Meet Student Programs Staff

Student Programs Staff

K. Wade Hooton:
Hello, I am the Director of Operation Smile’s Student Programs. I was a student volunteer for four years before joining Operation Smile staff. Since then, I have enjoyed the wild ride of working with incredible students from around the world. I am married to my lovely wife, Marci. No kids!!! We are excited about our opportunities at Operation Smile and for the change it creates in people’s lives. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding mission opportunities, events and activities, and the Student Advisory Board.

Monica Ruzicka:
I am the Student Programs Coordinator for Operation Smile. I am originally from Short Hills, New Jersey, where I attended Oak Knoll School, a school that now has a student association. Go Royals! I graduated in 2006 from Bowdoin College where I studied International Relations, and I have now moved to Norfolk, Virginia. I am so excited to be a part of the Operation Smile team! If you are a student who is presently involved with Operation Smile, or one that wishes to be, please contact me in Student Programs at with any questions or concerns. I will gladly respond to any inquiries about the upcoming International Student Leadership Conference and Mission Training Workshop as well as club/school fundraising, donation, and volunteer matters.

Lauren Lyon:
I graduated from Princeton University in 2006 with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Originally from Newport Beach, California, I now call the “Big Apple,” New York City, home. I enjoy traveling, reading, Rothko, skiing, anything vintage, chocolate chip cookies, and scouring for antiques. A longtime OpSmiler, I cannot wait to work with the Student Programs team to encourage other Operation Smile students to help children worldwide! If you are a student living in the Northeast and have questions about Student Programs, including starting or maintaining an Operation Smile Association, please contact me at .

Beth Bradley:
Originally from northern California, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to go to school and play basketball at Lipscomb University. After college, I managed a Starbucks before I moved to Virginia to work for Operation Smile. I relocated to California for Operation Smile in August of 2006 and live in sunny Los Angeles. One thing you would NEVER guess about me is that I was my high school’s Homecoming Queen!. If you are a student in California and have questions about Student Programs, including starting or maintaining an Operation Smile Association, please contact me at .

Christabelle Fernandez:
Greetings, I am the College Programs Coordinator. I graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia with a BS in Psychology and Communications. While at ODU, I was a varsity athlete (sailing) and I continue to sail boats in my free time. After college, I went into the Peace Corps and served in the Kyrgyz Republic. If you are a college student involved with Operation Smile or would like to be, please contact me at .

2007 Student Advisory Board:

Nicholas Alonso:
Hi. My name is Nicholas Alonso. I’m from New Jersey where I am a senior at Delbarton School. I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, on my mission in 2005 and this is my second year on the Student Advisory Board. In my free time, I play in a band and I like to long board. I also like romantic movies and I think N’SYNC is the greatest band from the ‘90s.

Anthony Cerrone:
My name is Anthony Cerrone, and I currently reside in Summit, New Jersey. I am a junior at Delbarton School. I went on a mission to Mae Sot, Thailand, in December 2006, and was truly amazed by the culture and the generosity of the people. I look forward to helping maintain the excellent tradition of Operation Smile throughout the world.

Auna Charters:
Hey y’all! I’m Auna Charters and I am a senior at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I have basically been a patient of Operation Smile since I was 3 because Dr. Magee is my surgeon, and I have been volunteering with the organization for 4 years. This is my third year on SAB and I had the immense blessing of going on my first mission to Fortaleza, Brazil, the summer of 2005, where I met my soul mate: a seven-year-old boy named Alisson! Ireland this summer is going to be my 5th International Student Leadership Conference, and I’m so excited! If I’m not studying, chances are you can find me on the stage!

Tracy Cohen:
Hey everyone! My name is Tracy Cohen. I am originally from Mawhaw, New Jersey, but I current live in Atlanta, Georgia, where I attend Emory University. I have been involved with Operation Smile for about 3 and a half years, now, and I was fortunate enough to travel to Settat, Morocco, on my mission in 2005. In my free time, I love hanging out with my distracting hallmates, volunteering with Emory Read, and doing hot yoga. My favorite college snack is shredded cheese immersed in hot sauce. If you haven’t tried, I highly recommend it!

Shannon Davis:
My name is Shannon Davis. I’m a freshman Biology major at the University of Maryland, College Park. In my free time, I enjoy volleyball, snowboarding, and swimming. I’ve been involved with Operation Smile for the past 5 years. This is my second year on SAB and Ireland will be my fifth International Student Leadership Conference.

