Goals & Team
Montgomery County Recreation's Youth Development Team is generating an enhanced and vibrant approach to service delivery that reaches out to all young people.
Our Goals:
We use recreation to ensure young people are productive, healthy, and connected during out-of-school time. Our positive youth development strategies include opportunities, programs, and services which emphasize health and wellness, youth leadership and social equity, workforce development, and connection to caring adult role models. The Recreation Department is built on a foundation for serving youth, and we are committed to building on this tradition.
It is our aim to ensure the Recreation Department is a place where young people:
- Make friends and maintain healthy relationships
- Gain a sense of independence and rely less on adults
- Build teamwork skills and become more effective in groups
- Foster attributes important to being a members of family and community
- Perceive competence and believe they can be successful
- Acquire an interest in exploration and are eager to learn new things
- Develop a sense of responsibility and learn to be accountable
- Enhance their affinity for nature and attraction toward the outdoors
- Grow confidence and try to solve problems on their own
- Establish a connection and feel safe and welcomed in their environment
Our Team:
The Youth Development Team within the Department of Recreation has generated an enhanced and vibrant approach to service delivery that enables the mobilization of resources, thus casting a wider net and growing the number of young people who are productive, healthy, and connected. The Youth Development Team uses recreation as a means to improve outcomes and increase Developmental Assets for all young people. Positive youth development strategies include supports, opportunities, and services which emphasize health and wellness, youth leadership & social equity, connection to community, and connection to caring adult role models.
Marhonda Williams, Manager
What I like about my job: Inspiring smiles and making a positive difference in young lives on a daily basis!
Hobbies: Making Cakepops, Enjoying the company of family, friends and my boxer puppy Duke!
My Theme Song: "Just Keep Swimming" by Dory of Finding Nemo!
Recreation Supervisors
Nina Bersabal, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job: I like making connections with the youth we work with, helping them to build on the strengths they already possess to be resilient in all their future endeavors.Hobbies: Playing soccer, flag football, reading and hiking with my four huskies.
My Theme Song: "One Step at a Time" by Jordin Parks
Elijah Davis, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job: I love that I have the ability to work with teens in a capacity that allows me to earn their friendship and trust. By earning their respect I am able to have positive conversations that allow for me to understand them on a personal dedicated level.Hobbies: I like playing sports of all kinds, being and nature and binge watching TV series when give the time.
My Theme Song: "U.N.I.T.Y." by Queen Latifah
Emily McDonell, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job:I love having the opportunity to have an impact on young peoples' lives - whether they are participating in one of our programs or working for the Recreation Department.Hobbies: Needlepoint, Reading.
My Theme Song: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
Jonathan Smink, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job: Having the professional means to positively connect with staff of all ages and youth across Montgomery County.Hobbies: Family, Swimming, Biking, Running, Washington's pro sports teams as well as the Maryland Terps and the Michigan Wolverines.
My Theme Song: The Rainbow Connection - Kermit the Frog
Recreation Specialists
Shawn Alavarez, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like what I do because daily I get to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow and make the world a better and more fun place to be!Hobbies: Fitness, Music, travel, video games and anything outside!
My Theme Song: “I Feel Love” REMAKE- Sam Smith (original by Donna Summer)
Malcolm Ayers, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: Having the ability to give back to the community and county that has given so much to me growing up since I moved here from New York. The chance to change lives and make a difference through recreation for the youth is fulfilling in so many ways, especially since I was once in their shoes participating in a RecXtra program in middle school.Hobbies: Participating in adult sport leagues, playing video games and watching crime shows.
My Theme Song: "Underground Kings" by Drake
Daniela Belmonte, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like having the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of youth and provide them with first time opportunities.Hobbies: I enjoy salsa dancing as well as watching movies with family.
My Theme Song: "Viva la vida" by Coldplay
Carlos Castro, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like my job because every day I have the opportunity to impact lives of many students participating in our programs in a positive way.Hobbies: Surfing, playing video games, reading and listening to music.
My Theme Song: “De Todo el Mundo” by Enrique Bunbury
Lyrisd Charles, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: Working with the youth.Hobbies: Photography, getting out in nature and family time.
My Theme Song: "Normal Girl" by SZA
Esmeralda Ellis, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I enjoy organizing and planning events/activities for youth and offering new experiences to shape how young people grow.Hobbies: Hiking, reading, crafting, traveling and watching science fiction & fantasy movies!
My Theme Song: “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor
Leena Eshack, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: Giving back to the community that raised me by providing new opportunities to youth and inspiring them toward greatness!Hobbies: I love hiking, camping, dancing, live music, and food!
