Public Service
David Saucedo
Firefighter
"Growing up in California, our family had several friends who were firefighters. My dad introduced me to one of them, and that conversation sparked my interest. I went through EMT training at EMSTA College in San Diego, then I went through fire academy training through CAL FIRE (California...
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Erica Monterroza
911 Communications Dispatcher
"When I was younger, I wanted to be a fashion designer. In high school, I took three years of fashion classes. However, I started to realize that not a lot of people make it into the fashion industry without a great scholarship or personal contacts. My fashion teacher said I’m great with people,...
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Genia Deets
Elementary School Gifted Teacher
When I was little, I loved playing school — and being the teacher, of course! I would arrange my stuffed animals and plan exciting lessons on everything from being nice to counting. I’m thrilled to be living this dream in an actual classroom today. But I will say, my stuffed animals had much less...
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Jemel May
Walmart Fulfillment Operations Manager
Growing up in Lansing, I dreamed about being a professional football player. I was all-state for Lansing High School and was the 1998 track and field state champ in the long jump. Even after I became a father my senior year in high school, I held on to that dream, enrolling at the University of...
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Jen Kesler
Second Grade Teacher
I always admired my teachers growing up and wanted to be just like them. I knew I wanted to work with kids. Although I struggled in school and had to work very hard, I’m a “helper” by nature, so I knew I wanted to support kids who struggled like I did.
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Joy Schmidt
Secondary Health Science Teacher
“As a teacher, I’ve always loved the fact that we’re the source of all other careers. In our classrooms, students learn the foundational skills of whatever they want to be, and we get to have a hand in helping them figure out what they want to do. It’s really rewarding to meet up with past students...
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Kahm Flanary
Marine/Journeyman Lineman
"I always knew I wasn’t going to a traditional four-year college after high school. I did well in school and enjoyed it, but I didn’t think I’d be able to sit in a classroom for another four years. Also, I wasn’t into the price tag that came along with it.
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Kaley Schnack
Title 1 Teacher
I remember wanting to be a teacher as early as kindergarten. The school I attended growing up was a special place. The teachers provided a sense of community and a strong support system for everything we did, and I idolized my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Harris, for her sweet spirit and love of...
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Kelly Carmody
Middle School Teacher
Choosing a career was easy for me — I’ve never wanted to do anything but teach. I’d sometimes pretend to be a teacher when I was a kid, knowing I wanted to be a “helper” someday. To me, sharing knowledge with others sounded like the perfect way to serve my community.
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Kristin Jenkins
Early Childhood Educator
I was an Air Force brat for the first seven years of my life. My family was originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, but we lived all over. When my dad was deployed to Vietnam, my mom moved my brother and me back to Lincoln so she could go back to school to finish her degree at the University of Nebraska.
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