GO TO 1999 ESSAYS

1999 Great American Think-Off Finalist Biographies

Which is more Dangerous -- Science or Religion?

Arguing that Science is more dangerous than Religion:

Mark Friestad Valley City, North Dakota Age: 26 Occupation:  10th-grade social studies teacher

"I teach high school in my hometown of Valley City, North Dakota. I was born April 10, 1973, and graduated from Valley City High School in 1991. I attended Moorhead State University, graduating in 1995 with a degree in mass communications. I obtained a social studies education degree from Valley City State University in 1997, and began teaching at Valley City High School in the summer of that year.

At Moorhead State, I participated in the Campus News television program and Model United Nations. In high school and college, I also held part-time jobs at local radio stations.

I have taught U.S. history, psychology, economics, law and justice, and currently teach 10th grade world history and geography.  I am a coach of the forensics team, student congress, and boys' and girls' tennis.

I enjoy traveling, most recently visiting Israel in December 1998. I like to sing and act and have appeared in many plays produced by the Valley City Community Theater (where I serve as a board member) and Valley City State University. I am an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Valley City, and a volunteer at the Barnes County Historical Society, where I am working on a project to videotape oral histories of county residents."


Debra Tastad Nisswa, Minnesota Age: 44 Occupation: Registered Nurse

"I chose to come into this world two months early, weighing only 4 lbs. 5 oz., but with the strength of a miniature Goliath!  After me, my parents decided one child was quite enough.

Growing up in Fertile, Minnesota (yes, that really is a town), I was blessed with the comforts of a small community.  In fact, I even married "the boy next door," and am happy to say we have broken the statistics by staying together 24 years.

Not knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up, I initially attended college in Rochester, Minnesota, where I graduated as a medical laboratory technician. Accepting a position in Brainerd, Minnesota, we found our home in the lakes vacation area where we have stayed since 1974. However, my career focus has changed.

After deciding test tubes did not provide stimulating conversation, I knew my interest was in nursing. I am now a registered nurse (RN) with many years of hospital experience, and am currently teaching RN students at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

Gary and I forgot to have children. However, we are surrounded by two cats and a dog. Our love of travel, nature, and the great outdoors has led us to journey to interesting places, enjoying scuba diving, mountain snowmobiling, climbing the Great Wall of China, and winter camping.

Perhaps the greatest thrill of late came recently when I received the phone call, 'You have been selected as one of the four finalists in the Great American Think-Off.' Thank you for this honor."
 

Arguing that Religion is more dangerous than Science:

Laurie Lalko Phoenix, Arizona Age: 39 Occupation:  Community College English Instructor

Laurie Lalko is an English instructor at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. Her other interests include psychology (which led to a master's degree in counseling), medicine (emergency medical technician certification), and writing. She also has a strong interest in law enforcement issues, and is a graduiate of the Scottsdale Citizens Police Academy.  Research in many areas, with and without the Internet, keeps her busy. Ms. Lalko returned to the Catholic Church in 1997 after a twenty year absence.


Taylor Hayward Boston, Massachussetts Age: 28 Occupation:  Computer programmer

"I was born in 1971 on Falmouth, Cape Cod.  My father died when I was three and my mother became ill and unable to take care of my brother and I, so we both moved in with our grandparents.

My grandparents died when I was seventeen, so I dropped out of Falmouth High School and found a job in the computer industry in Boston. During this time, I also composed several pieces of music for amateur ballet performances and coffeehouses.

In 1995, I started a computer programming company called "General Java Programming Corporation," where I work today.

My hobbies are reading, drinking with friends, and playing piano."