Please help welcome our newest additions to the team, Aly and Elizabeth! They’ve arrived just in time for a massive transfer of information from last week at Chicago’s January Gathering. Though that’s a lot to digest over our long-distance Skype call meetings, they’ve already hit the ground running!

Aly Young

I’m from Rochester, Minnesota, but I’ve made Northfield my home (I’m a junior at St. Olaf College). I love to ride and fix my bike, run, play music, ski, cook, build things, knit, read, write, draw, and make things in general. I first heard about the program from my friend and former RA, Patricia Lamas, who told me all about the awesome things she got to do in the summer of 2012. I’m passionate about helping create strong, supportive communities; when a group of people care strongly for each other and the land around them, that’s when social and environmental change happens! This summer, I’m really excited to help foster that community as part of Summer of Solutions; I’m especially eager to become a part of the active Twin Cities urban farming and biking scene. Prior to becoming a Summer of Solutions program leader, I’ve been a SustainAbilities Representative at St. Olaf, served actively in residence life, and studied ecology in the Boundary Waters and Costa Rica. Outside of the academic year, you’d most likely find me paddling up at my family’s cabin on Pelican Lake or playing banjo on the street in downtown Rochester. I’m thrilled to be a part of something great!

Elizabeth Kahn

Hi Everyone! My name is Elizabeth Kahn. I am currently a senior at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. I am graduating in the spring with a degree in Sustainable Community Development and minors in Environmental Studies and Business Management. My passion and love for the natural environment has led me to get an environmental education and pursue various environmental positions, such as being a program leader for Summer of Solutions 2013. After volunteering with SoS last year, I learned that there are a lot of cool initiatives that take place within the program that I want to continue to support! In my free time I enjoy playing the piano, volunteering and baking delicious cupcakes!