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Voting closes Sunday, January 27 at 11:55 PM. Any votes received after this date will be discounted.
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
- ONLY former JET Participants and Registered Members of Florida JETAA are eligible to vote. To Register: https://floridajetaa.org/about/joining-florida-jetaa/
- “Friends of JET” are not eligible to cast a vote.
Your vote will be kept confidential. Only the current Florida JETAA President, Lauren Sorondo (not running for re-election), will see your vote. We ask for personal information to verify that you are a JET alumnus.
Nominee Platforms
President
“GIGI” ROSS
My name is Geri Ross, but most call me GiGi. I was a municipal ALT from 2017-2018 in the tiny Kyoto town of Ujitawara-cho, the birthplace of green tea. My hobbies include traveling and singing karaoke, so I look forward to volunteering at events around the state and organizing some group karaoke sessions.
Prior to JET, I was an Asian Studies major at FIU and had visited Japan four times, twice on study abroad programs and twice on sponsorship for winning essay and speech contests. I was also the first recipient of the Omar K. Carrion Memorial Scholarship in honor of another JET alum who tragically passed away in 2013.
I credit JETAA members and events for my initial interest in the JET Program; it was former Florida chapter President Bahia Simons-Lane who first inspired me to apply. Because of the JETAA friends I made as an undergrad, I knew even before my program started that I wanted to be an active member of JETAA when I returned.
My current work is not related to Japan, so I view this position as a way to stay involved with Japan and express my passion for the JET Program. I hope to not only support current JET alumni, but also inspire future JET participants to apply. I believe that my high energy and forward momentum will be great assets to the Florida chapter.
Vice President
ALLAN MORDETSKY
Greetings and Salutations FLJETAA!
I’ve had the pleasure of being our Vice President and enjoyed it so much I’m running again. I remember being in Japan and many people, some whom I didn’t know, helped me on my journey and time in my second home. Now, I pay it forward in FLJETAA helping our organization and supporting our President, officers, and Jetlings. I hope to continue helping and ask that you consider me for VP during this election. Take care ya’ll and hope to see you soon!
LESLIE WIER
Leslie was a High School ALT on JET from 2013 – 2017 in Hiroshima City. While there, she also served as the National AJET Director of Professional and Education development for the 2015-2016 term. Following her return to the U.S., she completed a Master’s in Education from the University of Missouri in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. She now works as a health coach for a quickly growing start-up.
Since her return, she has served Florida JETAA by delivering JET information sessions at Florida universities and volunteering on the committee for the organizations first Professional Development Workshop. Leslie has a passion for contributing to organizations with a focus on positivity, transparency, and growth. She’s excited for the opportunity to contribute to Florida JETAA as its VP and looks forward to helping it grow into an organization that provides comprehensive support for Florida JET Alumni.
Webmaster
GABRIELA CUEVAS
My name is Gabriela S. Cuevas. I was in Niigata Prefecture, 2017-2018. I’m currently a store manager. I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m very passionate about movies. I try to go almost every week to the movie theater. I’m a big foodie and enjoy discovering new restaurants.
LISA PLAY
Lisa Play is a recent JET returnee after spending two years in Haha Matsu, Shizuoka Prefecture from 2016 to 2018. As Webmaster, Lisa strives to provide relevant and meaningful posts that keep Florida JET alumni connected to fellow JET alumi, their Japanese communities, and ongoing cultural activities throughout the state. An aspiring librarian, she is aware of how stories can bring together communities and motivate them towards future endeavors. Lisa lives in Tallahassee, where she is pursuing her Master in Information Studies.
