AmeriCorps Members

Ma Vang has been an AmeriCorps Page Turner for 3 years now. She fell in love with literature at the age of 5 and always dreamt of being an author. Vang graduated from Sacramento State with a B.A. in English, Creative Writing in the spring of 2021 and soon after published her first poetry and prose book Labyrinth in July of that year.

Currently, she is working on a novel that has been in the works for a couple of years now regarding romance and soulmates. When Vang is not writing, she may be in the middle of getting tattooed, listening to vinyl's, spending time with family, and enjoying coffee.

Miles Norwood is an AmeriCorps Inspirator based in Sacramento, California. Since early childhood, he has always wanted to be a cartoonist, whether it was becoming an animator or an illustrator for comic books. He remembers watching cartoon short films submitted by college students and indie teams to be broadcasted by Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. These broadcasted short films inspired him to become an animator instead and create his own animated series. At the end of 2014, he created his first digital animation (live action-animated) in Photoshop, using himself as an actor and interacting with a cartoon alien.  By the early start of 2015, he began building his animation portfolio by creating character turnarounds, study human anatomy, create multiple cartoon projects, and films. Today, he is utilizing those artistic skills to inspire our youth and environment to put them on a creative path to success within the educational system and later, the market world.

Marissa Britto is a Book Builder for 916 Ink’s Find Your Voice Program. She has had a love of literature and writing since childhood and can often be found with a book in hand or writing in her journal. From a young age she knew she wanted to be involved with all things writing and reading related. Marissa staffed her high school’s newspaper and yearbook, then went on to work as an editor for Sac City College’s literary magazine Susurrus. It was through these activities that she found a love for the writing process and helping others see their works come to fruition. Marissa is excited to be involved with 916 Ink and help young writers grow a deeper appreciation for the craft. When she’s not at work, you can find Marissa tending to her garden, crafting, or playing with her pets.

Ranell Benfield is a first year Americorps Page Turner for 916 Ink Read on! She recently served as a tutor for Kyah last semester at Caroline Wenzel, also working closely with Zuzu. She really enjoyed tutoring the kids and the time she spent on campus building bonds with them. After the semester ended she still wanted to continue tutoring and working with 916 Ink. Kyah recommended the position of Page Turner and voila! Here I am!

Outside of tutoring kids she has also worked in the field of A.B.A (applied behavioral analysis) in the classroom setting. She has been working with children in one form or another for the past two years. She currently attends Sacramento State University, majoring in Psychology working on her B.A. Outside of all of that… she is also a Full Time mom 😊!

Nae Hamilton serves as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Liaison. She will be continuing her education at WGU in hopes to become an Elementary Teacher.

Nae loves to cook, watch movies, and go on adventures. Nae received a Humanitarian Award her Senior year at Grant Union Highschool and has been serving and aiding her community ever since.

Nae hopes to become an even greater addition to the Greater Sacramento.

Sam Bloom is an Americorps Evaluation Associate with 916 Ink. He is a reformed silviculturist, responsible for planting over 500,000 tree saplings in British Columbia. He is the CEO and founder of the non-profit organization City of Trees Foundation which seeks to mitigate climate change through tree planting in underserved communities. He is an avid traveler, visiting and living in over 40 countries around the world. The book he always makes his way back to is Rayuela by Julio Cortazar.

Evelyn Ramos recently graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. Currently, she is a research assistant in a Language Development lab. Being bilingual in Spanish and English from a young age, her ongoing fascination with languages has been a consistent and integral part of my life. So, having the opportunity to be a part of her research lab has brought so much joy into my life. She loves Psychology, and anything having to do with the mind and brain intrigues her. She hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and be a professor at a university. During her free time, you can find her at her favorite coffee shop, learning Italian, reading a book, or shopping. She also loves traveling, and her favorite place that she has visited thus far is Milan.

Mariah Prock is currently serving as a first time AmeriCorps Inspirator. As a Sacramento native, she has always had a passion for serving the youths in her community whether it be volunteering as a respite caregiver, being a nanny or working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She strives to recreate the fun and safe environments that allowed her to blossom so that other children may grow and blossom as well. In her spare time, she loves to watch her friends spin fire, visit any and every beach, and is attempting to learn how to crotchet.