My Theme Song: "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
Carlos Falcon, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I love being part of a team making a difference for all of the youth in Montgomery County.Hobbies: Playing and coaching sports.
My Theme Song: “Running Down a Dream” by Tom Petty
Chass Gallagher, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: Knowing that the wonderful opportunities we provide are a catalyst for positive community and individual growth.Hobbies: I love to be outdoors! Kayaking, camping, hiking, chasing sunsets, getting lost in the woods, star gazing and bird watching.
My Theme Song: "Thank You For Being A Friend" by Cynthia Fee
Paul Harmon, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like that we get to impact young peoples lives outside the classroom, giving them access to programs and skills that they might not have been afforded with out our programs.Hobbies: Playing sports, listening to music, and reading comic books.
My Theme Song: “Run This Town” – Jay Z
Joshua Holt, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I love working with youth and helping them pursue their career dreams and realize their potential.Hobbies: Running, Cycling, Hiking, Camping, Learning new things.
My Theme Song: “Where we Belong” by Thriving Ivory
Robert Kiger, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I love working with youth. It gives a chance to give back to the community.Hobbies: Snowboarding, Drawing and Traveling
My Theme Song: "Anything" by Stevie Wonder
Taschet Murphy, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I enjoy exposing children to opportunities outside of their comfort zones, teaching youth that they do not have to be statistics and impacting and making memories with people from various backgrounds and cultures.Hobbies: Listening to Music, Exercising, Traveling/Exploring, Binge Watching Action and Thriller Shows/Movies, Going to Restaurants and Trying New Foods
My Theme Song: "W.A.Y.S" – Jhene Aiko
Tiffany Nelson, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like being able to provide quality programs for the youth, see students become successful, and being a mentor to young people.Hobbies: Shopping, Bowling, Reading, Listening to music.
My Theme Song: “Independent Women” by Destiny's Child
Walter Pegues, Jr., Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I am passionate about using recreation and sports to support and empower youth to reach their full potential in all areas. Being a part of the Youth Development team allows me to do this each day, while also collaborating with colleagues that share a similar vision.Hobbies: Playing basketball, hiking, podcasting, and traveling with friends and family.
My Theme Song: "Hussle & Motivate" by Nipsey Hussle
Wes Pritchard, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I enjoy the diversity that comes with the job. We have the ability to impact the community in so many positive ways. I like collaborating with both colleagues and stakeholders in order to achieve common goals.Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Cooking, Basketball, Home Improvement Projects.
My Theme Song: "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
Joel Singh, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: One thing I love about my job is the opportunity to introduce a young person to an experience they have never had before.Hobbies: Sports-football, working on cars and cooking.
My Theme Song: "Chasing that Neon Rainbow" by Alan Jackson
David Smith, Recreation Specialist
What I like about my job: I like that I get to directly impact the lives of students and families in my community by surrounding students with the support of caring adults, academic assistance, recreation activities, character building activities, and other positive youth experiences.Hobbies: One of my favorite hobbies is watching and attending sporting events. My favorite sports teams are the Steelers, Nationals, and Capitals. My favorite athletes are Lebron James and Bryce Harper. I am also an avid movie watcher, and a big fan of the Harry Potter movies.
My Theme Song: "Circle of Life" from 'The Lion King'
Recreation Coordinators
Sarah Berado, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job: I like exposing youth to new perspectives and enabling them to pursue their interests and goals regardless of disabilities or barriers.Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Camping, Climbing, Reading, and anything sport related.
My Theme Song: "These Are My Friends" by lovelytheband
Brianna Wertz, Recreation Supervisor
What I like about my job: I love working with youth. It keeps me young. I also enjoy being able to positively impact youth so they can then positively impact the community.Hobbies: Shopping, traveling, spending time with friends and family.
My Theme Song: "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" by Celia Cruz
Administrative Staff
Carla Ayala, Office Service Coordinator
What I like about my job: Giving back to the community I grew up in and being part of an extremely amazing team that provides the best programming to the youth of Montgomery County.Hobbies: Exploring the world with my family, trying out new places to eat and working out.
My Theme Song: "Burn it up" by Janet Jackson
David Pak, Administrative Specialist
What I like about my job: Knowing that our work directly supports the youth, who are the future of our society. We have a great opportunity to help guide them and set a positive foundation.Hobbies: Sports, working out, eating out, and spending time with my family.
My Theme Song: “Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson
Annika Pugh, Principal Administrative Aide (PAA)
What I like about my job: Being able to contribute and witness the growth and progress of young individuals as they navigate their journey to personal and professional success.Hobbies: I love attending live music performances, playing video games, and spending time with friends.
My Theme Song: "Nocturne Op.9 No.2" by Frederic Chopin & Olga Bordas