Maria Sykes: Hi Darcie. First off, welcome to the team! Epicenter is very excited to host four AmeriCorps members this year in partnership with PACT and WabiSabi (Moab), and I’m even more excited that one of them is you! So, tell the readers a little bit about yourself. Where are you coming from? Where were you born and raised? What did you go to school for?
Darcie Quist: I am coming from Salt Lake but I was born and raised in Green River. I moved in 2008 to attend culinary school at the Art Institute of Salt Lake City. I graduated with an AS in Baking and Pastry and a BS in Culinary Management.
MS: Why did you apply to be an AmeriCorps member?
DQ: I previously served as a Americorps NCCC member from 2000-2001. It was an exciting and fulfilling experience. I felt this particular position would provide an excellent opportunity to have that same type of experience while serving my hometown.
MS: Your experience with AmeriCorps NCCC, as well as the fact that you know the community of Green River so well, made you a perfect fit for Epicenter. Why did you want to work with Epicenter?
DQ: I believe in Epicenter’s mission and the timing was right.
MS: Now that you’ve been here for a couple of weeks, what are you most excited to work on in Green River?
DQ: Assisting with the development and building of the housing project and working with the after school program.
MS: Ok, enough about work. How do you spend your free time?
DQ: I like to drive my 3 year old twins around the desert.
MS: And we’ll end on one of my favorite questions: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? And no cheating (eg. power mimicry)!
DQ: Flying, not very original but I think it would be fun.