Sticky Rice: PCV Thailand Magazine is a publication created by currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers. It in no way represents the opinions or thoughts of the United States Government, Peace Corps, or Peace Corps Thailand.
We are excited to introduce our 2025 Sticky Rice Admin and Writers Team!
Each writer brings a new and exciting perspective to the magazine that we can’t wait to share with you. Below are pictures and bios of our lovely team members. If you would like to read articles they have written or contributed to, click the link on their name!
Please read below for our Comment Policy and email pctm.stickyrice@gmail.com with any questions. Happy reading!
Meet our Admin Team!
Lilly Hromadka: Editor in Chief , 135 TESS
Hey y’all I’m Lilly! Originally from Texas, I’ve spent my adult life traveling Europe and teaching English abroad, mostly in Spain and Italy. I adore exploring my beautiful slice of Thailand nestled up next to Laos, but my greatest love is for the water. When I’m not hiking with my Thai family, you can often find me exploring the provinces nearest the sea, diving 100 feet deep, or curled up in the sand with a book.
Kiera Hurley: Multimedia Director, 135 YinD
Hi I’m Kiera, a California girl now living in Lopburi, Thailand! My favorite things about Thailand are the abundance of greenery, generous people, and sabai sabai lifestyle. During my free time I enjoy biking to cafes, creating art, reading books, practicing yoga, and listening to music!
Mack Devoto: Historian, 135 YinD
Hello! My name is Mack, and I am currently serving as a Youth in Development Volunteer in the Ubon Ratchathani province in the Northeastern region, also known as Isaan. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, I am a true Midwesterner at heart. Prior to service, I had spent the last 4.5 years in Washington, DC completing my undergraduate degree. And now, I live in rural Thailand! I am thrilled to be writing and sharing my experiences—as well as reanimating past volunteers’ stories –with Sticky Rice as the Historian on staff for my remaining year of service.
Meet Our Writers!
Alyssa Strong, 135 TESS
Hi! I’m Alyssa, a 135 TESS volunteer serving in Kalasin. My time in Thailand is spent admiring Thai dinosaurs, responding to a thousand hellos a day, hiking up every hill in my vicinity, and attempting as many new things as possible.
Bryanna O’Neal Harris, 136 YinD
Hello! My name is Bryanna, born and raised in the ATL! However, my new home is Nakhon Ratchasima, where I am serving as a Youth in Development volunteer. I am excited to go on this journey of growth and be able to share it with you all through Sticky Rice.
Ella Spear, 136 TESS
I am from a small coastal town in Maine and graduated from Colby College last year. Now I live in Sisaket, a province in the northeast of Thailand on the Cambodian border. Although the hot weather has been a big change from my previous life as a collegiate ski racer, I feel so lucky to be able to live and serve in Thailand with the Peace Corps.
Emily Hoffmeister, 135 YinD
Hi everyone! I’m Emily, a Group 135, Youth in Development Volunteer, serving deep in the rice fields of the Mukdahan province. I grew up in Winter Park, Colorado, under the purple mountain majesty. I went to Whitman college in Walla Walla, Washington, Class of 2023 and I have my BA in Philosophy! I enjoy swimming, art, wine pairings, tracking moon cycles, and discovering new music.
Gretchen Evans, 136 YinD
Hi! My name is Gretchen Evans and I’m a YinD Volunteer in the Mukdahan province. I studied at Texas A&M University and love to run, read, and write. If you need a book rec, I’m your gal!
Holly Lingenfelter, 136 YinD
Holly is the name and Youth in Development is the game. Serving in the Northeastern region of Thailand. When not exploring the Mekong River or missing Michigan, you can most likely find me practicing yoga and fitness, crafting up a storm, daydreaming about a myriad of adventures, and overthinking how to sum up who I am in 2-3 sentences.
Jess Smith, 136 YinD
Hey, I’m Jess! I’m a recent grad from the University of Texas with a degree in psychology, a minor in ASL, and a certificate in creative writing. Whether it’s guiding white-water rafting trips, running marathons, or packing my bags to live on the other side of the world to become a Youth Development Volunteer, I’m always up for an adventure. Right now, I’m soaking up every moment in my new home, where you’ll find me biking through rice paddies and trying to learn more Thai (with varying degrees of success).
Kayla Kawalec, 134 YinD
Kayla Kawalec is the Peace Corps Thailand Volunteer Leader and a Group 134, Youth in Development Volunteer. She lives in Bangkok where she works with the Thai Department of Local Administration and the Peace Corps Thailand office. Kayla’s favorite things include writing for Sticky Rice, eating ice cream, and snuggling her cat, Popcorn.
Kyra O’Connell, 134 TESS
Kyra O’Connell is a Group 134 TESS volunteer. She is currently serving in Surin province, in Thailand’s Northeast Isaan region. When not puzzling over the linguistic differences between English, Thai, and Khmer, she enjoys reading, writing, photography, and biking.
Laurel Finlay, 136 YinD
Hello, I’m Laurel Finlay and I’m from Portland, Oregon. I’m currently serving as a YinD volunteer in Rayong, and I’m so excited to write for Sticky Rice! Besides writing, I love to bike, run, bake, and ski (when I’m not in Thailand haha)!
Mae Garland, 135 YinD
Mae Garland is a Youth in Development Volunteer in Lamphun, Thailand. Her favorite things to do are: bike around the mountains, play with babies, make smoothies, call her Peace Corps friends daily, read, try and see all 77 provinces, and do yoga.
Michael Swerdlow, 135 YinD
Michael is a Youth in Development Volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand. His favorite aspect of service is teaching, playing, and spending time with all of his students. When he’s not with the students, Michael enjoys bike riding through the beautiful sceneries of Northern Thailand, practicing Thai, and eating delicious Thai cuisine. His two favorite dishes are khao soi and mango sticky rice.
Oliver de la Torre, 136 TESS
My name is Oliver de la Torre. I’m originally from Houston, Texas, but I’ve spent most of my life living abroad, primarily in Mexico City. Joining the Peace Corps has been a long-time goal inspired by family and friends, and I’m excited to explore Southeast Asia, work in education, learn a new language, and immerse myself in a new culture—especially the world-class food.
Tal Carmel, 136 YinD
With a love for the arts, culture, and the enriching experiences of travel, Tal is an avid writer who draws inspiration from the world around her as much as from her own personal experiences. Her work reflects a thoughtful and observant approach to the complexities of life, often with a focus on the “little things” that keep it interesting. She has a BA in Communications and multiple certifications from her time as a marketer, before her Peace Corps service.
Tucker Strauch, 136 YinD
I’m 24 years old and am from Vail, Colorado. I graduated from Colby College with a degree in Government and Global Studies. I am a YinD volunteer currently serving in Sisaket province of the Isaan region.
COMMENT POLICY
Peace Corps welcomes your courteous contributions. However, please remember that you are fully responsible for the content of your comments. To keep this page in the spirit of peace and friendship, we reserve the right to delete comments that include any of the following:
*Violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist comments
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*Comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity
*Excessive off-topic posts by a single user
*Repetitive posts copied and pasted by multiple users
*Any other content that Peace Corps may deem inappropriate
If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please email us at pctm.stickyrice@gmail.com.
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