Meet The Park

Hi there! My name is Hannah Bouska, and I’m a graduate from Colorado State University! Since graduating, I’ve been working hard at my job as a tenth grade English teacher and literacy specialist. I was adopted from Guangdong, China when I was seven months old and have been lucky enough to spend most of my life in Boulder, CO. In my free time, I love reading, spending time in the sun, listening to podcasts, going to the gym, playing soccer, and hanging out with my friends. I love cats, painting, SZA, and rescuing worms from the sidewalk after rain.

I’ve been involved in Adopteen since my first conference in 2015 (San Diego, baby!) and was lucky enough to attend the Adoptees Giving Back Orphanage Service Trip in 2019. This summer, I’m most excited to return to a leadership role in a community that is near and dear to my heart. Most of all, I hope to be the type of role model I needed when I was a teen and to create a loving, positive community for young people in the adoption community.

Hiya everyone! My name is Joy, I am currently based in Missouri and I was born in Hong Kong! I have been apart of Adopteen since 2018, Minneapolis being my first camp conference as a camper! I transitioned into committee during the 2020 virtual camp, so I am sure if you are a returning camper, we have crossed paths! If you are a new camper, I’m ready to make some new friends!

Some fun anecdotes about me, I have a Graphic Design degree but also specialize in Jewelry, so one of my side hobbies is silver smithing! Anyone who knows me also know I am a big K-pop lover and I have been running a small kpop business out of my home since sophmore year of college. Please feel free to come to me to chat anything K-pop, I can yap about it all day. I am also quite the concert goer, all genres not just Kpop! However, don’t be fooled by my extrovert like personality. I am in fact an introvert which just means I enjoy my alone time haha, but my social battery is fully charged and ready for camp!! I can’t wait to make some fun memories with you all!! 🙂

Hi everyone! My name is Kaiya and I’m adopted from Jiangxi, China! I’m from Orlando, Florida and I am currently a senior studying cellular neuroscience at FAU. I love learning about the brain, and my ultimate goal is to go to medical school and become a neurologist! I have been involved with Adopteen since 2017 and immediately fell in love! 

I love my many animals at home and playing video games in my free time. You can also find me reading books (I absolutely love reading). Avocados are my favorite fruit, sloths are my favorite animals and they will forever have a special place in my heart! I am mostly looking forward to building strong relationships and unforgettable friendships with everyone!!! Can’t wait to meet you all!

Hello hello! My name is Karson, and I am your favorite viral superstar. I am from Centennial, Colorado but currently reside in Orange County, California. I am studying Editing for Film and Television Production at Chapman University and couldn’t be more in love with it. I was adopted from Jiangxi, China, and have fallen in love with Adopteen Camp Conferences ever since I attended in 2018. This will be my 2nd time on Committee and 6th Conference overall! When not immersed in projects, I can be found watching Drag Race, playing board games, and taking a well-deserved nap. I am beyond excited to be at the Colorado Springs Conference and I can’t wait to see you there!

Hola hola! My name is Lian and I am bilingual, but not in Chinese. I was adopted from Hunan, China and I grew up and currently live in Binghamton, NY. I graduated SUNY Broome and Geneseo University with an associate’s degree in Physical Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Spanish. My interests and hobbies are constantly changing but I love watching anime and reality TV shows, playing video games on my Switch, exploring new parks, and going on long hikes, runs, and bike rides to relax. Some fun facts about me are that I studied in Spain, rode horses competitively, and have 4 pets!  

I’ve been involved with Adopteen since 2017 North Carolina, and loved it so much I returned for 2018 Minnesota and 2019 Colorado! The following years I was busy at college but I’m excited for my return this summer and hope to create the welcoming and safe space I experienced back at my first Adopteen where I finally felt a sense of belonging! 

Hey, I’m Maddox Ciesluk! Adopted from Hanzhong, China, at age 6, I’ve been involved with Adopteen since 2017, transitioning from camper to leader in 2020. Currently, I’m studying Culinary Science & Product Development at Johnson & Wales University. My dream? To innovate in the food industry or open a restaurant. Cooking and eating are my passions, but cleanup? Not so much. I also enjoy gaming, movies, anime, music, and food talk. Let’s make this experience great for everyone! We’re in for a blast!

