Zander Abbot

Zander, a native of Northfield, Minnesota, is a senior at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.  For the year between graduating from high school and attending Bowdoin, Zander lived in Espirito Santo, Brazil as an International Rotary Exchange Student. While pursuing a double major in math and psychology at Bowdoin, Zander participates in Ultimate Frisbee, Bowdoin Outing Club, IM soccer, college radio and is an avid juggler, backpacker and skier.  Zander has led two hiking trips for Overland, Blue Ridge Explorer in 2006 and Alaska Explorer in 2007, and he is fired up to lead Alaska Leadership Course this summer. Zander loves the emphasis on the group on Overland trips. His ability to greet Overland students with a tidal wave of excitement and to smile at everything make Zander an exceptional leader.

 Vanessa Bergmann

Vanessa , a native of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and a dedicated Overlander, returns to Overland for her sixth summer in 2008.  As a student, Vanessa was on Pacific Coast in 2001, North Country Explorer in 2002 and Paris to the Sea in 2003.  As a leader, she led Cape Cod & the Islands in 2006, Pacific Coast in 2007, and she is ready to rock the American Challenge this summer.  As a senior anthropology major and education minor at Smith College, Vanessa is the Outdoor Intern leading an array of outdoor trips throughout the year for students from rock climbing to kayaking, and she is also an Urban Youth Fellow, using her energy and enthusiasm student-teaching 6th graders in Springfield, Massachusetts. When she’s not in class, leading trips for Smith or student-teaching, she is a class IV Whitewater Raft Guide at Zoar Outdoor guiding, trip leading and helping train new guides.  She received her certification in Wilderness First Responder (WFR) through Zoar. Last spring, Vanessa traveled abroad for the semester in southern India studying the gender negotiation of female auto-rickshaw drivers before heading up north to spend time in the foothills of the Himalayas. Vanessa will be attending Smith College’s Master of Education program in the fall. Overland has always been an amazingly positive experience for Vanessa; she feels privileged to lead for Overland.

Elissa Brown

Elissa had a phenomenal experience leading Berkshire Adventure trips in 2007, and she is super excited to lead Pacific Coast this summer.  A native of Palo Alto, California, Elissa is a junior psychology major and environmental studies concentrator at Williams College.  As a Junior Advisor (JA), Elissa works closely with a co-JA to help their hall of first-year students acclimate to college life. She is also a Ropes Course Facilitator and Mountain Guide for the Williams Outing Club, a columnist for The Williams Record, a Varsity Crew rower and a proud member of the Full Moon Howlers.  Before attending Williams, Elissa participated in a one-month backcountry excursion in Wyoming through the National Outdoor Leadership School.  One of her greatest accomplishments is unicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. Elissa's optimistic, creative and fun approach to life make her a terrific leader.

Charlotte Gerrish

A native of Rye, New York, Charlotte is a senior American history major and French minor at Bates College.  At Bates, she plays number 3 for the Women's Squash Team and earned both "the ideal teammate" and "the most valuable player" awards from her team.  She is a member of the Bates Outing Club and has been on many great hiking, biking and skiing trips.  Charlotte spent the fall of 2006 studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence in a French intensive program.  As an Overland student, Charlotte participated in the Cape Cod & the Islands trip in 1999, the European Challenge in 2002, and the American Challenge in 2003.  As a leader, Charlotte enthusiastically led Vermont to Montreal in 2006, Paris to the Sea in 2007, and she is already training to lead the American Challenge this summer.  Prior to becoming an Overland leader, in 2004 Charlotte participated in a month-long Alaska backpacking and mountaineering expedition course with the National Outdoor Leadership School. In 2005, she took a three-week Colorado backpacking and leadership skills trip with Outward Bound.  Charlotte is known for her ease with students, great sense of humor, positive attitude and careful work with her co-leader.

Katie Hagan

Katie grew up in North Brunswick, New Jersey and is a senior biological chemistry major at Bates College.  She is a member of the Bates Outing Club, and she leads backpacking trips for incoming students for Bates freshmen orientation.  Katie is also actively involved with the Bates Biology department as a teaching assistant and peer writing tutor.  During the fall of her junior year, Katie studied abroad in India and Nepal.  During her time abroad, Katie backpacked in the Kanchenjunga region of the Himalayas.  In high school, Katie ran cross-country and track and captained her cross-country team during her senior year.  As an Overland student, Katie went on the Appalachian Trail Challenge in 2002 and the Teton Challenge in 2003.  In 2004, she completed a National Outdoors Leadership School backpacking course in Alaska, and in the summer of 2005, Katie traveled to Tanzania, where she volunteered at a health clinic and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.  As an Overland leader Katie rocked New England Adventure in 2006, Yellowstone Teton Explorer in 2007, and she cannot wait to lead The American Challenge this summer.

