Meet our team!

Our 2012-2013 team!

Co-chairs:

Panda (Amanda)

Hi, my name is Panda, or Amanda! I’m a senior studying Biology and plan to go to Pharmacy School next year. I’m so honored to be one of the co-chairs for Camp Kesem USC this year. Camp Kesem is dear to my heart as I lost my Grandpa, Aunt and Uncle to cancer and saw how these losses affected my cousins. I hope to be able to make a difference in our campers’ lives and have fun while doing it! I love to read (especially Harry Potter), try new food and spend time with my family! My pride and joy is my cat named Luna who is here with me at USC and she is spoiled rotten! I know our first year as a Camp Kesem chapter is going to be great!

 

 

 

Chip (Atineh)

Hello there! My name is Atineh and I am a third year Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major. This is my first year with Camp Kesem and I am super excited to have the opportunity to start a chapter at USC! In my spare time, I like to swim, cook, bake, and spend time with my family and friends. I cannot wait until this summer – it’s going to be amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

Fundraising:

Puck (Max)

Hi I’m Puck! I’m a senior here at SC studying studying Dramatic Arts and
Natural Science for Pre-Med. My family and I have been involved in Camp Kesem
for the past 11 years and I am proud to be a founding member of the Trojan Family Camp
Kesem! Next year I hope to join the Teach for America team in the Bay Area
where I hope to teach Biological Sciences for two years before pursuing a career in
medicine.

 

 

Hobbes (Helen)

Hello, I’m Hobbes! I am currently a junior majoring in Human Biology, minoring in economics and I’m originally from Washington State. I am a big fan of nature, adventures, bucket lists, photography and motivational quotes. I am also an RA in Fluor Tower, involved in Program Board and on the USC Women’s Ultimate Team. I’ve never been with a camp before so I’m super excited for this next year with Camp Kesem!

 

 

 

 

Camper Care:

Daisy (Sara)

My name is Sara aka “Daisy” I am a second year Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major. I joined Camp Kesem because I think it is an amazing organization and I am so excited to be a part of USC’s chapter especially because this will be the first year USC is introducing it! I am the co-coordinator of camper care. I am looking forward to finding campers and helping create unforgettable memories we will all cherish!

 

 

 

 

 

Sparkles (Anahit)

My name is Anahit and I am currently a sophomore at USC. I am majoring in Economics and minoring in Computer Science. My camper name, Sparkles, was inspired by my love for anything shiny and sparkly. I have been living in the United States for the past fourteen years and have found it to be the land of all opportunity. I had the privilege of graduating Valedictorian of my class and consider myself very lucky to be in a wonderful university like USC. I consider myself the biggest soccer fan ever, with Manchester United and Barcelona as my favorite teams. Some interesting facts about me are that I have been playing the piano and guitar for the past 12 years and have recently started singing in both English and Armenian, my first language.

 

 

 

 

 

Admin and Programming:

Penny (Angela)

Hi, I’m Angela (Penny) I’m a 4th year studying Narrative Studies and Biological Sciences. I’ve recently become interested in healthcare or environmental policy or law, and I’m interning at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse this year. Next year, I’ll hopefully be a member of the Peace Corps (fingers crossed!). Some of my guilty pleasures include Tumblr, desserts, and Draco/Hermione fanfictions (big Harry Potter nerd here).

 

 

 

 

 

Nala (Anna)

Hello Camp Kesem Family! My name is Anna and my camp name is Nala for two reasons: I love The Lion King and I have lion hair! On a more serious note, I am currently a sophomore at USC and my major is Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. I am a pre-pharmacy student and hope to open my own pharmacy one day. The reason I joined Camp Kesem is because cancer has affected my own family and I have seen how children are affected by it first-hand. I am aware of the heartache that families of cancer patients experience and any cause that can help children deal with tough times, touches my heart. As a co-coordinator of Camp Administration and Programming, I look forward to making Camp Kesem USC a great experience for everyone who attends. My co-coordinator Angela (Penny) and I will be finding an amazing camp site and planning enjoyable activities. We hope all the campers leave Camp Kesem knowing that they are not alone and that they have made life-long friends.

 

 

 

Student Support:

M-Dawg (Mike)

My name is Mike, or M-Dawg, and I am a Junior currently applying to the Business Administration major with a minor in Russian. I am one of the Student Support Coordinators here at Camp Kesem USC. In addition to losing a family member to cancer, Camp Kesem USC is something I’m proud to be a part of because I have a passion for working with children. During my time at USC I’ve had the opportunity to tutor and mentor elementary school children through the Joint Educational Project and participate in USC’s Alternative Spring Break program in Guatemala. In Guatemala I volunteered at an elementary school in a rural area, tutoring students and also improving school conditions. I truly enjoy being able to contribute something to a child’s life and I feel like Camp Kesem USC will help me continue to do that. I look forward to working with more passionate and driven Trojans through Camp Kesem and ensuring the success of this incredible program at USC.

 

 

 

Mini (Rebeca)

I’m  a senior at USC majoring in Business. Originally from San Diego, I am passionate about dance and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am currently serving as the president of my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, which I have been an active member of since my freshman year.  I learned about Camp Kesem through a sister at Berkeley and it is a cause that has become very close to my heart. My own mother passed away after battling cancer for nine years, and Camp Kesem is an opportunity I wish I could have had growing up. I hope to be able to positively affect young people who are going through what I did and to help provide them with this amazing opportunity and experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PR:

Sunshine (Bijou)

Hi guys! My name is Sunshine (or Bijou)! I’m a junior at USC majoring in History on the pre-medical track, and I’m the Public Relations co-chair for Camp Kesem. I love the Lord of the Rings series, Harry Potter, taking pictures, food, traveling, and animals. I love meeting people, and I’m so excited about Camp Kesem!

 

 

 

 

 

Kiki (Christine)

Hi everyone! My name is Christine and I am a Junior majoring in History and minoring in Sociology with emphasis in Pre-Law. Although my ultimate goal is to pursue  a career in Law, I have a special love for working with kids. During my time at USC, I have participated in JEP where I had the opportunity to mentor children living around the USC campus. My experiences at JEP gave me a greater appreciation for children in need of guidance and support, which influenced me to embark on this journey of bringing Camp Kesem to USC. I have never been so excited and felt so privileged to be part of an organization like Camp Kesem. I look forward to working with all Kesem members, campers and, of course, Karl.