Meet the Staff

Camp Kesem ASU Co-Chairs

Jackie "Pugsie" Nelson

Hi everyone! My name is Jackie (better known as Pugsie) and I'm a junior studying Microbiology. Besides Camp Kesem, I love to dance, hike, eat good food, and play with my 3 pugs (hence the camp name!). I'm so excited to be this year's Co-Chairman and cannot wait for this summer's camp!

 

Shayna "Phineas" Choulet

HELLO HELLO!  My name is Shayna, but I love to respond to Phineas.  I'm a Senior studying Meteorology and my dream is to one day get swooped up in a tornado and land in Whoville.  When I'm not singing the soundtrack to my life as Disney songs, I love to make hippos smile, sale across the 7 C's, and peel Tarzan's tan LIKE A BANANA.  I also love tie-dye and making cat noises!  I live, breathe, eat, sleep, and dream Kesem, and I STILL CAN'T GET ENOUGH!  CK 2012 will be epic, so BE PREPARED!

 

Administrative Coordinators

Nichole "Sunny" Petteruti

Hi everyone! My name is Nichole, but you can call me Sunny :) I am a sophomore at ASU and I'm majoring in Elementary Education. Some things I love include the color yellow, traveling, snowboarding, and chocolate! I'm super excited to plan activities for camp this year and I'm even more excited to go this summer for my second year at camp!! I can never get enough camp songs, s'mores, and pies in the face :) Can't wait for CK 2012!!

 

Candace "Pizookie" Davis

Hey I’m Candace! I’m a senior studying dietics at ASU. I love being outdoors, playing sports and cooking healthy food. I also enjoy playing basketball, jumping in dirty lakes and singing Journey while I’m at camp. I can’t wait for this next summer!

 

Katy “Firefly” Litschin

Hey, I’m Katy, aka Firefly when I’m at camp. I’m a pre-med junior studying Kinesiology and Spanish. I spent the first half of this school year studying in Valparaiso, Chile (I left for Chile 4 days after camp ended!), but I am excited to come back and be with my CK fam again! Besides being a part of Camp Kesem and traveling, I also love being active, hanging out with friends, being creative and acting in our crazy camp skits. I’m looking forward to my third year of camp this summer; I wouldn’t miss it for anything!

 

Camper Care Coordinators

Erin "Barbie" Becker

My name is Erin Becker also know as Barbie :). I am a Junior at ASU studying Biology I hope to be in the medical field someday. I love to laugh and have a good time. Last year was my first year at camp and I can't wait to go back! 

 

Jill "Snuggie" Swanson

Whazzup?! I’m Jill but better known as Snuggie. Right now I’m a sophomore studying Psychology and pursuing a minor in Family and Human Development. My favorite things to do are play volleyball, watch Jurassic Park, eat potatoes and laugh…all in my snuggie. I’m stoked for 2012 camp so we can play more gaga ball, dance in the cabin and watch the fashion show!!

 

Fundraising Coordinators

Cameron "Honest Abe" Lincoln

Hello! My name is Cameron, but I prefer Honest Abe. I'm a senior majoring in Justice Studies and Film Studies. I'm a big fan of classic horror films, rowing, and spontaneous dance parties; but, more importantly, I love Camp Kesem and believe this is going to be the best year ever. In addition to being a fundraising coordinator, I’m leading an effort to put together an official Camp Kesem album that will consist of songs performed by CK campuses across the nation. Look for that on iTunes in the coming year!

 

Chase "BOOM-buh" Wright

Hey guys! My name is Chase, but at camp I’m known as Boom-BUH. I am a senior at ASU on the pre-med track, majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Spanish Linguistics and biological sciences. I love art, music, food, traveling, anything fun and new, and of course, all things Kesem. I’m stoked to fundraise for another amazing camp this summer, and can’t wait to see everyone back for some sweet songs, games and fun with my CK family.

 

Chelsea "Cupcake" Quaranto

Hey everyone! My name is Cupcake, or as most people know me, Chelsea. I'm a junior at ASU studying Biology and Society and apart of our amazing team of fundraisers for Camp Kesem this year. I love the color pink, anything sweet, having fun, and laughing, which I do laugh at everything! At Camp Kesem I'm able to do all of my favorite things plus much more and I am so excited to go back for CK 2012 and do it all over again!

 

Student Support Coordinators

Patrick "Cilantro" Martinez

What’s up?! I’m Cilantro and I’m a senior majoring in Global Studies at ASU. In my spare time I like to hang out with my friends, watch movies and find new music. My favorite part of camp is color wars and I can’t wait for CK 2012!

 

Sam "Tots" Biniazan

Hello! The name is Sam (aka Tots)! I am a Senior studying Kinesiology at Arizona State University! This is unfortunately only my 2nd and last year as a part of Camp Kesem, but that just means I will make this year THE BEST YEAR EVER! I love music, sports, writing songs on my guitar, and being extremely weird! Stay Classy, Stay Fresh, Stay Fly! Camp Kesem 2012 will blow your mind!

 

Advisory Board 

Phillip "Bobcat" Scharf-- Pre-Medical Advisor; Camp Kesem Advisory Board Member 2006-2011

Paul "Badger" Lepor-- Dean of CLAS; Camp Kesem Advisory Board Member 2009-2011

Phil and Crystal Averill-- Parent Advisors; Camp Kesem Advisory Board Members 2009-2011

Cady "Pearl" Pisani-- ASU Senior; Camp Kesem Counselor 2008-2011

Jenay "Guppy" Travers-- ASU Alumni; Camp Kesem Counselor 2006-2009; Camp Kesem Nurse 2010, 2011

Camp Director

Rachel "Pippy" Suffrin-- Camp Kesem Director 2011

Katie "K-Rock" Rock-- Camp Kesem Director 2010

Emily "Amelia Bedelia" Areinoff-- Camp Kesem Director 2009

Allison "Muscles" Schafer-- Camp Kesem Director 2007, 2008

National Program Director

Rachel "Firefly" Firestone