Youth Discovery has a small but dedicated staff comprised of two VISTA AmeriCorps Volunteers and two summer interns. They do everything from web-site development and upkeep to organizing fun runs and soliciting donations, from a small office in the USU Access and Diversity Center in the Taggert Student Union.
Val Alyse comes from New Mexico by way of Montana. She lives in Logan with her daughter and their two cats. She is a teacher by profession, an outdoors afficionado, and loves to learn about almost anything. Val speaks Spanish, learned from school and growing up in New Mexico. She does a lot of biking and hiking, and is trying to teach her cats to walk on leash.
Madeline Hart-Andersen hails from Minnesota. She graduated from Grinnell College in May of 2010 with a degree in Anthropology and Mathematics. She speaks Spanish fluently, having spent time traveling in many different Spanish speaking countries. Madeline, like Val, loves the outdoors, and spends her downtime hiking and biking. When the weather is poor, knitting and baking serve as substitutes.
Krista Bustamante is from Idaho, and attends USU. She speaks Spanish fluently, and serves as a Community Liaison for Youth Discovery. She was a crew leader for the Las Abejas program, and is very active in the Latino student community.
Edgar Mendiola is a Cache Valley resident who also attends USU. Like Krista, he serves as a Community Liaison. He has participated in many Youth Discovery sponsored projects, and his younger siblings attended one of our day camp sessions summer 2011.
The Board of Directors is a powerful group of people dedicated to improving the lives of Cache Valley’s multicultural youth. Carlos Roundy is a Logan entrepreneur. Judy Torres is an educator and children’s author. Jack Greene is a biologist working for the Department of Natural Resources at USU.
Judith E. Torres has a bachelors and master’s degree and has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist and English as a Second Language Teacher in public schools, a private practice, hospitals and as a consultant in various settings for 28 years. She is experienced in program and curriculum development, direct instruction and evaluation. She is currently writing picture books and curriculum guides for educational use.
Jack Greene has been serving youth for the past 40 years as a teacher, nature center director, Scout Master, Cubmaster, and mentor. He recieved his B.S, M.S., and teaching credentials from Central Michigan University and Weber State University. Jack is a naturalist and avid outdoor recreationist and loves playing outdoors with his grandchildren and anyone who’s willing. He is currently the sustainability coordinator for Utah State University.
