Kayla Boche

Year in School: Junior

Major(s)/Minor(s): Major in Sociology and Minor in Criminology

Hometown: Davenport, Iowa

Favorite Quote: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light”. – Albus Dumbledore

All-time favorite song: Forever and Always by Parachute

Your friends would describe you as: Loud and adventurous (and talkative when I get to know someone, but shy when I don’t know them, basically an extroverted introvert)

Hobbies: Reading, watching Netflix, drawing, playing my flute, hanging out with my siblings, and socializing

Favorite Food: Peas and steak (either together or separate)

Something you accomplished that you’re proud of: I am proud that I am putting myself through college. I work 35 hours a week and am a full-time student, so I am proud that I find time to balance life.

Best TV series/movie: The Office and Harry Potter

What are you most excited for during our service trip to Biloxi? I am excited to see how our service will affect the city. It is a unique experience that I am glad to be a part of, and I can’t wait to teach/ assist those who face difficulties in life that I can’t even imagine. I am also looking forward to getting to know everyone in the group better!

Kelsey O'donnell

Year in School: Senior

Major(s)/Minor(s): International Studies; Anthropology

Hometown: Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

Favorite Quote: “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” –Carl Sagan

All-time favorite song: Naïve- The Kooks

Your friends would describe you as: Kind, intelligent, and quirky

Hobbies: Hiking, reading, baking, and listening to music

Favorite Food: Potatoes

Something you accomplished that you’re proud of: Planning a trip and spending two weeks by myself traveling through Switzerland and Germany!

Best TV series/movie: Black Mirror

What are you most excited for during our service trip to Biloxi? I am most excited to visit a new, diverse place in the United States and get to know the community.

Kaydee ecker

Year in School: Junior Transfer Student

Major(s)/Minor(s): English & Creative Writing/Teacher Education Program

Hometown: Stockton, California (But I’ve been settled into Iowa City since 2015!)

Favorite Quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

All-time favorite song: Oh gosh… there’s no way I can choose. There’s too much phenomenal work out there. You should know, though, that I am a major Taylor Swift fan. I didn’t choose the Taylor fan life, it chose me.

Your friends would describe you as: funny, witty, awkward, passionate, caring

Hobbies: Writing, petting cats, hiking/camping, looking at pictures of cats, discussing social issues, squealing about cats, being introspective, taking my cats on walks

Favorite Food: MEXICAN. ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

Something you accomplished that you’re proud of: Leaving home to move half way across the country, get a job, and work towards my educational goals and actually succeeding

Best TV series/movie: Fresh Off The Boat and Speechless on ABC are A+

What are you most excited for during our service trip to Biloxi? Opportunities for personal growth, exploring a new place, and getting to know all my wonderful service team members!

Russell Martin

Year in School: Freshman

Major(s)/Minor(s): Biomedical Engineering Major, Computer Science Minor

Hometown: West Branch, IA

Favorite Quote: “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation”

All-time favorite song: Pink + White by Frank Ocean

Your friends would describe you as: “Mom” – Ben; “

Hobbies: Running, guitar, piano, singing

Favorite Food: Pad Thai

Something you accomplished that you’re proud of: Running a 4:35 mile

Best TV series/movie: Psych

What are you most excited for during our service trip to Biloxi?

I’m excited to work with kids and for us to bond as a group!

Josefina Lopez Valdivia

Nickname: Jlo

Year in School: Senior

Major(s)/Minor(s): Marketing major, minor in Anthropology

Hometown: Sioux City, IA

Favorite Quote: “Mas vale una verdad que duela, que una mentira que ilusione” in other words “But it is a truth that hurts, but a lie that excites”

All-time favorite song: “Boxcar” -Tiny Moving Parts

Your friends would describe you as: Awkward, funny, kind, motivated, and dependable.

Hobbies: Biking, Watching sports, hanging out with friends, and listening to music while going for a drive.

Favorite Food: A well marbled Ribeye, mashed potatoes and any kind of jerky really. Either all together or separately I really don’t care I just love food.

Something you accomplished that you’re proud of: My car broke down on I-380 mid traffic one time and I only panicked a little. LOL but actually I’m extremely proud of being a student site leader and getting to plan your guys’ life out for 7 days... No pressure or anything so I hope y’all have fun, learn a lot, and bond!!

Best TV series/movie: New Girl, Modern Family, Friends, The Office, The Breakfast Club, Talladega nights.

What are you most excited for during our service trip to Biloxi? Getting to help kids that don’t have the resources to help themselves or their families. And even though we might not make a big impact on their lives I hope that the change that happens within me helps me become the person that I want to be so that I CAN make a difference in their lives later on in the future. ALSO getting to bond with y’all amazing peeps!!!