NOVEMBER '13 BOARD MEMBER OF THE MONTH: JESSICA PINO
Which characteristic do you value most in others?
I value honesty and trust the most. Without honesty and trust you will get no where in life -- or with me.
Something we may be surprised to learn about you?
I used to be in 3 choirs, the band and theater in high school. I loved the arts and still am very drawn to people who are in them: artists, musicians, actors, etc.
Let us in on a few things on your bucket list.
I want to travel to every continent. I'm just missing Africa and Antarctica (however I typically don't count Antarctica).
Learn a third language (maybe Spanish, French or both!)
Learn how to do a handstand -- a fancy yoga super-controlled handstand.
Go rock climbing in Yellow Stone National Park.
Hike the Appalachian Trail.
Talk about your last volunteer experience.
I volunteer with Explore Austin, which is a 6-year commitment serving kids from KIPP Austin. We do Saturday events throughout the school year and a week-long summer wilderness trip. I love working with these girls and seeing their growth from month to month. Plus, it's as much a learning and growing experience for me as it is for them.
Tell us about something that you are most proud of.
I'm most proud of my community involvement, which is still not as much as it could be. About 2 years ago, I realized that the very typical, nice, lifestyle I was living wasn't super fulfilling and, for me, it was because I didn't feel like I was a part of the Austin community. I promised myself I'd get more involved and try to give as much time and energy as I could to those around me.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
This question cracks me up because I wanted to be a lot of things. My earliest memory was wanting to be a model like Christy Brinkley, then as I got older it changed to a dancer, a musician, then an engineer (that's the strangest), a psychologist, a teacher, and it's still changing.
Where in Austin do you find yourself spending a lot of time?
I can tell you where I DON'T spend a lot of time: at home. I'm always out and about, and often go from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. before I get back home. I don't usually go just one place, but you can most certainly find me in South Austin.
You're given $1,000 and told you must spend it all in one day. No strings attached. What do you do?
I'd buy a whole new wardrobe and then go out to a fancy dinner.