Ta’Chaé Hankerson AmeriCorps Page Turner for 916 Ink Read On!, is excited to spend a year increasing literacy rates in her community. She can't wait to help kids grow confidence in academic settings. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from UC Riverside. 

Outside of work, she can be found tutoring, crafting, and volunteering as a doula. Her first experience writing was through her school's young author program, where she drafted a book on trolls. She aspires to produce at least two YA fantasy series featuring goblins and trolls, fulfilling a childhood obsession. She can’t wait to build her community of writing buddies, young and old, throughout this service year. 

Simon Styrsky is an Americorps Inspirator and is thrilled to be working at 916 Ink. Born and raised in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, he has a deep connection to his community and is excited to foster creativity in Sacramento's youth through creative writing. He is a lover of all art forms from creative writing, to drag, to live theater. He recognizes the power of art and is eager to create inclusive spaces where every voice is heard and valued and where creativity can flourish. When he's not at work you can catch him trying to cook a new recipe, at the movie theater watching a spooky movie, or out on the dance floor dancing his heart out. 

Marianne Fernandez (she/her/hers) is an inspirator for the Find Your Voice Creative Writing Program.  Recently she graduated from Lehigh University with her Bachelors in Global Studies and Political Science, with a focus on Human Rights, International Development, and Global Citizenship. All throughout her educational journey, writing and reading has existed as an important part of understanding and embracing her roots and identity as a queer kid of Filipino immigrants. Now back home, she looks to share this experience of discovery, imagination, and world-building with students – hopeful the youth she collaborates with, may too, find the beautiful healing, agency, and outlet creative writing can give to many. Seeking to find her footing with 916 Ink in the Sacramento area, she aims to uplift and empower the voices, stories, and identities of these students in the community.  

When not in the classroom, you can find her either exploring unfamiliar places, relaxing with her dogs, failing to solve an escape room, playing board games with her siblings, bingeing her new go-to series, singing karaoke in the car, busting out cool moves on the dance floor, or simply trying something new.  

William Graves-Hafford "Americorps Read ON! Tutor William recently graduated CSUS (go hornets) with a bachelors in history. Their major's, focus was the history of Labor activism in the United States, and hopes to use their experience with 916 Ink to go further with their education. They want to get a masters in Education in the near future, alongside teaching credentials so they can further inspire students.

 In their free time, William enjoys many nerdy activities, from Magic: the Gathering to LARPing in as a Wizard the list of activities goes on for a while. They have a radio show on Sac State's KSSU, where they show their love for abstract media and loud unintelligible music. "

Brian Lizarraga is an AmeriCorps Read On! Tutor. He was born and raised in West Sacramento, California. Additionally, Brian is a Sun Devil at Arizona State University, hoping to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Public Policy. Public policy is significant to Brian because he believes it is a way to make impactful changes to people within a community, the state, and the country. Education has always been an important part of his life because he believes it is a way to set himself and others with the best possible opportunities. Ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to succeed has always been his passion because it can help you live a comfortable and safe life. Brian believes 916 Ink will help him follow his dreams of uplifting and serving others within the Sacramento community.

Pa Vang is a graduate of Consumnes River College with her Associates Arts Degree in General Business. Some day she would want to open up her little business that involves her creativity. Her hobbies include art, gaming, music, and reading! She's excited to start her new journey with 916ink along with her peers.

Mindy Vang is one of the tutors working with ReadOn and currently a third-year student at Sacramento State University for her bachelors in Humanities. Some interesting facts about Mindy is that she enjoys dancing, going on long walks, and is a big boba enthusiast. 

Vimon Vang is a Tutor for ReadOn, she is motivated to work with kids and help them further their education goals. She enjoys reading books, going to the gym, and listening to murder/mystery podcasts. She looks forward to adapting new skills to help her career in the future. 

