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Steamboat Springs — Age: 26

Occupation: Math/science teacher, North Routt Charter School

Place of birth: Englewood

Q. When did you move to Routt County, and what brought you here?

A. I came here on April 4, 2006. I moved here after graduating college. I took a cross-Colorado trip visiting as many ski resorts as I could in Colorado. I came to Steamboat over Saint Patrick's Day and moved here two weeks later. What can I say? It caught my eye.

Q. What's the biggest risk you've taken recently?

A. Betting money on the Broncos. Really though, I would say taking a stand for myself and what I thought was fair.

Q. Has a book ever changed your life? What was it and why?

A. Any book that has been written by Kurt Vonnegut, in particular, "Cat's Cradle." The majority of his books are quirky and ridiculous. When the reader becomes enthralled in the book, they realize that most of life is humorous from life to death. My greatest lesson has been to laugh at the rain that pours on you. Otherwise, it's just too overwhelming and depressing. Your best defense against the negative things that happen in life is laughter.

Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

A. As of late? It has a snowboarding theme. My friend Randy K. reminded me of a piece of advice I gave him years ago. This is to direct your board simply by feeling the board. Same thing applies in life - direct your life by feeling it. You can direct your path, but you can't change the terrain.

Q. What three things would you want people to know about you?

A. I am an eternal optimist; I would rather see others smile than myself; I love numbers.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. For the longest time, I always wanted to be a veterinarian. Then, in college, I realized that I would have to memorize enormous and ridiculously extravagant words that sounded nothing like what they meant. I also realized that I might have to take responsibility for the death of an animal; this was something I could not even fathom being able to handle.

Q. If you could invite any four people to dinner, who would they be and what would you talk about?

A. That's an easy answer: my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law. We would discuss the next family vacation. Ideal destination would be to ski the Andes.

Favorites

Song: "Piano Man" by Billy Joel

Color: Lime green

Food: Qdoba or pizza or sugar snap peas