| metroleta.com

In Asia, there is a saying that goes...

"Short trips from your town, require only yourself---but for a long journey to succeed, you must bring the town with you."

Metroleta is no different. We proudly present below, some of our Metroleta team members who have stepped up and made our journey forward profoundly richer, more fun, and more interesting.

Robert

Metroleta is Robert's brain-child. Not surprising when you consider his broad-based experience (of over 30 years) in advanced technology, marketing strategy, and brand engineering. He is responsible for everything in Metroleta. Whether that's determining technology strategy, marketing campaign planning, or overseeing the development of content, design, and functionality. He inherits both entrepreneurial savvy and the spirit of giving from his parents (his mother established her own business when she was 17, grew it with the help of Robert's father, and used it to put 8 younger brothers and sisters through college, and later, the next generation -- and their employees). He is a capable senior executive and former Chief Technology Officer--we haven't found anything that he can't do, which is sometimes annoying for the Metroleta team, who constantly try (he even makes a mean Teriyaki Chicken!).

Alice

After working in Silicon Valley technology, websites, and marketing for 12 years, Alice co-founded a business working on online teacher education projects, college and school websites, business web marketing systems—and branding and marketing. Growing up in a family of teachers, she always knew education was important. Alice's mother and father studied and worked hard to develop interesting classes for their students. Both taught and inspired students to greater achievements. Alice is an Oregon native and UO grad. She is a cancer survivor, and has a 10-year old son. She tells us that with Metroleta, she has a project that inspires her with a greater purpose. Time to live, and to make life count.

Sarah C.

Sarah doesn't have an "inner child," but rather an "inner adult" who only comes out when absolutely necessary. Sarah wore many hats within Metroleta, including, but not limited to, Site Curator, Production Manager, and Campaign Coordinator. As production manager, she was the one person that made sure that we went through all the writing and advertising protocols in creating quality content for Metroleta. A firm believer that "children are our future," Sarah loves Metroleta's chance to make a long-lasting, positive impact on the lives of schoolchildren in her community.

Olivia

Olivia led one of Metroleta's PR and Advertising teams. She is also a writer/editor with a passion for public relations, advertising and business administration. Her education from the University of Oregon gives her the experience to work in and manage teams, as well as create integrated strategic communications plans for business clients. She is eager to start her professional career here at Metroleta in order to make a difference in not only the lives of children but also the education system at large. Her dedication to helping kids evolved with her enthusiastic coaching career in both high school and middle school sports in the Eugene and San Francisco areas. She is excited about what Metroleta can bring to the community and is thrilled to be a part of a great cause.

Kelsey

Kelsey is our research guru. We go to her for facts and stats, like how much teachers in the U.S. spend on school supplies yearly using their personal funds ($1.3 Billion). She is an advertising major with a passion for research and stories. She was so excited to be apart of something that would help children in the wonderful community of Eugene.

Kristen

Kristen led Metroleta's PR team for members and teachers, and was in charge of our Social Media campaign. A sunny and cheerful native of Washington State, she is a nature-lover at heart. Whether hiking with friends or running, she always finds a way to play outside. After majoring in Journalism at the UO, Kristen spends a lot of time writing features and reading every news piece she can get at. In her spare time, she loves to cook for friends and enjoy family time. Being part of Metroleta gave her the opportunity to use her skills to help children and the community.

Laura

Laura Witherspoon is a columnist and social media specialist for Metroleta. Laura loves working with people, learning and engaging in social media, and is excited to be a part of a team working to better the community. Her column is a medley of upcoming events, restaurant reviews, and spotlight on local businesses. Laura looks forward to growing as a journalist and helping Metroleta support as many schools and children as possible.

Tamara

Tamara led and managed our writing team. She made sure the level of writing within the team was consistently at a high level and unified. (Considering that everyone writes from a different perspective, that's not always easy to pull-off!) From all the ideas our writers came up with, she was in charge of selecting which articles to publish. Tamara came to us well-prepared from the UO School of Journalism and Communication. Tamara admits she spends too much time devouring fashion blogs and writes a few of her own as a style columnist. That's why we love her flair! Being a part of Metroleta gave her an opportunity to help the community she values by doing what she loves—writing.