Ariana Garcia I am serving as an AmeriCorps Read ON! Tutor. I am currently a student at UC Davis to obtain my bachelor’s of science in biology. I am hoping to go into the medical field by pursuing further school after Davis. I enjoy cooking, hiking, and writing in my free time. I am very passionate about helping others and making everyone feel seen. I am most excited to be returning to 916 Ink as a tutor and working with the students! I am also most excited to be able to encourage the students to read. 

Kennedy Upshire As a native of Sacramento, she returned to California to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies at California State University, Sacramento, and to contribute to her community. Her academic journey included three years at Appalachian State University, where she excelled as a Division I softball player and simultaneously managed a marketing internship with Appalachian State Athletics.

Outside her academic and athletic commitments, Kennedy dedicates her time to coaching youth softball teams and offering private softball/baseball lessons. Her passion for helping others achieve their goals is evident in her work, and she finds great fulfillment in the rewards that come from guiding others. In addition to her professional pursuits, Kennedy enjoys building Legos, spending quality time with friends and family, and reading.

Danielle Ronquillo serves as an AmeriCorp Read On! Tutor who recently graduated from Sac State with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She plans to return to school and pursue a Master’s in Counseling in the near future in hopes of becoming a family therapist. Right now, she looks forward to making an impact in the community and empowering children in reading and writing, as well as learning new things in the process. In her own time, Danielle loves listening to music, drawing, going on walks, playing video games, and daydreaming. Additionally, she is always enthusiastic to try out new interests and learn more about everything such as people’s stories, culture, and random trivia. She can often be found having coffee or boba, wearing headphones and quietly jamming out to music, searching up inspiration for new and current interests, spending time with family, or hanging out with her cat Meatball.

Trevor Bashaw is an Americorps Inspirator at 916 Ink in the Find Your Voice program. Originally from Arkansas, they discovered their love of writing when their story about a war between the Weeds and the Flowers was a smash hit with their 3rd grade class. Trevor went on to study English and Art History at the University of Kansas, and recently completed their MFA in Creative Writing at UC Davis—where they focused on poetry and hybrid forms. They like to read and write about landscapes, memory, somatics, the queer quotidian, and the mystery and magic of language itself. Sometimes Trevor teaches English Language Learners at the UC Davis International Center, and they also sometimes write grants for Charlotte Street, a contemporary arts non-profit in Kansas City, MO. They have also labored away as a barista, librarian, and curator. Now, they look forward to assisting youth with cultivating their imagination and critical thinking skills through the power of the written word.

Lilly Bechtel is an Americorps inspirator based in Sacramento. She has lived abroad and spent years traveling the world. After settling down and becoming a mother, she left the corporate world to pursue purpose driver passion and invest back in the community she considers home. Lilly has always worked with children and is so excited to be part of the 916ink team!

In her free time Lilly spends all her time with her two daughters. She is also a writer herself, artist, antique collector, runner, and studies ASL to one day be a translator. She hopes to one day get her children involved in investing in their community as well and find purpose in serving others. 

Isamar Alamilla was born and raised in Sonoma County, where he grew up surrounded by art and nature. He started drawing the moment he could hold a pencil, with some of his first writing pieces being comics about his cats. Having attended a similar program to 916 Ink, Isamar learned to love reading and writing at a young age, and he hopes to write things that people feel connected to. Having been a youth mentor, Isamar strives to empower kids and help them grow. Isamar's biggest passions are learning, helping people, and being outside in nature.

Deja Freeman is a first time Read-On Volunteer. My love for reading has definitely evolved in the past 3 years and it has sparked my creativity. I strive to make a difference in my community by being a positive role model to others. As a full-time mom, I want to show the youth during Read-On that they WILL achieve great goals in Life. My hobbies include reading, making Kandi, journaling, traveling and watching indie movies. My projects include attempting to learn how to crochet/sew, photography and painting. Catch me with a coffee in my hand as we make a difference in our community.

Thu Nguyen is a Vietnamese student majoring in Asian Studies at Sacramento State, where she studies th political, social, and cultural dynamics of the surrounding nations. She spent a number of years working as a reading tutor at Sacramento City College. While she was there, she also wrote two poems for their literary magazine, "Susurrus". Thu is going to work as a AmeriCorps Read On! Tutor this year.