Say Hi! to Your Youth Caucus 2015 Staff

By Jennica Davis-Hockett

Youth Caucus Staff is Building Sacred Community to Refocus Our Faith! Sr. Dean Olivia Calvi

Olivia is from Los Angeles, CA and is a life-long UU. Currently a Junior in high school, Unitarian Universalist Leadership is her main priority. She also enjoys Mock Trial and photography. As Sr. Dean, Olivia is charged with mentoring our Jr. Dean, Andrea Briscoe, and guiding our youth caucus staff in planning a Youth Caucus that is a spiritual gathering and collaboration of a multigenerational community focused on reconnecting to our values and 7 principles.

Jr. Dean Andrea Briscoe

Andrea lives in the Philly area of PA. She attends Main Line Unitarian Church in the Joseph Priestley District of CERG and serves as the youth representative to her church's Board of Trustees. She also serves as the worship coordinator and chaplain for her district. UU leadership is her passion and first priority. She is a competitive Irish step dancer and loves to learn about history, international relations and foreign language. As Jr. Dean, Andrea is studying under Olivia to guide our youth caucus staff in planning a Youth Caucus that is a place where we strive to adapt our traditions to a growing and diverse society of which we are part.

Sr. FUN TIMES Business Manager Kara Marler

Kara attends the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church outside Seattle. She serves on her district's con planning team as well as PNWD's Youth Empowerment Services team. She likes to run and iron funny images on sweatshirts. Recently her dream of driving an ice cream truck was fulfilled. As Sr. FUN TIMES Business Manager, Kara is charged with mentoring our Jr. Business Manager, Isabelle, connecting youth to the business of the association and bringing prominent guest speakers to the youth caucus room.

Jr. FUN TIMES Business Manager Isabelle McCurdy

Isabelle attends the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga in Tennessee. Isabelle is a Summer Seminary 2014 graduate and loves dance. She is also passionate about art, writing, and reading. She is a graduate of the very first National Youth Justice Summit in Boston in 2012. As Jr. Business Manager, Isabelle will study under Kara to bring youth into the business of our association and have them meet with the Board of Trustees.

Sr. Worship Coordinator John Newhall

John is from Salem, Massachusetts and enjoys philosophy, writing, music, and theatre. He is a Summer Seminary 2014 graduate and participated in a UU College of Social Justice summer program. As Sr. Worship Coordinator, John helps plan the Synergy Bridging worship and worships for Youth Caucus. He is mentoring our Jr. Worship Coordinator, Rhea.

Jr. Worship Coordinator Rhea Brown-Bright

Rhea goes to First Unitarian of Oklahoma City where she has planned youth worship and acted as worship coordinator for Camp Murray.She is actively involved with her youth group, and has been a touch group leader for rally's(cons), as well as a Chaplain at the most recent con.Outside of church she is strongly involved with the poetry scene, runs the GSA at her school, is starting a creative writing club at school, and is part of the improv club. As Jr. Worship Coordinator she will be working with John to create inspiring, welcoming worships with depth for Youth Caucus.

Peer Chaplain Hope Laub

Hope lives in Colorado and goes to the First Unitarian Society of Denver. She served as peer chaplain in her district for 2 years and led 2 chaplain trainings, one in PNWD and another in MDD. She's been involved with Unitarian Universalism since she started high school. Chaplaincy has helped her understand herself more fully and develop a stronger faith. She loves to write and preform spoken word. As Peer Chaplain, Hope will be a compassionate presence for youth who need a listening ear and serve on the Right Relations Team.

Peer Chaplain Colleen Murray

Colleen goes to West Hills UU Fellowship in Portland, Oregon. She has been on the planning staff for cons in her district for 2 years, serves on the district's Youth Empowerment Services team, and has served as chaplain for her cluster and district. A large part of her life philosophy involves giving her attention, support, and compassion to others. She likes to write music, read children's books in different languages, and is an avid sweater enthusiast. As Peer Chaplain Colleen will be a compassionate presence for youth who need a listening ear and serve on the Right Relations Team.

