LegendaryLodge.com

TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Colleen Dunne - This will be my ninth summer at Legendary Lodge and my fourth as Camp Director. I am originally from Anaconda and serve as a Campus Minister at Carroll College in Helena. We have many great things in store for the summer of 2008 for our over 600 campers. We have a team of 23 people serving this summer, and I am excited to welcome many enthusiastic veterans along with our newcomers, all who will bring amazing gifts and talents to our campers. This year's theme is "Witness of Hope" encouraging and challenging our campers to keep focused on Christ as our hope and witness to that with their lives.

Father Marc Lenneman will be spending his second summer at Legendary Lodge. During the rest of the year he serves as Chaplain/Director of Campus Ministry at Carroll College. He is originally from Billings and has served as a priest in the Helena Diocese since 2006. His favorite bible verse is John 10:10, "I came that you might have life and have it to the full." At camp you can find him praying at the cross early in the morning, eating sugary cereal, or on the basketball court practicing his shot. He has never lost a dance-off competition at Legendary and his competitive spirit also helps him in his role as Lodge basketball coach.

Hi there, happy campers! My name is Frankie Barnhill and this will be my second BRILLIANT year serving as a full-time camper/counselor. I'm a Missoulian through and through, but go to school at the College of St. Catherine in the Twin Cities. I particularly love the music and art scenes in my two hometowns. When I'm not split between Montana and Minnesota, I'm either traveling or thinking about traveling. My latest set of adventures took place in Ireland, where I was blessed to study and live for five months. Be sure to ask me about Irish surfing - good stories there. I cannot wait to meet new and old friends at the Lodge this summer. See you at the friendship string box!

Aloha! My name is Brian Bergeron and I am a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Helena at Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Ore. And let me tell you what - I am excited for another awesome summer at Legendary Lodge! I am hoping that this summer is as awesome as last summer and that I will, once again, get to hang out with a lot of great people. This summer should be a great one where we can all learn about God, each other, and ourselves as children of God. See you at the Lake!

Jennifer Blood is a senior in Communication Studies at the University of Montana. During the school year she works at Christ the King Church in Missoula as a Catholic Campus Minister. Last May she answered God's call to the vocation of marriage when she married her best friend, Gio Blood. Together they enjoy a variety of activities from going to Missoula's Farmers' Market to fly fishing and floating the Clark Fork. Jennifer loves having fun, dancing around, Peter Pan, canoeing and all thing outdoors. She is excited for her first summer at Legendary!

My name is Eric Connolly and I hail from Kalispell. I will return to the University of Montana in the spring, following an internship in New York, to snag a degree in Photo-Journalism. This will be my third summer living the dream at Legendary Lodge. I enjoy the outdoors, the Boston Red Sox, playing music, golfing, taking pictures and praising God. I feel incredibly blessed to have another opportunity to spread the Gospel at Legendary, and I can't wait to get this summer started! Peace, Love, God Bless and Go Sox.

Lindsey Cornelius just finished her freshman year at Carroll College, where she is majoring in Theology. She grew up in Ronan, where she formed a great love for music and the outdoors. She also has an interest in film, and plans to someday create short films for use in camps and retreats.

Ali Dombrouski here, saying hello from sunny San Diego! Legendary Lodge has been a huge part of my life for the past ten years and I am beyond excited to have been selected to serve the youth as a full-time counselor on the Lodge team this summer. I am currently a freshman at the University of San Diego, where I am double majoring in English and Spanish, with a minor in Leadership. Most everyone at school refers to me as "Monty," many are impressed at my ability to wear T-shirts in 50 degree weather, and I've learned to carry an atlas with me so I can show anyone who asks just exactly where Montana is located. In my spare time I play on the USD Women's Club Soccer team, provide tours for prospective students, volunteer for various events on campus, and referee intramural athletics. I look forward to sharing my faith experiences with you all on this spiritual journey we are about to embark on together this summer.

Hello, I am Justin Goss. I was born and raised in the beautiful south side of Missoula, Mont., but currently reside in magnificent Bozeman. I am enrolled as a MSU student (go Griz) and am working towards a degree in film making. I enjoy playing guitar, biking around town, and am always down for a game of hacky sack. This will be my second time as a counselor and I have been counting down the winter days until I get to see all of you again and spend an amazing summer up at the Lodge. My prayers are with you all.