Hi everyone, my name is Maddy and I was adopted from Guangzhou, China, grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and (just recently) moved to Denver, Colorado! I graduated from UW-Madison and currently work as an associate at a strategy and technology consulting firm. 

Last year was the first time I was involved with Adopteen and have since been attending more adoptee and asian-centric events to explore more of my culture and heritage. In my free time, I enjoy painting, biking, reading, and especially traveling – last year, I was fortunate enough to visit six different countries! A fun fact about me is that I’m learning Russian. 

This summer I’m looking forward to seeing new and old faces and creating some amazing memories with an amazing community!

Hello everyone! I’m Malia Recker, and I’m delighted to share a bit about myself with all of you. Born in Anqing, China, I was adopted at the age of 9 months and grew up in the beautiful landscapes of Grand Junction, Colorado. Currently, I’m finishing up my third year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where I’m majoring in applied mathematics with a concentration in computer science, and minoring in women’s and gender studies. My journey with Adopteen started as a camper in 2019 and 2021, and last year I had the fantastic opportunity to serve on the committee. It was an enriching experience that profoundly impacted me, allowing me to forge countless connections.

When I’m not buried in homework, you can catch me hitting the slopes, scaling rocks, camping under the stars, or thrifting cool finds. I also enjoy spending quality time with friends and family and I’m a sucker for sour candy and popcorn! Serving on the camp committee last year was amazing, and I am thrilled about the prospect of bringing even more energy and fun to Colorado Springs! See you there!

Hello everybody! My name is Mary Govan and I was adopted from Hubei, China. I am currently a first-year at St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a major in Psychology and minors in Special Education and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. I have been a part of Adopteen since 2019 when I attended my first Camp-Conference in Colorado Springs, CO and this is my first summer being part of the Leadership Committee!

Some fun facts about me are that I am on the Varsity Sailing Team in college, I have five siblings, I am always up for an adventure and trying new things, and love the TV shows Ghosts, Ted Lasso, All Creatures Great and Small, and The Good Place. This summer, I am most looking forward to meeting new campers and reuniting with returning campers, creating lasting memories, and helping to make this the best week of the summer for everyone. I am super excited to see you all there!

Hello! I’m Mira Rausch, one of your Adopteen leaders this year! Currently I am a student at the University of Kansas studying Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology and minor in Health Information Management. I am from Luoyang, China, and my Adopteen journey started in 2018 in Denver. This year will be my first as a leader!  When I’m not walking the endless hills of KU you can find me Chinese Lion dancing, working at the natural history museum, or at Clinton lake staring at the stars. I can’t wait to meet you all this summer!

My name is Paige and I currently reside in Kansas City, Missouri. I graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2022 and have since been working at a digital advertising company as a Programmatic Specialist that builds campaigns and reports out on performance for our client’s advertisements! In my free time, I enjoy reading webtoons, watching anime, drinking overpriced coffee, painting/drawing, and taking as many naps as humanly possible. I attended my first Adopteen as a camper in Denver 2017 and have continued coming back ever since! Adopteen is always a highlight of my year and I hope it will be for you too, regardless if you’re a returning camper or brand new! I hope to create the same loving, comfortable, and friendly environment I felt at my first Adopteen! Can’t wait to meet you and see what this summer holds!

Hola Hola 🙂 My name is Zane Cleghorn and I am a Chinese adoptee from Henan. I live near Seattle, Washington but I will be completing my bachelor’s degree in Geology from Montana State University and starting my master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts, studying Geophysics. With that said, I love the rocks and going out exploring, hiking, eating the rocks. When I’m not staring at the ground, I love to play tennis every day if I can! I also like to cook, play the trumpet, watch anime, and read manga. Watching trashy reality t.v. is a guilty pleasure of mine. My favorite fun fact is I’ve been hit by a car biking! But studying abroad in Taiwan was pretty fun, too.

This will be my first experience with Adopteen, so I am very excited to meet this community and make new friends! I have worked as a counselor for another adoptee camp called Holt Camp the two previous summers and will again this summer after Adopteen. I look forward to tell my friends there about Adopteen and see the adoptee community grow! I’ll see you all soon!!!