Valerie Quirk

Valerie began her voyage in the mid-sized, mid-west city of Springfield, Missouri. Fast-forward 18 years and Valerie has moved far away from the mid-west. She is interested in studying a wide range of subjects including: visual journalism, marketing, international business, global development, media studies, foreign language, and social entrepreneurship.

Valerie thoroughly enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures; she has been to over 25 countries. Among her most notable experiences are spending a summer in Costa Rica where she lived with a host family and taught English in the local elementary school. She has also lived and traveled around China for a summer doing various activities including working on family farms in rural China, teaching English in migrant schools in Beijing, and getting hit by a scooter whilst crossing the street.

After a life-changing trip to Cambodia, Valerie was inspired to do something. Valerie has always had a strong interest in supporting women and girls around the world, so, after much reflection, she decided to create the all girl service organization "Girls 4 Good." (www.girls4good.org) Girls 4 Good facilitates local and global service projects with weekly discussions on issues affecting women and girls around the world. She is also a proud member of the "Bezos Scholars Program" (http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/scholars)

Valerie has worked in broadcast journalism production for over four years and has won three student Emmys from the Mid-America Emmy association.

Valerie enjoys making to-do lists, public speaking, people watching, and long and unplanned walks through the still unfamiliar streets of New York.