TREKKERS BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS

Jan Letourneau, President

St. George – Administrative Assistant, St. George School I joined the Trekkers Board in 2002. I was raised in New York, and have a BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. I worked with troubled adolescents before moving to Maine with my husband Alan in 1984. The "office lady" at St. George School since 1994, I enjoy connecting with St. George families, working on my family's old Maine farmhouse, going on 7th grade Trekkers trips and spending time with family. My "dream" is to go on a longer Trekkers trip. My daughters, Kate and Carrie, participated in Trekkers, which gave me firsthand knowledge of how young lives benefit from the relationships and experiences provided by their programs. I am a firm believer in giving young people the opportunity to discover new physical and emotional landscapes in the company of caring peers and mentors.

Tom Armitage, Treasurer

St. George – Partner, Harbor Builders Associates

I have been involved with the local youth for 23 years, beginning with coaching my oldest son's tee-ball team. I continued to coach and officiate youth sports from that time, seeing through three sons. In addition to athletics I have helped with school musicals and other school-related activities. Searching for more ways to be involved with the young people in this community, I came across Trekkers in 2004 and offered be a leader on one of their expeditions. I was immediately enchanted with the organization, and went on to help lead two more trips before deciding to join the board in the spring of 2006. It is widely accepted that the young people in our community benefit from Trekkers bringing them together to form relationships with caring adults. What I have learned from Trekkers, which is sometimes overlooked, is that these relationships are a huge gift for us adults as well.

Bethany Yovino, Secretary

Tenants Harbor – Trekker Parent

I have been a part of the Trekkers' family since my oldest child, Hannah, joined the program as a 7th grader in 2003. I was flattered to be asked to join the Board in 2004. Both of my childrent, Hannah and Seth, have participated in the program and they have greatly valued their Trekkers' experiences. I truly believe that Trekkers has provided them with experiences and opportunities that have made them more complete and thoughtful young adults as they move off in their own directions.

With a Master's degree in Early Intervention, I have worked for over 20 years with families and very young children with developmental delays. I recognize the importance and need for ongoing social support in our community and I have seen the difference a single relationship can make to a child. Along with participating in a variety of Trekker events I also volunteer at the high school, enjoy gardening, and spending time with my family and friends.

Jack Carpenter – St. George – Executive Director, Youth Forum Maine, Inc.

I was on the founding Trekkers Board of three members at its infancy in 1999-2000, serving as President, and have continued to be a member to the present. It’s been a great ride as we’ve watched this project blossom! In 1994, I was lucky enough to be one of four male volunteers that took five boys on the first Trekkers trip for five days of canoeing on the Moose River Bow. With the exception of 2002 when I was on leave with a study grant , I haven't missed a 7th grade trip.

While Trekkers was still under Youth Forum Maine (the organization I direct), my name, along with one other person from YFM board, was on the loan that bought Bessie, the famous Trekkers bus! That was an exciting adventure. What a privilege I’ve had in sharing that bus with students on dozens of expeditions over the years. I cherish the relationships built over the years. Married to Judith, we have a biracial family with four grown children and six grandchildren. I have a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a masters degree in theology.

Frank Magrogan – Thomaston – Social Worker

I am a single parent and my involvement with Trekkers began with volunteering when my daughter entered the 7th grade program in 1996. I joined the Trekkers Board in 2001, continuing my commitment to youth in the community. After a 20-year career as a builder, I began a second career as a social worker in 1997. My 14 years in social work bring a valuable social and cultural perspective to the board. Each time I leave a board meeting or a Trekker event, I recognize the critical importance of this work, at this time, in this community. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a small, meaningful contribution.

Lilli Martin – Thomaston – Teacher SAD #50

As a parent and teacher, I initially became interested in Trekkers after hearing about the wonderful opportunities offered to the young people in our district. I joined the board in 2001 when my youngest son, Luke, was in the 7th grade trip to Acadia National Park - a soggy but wonderful experience! In the years since I have been happy to participate in a variety of activities and on a number of committees, as well as enjoying simply being a part of a diverse and stimulating group that works well together and accomplishes great things.

