Our Staff
Putting camp together takes a lot of hard work, but our 14-member Executive Board works tirelessly all year round to make it possible!
From right to left:
Co-Chairs
Grace Koehler, a.k.a. Patti Mayonnaise
Hi, I’m Patti Mayonnaise! This is my fourth year with Camp Kesem and I couldn’t be happier to be serving as one our Executive Co-Chairs. Over the past four years I’ve watched our camp grow as a counselor, plan our camp activities as Camp Programming Chair, and raise $$ as a Fundraising Chair. When I’m not reminiscing about my role in 90’s Nickelodeon television or zooming down the water slides at Camp Louise, I’m studying Speech and Hearing Science at GW. I’m currently a senior from the magical land of South Jersey and my hobbies include exploring, devouring pasta, and watching reruns of 30 Rock. I’m excited to end my time at GW with a whole week filled with messy games, tye-dying, dance parties and s’mores by the campfire!
Chelsea Benjamin, a.k.a. Sunshine
Hi everyone! I’m Sunshine, but you probably know that already! This is my third year with Camp Kesem, and I have the pleasure of working with Patti Mayonnaise as Executive Co-Chair! If I won an award at camp, it would definitely be “Most Likely to Live Up to Your Camp Name” because I try my best to bring sunshine with me everywhere I go! I can’t wait to be back at camp so I can be made into a delicious, sunny sundae during messy games…even though I think I’m still finding sprinkles in my hair from last time…
Fundraising
Stephanie Brennan, a.k.a. Boo
Hi, I'm Boo! I am a sophomore from the great state of Massachusetts and this is my second year as a fundraising co-chair. My favorite dessert is Ben & Jerry's "Imagine Whirled Peace" and my least favorite is Astronaut Ice Cream. I love performing on stage - last summer I was the program counselor of the Dance & Drama department at camp! My greatest accomplishment in life thus far has been introducing CKGW to "Jump Shake Your Booty." I am so excited to be a part of Camp Kesem 2012!
Joy Finneran, a.k.a. Cricket
Hi, I'm Joy, otherwise known as Cricket! I'm a Freshman from Simsbury, CT, and I'm hoping to study English and communication. This is my first year with Camp Kesem and I am so excited to be a part of it. When I'm not fundraising (or doing other awesome things) for Camp Kesem I write for GW's newspaper, The Hatchet, and volunteer with LIFT-DC. Some of my other favorite things include toaster waffles, pillow fights, face painting, and the color purple.
Sydnee Fielkow, a.k.a. Tinkerbell
Hi, my name is Sydnee, but you can call me Tinkerbell (Peter Pan is one my favorite movies!). I'm a freshman from Houston, Texas and love country music. I am so excited to be a part of Camp Kesem and to be a Fundraising Co-Chair this year!
Camp Programming
Shira Solomon, a.k.a. Minnie
Hi! I'm Shira aka Minnie! I'm from Cherry Hill, New Jersey and I am a freshman at GW. I am absolutely loving GW and living in DC where anything and everything is right at your fingertips. Since I am a freshman, this is my first year with Camp Kesem, but I am already loving it! Everyone is so friendly and nice and always willing to help. When I am not working on stuff for Camp Kesem, I am busy hanging out with my sorority or with my Madison floormates. I am such a camp person so I cannot wait to share my love for camp this summer with all of the campers! As Programming and Admin Co-Chair, I will work to plan with actual week of camp, as well as organize all of the behind-the-scenes administrative work that goes alongside to make camp the best one ever!
Kimya Forouzan, a.k.a. Kim Possible
Hey there! I'm Kimya, but some people call me Peach! My camp name comes from one of my favorite fruits, as well as the girl in the pink dress from Super Mario Brothers. I am a freshman here at George Washington, and I am majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies and minoring in Spanish (hopefully!). I am so excited to be joining the Camp Kesem family for the first time this year. I knew I would love it from the moment I heard everyone at camp shares my love for the man, the myth, the legend Justin Bieber.
Public Relations
Emily Miller, a.k.a. Yoda
Hello, young padawons! Yoda, my name is. I’m a sophomore majoring in English and minoring in Journalism and Mass Communication, so it should come as no surprise that I am one of Camp Kesem GW’s Public Relations co-chairs! When I’m not busy mastering my lightsaber combat skills and using the force to update our Facebook and Twitter feed, you can find me in the murky swamp of Dagobah with our fabulous Student Support co-chair, Princess Leia, teaching her my Jedi ways. Excited for camp, I am! I had a great time running the Nature and Adventure program last summer, and I’m excited to see what new adventures await us this year! But be patient, I must. May the force be with all of you until we meet again!
Hi, I'm Kirby! This is my first year with Camp Kesem and I can't wait to meet all of you! I was born in Bulgaria but have lived in Wayne, NJ for the past eight years. I'm currently in the Business School majoring in Marketing, but that will probably change because I'm really indecisive. When I'm not doing PR for Camp Kesem, I'm probably doing homework or procrastinating doing homework. I also like to play tennis and listen to music (I love Maroon 5!). I also love hanging out with friends in Georgetown and watching movies, and one day, I hope to live near Central Park in the city that never sleeps! See you soon!
Student Support
Shelley Frenkel, a.k.a. Bubbles
Hello Hello! I'm Shelley aka Bubbles! I'm so excited to be your Camp Kesem GW Student Support Co-Chair this year. I am a Sophomore this year studying Speech and Hearing Sciences. Originally, I'm from Philly but I'm lovin' life in DC. When I'm not busy spreading the word about camp and supporting fellow CKers, I am babysitting, exploring DC, and hanging out with friends!
Samantha Levison, a.k.a. Princess Leia
Hi, I’m Princess Leia and I am a sophomore majoring in International Affairs. I am so excited for my second year with camp and for my first year on Student Support! Originally from Atherton, California, I have loved experiencing living on the East Coast (except for maybe the winter)!! On days when I’m not helping to fight Darth Vader with our awesome Public Relations co-chair, Yoda, you can find me reading Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter, or watching NCIS and Modern Family. My favorite camp song is definitely Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup, and I am so ready to spread Camp Kesem love all over campus, and even into “a galaxy far, far away….” See you at camp next summer!
Camper Care
Meredith McGrath, a.k.a. Zamboni
Hi, I'm Zamboni! This is my second year keeping things cool and smooth in the Camp Kesem world of Camper Care! When I'm not screaming my lungs out about conserving water at camp, I'm studying my brains out at GW's Elliott School of International Affairs. I also am always running up to U St. to feed the hard working bands at the 9:30 club or probably getting food in Adams Morgan with my wonderful co-chair Elmo while we discuss the pressing Camp Kesem matters of the week!
Carl Olson, a.k.a. Elmo
Hi, I'm Carl, but I'm better known as Elmo! I'm a junior at the George Washington University and this is my third year with Camp Kesem. I could not be more excited to be working with Zamboni on Camper Care! When I'm not out adventuring with her, you might find me practicing one of my many talents, which include masterful sandwich-making and balancing peacock feathers on my nose. I'm looking forward to camp this year, and I hope you are too!
Counselor-in-Training
Juan Areces, a.k.a. Beast
What's shakin'? My name is Juan, aka Beast, and this is my second year
here at Camp Kesem. I grew up in the great land of Northern
Massachusetts but now reside in the lovely Foggy Bottom, where the
winters are (luckily) not as brutal. When I'm not in the BeastCave
mastering the CIT Program you can catch me playing rugby, answering
phone calls, or watching Matt Damon movies. I am super amiable so if you
ever have any questions or want someone to talk to shoot me an e-mail!
I'm excited to get camp going this year and I hope you are too!
