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The Portland Metro area has gotten a crazy amount of snow this winter, and while some (many) are ready for the high sun of summer, others couldn\u2019t be happier about the current state of affairs. One such person is Jessie Elko.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally from perpetually snow-less Savannah, Georgia, Jessie moved to Portland when she was a teenager and was immediately stricken with the fine, white powder she saw blanketing majestic Mount Hood. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we first moved here it was winter,\u201d she says, \u201cand Mount Hood was covered in snow. It fascinated me. For some reason, I knew that day that I wanted to do something related to playing in the snow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Jessie\u2019s parents were initially skeptical, her father eventually came around, recognizing the fiery drive his daughter had for slopes, an endeavor often dominated by men.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw all these boys doing amazing tricks on a snowboard and I felt really compelled to become a snowboarder,\u201d she says. \u201cI think my dad got tired of me harping on him about it so he bought me a beginner\u2019s board and some cheap equipment for Christmas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What, no skis?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI equated skiing with old people,\u201d she says with a laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before long, Jessie found herself spending as much time as she could on the mountain, all while she studied the most amazingly exciting of majors at PSU\u2026 accounting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know it seems weird, but I figured the only way to support my snowboarding habit was to get a job in a field that wouldn\u2019t go away anytime soon,\u201d she explains with a smile. \u201cMoney will likely be around forever, so that\u2019s job security and snowboarding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that she links the two speaks volumes. Even more telling is that despite her adventurous spirit, she loves her job.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind sitting in an office all day,\u201d she says. \u201cI just think about hitting the slopes on the weekend and it makes it all better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But what does she do when there\u2019s no snow on the mountain?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI also model and I love to hike,\u201d she pauses, \u201cbut really I find excuses to travel to places where there is snow, even in the summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From modeling to snowboarding to crunching the numbers, Jessie apparently does it all. With such a renaissance women enriching our local culture, it\u2019s no wonder people like her are drawn to Portland.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love Portland so much,\u201d she says with a burst of enthusiasm. \u201cAlthough I still have family back in Georgia, this is my home, and it always will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adding to the culture, both on and off the slopes, Jessie is a perfect representation of <\/span>PDX People<\/span><\/a> pride. Now if only we could somehow keep her here more even in the summer months. <\/span><\/p>\n

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William Bessette<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/span><\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow William on: <\/span><\/strong> Facebook<\/u><\/span><\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/span><\/strong> LinkedIn<\/span><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

 
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