Past Counselors

Camp Director: Clarissa Villarreal

Clarissa is a graduate of The University of Texas. She is currently a third grade bilingual teacher in Austin. Clarissa has worked within the education field for about 8 years through various positions ranging from an after school counselor to her current position as a teacher. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities like running, riding horses, and catching up with friends.

Camp Director: Danette Sandoval

Danette has been teaching since 2007, graduating from the University of Texas in San Antonio in December 2006 with a Bachelors in Education, with a concentration in Bilingual Education. She began her career as a Kindergarten teacher and in May 2014 returned to receive her Masters as a Reading Specialist. Danette enjoys reading, spending time with her family and swimming.

Camp Director: Rene Padilla

Rene is the site leader for Northwest Crossing Elementary School’s after-school Learning Tree program He supervises a team of five people with a registration of 70 students. He has worked there for 2 years and enjoys it very much. Rene also worked as summer camp counselor for the YMCA in San Antonio. His hobbies include working on cars and admiring them. Rene lives in San Antonio.

Camp Director: Sarah Ramirez

Sarah has been teaching since 2003. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Texas in San Antonio, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Reading from Our Lady of the Lake University. She is currently a Reading Specialist in Northside ISD. Sarah is a member of the International Literacy Association, International Dyslexia Association, and the Association of Texas Professional Educators. In addition to reading, Sarah enjoys visiting museums, attending Broadway musicals, and traveling.

Counselor: Lisette Villarreal

Lisette is a graduate of The University of the Incarnate Word. She is currently a 3rd grade English, Language Arts, and Reading teacher in San Antonio. Lisette loves working with kids and is excited about Camp Wakaba! In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, travelling, volunteering at her church, and spending time outdoors. 

Counselor: Desmond De Leon

Desmond is from San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University. Desmond’s experience with youth include working multiple summers at Camp Ramapo located in the Hudson Valley in New York as well as working at Southwest Mental Center in San Antonio. He is currently completing his seventh year as an elementary special education teacher. During his time away from work, Desmond enjoys hanging with his family, learning a new language, playing trivia, playing soccer, and traveling. 

Counselor: Allie Al-hamaydeh   

Allie is a graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is currently an Elementary school teacher in San Antonio, Texas. From babysitting, to working at a day care, to now being a teacher, Allie’s jobs have all revolved around working with children. She is excited to be a part of the Camp Wakaba team this summer! When she’s not working, Allie enjoys being outdoors, trying new foods, going to concerts, and hanging out with family and friends.

Counselor: Chris Reyes

Chris was born in San Antonio, Texas and is visiting Japan for the first time this Summer. He's currently working on his Bachelor's Degree in Art History at San Antonio College with hopes to graduate and transfer to Art Center College of Design by the end of 2017. Chris has extensive background in education as well as working with children beginning in 2009 with his work to help create his sister's equitherapy center for the disabled, 'Open Trail Ranch'. He's currently working at the San Antonio Museum of Art as an education intern. Chris has a lifelong passion for art and architecture, but his other hobbies include reading, hiking, and spending time with his close friends.

Counselor: Kelbey Barbadillo

Kelbey is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a sophomore at Ellsworth Community College majoring in Public Relations Communications. Over the past two years at Ellsworth she had the honor of joining numerous clubs, getting over 100 hours of voluntary work.  She also had the opportunity of going to Brussel, Belgium doing an internship for the European Parliament. Her future career goal is to be a Public Relations Specialist working for The Walt Disney Company, specifically Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. 

Counselor: Megan Haines

Megan was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2014 with a degree in Business Management – International Business. Shortly after, she started nannying and had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania with the family (such an amazing experience!). Currently, she works for Northside Independent School District in their after-school program, The Learning Tree, working with a class of awesome kindergarteners. Additionally, she is  taking some computer courses and studying for the GMAT, in preparation for Graduate School, which she plans to start in the fall of 2017. In her spare time, she loves dancing, hiking, camping, going to the beach and socializing with friends. 

Counselor: Stephanie Deluna

Stephanie was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She was a Psychology Major at Northwest Vista College. Steph enjoys singing, eating different foods, playing video games, yoga, shopping, and reading.

