as an AmeriCorps Member with Alpine Achievers Initiative this year. She works at Mountain View Core Knowledge School as a Special Ed Paraprofessional, going on her third year working with kindergarten to eighth graders. She loves working with all students, to be able to help their education be more fun and simpler for their future adventures in life. Joyce wants to help children learn in a better and more enjoyable way, so the struggles aren’t as challenging when going on to higher education. Joyce is a Colorado native and has lived in Fremont county for over 40 years. She loves her mountains, all animals, music, and definitely art of all mediums.
LaDonna Taylor
Bio
LaDonna is from Florence, Colorado. She is entering her 8th year as a Title I Instructional Paraprofessional (aka Reading Teacher) at Washington Elementary School in Canon City, Colorado. She is serving her 2nd term as an AmeriCorps Alpine Achievers Initiative Member. She has a long-standing passion for serving youth in her community. LaDonna was inspired by the classes offered through the AmeriCorps to go back to school to get her teaching certification, so she is currently enrolled and taking classes at Colorado Christian University Online for Special Education Generalist with licensure. She is excited for the opportunity of continuing this adventure of learning.
Maria Aumuller
Bio
Maria (she/her) was born in Guatemala and graduated in 1995 from her country. She moved to the U.S 10 years ago and went back to school to obtain her LPN and CNA license, worked in a veterans home and a Hospice, especially with elder care. She loves to help others. Three years ago, she decided to work with our youth people at Canon City High School. She thinks that if we, as adults, gave more special time to our youth community, they would grow with more confidence and have goals. She is happy to be part of the AmeriCorps team for a second year. She learned a lot about how important it is to be part of our community and help others.
Paula Bertolino
Bio
Paula Bertolino (she/her) is from Salida, Colorado. She serves as an AmeriCorps Member with Alpine Achievers Initiative at Longfellow Elementary School, where she works as a paraprofessional. Paula is also pursuing her teaching license and is excited to continue building her career in education. Outside of school, she is an orophile (lover of mountains) who enjoys hiking, wildflowers, birds, biking, and spending time on the river with family and friends.
Stephanie Shugerman
Bio
After two years with AAI serving at the Salida Montessori Charter School as a traditional member, Stephanie Shugerman (she/her) is looking forward to spending her third year with SMCS as a new ERR member. She received her BAs in Psychology and Environmental Studies from Washington & Jefferson College in 2023, and found her way to the lovely town of Salida through AAI shortly after. After working in outdoor education and teaching PE, she is excited to be teaching something new! She spends her days supporting Upper Elementary (4-6th grade) as a Special Education Paraprofessional and exploring the world of Theater and Drama with all her students. Outside of school, Stephanie can be found either performing at one of Salida’s many venues or exploring somewhere in the mountains. Stephanie loves the outdoors and all that comes with it (yes, even the bugs!) and looks forward to all the excitement and learning that comes with this new position!
Tammy Ruhberg
Bio
Tammy is originally from Arizona and worked in Education there for 20 years before moving to Colorado. She is entering her 5th year at Canon City Middle School. Tammy enjoys working with students and helping them achieve and learn new things. She works in the ATS room now and guides students to learn better ways to express themselves.
Members of the Month
