Hello, I'm Alicia!
I was born five blocks from the beach in New Jersey (same hospital as Bruce Springsteen) and ever since the saltwater in the air blessed my skin, I have been obsessed with water in all Her forms.
After a childhood of bouncing around to different bases and beaches as a military brat, I moved to Southern California in my early twenties. I married my partner, toes in the sand, on Laguna Beach. I lived four blocks from Crystal Pier in San Diego. When my partner asked me to move back “home” with him to Pennsylvania – I had zero intentions of leaving my Pacific. And then I met the Youghiogheny.
She was humble and strong. And bubbled like my Pacific, but in a way that said, “I don’t care if you’re watching.” One rafting trip down the lower and I felt like there was a piece of me here before I even lived here. I am a proud new permanent resident of Mount Pleasant and I make many trips to Ohiopyle for the magick and wonder of the river and the wood.
My favorite spot to connect with the watershed is halfway through the Meadow Run hike when you meet the Cascades and burst through the rhododendron to a view that feels both ancient and ethereal – a water’s rhythm that sounds both secret and bold. In all seasons, I feel the Divine in this place and the charge to protect Mama River, is truer and stronger with each visit.
I feel so happy and whole to join the team as your Administrative Assistant. I hope to keep the less sexy side of the business (financials, HR, etc.) organized so the team doesn’t have to worry about them; they can focus on their missions and projects involved with directly serving the watershed. In addition to this, I want to be everyone’s helping hand – ready to fish a tire or five out of the river, ready to embolden a community member with support and education, and ready to help keep your river running strong for generations to come.