Valerie Munoz, from Salida, California is serving on team Oak 3 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. She arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start her 10-month service term. Oak 3 is made up of seven people from across the country who will serve together around the Midwest.

Valerie says “I liked the idea of serving something larger than myself, and never having had an actual opportunity to do so before, I thought now would be a great time through such a great organization as AmeriCorps.”

Before Valerie joined the NCCC program she was in college and working part time.

Oak 3’s fourth round project is at Wessington Springs Tornado, in Wessington Springs, South Dakota

Oak 3 will be assisting Lutheran Social Services with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts in Wessington Springs following the EF-2 Tornado that destroyed homes and businesses on June 18, 2014.

Some fun facts about Valerie:

Q: What is your favorite TV show? The Office for the dry humor

Q: What song best describes you? Mowgli’s Road

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? A professional basketball player

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be? Accio

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? Joining this program

Q: If you could come back as animal which one would it be? A snow leopard

Q: What is your favorite book? “1984” George Orwell