2011 FEEA-NTEU Winners

A Naperville, IL, native, Matt Ford is now a freshman studying architecture at the University of Cincinnati.  He hopes to become an architect specializing in eco-friendly, urban, residential architecture.  Matt is also an Irish dancer who was inspired to learn the art after watching a television performance.  He plans to continue dancing throughout his life and will look for ways to incorporate his love of dance into architecture.  Matt also looks forward to continuing to give back to the larger community through architecture, thinking the Peace Corps or another volunteer service may also be in his future.

Matt is inspired by his mother, Kathleen, of whom he says, “She has inspired me to plan, set goals, and succeed. I aspire to get to go to college and get my masters as well because of her. I always seek her advice and I know I can count on her to give me an honest answer. She has a contagious go-getter attitude. She is a superhero in my life; she is my mom.”

Matt is known among his peers as an origami artist, but few know he is often responsible for leaving paper cranes on desks for those who sit at them next – a good-luck treasure he hopes makes them smile.

Christian Mueller is a University of Florida freshman majoring in physics and music.  Hailing from Brentwood, TN, Chris has been involved in many local and regional vocal competitions and performances.  He was selected for the Tennessee all-state choir, won both grand champion and first place awards at the National Choral Festival (2007 & 2008), and performed Mozart’s Coronation Mass at Carnegie Hall in 2009.  Chris says, “Singing has always made me feel whole.”

He also believes passionately in public service and feels it can be a unique and powerful catalyst for young people.  Chris became an Eagle scout during his freshman year in high school, earning the rank for a project that involved rebuilding a Katrina-damaged home in Mississippi.  He waited two years to celebrate his achievement so that he and his younger brother could both be honored at the same time.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys rollerblading, which he often does to get from one class to the next.  He is also an avid participant in Muggle Quidditch.

Fran Quintana is a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University where she is working toward a master’s in social work with a secondary focus in gerontology.  Fran developed an interest in social work during her two years in the Peace Corps, working as a community health extensionist in the remote, central highland village of Tsarazaza, Madagascar.  She worked in a health clinic assisting with vaccinations and prenatal care, taught basic nutrition and hygiene in primary schools, and worked with the local community on disease prevention, HIV/AIDS education and more, all while becoming proficient in Malagasy, the local language.  When she returned from overseas, Fran spent time as a nurse’s assistant in a nursing home for residents with dementia, spurring her interest in gerontology and aging studies.  She currently works in the office of placement at Peace Corps headquarters and hopes to eventually pursue a doctoral degree.

With her public service background and current work, Fran has a unique perspective on volunteerism by young people.  She says, “I definitely think it’s important for young people to be involved in public service.  I read many application essays from Peace Corps Volunteer hopefuls that tell about growing up with parents who modeled volunteerism and service in their communities, whether through soup kitchens, the military, or their churches.  Service benefits the recipient and the giver equally and I think young people can learn from an early age from their most important role models—their parents.”

Melissa Sandow is an FAA program manager earning a Doctorate in management and organizational leadership through the University of Phoenix.  She credits her librarian grandmother with instilling in her curiosity and a life-long love of learning.  Melissa hopes her advanced degree will enable her to “help managers in the federal government learn new ways to improve performance and provide better stewardship of tax-payer money.”

Melissa enjoys working with children and has done so as a coach, teacher and mentor.  She plans to continue this work and hopes she may also teach at the university level.  Of public service and young people, Melissa says, “Learning young the influence a person can have to change or affect their community and world is a lesson everyone should experience.”

Although work, school and raising her three fabulous kids on her own takes up most of Melissa’s time, she still managed to win a championship this summer with her volleyball team of moms!