Meet the Team
Camp Kesem Coordinators 2013
Co-Directors:
Taylor ‘Pumpkin’ Fuhrmann & Joshua ‘Wonster’ Won
Pumpkin: Hi everyone! My name is Taylor and I’m a 4th year Psychology major. This will be my fourth year at camp and it has been such an honor serving on committee the past two years and this year as co-chair. I can’t think of anything else that has had such a profound positive impact on my life. I am so lucky to have met all of our inspiring campers and my wonderful co-counselors who have completely changed my life. Outside of Kesem, I love spending my time practicing yoga, running, spending time with friends, and soaking up every moment of my senior year at UCLA. Post-graduation I plan to go to grad school to pursue a career in occupational therapy. But until then I absolutely can’t wait to be back at camp, summer can’t come soon enough!
Wonster: Hi everyone. My name is Joshua and my camp name is Wonster! I am a senior studying Psychology, and this will be my fourth year in Kesem. I cannot wait for another year of summer camp to roll around and see some of my favorite people in the world. When I’m not working with Kesem, I love to spend time with my family and friends, and explore the city. I always live by the quote, “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
Community Outreach Directors:
Carey ‘Waldo’ Appeldorn & Sierra ‘Boomers’ Kaslow
Waldo: Penguins, attention! Hey everybody! My name is Waldo, and I’m a third year hear at UCLA double majoring in Economics and Political Science. When I’m not doing camp-related stuff, I love snowboarding, being outdoors, watching the (world champion) San Francisco Giants, barbecuing, and relaxing with friends. This is my third year as a counselor for UCLA Camp Kesem, and my second year on our Executive Committee. Camp Kesem has without a doubt been the most incredible part of my life at UCLA, and I can’t wait to help bring the magic to camp yet again this year!
Boomers: My name is Sierra Kaslow and I am a third year Psychology major and Global Studies minor. This is my third year involved with Kesem and it seems to get better every year. This is my second year on committee and truly cannot get enough of it. I absolutely love to travel, go hiking and pretty much everything that involves being in the sunshine. I am so grateful to be involved in a community such as Kesem, it is my favorite week of the year and the rest of my summer seems to revolve around it. I am looking forward to yet another wonderful week of camp and know it’s going to even better than the last.
Public Relations Directors:
Claire ‘Buckwheat’ Burtner & Juliana ‘Poof’ Kelm
Buckwheat: Hey all! My name is Buckwheat, Claire when I am not at camp, and I am a third year here at UCLA. It is my third year being a part of Camp Kesem and I can honestly say it has been the most empowering and inspirational organization I have ever been a part of. Last year I was the Student Support position on Executive Committee and this year I am co-heading the new Public Relations position on Committee. Being a part of the planning team to organize camp has made me appreciate all of the counselors and campers even more and see the true magic that Camp Kesem possesses. In my free time I love going on adventures in the outdoors, exploring new places, meeting creative people, and trying all sorts of exotic foods. My motto is to always “Live in the moment” and I try to consistently find a reason to smile during the day. I absolutely cannot wait for another amazing year of camp and meeting all of the new campers and counselors!
Poof: Hello there! My name is Juliana and I am a 3rd year Sociology major and film/television minor. Apart from Kesem I work for the UCLA Athletic Department and enjoy the domination that is UCLA sports. I love cooking (pies are my thing), crafting, traveling, collaging, and making new friends in unexpected ways. This is my second year at camp and I can truly say that joining Camp Kesem has been the best decision I’ve made UCLA. I feel an overwhelming sense of joy being surrounded by such compassionate co-counselors and inspirational children at camp, so I feel extremely privileged to have a position of leadership this year on Kesem’s committee. I am already counting down the days until June 23rd and literally cannot wait for Camp Kesem 2013!
Program and Operations Directors:
Tess ‘Kanga’ Lombardo & Lauren ‘Sharkbait’ Vaughan
Kanga: Hello! I’m Tess or Kanga and I am a third year Psychology major at the wonderful UCLA. I love singing, dancing, cooking, but mostly playing with all my campers and counselors at Camp Kesem! Kesem is without a doubt the most incredible experience I have had, and I thank my lucky stars I’ve been able to have such phenomenal people in my life. I can’t wait for camp to come around again!