Kiira Heymann

Kira grew up in Stamford, Connecticut and is a senior English major and Environmental Studies minor at Colby College.  As a freshman, Kiira studied abroad for a semester in Dijon, France.  At Colby, she has led four-day biking, backpacking and snoweshoing excursions for Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips for incoming freshmen.  Inspired by the skills she gained on her Maine Coast Semester that she spent with the Chewonki Foundation during her junior year of high school, Kiira has worked on organic farms in Vermont during her summers, and she is a founding member and coordinator of Colby's organic garden.  During the summer of 2005 through the University of Vermont Extension program, Kiira taught at-risk youth the principles of organic farms, and she facilitated workshops that focused on personal growth for these youth.  Kiira was well prepared to lead for Overland as she took a thirty-day Yukon Backpacking Course from the National Outdoor Leadership School in Summer 2004.  During the summer of 2006, Kiira participated in a three-month Summer Australia Semester through NOLS, where she spent a month sea-kayaking, a month backpacking and a month sailing.  Kiira loves working for Overland as it allows her to combine her passion for the outdoors and for working with teenagers.  In 2007, Kiira enthusiastically led Rocky Mountain Explorer, and she is incredibly excited about her upcoming adventures while leading Alaska Explorer this summer.

Andrew Manton

A native of Portland, Oregon, Andrew returns to Overland for his third summer to lead the American Challenge.  In 2006, Andrew led Yellowstone Teton Explorer, and in 2007, he enjoyed one of the best months of his life as he led European Explorer.  An avid hiker and rock climber, Andrew has fallen in love with road biking over the past few years, and he can't think of a better way to christen his new bike than by cruising for three thousand miles with a pack of excellent Overland students this summer.  In 2007, Andrew graduated from Pitzer College with honors in Environmental Studies.  While at Pitzer, Andrew was president of the Pitzer Outdoor Adventures Club.  He organized and led freshmen orientation trips, and he led hiking, backpacking and climbing trips nearly every weekend.  Andrew was also president of his dormitory, the manager of the school sound crew, a manager of the campus student center, co-leader of the Student Activities Committee and a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team.  During his junior year, Andrew studied abroad for a semester in Quito, Ecuador.  Before working for Overland, Andrew spent his summers as a counselor at YWCA Camp Westwind, located on 503 acres on the Oregon coast.  Since graduating in 2007, Andrew spent the fall on climbing trips across the Southwest United States and the winter climbing in Thailand and Laos. This spring, he is working as an outdoor educator and climbing instructor for Naturalists at Large.  Overland provides Andrew the opportunity to combine two of his passions, exploring the wilderness and working with teenagers.

Femke Oldham

Femke, a dual citizen of the United States and the Netherlands, grew up on Vashon Island, Washington. She is currently studying community water policy in Mexico on a Fulbright research grant. Femke graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Pomona College in 2007. She played on the Pomona-Pitzer Women's Soccer team throughout college and was elected captain during her senior year.  As an undergraduate, Femke received numerous awards of distinction.  For two years, she was a awarded the Scholar-Athlete Award that is given to the player who earns the highest GPA during the soccer season.  She also received an award for her contribution to the team from her teammates and another from her coaches. Additionally, Femke won the Russell M. Story Prize, the annual prize for the Public Policy Analysis major with exemplary academic achievement, college leadership and public service. As a four-year member of Student Movement for Real Change-Claremont Chapter, Femke helped found a non-profit organization that increases awareness of international issues and raises money for African relief projects.  She spearheaded numerous fundraising efforts, raising over $25,000.  For two years, Femke worked for the Harvey Mudd branch of a federally-funded Upward Bound program; She tutored students from a local high school in a variety of subjects, and she led small group mentorship sessions.  During her summers in high school, Femke worked as a day camp counselor for Camp Fire USA, and she was a counselor for a youth soccer camp. Femke's parents instilled in her an understanding and love of other cultures and travel, and she loves to share her passion for travel with teenagers.  Femke led Southwest Service in 2007, and she is looking forward to leading Language & Service Costa Rica this summer.  She loves to laugh with her Overland students, and she works to inspire them to begin thinking about the world in larger terms in hopes that they may develop a sense of the vast and incredible nature of the world and how lucky we are to be here experiencing every moment of it.

Harris grew up on the North Shore of Chicago and graduated from New Trier High School in 2005.  Presently, he is a junior double major in Mathematics and Philosophy with a concentration in Leadership Studies at Williams College.  Harris spent the past nine summers in outdoor expeditions focused on leadership and team building activities including backpacking, mountaineering and long-distance cycling.  As a camper in 2004 and 2005, he completed Overland’s European and American Challenges.  As a leader in 2006 and 2007, he led New England Adventure and rocked out on Rocky Mountain Explorer.  He is also a national award-winning concert cellist having performed with three orchestras and with the 15^th Street Trio chamber group since age 6.  In 2000 and 2005, he played on NPR’s radio program From the Top for classical musicians.  He is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and bass vocalist, and he blasts cello through an amplifier in his rock band Darlingside.  This year, Harris has been abroad at Exeter College, Oxford University studying Analytic Philosophy, writing poetry, recording tunes and playing gigs.  Harris absolutely loves the close-knit group environment of Overland and seeing students discover themselves as supportive leaders.  He is psyched to be leading the Alpine Challenge this summer in the Swiss Alps.

