  This photo was taken during Global Youth Service Day in 2011. Public Allies Cincinnati led by second year Fellows had the opportunity to provide a collegiate simulation experience for area youth at Xavier University. As the day began I Dez decided to assign himself to peer mentoring me which was a hilarious, frustrating, exhausting, and transformational experience. For 8.5 hours we learned about sports management, construction, how to ask appropriate questions, and we discussed his backup plan in the event he doesn't get drafted by the NBA. This service day felt like the longest and shortest day ever, and the  experience in it's entirety parallels my entire AmeriCorps tenure  adventure.
  My two service years were thrilling, tedious, life shattering, and life altering. Despite the occasional unpleasantness of all of the above, it changed me for the good, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is in this spirit I want to wish AmeriCorps a happy 20th birthday, and appreciate the staff, supporters, corps members, alums, and countless people that make/made experiences like mine possible.Â
Salute!
The Villagekeeper
Public Allies Alum, CIN '10 & 11