Travis Paul Grotbo - I was born in March of 1984, and raised Catholic, attending the Cathedral of St. Helena. At a young age, I inquired if the priest was "sleeping because he was wearing his night robe and had his eyes closed" when praying. I attended Jefferson Elementary, Helena Middle School, and Helena High School. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in college at MSU Bozeman. It was there that my love of the faith and music began to grow. I became involved with my faith through a group called FOCUS. It was seeing people truly living the faith out that helped me to see the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. I have worked four summers at Legendary Lodge, and have been blessed in all of them. I am excited for all that this summer may entail, and especially ready for Koalas named Kenny! And Camp Work Time to the Extreme. I am graduated from Carroll College, with a degree in Systematic Theology...hopefully!

Tyler Grutsch was born in Missoula, Mont., in 1987 as the youngest of six boys to Dianne and George Grutsch. He attended St. Joseph Elementary and later Loyola Sacred Heart High School, where he graduated in 2006. After graduating, he applied to the University of Montana-Missoula and began his collegiate schooling in fall of 2006, to graduate with a degree in B.F.A. in Media Arts with a certificate in the UM Entertainment Management program. Tyler currently works for University Relations and teaches classes at the adult education center. He enjoys watching and making movies, football, playing guitar and writing.

Patrick Hurley - I was born and raised in Spearfish, S.D., where I attended grades K-12 in the public school system. Both my parents are Catholic and they raised my brother, my sister, and me in a Catholic household, for which I am very grateful. I started classes at Carroll College in Helena in the fall of 2003. I studied Political Science and Theology at Carroll and graduated in the summer of 2007. I applied for sponsorship to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Helena my senior year of college. I was accepted, and then I applied to Mount Angel Seminary. I was accepted by Mount Angel Seminary and began classes there in the fall of 2008. I am currently at Mount Angel Seminary studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Helena. This year I finished my philosophy studies, and I will be moving on to study theology next year.

Patrick Hyle - I was born in Billings, Mont., in 1986. Butte has been my home since I was 10 years old. I grew up spending a lot of time in the outdoors of Montana, fly-fishing and rock-climbing. I attended Carroll College for two years. Having consistently been active in my faith throughout the years, I decided to enter Mount Angel Seminary College studying for the Diocese of Helena in 2006. I am currently finishing my philosophy studies and am preparing for theology.

Howdy, all. I'm Kevin Jam and I am excited about my second summer at Legendary Lodge. I'm originally from Red Lodge, Mont., but have been living in Helena for the past four years while studying history at Carroll College; I finished up in May - it went so fast and it is a little sad that I won't have my beloved Fighting Saints in such close proximity anymore, but I am excited to be moving forward in life. This summer I'm going to be trying some new things, namely moving from Counselor/Lifeguard to Secretary. It will be different, but I'm looking forward to it, and I know my teammates will help make the transition smooth. I am very excited about the team we have and especially about meeting all of our friends this summer. I know God will do some incredible things, and it is an amazing opportunity to be able to see that work up close. Until then, believe in yourself, be yourself, know that God loves you, and don't stop praying. I hope to see you soon.

My name is Ryan Johnson and I'm super excited to be up at Legendary cooking for the summer. I was born and raised in Missoula, Mont., and I still reside and go to school there at the University of Montana. I'm a junior majoring in elementary education and just finished my second year as a campus minister at Christ the King Church. I absolutely love baseball, music and praying! I'm looking forward to cooking up delicious food, having fun in the sun and on the lake, and growing in faith with all the counselors and campers that will spend time at the Lodge this summer. Oh yeah, and go Yankees!

Hello! My name is Jenna Kesler. I am a communications and public relations major approaching my fourth year at Carroll College. I am a native of Choteau, Mont., and enjoy playing music and all outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, camping, etc.) I am very blessed to have the opportunity to work this summer at such an amazing place with such faith-driven people!

