About Me...

Keri O'Brien

Hometown: Smithtown, NY

Mothers Occupation - Nurse

Fathers Occupation - Police Officer

I am a sophomore

Dorm : Hines 204

Major: Biology

College Activities: RA, Bonners, Bio Club, Rugby, Outing Club

H.S. Activities: Soccer, Cross Country, Junior Firefighter, Girl Scouts, Ecology Club

Parents Activities: Mother - Girl Scout Leader

Father - Volunteer Firefighter

Unknown Fact: I enjoy playing the piano and I used to teach the piano.

My Story - Community

My story is from my trip down to New Orleans. The hurricanes that hit the area as well as other coastal cities brought our nation together as one community helping another. From the conference there were about sixty students representing their own community ( school, church, organization). Everyone came together to help a cause that may not of even directly affected their lives. The purpose was to gain momentum to pass an act that would help rebuild the Gulf Coast. We worked on ways to gain supporters (legislators, senators), organizations) that would show interest in the act. People from all around the nation attended the conference to help spread its purpose by bringing it back to their own communities. I helped bring it to Siena and the New York area by asking people to call their local representatives.

Learning Experience:

For me a powerful learning experience was when i was captain of the Junior Firefighters. It taught me responsibility because I had to plan meetings and events. It also was leadership role. I really felt that one day brought everything that I had been teaching and learning together, our first practice car fire. I was responsible for getting department members to help out and supervise. I had to book the practice area and I was responsible for making sure the other juniors were aware of the situation, knew how to use the equipment and the proper techniques. Years of learning went into this day where I had to lead the group and teach them. I discovered some new skills and explored new limits.