Derek Schweitzer, Student Representative (SR), Dixie State College of Utah

Derek Schweitzer is finishing his English degree at Dixie State College of Utah and has been accepted into the Secondary Education Teaching program at Dixie State College. His focus is on English education and he wants to teach high school English after he completes the teaching program. Derek is currently the Treasurer for Dixie State's Alpha Pi Epsilon Chapter and will continue working closely with his chapter next year. He has recently left the restaurant business after 18 years to pursue what he believes to be his true calling--English.

Derek currently lives in St. George, Utah (where he hopes to teach someday soon) with his high school sweetheart and wife of 16 years. He has five children, two dogs, three cats, a turtle, and a Utopian society of fish.

Linda Wells, Associate Student Representative (ASR), University of Idaho

Linda Wells is nearing the end of her education at the University of Idaho. While pursuing a B.A. in English Literature and Education, she serves as the Co-President of the Eta Chi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. She hopes to teach secondary English and, perhaps in the future, serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. She has taken up leadership roles to be more involved and make a direct and positive impact in organizations and her community. Linda takes delight in the works of J.D. Salinger and Allen Ginsberg, each of whom offers insights into the English language as well as into life.

In her spare time, Linda likes to stay involved with her sorority, Kappa Delta, and travel when the opportunity arises. Even when she doesn’t know where the future will take her, she lives by the words of her grandmother, Emma: “Never stop learning. What would life be if there was never anything new?”