Meet Our Board

Hello there, my name is Elijah Emmons.

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As the President of KODA Nation, I am deeply passionate about fostering a sense of community and empowerment among KODAs (Kids of Deaf Adults) nationwide. My journey with KODA Camp Ohio, a summer camp affiliated with our newly established non-profit organization, has been nothing short of transformative.

Growing up with two Deaf parents, I have experienced firsthand the unique joys and challenges of being a CODA. From an early age, I found solace and camaraderie within the Deaf community, and it is this sense of belonging that drives my dedication to our cause.

Professionally, I am a Strength and Conditioning coach, specializing in youth development. I am currently serving as a Youth Leader at the Ohio School for the Deaf, where I am committed to empowering young individuals to reach their full potential.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Strength and Conditioning and years of experience within the Deaf community, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my role as President. I am dedicated to creating opportunities for CODAs to thrive, whether through educational programs, social events, or advocacy initiatives.

Together, with the support of our vibrant community, I am confident that KODA Nation will continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of CODAs across the nation. Join us as we build a brighter future, united in strength and solidarity.

Hello, my name is Isabella (Bella) Emmons and I am serving as KODA Nation’s Vice President. I am currently in my last semester at Eastern Kentucky University where I am pursuing my bachelor degrees in ASL to English Interpreting and Sociology and I am expected to graduate in May 2024.

When I am not busy with school, work, or just out and about in the community you can find me playing sand volleyball, soccer, or spending time with friends and family. I am a CODA with two Deaf parents and I wanted to become a KODA Nation board member due to my  many years attending KODA Camp Ohio both as a camper and staff. Also, I wanted to give back to both the Deaf and K/CODA community and to make a positive impact within our community

Hi everyone! My name is Isabel Pappaterra and I am the Treasurer for KODA Nation.

I graduated with my Masters degree in Public Administration and now work for Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a Contract Specialist.  I’m also a freelance C-Print Captionist for Interpreters of the Deaf, LLC.

I’m a CODA with one Deaf parent. I am a child of immigrants and grew up speaking Spanish and ASL in the home, while I learned English when I went to school.

My CODA identity was not one I knew about until I was almost a teenager. When I went to camp for the first time, it fostered an environment for me to be able to acknowledge and accept that identity. I found a sense of belonging in the Deaf community and I found a large group of kids who had similar experiences as me. Some are still my best friends to this day and we are building this non-profit together. They understood the unique experiences I went through, without judgment.

This impactful experience has fueled my passion in this work and allows young CODAs to build their own life-long relationships. As someone who has always been good at numbers, I knew this role was a wonderful opportunity for me to give back to CODAs and the Deaf community.

Hello everyone! 

My name is Alycia Quellhorst and I serve as the Secretary for KODA Nation! While I am not writing down our minutes, I spend my day teaching second graders for Akron Public Schools or on the pool deck and serving as a Swim Coach for the Shaw JCC of Akron. If I am not working, I am hitting the books to get my Masters in Digital Curriculum and Instruction, which means I get to create websites, blogs and get to play with computer programs to help build new concepts for the learners of today and tomorrow!

I am a Coda with two Deaf parents! I wanted to become a board member for KodaNation due to my involvement with Koda Camp Ohio. It’s where my journey as a Koda began…I met my best friends at camp and consider them forever family! I wanted to be involved in creating positive change within the Coda/Koda world, help bridge the gap between the Deaf/Hearing/HH communities, while still helping other K/Codas find their own positive sense of identity within the Deaf and Hearing Communities!

Hi there! My name is Jacob Lewis Miller, and I'm so pumped to be coming back to camp this year! I've been involved in camp since 2001, starting as a camper and later becoming a camp counselor and I am now in my final form as the camp's media manager. 

I love sand volleyball, I love anime (currently obsessed with Jujitsu Kaisen) video games and I absolutely love playing Dungeons and Dragons as both a player and Dungeon Master. When I'm not raging like a barbarian, you can find me in the gym or taking a nap! 

My passion for filmmaking led me to pursue a degree in Motion Picture Production at Wright State University. I work as a freelance camera operator and photographer. Currently, I'm also working on a documentary about our historic camp, hopefully done within the year! In addition to my film work, I've been a sign language interpreter for nine years.

This organization holds a special place in my heart. I'm honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the board, utilizing my artistic skills to help market and show off our camp for the purpose to propel our camp and organization to new heights. Together, I'm confident we can foster growth and expand our family, ensuring that the spirit of Koda Camp continues to thrive for generations to come.

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Hello! My name is Nate Quinn and I am a member of the KODA Nation Board. Campers often call me the "Tall Man" after my position as manager and operator of the "Tall Man Store" at camp each year. I have been a counselor at KODA Camp since 2017 and I had the pleasure of being a camper for about 2 years before that. I am not technically a KODA, but my uncle is Deaf and my close relationship with him and my cousins exposed me to Deaf culture throughout both my childhood and adult life. 

When I am not calculating camper's change at the "Tall Man Store" I am writing programs as an applications engineer at Advanced Industrial Measurement Systems. I jumped at the opportunity to join the KODA Nation Board because of how much KODA Camp and the campers that attend it mean to me. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to ensure that KODA Nation continues to grow with the goal of solidifying the identity of people with a unique connection to the Deaf and hearing worlds.

Hey there, friends! 

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My name is Kelsey and I am lead staff for Koda Camp Ohio and general board member for Koda Nation.

 When I’m not sharing lots of ideas in meetings, I am an informal educator and a graphic designer at a zoo! 

I have two Deaf parents and I have been coming to KODA Camp Ohio for over 10 years. 

I wanted to be a part of the board for Koda Nation because I have seen my fellow KODA Camp Ohio leaders become so dedicated to create a non-profit, and continue to grow our community. I am here to serve the best way I know how - with a great attitude, a big heart, and a passion for the KODA/CODA/Deaf/HH communities.