Adult Chaplain Kimberly Johnson

Kimberly Johnson lives in New Jersey and serves as Intern Minister at the 4th Universalist Society of New York. This spring she graduates from Meadville Lombard Theological School. At her home congregation of Montclair, NJ, Kimberly was youth advisor to some of the most fantastic young people on the planet. As a UU College of Social Justice Program Leader, she helped lead the Youth Activate! Program in New Orleans. As Adult Chaplain, Kimberly will provide support and guidance for our peer chaplains and serve as a listening hear for anyone who needs it.

Adult Chaplain Steven Williams

Steven is the interim student minister at the UU Church of Bartlesville, OK. He lives in a suburb of Tulsa, OK, where he grew up, and is an M.Div candidate at Phillips Theological Seminary. He is a lifelong UU who was active in his youth program and church choir as a teen. As an adult, he served as Co-Advisor for the Youth Group at First UU New Orleans from 2008-2011, as a Southwest District advisor at summer youth camps in 2008-2009, and on the National Youth Justice Training staff in 2014. He was also the summer seminary intern for the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal in New Orleans in 2014. Steven loves to travel and has lived in New Orleans, Dallas, and Paris, France. He is also passionate about social justice, particularly antiracism and LGBQ and trans* issues. Pictured with him is Jack the Wonder Dog, his service companion who will also be joining us in Portland. As Adult Chaplain, Steven provides support and guidance for our peer chaplains and serves as a listening hear for anyone who needs it.

Connections Coordinator Morgan Day

Morgan is from Colorado and goes to All Souls UU in Colorado Springs. A lifelong UU, she worked planning cons and as a counselor at her summer camp in MDD called QUUest camp. She loves traveling and meeting people and GA is just the place to do both of those things. She dives (like off a board not scuba), pole vaults and loves skiing. She's interested in learning about other cultures and traditions, and loves speaking Spanish. As Connections Coordinator, Morgan works with Emma to design workshops for youth caucus to get to know each other and make it easy and fun to reach out to the larger GA population.

Connections Coordinator Emma Lyons

Emma attends First Unitarian Church of Providence, RI. She is an active member of her youth group and the regional CON planning circuit. Recently, she had the opportunity to Co-Dean and lead a workshop at a CON. Outside of church she is involved in the arts and has a teen internship at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum. She spends a lot of time in the museum, and you can hardly ever catch her without a sketchbook and a graphite pencil. As Connections Coordinator Emma works with Morgan to design workshops for youth caucus to get to know each other and make it easy and fun to reach out to the larger GA population.

Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator James Forrest

James is the Youth Ministry Coordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Fairfax, VA. He spent many years working with youth as an adult advisor at district youth cons and camps. This is his fourth time attending General Assembly and second time serving on Youth Caucus Staff. As an Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator, James companions youth leaders as they prepare and run youth caucus staff, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all participants and helping sponsors get all the information they need.

Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator Shannon Harper

Shannon attends the Miami Valley UU Fellowship and lives outside of Dayton, OH. She is a member of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA), is a Heartland Area Youth adult adviser, staffed the Youth Midwest Leadership School, and is a Youth Ministries Consultant for MidAmerica Region. She believes the future of our faith movement is in the creative and passionate spirit of our youth. As an Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator, Shannon companions youth leaders as they prepare and run youth caucus staff, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all participants and helping sponsors get all the information they need.

Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator Sam Wilson

Sam recently moved to the Boston area and serves as Director of Youth Ministries at Winchester Unitarian Society. He is also a Program Leader for the UU College of Social Justice and led various social justice programs for youth. Before living in Boston, Sam was an Advisor for YRUU at Main Line Unitarian Church and sponsored youth at the last 4 UUA General Assemblies. He was also active in the Joseph Priestley District Youth Steering Committee, where he served as the Conference Advisor and frequently sponsored youth at district and regional CONs. Sam also adores karaoke, arts & crafts (#GlitterAddict) and traveling to new places. As an Advisor/Sponsor Coordinator, Sam companions youth leaders as they prepare and run youth caucus staff, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all participants and helping sponsors get all the information they need.

Olivia Calvi

Olivia Calvi
Kara_Marler

Kara_Marler
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