Counselor: Brittany Deluna

Brittany is from San Antonio. She is a Sociology major at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Brittany is a member of an on-campus organization that volunteers for Girls on the Run and Campfire USA. Both organizations are dedicated to the well-being of young children, but especially young girls. Brittany is a member of the American Camp Association.

Counselor: Saher Hyderali

Saher graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She was a religious education teacher at her prayer center for 5 years. She’s also completed graduate coursework in early childhood development, childhood language, early childhood intervention and has had multiple clinical rotations in various settings such as schools, outpatient clinics and developmental centers in which she’s worked with kids ages 2-12. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas in Austin, she volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club, Helping Hand Home, and many more. In her spare time, Saher likes to read, write, travel, explore, and most importantly, talk.

Counselor: Conni Difuntorum

Conni works for the Northside Independent School District’s After-School Learning Tree Program. She was born and raised in Northern CA, near San Francisco and went to school in Sacramento. Conni has 15 years of experience in Education, seven with Special Education. Her upcoming trip to Japan has been a long time dream. She has a great desire to learn about Asian cultures and long to teach English as a second language. Conni has several things on her bucket list; among them are learning Mandarin and having grandchildren someday (hopefully soon). Conni lives in San Antonio.

Counselor: Kristina Schuler

Kristina graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Corporate Finance and a minor in Accounting. She found her passion for traveling after she studied abroad in England for a semester. Her other hobbies include running, reading, and hiking.

Counselor: Kassandra Apperley

Kassandra is a Senior Cook at Sea World Parks and Entertainment in San Antonio, Texas. One of her dreams has been to open her own restaurant, and she is currently attending St. Philips College, pursuing a degree in the Culinary Arts to do just that. Her hobbies are cooking, listening to music, playing games, watching anime, and reading manga.

Counselor: Chynna Yazzy

Chynna is from Utah. She is currently working on getting her CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) certificate. In 2011 she moved to Japan for three years and graduated high school there. After graduating high school, she worked as a substitute teacher for Mitsui Gardens Preschool before attaining a job as an assistant teacher. Her hobbies include softball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.

Counselor: Michael Retz

Michael is originally from Southern California. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from the University of Houston. He is currently working as a substitute teacher for Northside ISD and as a private music instructor in guitar and piano. His passions are composing and playing music.

Aquatics Instructor: Sierra Torrel

Sierra is a Nursing student at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has worked as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at Fort Sam Houston Army Base in San Antonio, Texas for the last two years. Sierra was a competitive swimmer throughout high school, and captain her last year. Her goal was to set a new record for every swim event on her high school team. She achieved each goal, which qualified her to compete at many elite swim meets. She was a finalist in both the Texas Regionals and State Championships. Growing up in a military family, Sierra has had the opportunity to live in many places and experience different cultures. She also is a dual citizen both of Canada and the U.S.A.

Aquatics Instructor: Bryce Leech

Bryce is a Political Science major at the University of Oregon. Apart from being a full-time student, Bryce currently works for the city of Eugene as a lifeguard and aquatics instructor for little ones. His hobbies include the outdoor activities of camping, hiking, and snowboarding, all of which he enjoys doing with friends.

Aquatics Instructor: Yliana Sandoval

Yliana is looking forward to attending Baylor University in the Fall of 2016 to focus on English and Pre-Med. She is excited about the opportunity to travel outside of the United States. She looks forward to the experiences that await her. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, and theater.

Aquatics Instructor: Alyssa Drown

Alyssa is a Biology major at The Ohio State University.  She grew up in the military and spent 8 years in Japan.  She works at the YMCA as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor.  Alyssa also coaches cheerleading and teaches Polynesian dancing. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, musical theatre, playing sports, traveling and hiking with her dogs.

Aquatics Instructor: Dakota Drown

Dakota is happy to be back in Japan after being away for almost 8 years. He was born at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho but calls Colorado Springs, Colorado home. He is in Air Force ROTC at The Ohio State University and is a double major in Security & Intelligence and Theatre. This autumn he will be picking up a Japanese minor as well. In his free time, Dakota likes to act, write, read, play sports, and swim.