Local grad joins the Peace Corps

Kelsey Lynch will teach science in South Africa

Contributed photo
Kelsey Lynch, of Washougal, graduated from Washington State University, in Pullman, in May. This month, she traveled to South Africa, to begin cultural and language training with the Peace Corps. Lynch, a 2008 Camas High School graduate, plans to teach science and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Contributed photo Kelsey Lynch, of Washougal, graduated from Washington State University, in Pullman, in May. This month, she traveled to South Africa, to begin cultural and language training with the Peace Corps. Lynch, a 2008 Camas High School graduate, plans to teach science and HIV/AIDS prevention. Contributed by Kelsey Lynch

A former Camas High School varsity swimmer is now making a difference with the Peace Corps in South Africa. Kelsey Lynch, 22, recently left Washougal to begin pre-service training as a volunteer science teacher. After graduating from eight weeks of cultural and language training, she will begin teaching science to primary school children and teaching HIV/AIDS prevention.

Lynch said she was inspired to join the Peace Corps because of her family.

"My mom's brother died from AIDS before I ever got the chance to know him," she said. "Growing up, I became very interested in the education and prevention of the disease because of what my family had gone through. I wanted to help other families that were affected by the disease and help teach younger generations how to protect themselves."

For more of this story, see the Camas-Washougal Post-Record print edition.