The chase tour that has been in planning for over a year, will consist of 6 days and 7 nights chasing storms in the heart of Tornado Alley. 8 out of 10 tour attendees are entering their third year as meteorology students at the Pennsylvania State University. As part of the experience, each student has been assigned a position, which will allow them to work as a team.
Meet the June chase tour attendees.
Nichole Marsh - Lead Navigator
At an early age, Nichole was terrified of thunderstorms and loud noises. When the skies darkened, she would run to a safe place, which for her was under her dining room table, where she would tremble and cover her ears.
Eventually, it was discovered that her eardrums did not tighten as they were supposed to, causing immense pain. Eventually, with the help of her mom this condition was corrected, and Nichole went on to study more about the very thing that terrified her the most, thunderstorms.
Nichole eventually grew fascinated with thunderstorms. She pursued her interest through grade school, taking home videos and studying more about the weather in her spare time. This fascination eventually grew and by her junior year of high school, she was selected to attend Penn State's Annual Weather Camp.
By reaching out to area meteorologists, Nichole began to focus on the math and science coursework needed to prepare her for a college degree in atmospheric sciences. After two successful years at Penn State Behrend, she is now ready to begin her third year as a meteorology student at the Pennsylvania State University in State College.
When she is not chasing storms, Nichole enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also an avid snowmobiler, fitting for the snowy winters of Northwest Pennsylvania.
Lexie Herdt - Backup Navigator
A native of New Jersey, Lexie is thrilled to be going on her first storm chase. She grew up participating in sports, and is a huge NASCAR fan. She also participated in various community service clubs.
Lexie is currently a junior at the Pennsylvania State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Meteorology. Her main focus of interest is to understand the impacts of air and water on natural and human-altered ecosystems. She continues to be involved in both meteorological and non-meteorological clubs at Penn State, including PSUBAMS and EMS THON. Recently, Lexie and her chase colleagues partnered with the university to start a chase club.
By taking part in the chase tour, Lexie hopes to gain hands-on knowledge, which will benefit her future career as a Meteorologist.
Matthew Brothers - Backup Navigator
Growing up in Maryland, Matt became interested in weather by watching countless summer thunderstorms, and television coverage of Hurricane Charlie.
Matt is a junior at the Pennsylvania State University, where he is pursuing a degree in the university's Weather Risk Management option. He is also minoring in GIS (Geographic Information Science), Energy Business, and Finance.
When not chasing storms, Matt is involved with the Campus Weather Service and the Weather Risk Management Club. He is also a member of Chi Epsilon Pi.
Brian Adams - Weather Radio Correspondent
Like so many others, Brian inherited a passion for the weather at a young age. He remembers watching storms, while sitting on his porch in Reading.
Brian is entering his junior year in meteorology at the Pennsylvania State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Weather Risk Management, with a minor in Energy, Business, and Finance. Upon graduation, he hopes to one day to turn his obsession with severe weather into a career as a Weather Risk Management Meteorologist.
Aside from his studies, Brian is very involved with the Penn State Dance Marathon, as well as the Campus Weather Service. In his spare time, Brian also volunteers at his local animal shelter.
Meghan Linsted - Blog Manager
Since the age of 5, Meghan has pursued weather as a hobby. While recovering from a traumatic brain injury, the first conversational phrase she spoke was, "It was raining."
Meghan joins us from Northwest Pennsylvania, where she has a degree in Human Services from Clarion University. She currently works in Venango County, where she assists adults with disabilities by taking them shopping and to movies. When she is not working, Meghan is an avid runner and partakes in many races in and around her area.
She was recently interviewed by JET-TV on her first storm chase. See more of Meghan's interview Here.
John Paul Nicola - Social Media Manager
JP is entering his junior year as a meteorology student at the Pennsylvania State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Weather Risk Management.
JP became hooked on weather during the summer of 2005 following his 6th grade year, when Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the New Orleans' coast. A great deal of his summer was spent in front of the television, watching the Weather Channel's coverage of that record breaking hurricane season. Following Katrina's aftermath, JP knew he wanted to pursue meteorology as a career.
Fun Fact: JP was born on the exact day Hurricane Andrew made landfall. When he is not engaged in tropical weather, he serves as Treasurer for the Weather Risk Management Club at Penn State.
Jacob DeFlitch - Chief Photographer
Entering his junior year as a meteorology student at the Pennsylvania State University, Jake has been intrigued with weather from a young age.
Jake is one of the founding officers of the first ever PSU Storm Chase Team. As Vice President, he hopes to increase awareness and knowledge of severe weather. Aside from the storm chase team, Jake holds Community Outreach Chair for PSUBAMS (Penn State University Branch of American Meteorological Society). He is also Director of Activities for EMS Student Council, and an acting member of Earth and Mineral Sciences THON.
It is through these positions that Jake hopes to help build the College of EMS and give back to the college that has already given him so much.
Ben Reppert - Master Photographer
From blockbuster snowstorms to summer thunderstorms, Ben is a fanatic of all things weather.
Like many of his chase tour colleagues, Ben is entering his junior year at the Pennsylvania State University, where he has become well-entrenched in the university's student-run weather organization. He looks forward to starting his career as a professional meteorologist, and translating his hard earned knowledge into accurate and important life saving information.
Ben says chasing storms is a fantastic opportunity to live and learn on the forefront of his number one hobby.
Rob Englund - Master Photographer
A native of Illinois, Rob is no stranger to severe weather. Growing up in the Midwest has allowed him to turn his once fear of tornadoes into a passion.
Rob is currently a junior at the Pennsylvania State University, where his focus is on the Weather Risk Management option. He also has plans on pursuing a minor in GIS. Following the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak, Rob realized what an experience it would be to chase storms like the professionals he grew up watching on TV. Now, his dream has become a reality.
When not chasing storms, Rob is an avid Cubs fan, who enjoys playing the guitar and hanging out with friends.
#ChaseOn
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