Jessica

Jessica is a versatile and creative person with multiple talents, ranging from writing in its myriad forms (including technical writing, copy editing, and even creative writing), to web development and administration. She is enthralled by the many ways that human beings create and discover meaning in their lives. Some of her favorite subjects to explore are: philosophy, astronomy, quantum physics, technology, folklore, anthropology, and anything that touches on the breadth of human culture and the ongoing investigation of what it means to be human. Jessica is the mother of an ebullient 10 year old boy, and she is also a recent graduate of the University of Oregon, where she established a GPA of 4.16; graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor's in the Humanities and a minor in English. Jessica is excited to be a part of Metroleta because it is a step towards making education accessible for everyone.

Christine

Christine Dong is a 22-year old Oregon native from the small town of Corvallis. She was given her first camera in the fourth grade and has been taking photographs ever since. Christine is also a video enthusiast who enjoys attention to detail and composition. Christine joined Metroleta as a video producer with goals of helping children and the community through her skills of video and photography.

Lexi

Lexi Reeve is a columnist at Metroleta, as well as a part of the advertising team. Lexi has a passion for writing, public relations, and marketing. She studied marketing and communications at the University of Oregon, and is a member of the American Marketing Association. She is also an avid snow skier and like most Oregonians, loves the outdoors and tries to get outside whenever possible. She is looking forward to using her skills to help the community and to give children a brighter future in education.

Jacob

Jacob O'Gara is a Writer at Metroleta, and likes to consider himself a crusader for truth, justice, and the artistic merit of pop acts like Ke$ha and Justin Bieber. He believes that knowledge is the most empowering gift of all, which is why he's excited to be a part of the Metroleta team. When he's not writing, Jacob's probably reading or drinking coffee or wishing he was friends with Nicolas Cage. Someday...

Cole

Cole Crossen is a graphic designer at Metroleta, where his skill is put to good use. Originally from Piedmont, a small town inside of Oakland, California, Cole has been drawing as long as he can remember. He took art classes throughout high school, and summer courses at Cal Arts in Valencia and at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Heading into college, Cole knew he wanted to go into an art field, so he studied digital arts and journalism at the University of Oregon. Growing up, Cole was highly involved with Boy Scouts and Lacrosse. He is also a talented musician.

Serena

Serena is a writer/editor for Metroleta. She comes to us from the UO School of Journalism and Communication, specializing in magazine journalism and publishing. Ever since Serena decided to be a journalist, she has made it a goal to write for a publication making a difference in the lives of others; she's excited to have finally found that place at Metroleta. Serena is an avid news watcher, a travel enthusiast, a Scrabble lover, and has a not-so-secret crush on Brian Williams. With her passion for journalism and helping children, she is excited about combining the two at Metroleta.

Madeline

Madeline Obernesser enjoys celebrating life with friends and family. When she's not attending University of Oregon football games, learning, or visiting the library, Madeline enjoys baking, running, hiking, nannying and watching movies. Madeline has joined the Metroleta team as our Education Liaison. She looks forward to helping build relationships with educators in the community and researching and discovering needs within the school environment. And ultimately, Madeline seeks to help better the community as a whole and hopes to be a great addition to the Metroleta team.

Joel

Joel is a writer at Metroleta and an older brother of a basketball team-sized group of children. He is excited about water slides and ice cream, frequently climbs trees while singing silly songs and sometimes even acts like an adult. Growing up with eleven younger siblings, Joel naturally developed a knack for caring for kids and a passion to see children grow up healthy and happy as they learn about all the ways they can fit into the world... and change it.

Jenna

Jenna is a graphic designer from San Diego, California. At the University of Oregon, Jenna's studies included majoring in Digital arts with a minor in Art History. Her unique perspective and positive attitude allow her to achieve her goals. Art has been a part of her life since a young age. Her whole family is very creative, her mom is an art teacher, her dad is a photographer and her brother is a videographer. Another form of art that is a part of Jenna’s life is dancing. She began dancing at the age of 3 and continues to dance to this day. She also is a certified yoga teacher and she considers yoga a form of art as well. Aside from designing graphics, she enjoys painting, photography, and experimenting with all types of art.

