The newest people to arrive in Nome, eager to serve, are volunteer fellows Zoe Grueskin and Gabe Colombo.
Zoe grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, and studied environmental policy at Williams College in Massachusetts. After graduation, she taught English in Shanghai, then returned to the USA to study radio production at Duke University in North Carolina. Zoe is “excited about journalism and storytelling that is firmly grounded in community,” she says, and she’s eager to come to know Western Alaska “through the voices and stories of the people who live here.”
Gabe Colombo hails from Austin, Texas, and earned a BA in urban studies at the local campus of the University of Texas. Gabe says he’s “finally fulfilling a dream to be on the radio — and serve others while at it,” and he’s glad that his volunteer role — news reporter — will allow him “to learn new things with each interview, field visit, story, or newscast.” As an active Catholic, Gabe says he’s also looking forward to volunteering at Nome’s St. Joseph Church.
The support of KNOM benefactors — whether through prayer or donations — has helped sustain the mission’s vitally-needed volunteer program since even before KNOM’s first broadcast in 1971.
Image at top: At the Nome airport: Gabe Colombo, Karen Trop, and Zoe Grueskin holding the “Welcome to KNOM” banner that greets newly-arriving volunteers. Photo: Margaret DeMaioribus, KNOM.
