Thank you, Erica!
On Wednesday December 12th we heard from one of our newest members - Erica Staab- Absher. Erica grew up in Faribault on a great street, next door to fellow Rotarian Brent Peroutka, and a great group of kids. They spend a great deal of time playing in outside in the neighborhood. Every game you can imagine. Erica attributes her love of sports and her competitive streak to the group of kids that kept her on her toes playing all sorts of games. She loves football, and was on the fast pitch team, and when they played "war" she was the nurse, taking care of people is also in her wheelhouse. She grew up with her parents and a brother, and her grandparents all being very involved in her life. In high school Erica was introduced to Youth in Government, and it opened her eyes to a whole new way of being. She learned to give speeches, and to debate, and disagree with respect. Some of her lifelong friends to this day are people she met as a participant in Youth in Government.
Erica attended the University of River Falls where she studied Social Work, Spanish and women Studies. River Falls has an exchange program, so Erica was able to study in Scotland where she lived in a castle! After her backpacking adventure "across the pond" she returned to Wisconsin, but had such a great time in Scotland she did another exchange in South Carolina to Winthrop University. Erica moved around the Carolina's a little and attended The Center for Massage and Natural Health in Ashville, North Carolina where she became a massage therapist. Because she loves to learn (and will never stop learning) she also has a 2-year degree in Spiritual Directing.
Eleven years ago, Erica's brother passed away and she knew it was time to come home to spend time with her close-knit family. Fast forward to present day, Erica is married to her amazing husband Matt, and they have two little girls, Kalea and Marina. (Cutie Pies if you have not ever seen them) Erica is the Executive Director at the Hope Center. While the Hope Center has an extremely important mission, and this is typically the main topic in Erica's presentations, we really enjoyed learning more about Erica and her family. Thank you, Erica, for sharing this side of you with us we look forward to everything you will accomplish in Rotary!