Sharkbait: Hi! My name is Lauren Vaughan and I’m a second year biology major and pre-veterinary student at UCLA. This will by my second year with Camp Kesem and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be part of the CK family. Outside of Kesem, I enjoy all kinds of art (especially ceramics), traveling, cooking/baking, meeting new people, and spending time with family and good friends. As a freshman last year I wanted to find an organization on campus with which I could give to the community, and I found that in Kesem; but in reality my incredible co-counselors and especially the kids and their families have opened my eyes to true magic and given so much to me. I am beyond excited to see what this year brings!
Development Directors:
Kyle ‘Nachos’ DiGrande & Jeremy ‘Bubba’ Reynard
Nachos: Hola compadres! I’m Nachos — don’t confuse me for my brother Beans! I’m a 4th year biochemistry major from South Lake Tahoe who loves to ski, play baseball, and do anything else that’s outdoors. I cannot express how much being part of the Camp Kesem family has meant to me, and I am super excited to be one of the fundraising coordinators for the 2012/2013 year. Shout out to my co-coord Bubba! He’s the man (ladies)! Can’t wait for camp in June!
Bubba: Hey everyone! My name’s Jeremy and I’m a third year Business-Economics major originally from the Bay Area. In the Kesem world I go by Bubba and I could not be more stoked for my second year at camp and being a fundraising coordinator for UCLA’s Camp Kesem Committee this year! Kesem has been an incredibly rewarding experience in too many ways to count and has definitely made me rethink my goals and priorities in life. The Kesem family is unlike any other community I’ve been a part of. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a wonderful organization and cannot wait for another year at camp!
CIT/Teen Programming Directors:
Gentry ‘Simba’ Alverson & Mynga ‘Starfish’ Le
Simba: Hey y’all, Simba here, aka Gentry. I am currently a junior at UCLA studying political science and accounting. I hail from the great state of Ohio, but have since accepted LA as my true home. I’ve been involved with Kesem going on two years now and it has hands down been the best experience I have had at school. The people I’ve met, both campers and counselors have had such a huge impact on me and I can say with confidence have made me a better person. I’m looking forward to another great year and can’t wait to make the teen and CIT aspects of camp incredible!
Starfish: Hi wonderful people! My name is Mynga and I’m a fourth year student majoring in Psychology. I absolutely love meeting new people, trying new activities, going to theme parks, spending time with loved ones, singing, and exploring new places. This is my second year with Kesem and my heart is so ready for the magic that is about to happen this time around! I’ve been able to meet the most kind-hearted counselors and campers through Kesem and I’m so glad we’ll be able to share this with even more people this year.
Recruitment and Training Directors:
Allyson ‘Razzle’ Moeller & Joel ‘Gumby’ Ontiveros
Razzle: Hola! My name is Allyson, and I am a third year international developmental studies student with minors in political science and Spanish. When not hitting the books, I love to travel, play the nose flute, run, ski, swing off rope swings, backpack, make sushi, eat froyo, cook, and be outside- adventurizing with family and friends. This is my third year in the Kesem family, and I could not be more excited for the oncoming summer! Camp Kesem can be described as amazing and life-changing for both campers and counselors, but even that is an incredible understatement. I am stoked beyond belief to help prepare the counselors for another year of Kesem magic, and I cannot wait to see all the campers once again! 
Gumby: Hi! My name is Joel, and I am a fourth year double major with Communication Studies and World Arts & Cultures/Dance. This is my second year involved with Camp Kesem at UCLA, and I am one of the Student Support Coordinators for 2013! Outside of Kesem I involved at UCLA as a Campus Tours Coordinator, Resident Assistant, Undergraduate Representative on the ASUCLA Board of Directors, and a member of the NSU Modern dance team on campus. In my spare time I enjoy dancing, downhill skateboarding, and swimming. Camp Kesem came into my life at an important time and has proven to be the most supportive group I am involved in on campus. I can’t wait for Camp 2013 with all my fellow counselors and campers!