Christina

Christina is a writer/editor at Metroleta with a passion for interpersonal relationships, Human-Animal Studies, and tending succulents. Born and raised in a small town in Florida, she transplanted to Portland 6 years ago and received her B.A. in English from Portland State University. Having spent time teaching English in rural South Korea, Christina understands the difficulties of the modern education system. That's why she’s so excited about Metroleta’s mission—bettering communities through education. You can quite frequently find her sampling produce at farmer’s markets, in front of a keyboard, or taking in a local poetry reading.

Emily

Emily is a writer at Metroleta, and comes to us from the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon. More than anything else, Emily loves her family. She grew up in a home where education was primary in importance, as both her parents worked for the school district. She is excited to be writing for a cause that will enhance the learning experience for children in Eugene and beyond. Emily comes from Myrtle Point, a small town near the Oregon Coast, where she liked to run in the countryside and swim in the Coquille River. She enjoys reading, playing the trumpet, and of course, writing.

Jasmine

With her passion for entrepreneurship, Jasmine is excited to join the marketing and business development team at Metroleta. She came to us from University of Oregon, with a major in Entrepreneurship and minor in Art. Born and raised in Taiwan, a small Island in East Asia, Jasmine speaks fluent Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English. From her business professional parents, Jasmine has learned about business from an early age. Her mother teaches her marketing perspective and investment. Her father shares his entrepreneurial expertise. Jasmine is a seasoned international traveler, and likes the international perspective and world view that gives her. Besides business, Jasmine also loves the arts, creating fine art, and playing piano and violin.

Jonathan

Jonathan's long time love for photography has led him to an exciting role as photographer for Metroleta. Working with the Metroleta team provides Jonathan with an opportunity to build his portfolio and express his photographic talents while supporting what he believes is a genuinely important cause. Jonathan comes to us from the Economics program at the University of Oregon. When not on the prowl for the perfect picture opportunity, Jonathan takes joy in spending time with friends, playing drums, climbing, hiking with his camera, and especially spending major amounts of time in the library.

Alice E.

Alice Evans is a Columnist and part of the Education Outreach team with Metroleta. Alice is committed to Metroleta’s mission, providing families, teachers, and children with free school supplies and online tools. Alice comes to us from the University of Oregon International Studies and Non-Profit Management programs. Alice enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. She is looking forward to seeing Metroleta evolve and expand to help teachers and schools access the resources they need.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth McNamara has joined Metroleta’s Social Media and Writing teams. Elizabeth comes to us from the University of Oregon's Journalism and Advertising programs. She loves attending UO football games and being in an environment where she is constantly learning. Elizabeth has been dancing for 17 years and uses her knowledge of dance within her everyday life, including photography and writing. Elizabeth has a passion for cooking, working-out, and helping others. Since she began volunteering almost 10 years ago, she has also become an enthusiast about helping her community. Elizabeth is excited about spreading the word about Metroleta to a variety of people and places. She cannot wait to write and contribute to the website and hopes to connect with the Metroleta readers.

Stephen

Stephen has joined Metroleta’s Outreach team and has come to us from the Science and Business programs at the University of Oregon. As a natural problem solver and having grown up with computers, he will be working with website support and improving user experience for Metroleta. Stephen has a passion for health and fitness and also enjoys cooking, surfing, and traveling. He is always trying to gain more knowledge and loves working with computers and technology. Stephen has a natural inclination to help others and is excited to be a part of such great cause that will do just that.

Max

Max is a writer for Metroleta. He studies journalism at the University of Oregon and has unfortunately earned enough credits to graduate in the spring. If he could, he would stay in school indefinitely, taking classes in the areas that interest him and dabbling in the few that don't. He has spent the last four memorable years as a student, freelancer, rower, blogger, basketballer, and tireless editor, but he's most enjoyed gaining the confidence to call himself a writer. He is fascinated with Kobe's footwork, books, and the Multiverse Theory.

Miranda

After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in communications focused in advertising, Miranda decided her true interest lies in graphic design. She moved down to Oregon to join Metroleta’s graphic design team and already loves the area and its food options (specifically Hot Mama’s Wings). Miranda loves creating things, from doodles and drawings to DIY projects she finds on Pinterest. Her absolute favorite Disney movie is Treasure Planet.

