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Participant Profile for
Jessica Bernstein
Last Updated: June 14, 2009
I am from Burlington, Vermont United States of America and I am 39 years old. I’ve been skydiving for 9 years and have made 750 skydives during that time.
My professional occupation is social worker / adolescent mental health clinician.
My Biography:
I did my first jumps - two static lines in one day - in September of 2000, at Vermont Skydiving Adventures. Vermont weather, lack of funds, and the constraints of a small Cessna dropzone made staying current, let alone progressing, a challenge. It took me almost 5 years to get 75 jumps - mostly solos and 2-ways - under my belt.
Everything changed when I moved to CT and started jumping at CPI. I had mentoring from some incredible jumpers, and the luxury of a Super Otter. At VSA, I had learned to skydive; at CPI, I learned to fly. I got hooked on formation jumping doing 20+-ways at the Great White North Boogie the following year; that's been my passion ever since.
Five years and 600+ jumps later, I now live in Ohio, and jump at Start Skydiving - another great dropzone with many talented jumpers. (Last year, we set a new Ohio State Women's Record with an all-female 20-way.) Over the past year, I've been participated in big ways camps and events in California, Florida and Texas. This summer, I'll be headed to New York, Massachusetts and Chicago before heading back out to Perris for JFTC. I'm looking forward to another great season of bigways!
My Hobbies & Other Interests:
Traveling; hiking; road biking; working out; reading; spending time with friends; doting on my dog, Milo, the center of my universe
Why I feel it’s important to participate in JFTC:
My desire to be in JFTC is twofold. First, my best friend is a cancer survivor. Cancer research and prevention is a cause that I am proud to support; JFTC is a fantastic fund- and awareness-raiser.
Second, I love skydiving, both the sport itself and the community of amazing people who do it. In particular, I love being a part of the family of female skydivers, a community that is incredibly supportive and encouraging.
I also really enjoy participating in events which challenge, empower, and build connections between women. I can think of nothing in the world more satisfying or exciting than being a part of the world's largest all-female skydive.
6/10/09 Update: I now have an even more immediate incentive for being a part of JFTC. The same day I got the news of my confirmed slot, I got an email from a friend - a beautiful, vibrant, thoughtful, kind and giving woman - telling me that she was just diagnosed with breast cancer.
I asked what she needed, and how I could help and be supportive. Her answer: "Just do what you're doing, raising money. We can all beat this. Not gonna let it interfere with my skydiving!"
Marian, you are an inspiration. I'm jumping for you!
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