EMMA KADING

Vassar College, B.A., Hispanic Studies, B.A., Science, Technology, and Society

While at Vassar, Emma focused on Hispanic Studies and Science, Technology, and Society, which led her to spend quite a bit of time in the southern hemisphere, traveling to Argentina, Australia, and Bali. While in Argentina, Emma attended La Universidad de Buenos Aires, played rugby, and worked with Fundación Huesped, an organization that combats discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV and AIDS. While in Australia, she studied in the Health Sciences and Sociology faculties at Melbourne University, where she also played Aussie Rules Football. She also spent time backpacking in Thailand. In her final year at Vassar, Emma tutored children in ESL classes and for the Spanish-language newspaper La Voz. Until recently she lived in Guatemala, where she volunteered as a nutrition recuperation program facilitator for Primeros Pasos, a public health NGO. She is now working toward her EMT certification. Emma is fluent in Spanish and has twice led Putney’s Community Service Costa Rica program, as well as Community Service Peru.

ZACK ZAPPONE

Georgetown University, B.A., American Studies

While at Georgetown, Zack focused on social justice issues. In particular, he examined how the media coverage of education has impacted the public school system in America. He volunteered as a tutor in D.C. schools and taught English classes for immigrants on weekends. He studied abroad and lived with a host family in Madrid, Spain. After college, Zack moved to Washington State to work to improve the education system in rural eastern Washington for Teach for America. He was selected for the Rural School Leadership Academy and nominated for a Sue Lehman Teaching and Learning Fellowship. For three years in Washington State, Zack taught English language arts and history, coached soccer, acted as the advisor for mock trial and youth legislature, and organized a class trip to Washington, D.C., for his students. Zack has traveled to 11 European countries and recently backpacked through Bolivia, Peru, and Costa Rica. Now Zack is completing a Fulbright scholarship in Colombia, teaching English to Colombian university students enrolled in a teacher training program. Next school year he will enroll in Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School as a candidate for a master’s degree in public affairs. Zack is proficient in Spanish and has led Putney’s Community Service Costa Rica and Community Service Peru programs.