On Boarding New Board Members! Part 2
Our mighty team is growing! This spring, MOI’s crew welcomed six new board members aboard, each with the skills necessary to help our crew navigate the seas of literacy, all dedicated to our mission to provide students with the tools to think creatively, write effectively, and succeed academically.
Get to know three more of our new board members by reading their answers to the following interview questions below in part two of this blog series! Missed part one? Find it here.
What is your favorite sea creature?
What is your favorite book, and what about that book captivates you?
Why did you decide to join MOI's board?
Why is empowering students to think creatively, write effectively, and succeed academically important to you?
Aimee is the co-owner of Hygge and West, a custom wallpaper and fabric company.
Aimee Lagos
1. Sea Otter
2. Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shell Silverstein
I adored this book as a child - I still have my old copy and it’s completely worn from all the times I read it. It’s so charming and absolutely hilarious. It captures the thoughts and voice of children in a way that’s not childish. Instead it pays homage to the creativity and imagination that you only experience when you are very young. I loved reading it to my sons when they were little and I hope to someday read it to my grandchildren.
3. I went to a house party fundraiser and fell in love with what I heard. The way the students were able to articulate exactly what the program meant to them was very moving and inspiring. I loved reading and writing when I was in school, and they reminded me of my shared passion for those subjects.
4. So many of the issues our society faces could be improved by ensuring that students have the ability to creatively problem solve and communicate in a clear and compelling manner. There are few things more important than giving our youth the tools to understand themselves and the world they live in, and empowering them to share their ideas and experiences.
Cameron is a director at Incenter LLC, a leading provider of trading, advisory, and fulfillment services for lenders and specialty finance companies.
Cameron Seymore
1. Blue Whale
2. The Asian Saga, James Clavell (a series including Shogun, Noble House, and Tai-Pan)
I enjoy history, so these novels were always very entertaining as they drew heavily from historical events to build intricate stories.
3. As a relatively new transplant to the area, I have been very warmly welcomed by the community. As a result, I wanted to give back to the community and draw upon my love of reading and writing, which has served me so well throughout my life and career.
4. To communicate in a coherent and colorful manner will allow you to stand out against your peers. This ability is made up of thinking creatively, writing effectively and reading comprehensively. This is even more important in today's world where technology has created somewhat of a void in the more traditional use of writing and speaking as a tool to communicate. By helping young students learn those skills and foster them in a way that emphasizes creativity and ingenuity, we can set them up to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.
Emily is an attorney at Mason & Helmers in St. Paul, specializing in estate and trust litigation.
Emily is an attorney at Mason & Helmers in St. Paul, specializing in estate and trust litigation.
Emily Valentine-Grimm
1. Sea Urchin
2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
I love how this novel weaves together themes of perseverance, social change, and using your imagination to get through difficult and often unbearable circumstances. This book evokes a lot of emotion and makes you smile and cry all within the same page.
3. I joined MOI’s board because I am passionate about helping young people explore their ideas and develop their writing and communication skills. I am inspired by MOI’s work and the organization’s dedication to providing different platforms for sharing students' voices.
4. Empowering students is important to me because young people are shaping the future. Writing effectively helps students succeed in all academic areas, and fosters confidence in students to share their perspectives and engage in learning.