Erica

Erica is a Graphic Designer for Metroleta and comes to us from the Digital Arts program at the University of Oregon. She spent most of her life living in England, and before that she lived in and was born in Egypt! She moved to the US by herself because she wanted to pursue a liberal arts education. She is a 50/50 split between her creative-thinking mother and analytic father, and uses this combination in her design work. Erica enjoys traveling, playing piano, baking, and a nice cup of tea. However, she is never happier than when she is being creative; music, drawing, utilizing design software, painting, DIY craft projects, collaging, writing, and textiles are some of the things she’s dabbled in so far. She has been involved in a lot of volunteer work helping children, so she is grateful and excited to combine her love of creativity with the Metroleta education project!

Helen

Helen is a Graphic Designer for Metroleta. She joins us from the University of Oregon Digital Arts and Advertising programs. Helen is inspired by what is unique, quirky, questionable, and what is empowered from the heart. She seeks a higher expression of artwork and designs by challenging ideas through the use of technical skills. Helen loves to travel to places where she is able to explore and immerse herself into the culture as she broadens her perspective and experiences. She has a fondness for trinkets, ones that are shiny, shaped funny, distinctive, vintage, or embellished with the fine details of nature.

Kristina

Kristina Pressentin has joined Metroleta’s Writing and Social Media Teams. Kristina comes to us from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communications. She is a native Oregonian who loves pursuing outdoor activities such as running, hiking, swimming, and skiing. Kristina also has a passion for sports, baking, crafting, and music. She enjoys working with children and is committed to helping her community through promoting the Metroleta project while pursuing her love of storytelling.

Rachel

Rachel is an optimistic world traveler and passionate philanthropist, thriving off good vibes and good people. As a dedicated member of Metroleta’s social media, writing, and marketing teams, Rachel desires to build and work for a brand-with-a-cause, establishing a foundation for innovative change within communities. Her knack for adventure and love of detail translate into this Oregon native’s compassionate, yet driven ambitions as she continues her studies at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications. Rachel claims her secret to daily happiness includes a run, a cup of coffee, and a good laugh. She is excited and humbled to be a part of the Metroleta team and ready to make a positive difference in your child's education... one step at a time.

Alison

Alison is a writer at Metroleta, and joins us from the Journalism and Multimedia programs at the University of Oregon. Born and raised in the center of flavorful downtown Portland, Alison is the product of a bustling community centered around the marriage of personal expression and efficiency. She is a lover of hole-in-the-wall restaurants and hard-core folk music, and pays much of her devotion and patronage to the pages of National Geographic magazine. When she goes home, she enjoys watching movies with her father, going to her sister's lacrosse games, eating her mother's homemade meatloaf and worshipping her dog, Zoe. When she is in Eugene, she enjoys going to the theater, eating Café Yumm bowls, and worshipping everyone else's dogs. Alison is excited to present relatable articles that are meant to inform and entertain, all while contributing to Metroleta's mission to help students, teachers, and local communities.

Sarah R.

With her passion for helping others and exploring, Sarah hopes one day to pursue her dreams by traveling the world, volunteering her time, and sharing the stories she gathers through multimedia and the written word. At Metroleta, Sarah is a member of the Social Media and Writing teams. She is passionate about health and fitness. Sarah has been running for almost 5 years and in her spare time can be found along the many running trails of Eugene. Sarah comes to us from the University of Oregon Journalism and Computer Information Technology programs.

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The Metroleta Team

In Asia, there is a saying that goes...

"Short trips from your town, require only yourself---but for a long journey to succeed, you must bring the town with you."

Metroleta is no different. We proudly present below, some of our Metroleta team members who have stepped up and made our journey forward profoundly richer, more fun, and more interesting.

Robert

Robert

Alice

Alice

Sarah C.

Sarah C.

Olivia

Olivia

Kelsey

Kelsey

Kristen

Kristen

Laura

Laura

Tamara

Tamara

Jessica

Jessica

Christine

Christine

Lexi

Lexi

Jacob

Jacob

Cole

Cole

Serena

Serena

Madeline

Madeline

Joel

Joel

Jenna

Jenna

Christina

Christina

Emily

Emily

Jasmine

Jasmine

Jonathan

Jonathan

Alice E.

Alice E.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Stephen

Stephen

Max

Max

Miranda

Miranda

Erica

Erica

Helen

Helen

Kristina

Kristina

Rachel

Rachel

Alison

Alison