Sarah Earley:
Hi, my name is Sarah Earley. I'm from Dublin, Ireland. I am in my senior year in Rathdown School for Girls. In my school, I am the captain for the senior second’s hockey team, I am also a prefect and a member of the French debating team. I have been involved with Operation Smile for nearly two years. I founded the first student club in Ireland in September 2005. I went to Settat, Morocco, on my mission in June 2006. In my free time, I enjoy sailing, hip-hop dancing, going to concerts, and hanging out with my friends and family.

Amanda Fay:
My name is Amanda Fay. I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and I am a senior at Norfolk Academy. I went on a mission to Asuncion, Paraguay, in September 2006. After my mission I decided to join the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad as an Emergency Medical Technician. I can eat Sushi (especially Rainbow Rolls) any time of the day and my favorite movie is "Forrest Gump."

Audrey Jacobsen:
Hi I’m Audrey Jacobsen. I’m a freshman at Colby College in Maine. I love to ski and I love snow. I also play on the varsity tennis team at Colby and my favorite colors are green and blue. I like anything peanut butter and chocolate (a.k.a. baskin robbins chocolate n’ peanut butter ice cream).

Gabrielle McDonald:
Hello, my name is Gabrielle McDonald. I am from Hampton, VA. I am a freshman attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education and Sociology. I have been a part of Operation Smile for 5 years. The mission trip I attended was Fes, Morocco in March of 2006. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, going to movies, plays, volunteering, and just having fun with my friends and family.

Patrick Rutter:
Hey everyone! My name is Patrick Rutter and this is my second year on the SAB. I am from the beautiful state of New Jersey. I was the head of Team Colombia who stood in front of everyone during the last International Student Leadership Conference and made lame jokes. I have been a part of Operation Smile for six years at Delbarton School (Let’s go Wave!). I went to Managua, Nicaragua, in the winter of 2006 for my medical mission. I am a fan of Shakira. I look forward to working with Operation Smile. Stay classy Operation Smile students.

Brianna Sacks:
My name is Brianna Sacks and I live in Malibu, California. I am a senior in high school and have been involved with Operation Smile through high school. Last May, I went on a mission to Vietnam and was deeply changed because of it. I now want to be a photojournalist and travel to third world countries to remind people in the world how others exist. I adore reading and have wanted to be a writer since I can remember. I love to laugh, be outside and I have a slight obsession with apples, and all other food for that matter. I have wonderful friends and family who I absolutely love. I just love being myself. And that would be me.

Katherine Tello:
Hi, my name is Katherine Tello and I am from Hopewell, New Jersey. I went to high school at Hopewell Valley Central High School and now I am a freshman at Michigan State University. I have been with Operation Smile for 5 years. I have been to 3 International Student Leadership Conferences and I have been on the Student Advisory Board for a little over a year. For my mission, I went to Asuncion, Paraguay, in 2005. It was the inaugural mission there. My favorite sport is soccer and I am fluent in Spanish. I hope everyone signs up for this year’s International Student Leadership Conference. Ireland is going to be amazing!!!

Kenley Turville:
Hey, my name is Kenley Turville and I am from Bountiful, Utah. During the school year I live in Claremont, California where I attend Claremont McKenna College. I have been involved with Operation Smile for four years now, and I went to Quang Nam, Vietnam, on my mission in 2005. When I am not studying, I like to ski (both water and snow), dance, travel, and sing along to Earth, Wind, and Fire on my iPod.

Cami Walker:
I am a senior at Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I went on my mission to Empangeni, South Africa, in September 2006. I have been playing the viola since I was 11 and play in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. During the Spring, I play water polo for a club team, which is a lot of fun. My friends and I love to go Salsa dancing, which is really big here. I just love to be busy and am always looking for a new, fun, and memorable experience!

Jemma Wolf:
I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and I am a senior at Norfolk Academy. I was born in London, England, and I have been living in the United States for 12 years. With family living all around the world in England, France, Israel, and Australia, I have been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit, and Operation Smile has continued to pique my interest in foreign countries and cultures. I have been volunteering with Operation Smile since 7th grade, and I traveled to Urumqi, China in May 2006. I am hoping to continue my involvement with Operation Smile during a gap year in Europe before attending college in the fall of 2008.

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