Adam Platz

Adam grew up in Auburn, Maine and is a senior Astronomy major at Dartmouth College.  As a sophomore, Adam participated in a ten-week foreign studies program at Universidad Argentina De La Empresa in Buenos Aires, where he lived with a Spanish-speaking family and took courses in Argentine literature, history and art history.  At Dartmouth, Adam is House Manager of his fraternity and a mentor of a thirteen year-old boy through the DREAM Mentoring Program.  In the winter of 2006-2007, Adam interned at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont where he worked with the education department in the development and implementation of physical science curricula geared towards preschoolers through third graders.  As a four-year volunteer for Dartmouth Ski Patrol, Adam is trained and certified in Outdoor Emergency Care, Red Cross First Aid and CPR and as an Outdoor Emergency Care Phase 1 instructor. Growing up in Maine, Adam has developed a true love for the outdoors and has been hiking throughout the northeast with his family since he was young.  After graduation and his post with Overland this summer, Adam will be spending several months volunteering on a kibbutz in Israel.  And next spring, he will accomplish one of his life long dreams: hiking the Appalachian Trail.  In 2007, Adam led New England Explorer and was continually amazed by his Overland students; he is eager to lead Alaska Explorer this summer.

 Claudia Romeu

Claudia, a native of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, is a senior Anthropology major at Washington University in St. Louis.  In the fall of 2006, Claudia studied abroad in Argentina where she focused on social movements and human rights through The School for International Training. She has always participated in service activities that involve children and young adults; she strives to become a bridge between cultures, languages and people.  In high school, Claudia tutored children three hours a week, and she volunteered and co-led a summer camp for underprivileged children.  During college, Claudia has served as the Community Awareness Chair for the Association of Latin American Students, teaches English as a Second Language to a Mexican worker on campus, is a member of the Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program, which focuses on community and leadership and mentors a group of high school students in college preparation and admissions.  In the fall, Claudia will be joining the Peace Corps in Latin America where she will be working on a health extension and education program. In 2007, Claudia led Costa Rica Service, and this summer, she is excited to lead Language Study Abroad Spain in Seville.

Scott Schwitz

Scott, a native of Manalapan, New Jersey, majored in Chemistry and graduated from Middlebury College in 2007.  After completing his Wilderness EMT with the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, Scott became a member of the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association providing emergency medical services to the school and local community.  As President of the Middlebury College Snow Bowl Ski Patrol, he taught and organized an Outdoor Emergency Care Technician course, ski patrolling two days per week during the winter months.  An avid road biker, skier and backpacker, Scott led backpacking trips for Middlebury Outdoor Orientation where he taught camping and hiking skills while introducing students to their new home in Vermont.  This past winter, Scott worked at the Alta Medical Clinic in Utah, and this spring, he is volunteering at a hospital in Haiti before heading to New Jersey Medical School in the fall of 2008.  In 2007 Scott led the Pacific Coast, and he is fired up to lead the European Challenge this summer.

Becca Spiro

Becca grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts and is a junior at Bowdoin College majoring in Art History and Visual Arts.  In high school, Becca spent a semester at the Chewonki Foundation, where she studied The Natural History of the Maine Coast and Environmental Art.  After graduating from high school, Becca spent the fall in Baja Mexico on a National Outdoor Leadership School semester, and the spring in Costa Rica, where she taught English at a small elementary school.  At Bowdoin, Becca is the Secretary of the Outing Club, and she is a member of the Art Union and the Bowdoin Cycling Club. During her freshman year, Becca completed the Leadership Training Course offered by the Bowdoin Outing Club, and she is currently Wilderness First Responder, CPR and Lifeguard certified. She was also just certified as a personal fitness trainer by the American Fitness Association of America (AFFA).  Next year, Becca is going to be a proctor in a freshman dorm on campus.  In 2006, Becca led Vermont to Montreal and New England Adventure. In 2007, she led Rocky Mountain Explorer, and she is pumped to lead the Alpine Challenge this summer.

Brian Sweeney

Brian, a native of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, is a senior history major at Colby College.  Growing up in the White Mountains and attending Holderness School provided Brian with numerous opportunities to hike, bike, ski and enjoy the outdoors without traveling far from home.  He values his time in the outdoors as it allows him to exercise, relax and enjoy the company of others.  At Colby, Brian has been involved with the COOT Program, Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips, since his sophomore year.  He has led three trips for the program and is currently a committee member who works to improve the trips and select the leaders.  Brian also enjoys working with teenagers.   As a freshman at Colby, Brian tutored middle school students in Oakland, Maine in all areas of study.  He has also worked as a one on one mentor through Colby Cares About Kids and is currently working as a teaching assistant in a fourth grade classroom.  During the spring of his junior year, Brian studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland.  While abroad, he was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel throughout the British Isles as well as take a four week tour of Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy.  Brian is pursuing various options for next year but is excited by the possibility of returning to the University of Edinburgh to pursue a master’s degree in history.  In 2007, Brian led Virgin Islands Service and the Summer Writing Program.  He can't wait to lead Yellowstone Teton Explorer and spend time in the backcountry this summer.

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Harris Paseltiner