Hi, everyone, I'm Tara Kloker, aka Tiki. I'll be serving as your head cook this summer. I am excited to work in the kitchen with Ryan and try out all kinds of new recipes. This will be my third summer at Legendary - I served two summers there in 2000 and 2001 and am excited to be back. My "regular" job is as the Athletic Trainer at Helena High School. I am a graduate of Carroll College and am most looking forward to doing whatever Colleen asks of me this summer!

Hi, everyone, my name is Sarah McLaughlin and I will be serving as your Assistant Director this summer. I will soon be a graduate of Carroll College's nursing program and can't wait for the summer to begin. This will be my third full time summer up at the Lodge and I am really looking forward to getting to know all of the counselors this summer as well as all the young campers we will have. In my spare time I enjoy getting outdoors and skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and running. It has been such an awesome experience to be able to minister to youth and share Christ's love with the campers the past two summers and I can't wait to come back.

Hey there, everybody! My name is Katie Murray, and I just graduated from Carroll with a degree in psychology and spanish, and this will be my first summer at Legendary Lodge! I am originally from the Diocese of Spokane, and it is a huge gift and blessing to get to be apart of your diocese here and to serve this unique place. I don't think God could have given me anything better in these past four wonderful years than the great outdoors of Montana, full of Glacier trips and ski trips, not to mention being surrounded by some of the most holy and faithful people I have ever met. I can't wait to share my faith and experience the love of the Lord from the kids who get to come to Legendary this summer.

Kia Ora! My name is Kayla Murray and after a long time coming, I am finally a certified Elementary/Mathematics teacher. This is my second summer to have the privilege to work at Legendary Lodge and I must say, I have been excitedly anticipating this upcoming summer. I just got back from living in New Zealand for three and a half months, finishing my teacher training. As you might have concluded, I love to travel, be emerged in other cultures and meet new people. Apart from traveling, I enjoy being outside camping, rafting or swimming. Being a camp counselor is my dream job because it is similar to teaching, only I get to spend more time outdoors and it has a more relaxed atmosphere! I cannot wait for a fabulous summer spent with old friends and making new ones! God bless!

Hey, everyone, Sammy Priddy here. I am going to be a junior at Carroll but since I red shirted my freshman year as a member of the volleyball team, I have three years to go. I am studying nursing and hopefully getting a minor in psychology. I am from Missoula and a high school classmate of Tyler and Justin. I attended Legendary Lodge as a camper in middle school and high school. I am most excited for capture the flag this summer, buying Colleen and Father Marc ice cream, keeping my watch as a lifeguard (no tipping canoes allowed, thanks), and giving Father Marc a run for his money on the bball court. I am excited to meet everyone, see you in June!

Hi, this is Kelly Ruby, back again for Legendary Lodge Part Deux. Kelly will be a senior studying theology at Carroll College. Kelly's favorite color green (like Kelly green), she loves being outdoors, the Ninja Turtles (Michaelangelo in particular), Batman (she can't wait for the new movie this summer), playing soccer, ultimate Frisbee, occasionally basketball, and volleyball. Kelly's favorite baseball team is the St. Louis Cardinals and she has a deep dislike for the Boston Red Sox. Don't fret, though, Kelly and Eric are still the best of friends. Another interesting fact about Kelly is that her driver's license says that she is 5'8", however she wants everyone to know that clearly the DMV got this wrong for she is only 5'3". Kelly is so very excited to be returning to the Lodge this summer and can't wait for all the new and old faces. She will continue to support world peace between Pirates and Ninjas and is currently organizing a rally for all those pirates who wish to be recognized as pirate ninjas and all those ninja who wish to be ninja pirates.

I'm Mandie Secord and am really looking forward to my second summer at Legendary Lodge! I have three younger sisters who I consider three of my best friends. We grew up in Great Falls and loved almost every minute of it. However, I have made Missoula my home for the past three years. I am going to school to become a teacher and know that is what God wants me to do with the rest of my life. I love working with the youth because they are so alive and love the little things in life. This summer I am excited to play, pray, and jump in the lake everyday! I hope every camper that leaves the Lodge will feel Christ's presence and spread His light to all of those back home.