DIRECTORS
Nancy Nelson, Program Director:
My name is Nancy Nelson. I have lived in Madison, WI, for many years. I taught at Edgewood College, a small private Liberal Arts College in Madison WI, for 27 years and am currently semi-retired. My fields of teaching were Education and Psychology. I enjoy working with students of all ages. I am currently taking a leave of absence from the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program. When teaching a course on Adolescent Psychology I co-created a mentoring program for middle school students. During this time I became very interested in Middle School girls and launched the program, Girls’ Stories, Girls’ Voices in 1999. I hope to work with young women for many years as the program has been so successful and has changed many young lives. My hobbies are reading, golf, photography and being in nature.
Liza Verhelst, Assistant Program Director:
My name is Liza Verhelst. I am currently the At-Risk Counselor at DeForest Area High School, DeForest, WI. In the mornings, I teach and coordinate the alternative program. In the afternoon, I work with at-risk students at the regular high school. I have been at DeForest for 10 years. I recently attained my masters in Counseling from UW-Madison. I hope to some day be a school counselor. For my bachelor’s degree I attendend Edgewood College, Madison, WI. I majored in Broad Fields Social Studies and minored in Secondary Education. It was while I was at Edgewood that I met Nancy Nelson. Nancy was the professor for some of my classes and I felt a great connection with her. From Nancy, I learned about a summer program called Girls’ Stories, Girls’ Voices and decided to be a volunteer facilitator. 7 years later, I am still working with Girls’ Stories, Girls’ Voices and loving it! My personal interests include spending time with family and friends, playing with my dog, reading, and traveling
COLLEGE STUDENT/FACILITATORS
Brittni Bunch:
Hello girls! My name is Brittni Bunch and I am currently a junior in the nursing program here at Edgewood College. Someday, I hope to work with children as a pediatric nurse. During my free time I enjoy shopping, exercising, spending time with friends and family, and attending my boyfriend’s hockey games.
I will never forget my first day of middle school. I was so nervous because I attended a private elementary school with many less students. I did not really know what to expect. As I look back on it today, I realize I met many of my life-long friends in middle school. This time of my life was filled with growing, learning, and memories I will never forget. I am very excited to meet all of you girls and be a part of the camp!!
Nichole Cushley:
My name is Nichole Cushley. I am a junior at edgewood college. I am majoring in nursing because i love working with and helping people. I went to Lodi High School. Since preschool I have enjoyed dancing (ballet, jazz, modern, tango, etc.). I love spending time outdoors whether i am hiking or kayaking or out on the lake boating and jet skiing. I live in Madison now and spend my free time hanging out with my friends and boyfriend. Most of my free time is spent working. I work at Meriter Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit. I love working here and i learn so much each day at work. I also have a 4 year old Alaskan Malamute named Lakota.
Rachel Klaven:
My name is Rachel Klaven and I will be a sophemore next year at the University of Wisconsin here in Madison. I plan on double majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science. I have grown up in Madison, and my all-time favorite sport is lacrosse-i ref, coach and play lacrosse and have so much fun with it. I have been attending GSGV since I was 14, and I have been back almost every year since as a volunteer. I love the camp and every year is a new opportunity and I always have a fantastic time!
Kacy Spore:
My name is Kacy Sporle. I am from Mineral Point, Wisconsin. I attended Mineral Point High school where I participated in basketball, band, and FBLA. My biggest accomplishment in high school was being named the Valedictorian of the class of 2007. Another accomplishment was being selected to participate in the WBCA All-Star basketball game where I helped to raise money for the MACC fund.
I am currently a junior at Edgewood College where I am majoring in Elementary education with a minor in Early Childhood education. I hope to continue my schooling by receiving a Masters in Special education. I have worked as a lifeguard at the Mineral Point public pool for the past 5 years where I have gained experience working with children and teaching swimming lessons. I currently work in the daycare at Supreme Health and Fitness Center and as a substitute at Here We Grow Learning Center. I really enjoy working with children and am excited to pursue the rewarding career in education.
Kami Jorgenson:
My name is Kami Jorgenson and I’m a junior at Edgewood College. I’m a nursing student which keeps me very busy. I chose nursing because I really enjoy taking care of people and learning more on the human body at the same time. I work at a nursing home near my home town Mineral Point called Bloomfield Manor. I recently took a new job working at the VA hospital in Madison. In my spare time I like to hang out with friends and family. My project for this camp is growing up with grief. I’m very interest in this subject because I have had my own personal experience with loss at the middle school age. I ‘am also interested with finding different stress relievers for younger children.
Liz Braun :
Hello girls!
My name is Liz Braun and I am a junior at Edgewood College majoring in Art Therapy. I attended Verona Area High School and I still live in Fitchburg, WI with my older brother, Andre, my two amazing parents, and our newest family member, a 6-month-old kitten named Mischa. I love anything and everything to do with music and art. I’m passionate about people and love to get to know others. I attended GVGS a few times in middle school and now a few years later, am excited to finally be apart of it again!
Lindsay Aschliman:
Hi, my name is Lindsay Aschliman. I am a junior at Edgewood College, majoring in Nursing and minoring in Spanish. I live in Mt. Horeb with my fiancé and my dog, Mia. I currently work at St. Mary’s hospital here in Madison. In my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, going on vacations, and spending time with friends, family, my fiancé and my dog. During my middle school years I switched schools several different times and found it hard to adjust at first. I hope to bring my experience and insight to this camp to help the young girls and give them guidance. I am eager to being the camp and look forward to meeting everyone!
Danielle Acker:
Hi Everyone! My name is Danielle Acker. I am originally from Waunakee, WI. I am currently a senior at Edgewood College. I am studying Elementary Education with a minor in early childhood. I love to work with children and I hope to someday teach kindergarten or first grade. A few of my hobbies include reading, watching movies, shopping, playing softball, and playing sand volleyball. I actually was on the Edgewood softball team my first two years of college. I currently live at home in Waunakee with my parents, and my dog Lucky. I look forward to meeting each one of you and getting to know you all better. Have a good rest of the school year and see you this summer!
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT/FACILITATORS
Mary Kate :
Hi my name is Mary Kate, and I am a freshman at Madison West High School.I play sports all year such as swimming, basketball, dance, and softball. I love coming to Girls’ Stories Girls’ Voices because I can express my true self in a friendly environment. This is my first year as a facilitator, and I am sure it will be a fun one!
Hannah :
Hi my name is Hannah, and I’m a freshman at Madison West High School. It is such a great honor to be back to Girls Stories, Girls Voices. This will be my first year as a facilitator, after having participated in Middle School. During the year I partake in Rowing, through the Camp Randall Crew Team. I enjoy singing, dancing, and acting, also. I’m excited to be here, and ready to have fun this summer.