As a Literacy Specialist with a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and Development with a Reading Specialty, I have been fortunate to be involved in the lives of many children in our district. I teach at St. George School, where I have worked in the Title One program and am a classroom teacher with students from kindergarten through 8th grade. In the past, I have been active as a volunteer on the board of the Midcoast Association for the Education of Young Children, a participant and leader in Parent-Teacher groups, and on a variety of town committees and activities. I am currently a mentor in the Girls Talk Book Club at the Jackson Memorial Library. I enjoy reading, gardening, skiing, sewing and crafts, as well as spending time with my family in our "empty nest" on the St. George River.                                   

Gretchen Jordan – Warren – Teacher SAD #50

I joined Trekkers’ Board at the beginning of the 2006 school year. Aside from my participation on the Board, I also enjoy several of their trips. I have attended the seventh grade trip to Acadia the last two years, and have enjoyed being a part of the 10th grade expeditions to the Pacific Northwest and Colorado the last two summers as well. I've also participated in the From the Hood’ to the Woods program and Leadership Weekends. Being a part of the Trekkers trips allows me the opportunity to get to know students from the high school outside of the classroom. For me, every trip is an exercise in learning about the true potential of my students as well as my own.

I am from Colorado and a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder. My bachelor’s degree is a BS in Journalism and Mass Communications with a Spanish concentration; I am now working on a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, primarily in Spanish, through the University of Maine. I am the Spanish Teacher at Georges Valley High School, as well as the yearbook and Key Club advisor. My hobbies include visiting the Dominican Republic annually as part of a church mission team, as well traveling to other Latin American countries to do service work and visiting my own family all over the country. My hobbies around here include hiking with my husband and my dogs, kayaking, snowshoeing, reading, laying on the beach in the summer and trying to keep warm in the winter. I spend a lot of my spare time with Trekkers or Key Clubbers and enjoy every minute of it!

Jenifer Mumford – St. George – Artist/Retired Teacher

I joined the Trekkers Board in 2002, because I had known Don and had watched the way Trekkers was benefiting the students in the St. George community. In the past, I taught art at both the elementary and high school levels for 18 years. Since retiring, I have spent my time being a full-time artist and exhibiting my work at the Caldbeck Gallery in Rockland, Maine. I have a longtime connection to this area, and a deep commitment to the work Trekkers is doing. Although I live in Boston part of the year, I am able to entertain the Trekkers when they come through that area.

Joe Higdon - St. George

Joe Higdon retired in St. George in 2006 following a long career as an investment analyst with particular interest in   the global beverage industry and microfinance in the Republic of the Philippines. During his 32-year tenure with Capital Research and Management Company, Higdon established the firm's Washington, DC office as well as its undergraduate hiring program. He continues in his international business and philanthropic interests as a Director of The Coca-Cola Company in the Philippines; as a Director of International Container Terminal Services; and as Chair of the Grameen Foundation USA Philippine Advisory Committee. Locally, he is a trustee of The Island Institute based in Rockland, Maine. In addition, he is President of Rocking Moon Foundation, the Higdon-Sudow family foundation focused on youth education, economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth, and the needs of gay, lesbian and transgender youth. The family maintains a part-time residence in Washington, DC.

My name is Zach Marvin and I'm currently a junior (09'-10') at Georges Valley High School. I grew up hearing about Trekkers from all of my older friends and relatives and always knew it was something I wanted to be involved with and as you can probably tell by now I've done just that! Joining the Trekkers program in 7th grade and following it up through now with two more expeditions ahead of me has left me with more memories and knowledge than I could have ever dreamed of acquiring. Among the many expeditions and peer to peer programs Trekkers offers I've been fortunate enough to meet some of the greatest people in my life today who never cease to inspire me. Aside from the annual Trekkers trips I also participate in Trekkers Hoods to the Woods expedition, peer mentoring, and have just recently joined the Trekkers Leadership group which I look forward to taking part in!

Aside from Trekkers I enjoy soccer, martial arts, peer-mentoring (Which I discovered through the Trekkers program), hiking, school, computers, traveling, and meeting new people. I'm very open to new ideas, thoughts, and ways of living and enjoy talking to others. I also enjoy working with younger kids and love roaming the outdoor wilderness with its limitless amounts of information waiting to be discovered.