Senior Staff

Sassy Smyth grew up in Statesville, NC, and after high school she followed where her Carolina Blue blood led her-right to UNC Chapel Hill.  She graduated from Carolina in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Sociology.  She then returned to Statesville where she manages the Statesville Fitness & Activity Center.  Sassy has a big extended family and they love to get together on Saturday nights to eat, play cards and the Wii, and simply share their lives.  She also loves to squeeze in as much snowboarding as possible.  And contrary to what her sister thinks, she is going to get a dog eventually; she's just gotta find the right one.  Sassy first traveled out west with TCTW the summer of 2000.  Since graduating college, she has spent her summers staffing the trip, and she looks forward to heading back out west this summer for her fifth time as staff.

"In the end life is really quite simple, think well of yourself, love others, appreciate nature, use your unique abilities to make the world a better place, all while giving praises to your maker." ~TCTW

Mandy Wilson was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to the East coast with her family in high school.  She experienced camping for the first time on Day 1 of her trip out West with TCTW in 2003. Since then she has graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has moved to Roanoke, Virginia where she enjoys her work as a Labor and Delivery nurse.  On her days off, Mandy enjoys fishing, snowboarding, learning photography, and juggling all of the new responsibilities that come with being a new homeowner. She has greatly enjoyed her opportunity to staff twice for TCTW, including the summer of '08 and '09.

"Eat your dessert first!" ~Monica Gill

Oliver Connor has dedicated his life to working with animals.  He grew in Lake Norman, North Carolina where he went to Bandys High School.  Oliver graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Zoology.  He has been a Marine Mammal Trainer in Miami, Florida for the past 2 years where he has worked with Atlantic Bottlenose and Pacific Whitesided dolphins, seals, sea lions, and manatees.  Oliver looks forward to the trip this summer and knows we will have an amazing adventure together!

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." -~Jimi Hendrix

Junior Staff

Patrick Hughes Whelan: I was born in Bethesda, MD on April 13, 1987.
After being a 2004 TCTW participant, I graduated from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in Suffolk, Virginia.  I went on to study English Literature at the University of Mary Washington, where I went on to graduate in May of 2009 with honors in my major as well as serve as Class President for all four years.  I now work as a substitute teacher at my old alma mater of NSA, and I will have a full time position in the Middle School next school year.  A few of my hobbies include: reading, writing, soccer, ultimate frisbee, hiking, camping and traveling!

"Through the years, I have learned there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." ~Steve Martin

Steph Barnette: I am graduating from the University of Virginia in May with a Master's in Teaching and a Bachelor's in Spanish. I'm from Purcellville, Virginia. I love people, traveling, Spanish, reading, animals, little kids, Latin America, hiking and generally seeing God's creation in nature. I also love TCTW and know it's largely to blame for my adventurous spirit and particularly my desire to visit all 50 states before I turn 25 (but at least I only have 6 states left!). I hope to work with kids in Latin America next year, but I am excited to go out west again first!

"Peace begins with a smile." ~Mother Teresa.

Annie Brooks: I am from Sanford, NC and graduated from Lee County High School in 2006.  I will graduate from UNC with BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry in May.  I plan to go to dental school because I really like teeth.  I enjoy running, playing tennis, and reading mystery novels!

"The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." ~Victor Hugo

Andrew Connor: I am a North Carolina State University Alumni, Class 2010

I am originally from Sherrills Ford, NC with a loving family that means everything to me.  I have a thirst for life and an addiction for adventure.  I enjoy jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, wakeboarding, and SubWay (I mean, who doesn't like to eat fresh).   Skydiving is one of my passions.  I am licensed through the United States Parachute Association with over 50 jumps (and counting).  Life is a journey full of opportunities in which I strive to take advantage of every opportunity that allows me to grow as an individual... and would like to challenge you to do the same.

"The world belongs to the energetic."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson