The new year is always full of possibility ~ and we think these 13 are, too.  Get to know the people who will be doing great things in 2013!

Che Anderson ~ Works with underprivileged children

By Tine Roycroft

Che Anderson, assistant director of student activities at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, keeps his schedule packed. When he’s not organizing fun opportunities for the students, he oversees the student government association and the many organizations that fall beneath that umbrella.

And even after one of his typically long days, you can find Anderson, 23, coaching basketball at the Nativity School of Worcester.

“Through team sports, you can learn social skills and build bonds that can last a really long time,” Anderson says. “I think it’s a great way to get everyone together and playing a game, but there’s so much else going on.”

Basketball has played a huge role in Anderson’s life. His mother, who is his inspiration, raised him alone. Exhausted after long days at work, she would summon the energy to take him to the park at night so he could shoot some hoops. It meant the world to him, and now, he passes that magic to others.

A true thrill-seeker, this former New Yorker intends to take a huge leap in 2013 ~ right out of a plane.

“I want to go sky diving. I’m dying to go,” Anderson says. “Hopefully I won’t actually die!”

Brad McNamara and Jon Friedman ~ Co-founders of Freight Farms

By Tine Roycroft

Brad McNamara and Jon Friedman, co-founders of Freight Farms, are on a mission to make fresh, local produce available to everyone.

“The goal is grow food anywhere,” McNamara, 33, says. “We use hydroponics to replace water in traditional agriculture, and using our design allows people to grow food at commercial levels in any environment.”

Their modular, stackable units are made from upcycled shipping containers and contain the latest harvest technology.

“We want to take the business national and international,” says McNamara, who lives in Worcester “We want to help people in environments that are dealing with climate, disaster or contamination issues.”

Both McNamara and Friedman have incredibly supportive families and girlfriends who are always willing to help with the business. But because these two ambitious entrepreneurs are constantly working on their products, marketing and customer service, it’s easy to take the important things for granted from time to time. According to McNamara, their New Year’s resolution is get back to basics.

“We’re always focused on clients and technology,” he said. “This year, we’re really going to make an effort to remember food awareness and that it’s all about the food.”

Alex Madrigal ~ Volunteer

By Tine Roycroft

Tennis has always played a huge role in Alex Madrigal’s life. His natural talent became apparent when he picked up a racket at 10, and eventually, he competed professionally in Costa Rica.

Madrigal, 30, remembers the positive influence the game had on his life, which is why during his undergrad years at Assumption College, he gave free tennis lessons to underprivileged children.

“Tennis is something that will improve their health,” Madrigal says. “Sports in general have so many benefits. Kids learn to play with other people and it’s a great way of de-stressing.”

This go-getter keeps busy with his job at Oracle and his volunteer work at St. John’s Church, where he has helped start a youth group. He also hopes to return to the Worcester nightlife scene in the near future and get back into event management.

This tennis star gives so much of himself to others that he can forget about his own needs from time to time. But 2013 is the year that he intends to turn that trend around.

“I played tennis professionally, but I haven’t seen the inside of a gym in over two years,” he laughs. “I want to get back into a healthy exercise regime!”

Nicholas Carbone ~ Fitchburg city councilor

Tine Roycroft

Known to many as “Mr. Fitchburg,” City Councilor Nicholas Carbone, 25, is a personable newcomer to politics. He’ll give you the shirt off his back, then find others who are happy to do the same. He graduated from Fitchburg State University before earning his J.D. at the Massachusetts School of Law.

But even with the bar exam looming on his horizon in February, Carbone still finds time to give back to a community he loves.

“I always wanted to work for Fitchburg,” Carbone says. “The incumbent in the seat ran for mayor, leaving the seat open. I figured now or never!”

One of Carbone’s goals is to encourage others to embrace diversity of all kinds, from cultural differences to differences in ability. The mission is a personal one; Carbone has Friedreich’s Ataxia, which he describes as a neuromuscular disability. It’s the biggest obstacle he’s faced, he says, but he overcomes it each day with the solid support of his parents and siblings.

“Ideally, I want to be in Washington, D.C., teaching people on a larger scale about celebrating differences and advocating for other people with disabilities,” Carbone says.

Carbone has an incredible past behind him and a bright future, but he admits it can be lonely at the top. This year, he’ll be focusing more attention on his personal life.

“My resolution is to find a girlfriend,” Carbone says with a chuckle.

Ladies, start lining up!

Jeff Gracia ~ Creator of Zpocalypse

By Alex Kantarelis

In the world of social media, everyone’s nose is down to their iPhones and “being social” means keeping headphones on and reading about everyone else’s life on Facebook and Twitter. Indeed, it seems that society has become content with texting instead of talking.

Local software engineer Jeff Gracia decided to design something that could keep his friends interacting the way they used to ~ face to face. So, Gracia, a self proclaimed game fanatic, set about finding a more wholesome way to help people interact; he created a board game about flesh-eating zombies taking over a post-apocalyptic world.
“There truly is a board game renaissance going on, and it’s becoming a big thing,” Gracia said. Zpocalypse is all about survival, and the winner gets the most points by gathering supplies, killing zombies and building defenses.

Gracia, motivated simply by making a game that he wanted to play, assembled a team around him to make this project happen. A year-and-a-half later, Zpocalypse has sold more than 200,000 copies and has become so popular that the team has had to design a second expansion. With the new board game renaissance, perhaps people will ditch the social media for a while and instead spend some good quality time with their friends, as Gracia hopes.

“When I sit down with friends to play a board game, they see the quality of the interaction that can go with it,” he said.

J. Parker Eldridge & Amanda Casale ~ Co-founders of Flyleaf Theater

By Tine Roycroft

Three years ago, J. Parker Eldridge and Amanda Casale made their dream of starting a theater company come true with the creation of Flyleaf Theater. They have a successful first season behind them, and they’re just warming up.

“There’s so much theater in the area, so finding our niche was one of the hurdles we had to face,” Eldridge, 31, explains. “It took two years of paperwork before even considering a show. And we really wanted to put together a great advisory board with people from all walks of theater.”

Flyleaf Theater’s home is the 1870 Town Hall in Berlin, and Eldridge has been stunned by the supportive community and immense amount of theatrical talent.

No matter how big their successes, Eldridge and Casale are determined to keep the company small. Upcoming seasons might include more shows, Eldridge says, but Flyleaf will maintain its intimate size and feel.

The theater has a great second season planned with shows like Falsettos and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. But there’s another big event coming up for the theatrical power couple ~ they’re getting married!

Eric Dittleman ~ Mindreader

By Jason Savio

Dittleman. If you’re not already familiar with this name, you soon will be. At 27, Westborough native Eric Dittleman is quickly making a name for himself with his unique mind-reading and stand-up routine.

Currently riding a wave of popularity, thanks to his successful stint on the television show America’s Got Talent, Dittleman has captured the imagination of a national audience with his mystifying and entertaining ability to read people’s minds.

Dubbed an “exceptional talent” by the king of media himself, Howard Stern, Dittleman was a fan favorite on the show, leaving people to wonder: “How’d he do that?”

Ditttleman always had an affinity for performing, starting when he was young and taking advantage of open-mic nights. He performed in several improv troupes in high school and college.

“Ever since I was little, I was fascinated by magic,” says Dittleman. “It was a natural progression to combine improv and stand-up into my mind-reading show because it’s part of who I am.”

Now Dittleman is in demand, traveling the country and performing at colleges; plus, he’s slated to join the America’s Got Talent live tour.

But still, everyone wants to know, how does he do it?

“I’ve never claimed to have supernatural or psychic abilities,” explains Dittleman. “What I do is purely for entertainment value and to provide a sense of wonder and mystery that is often lost as we grow older.”

Sam James ~ Musician

By Jason Savio

The music biz can be extremely hard to break into, but at 26, goal-oriented singer/songwriter from Sam James, of Worcester, is well on his way.

Always a music lover at heart, James’s father first introduced him to artists such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young when he was still a child. As he got older, James began playing at local coffeehouses.

“The stories those records told always impressed me,” says James. “It’s nice to be able to take what I learned from those old records and put a more modern pop twist on the term ‘singer/songwriter.’”

James’s approach could be heard when he performed on the NBC television show The Voice. Although he didn’t take home top honors ~ a recording contract ~ James didn’t leave empty-handed.

“The Voice really taught me a lot about myself as an artist and a person,” James explains. “I know now that I can handle a great deal of stress and perform under pressure.”

With what he learned on The Voice, James is continuing to work hard on his career, including a new album which will be available Valentine’s Day 2013 and an upcoming tour.

“A lot of times artists disappear after they do these reality music shows,” says James. “The key for me is to stay relevant and keep working.”

Victoria Hall ~ Project manager for economic and cultural development for Worcester

By Tine Roycroft

Victoria Hall, 28, is the project manager for economic and cultural development for Worcester ~ a position that requires this multi-talented maven to multitask.

“Seventy percent of my time is spent working on special events and cultural development initiatives,” Hall says. “And 30 percent is focused on community development initiatives.”

Hall completed her undergraduate work at Fitchburg State University and her graduate work at Boston University, where she earned her master’s in arts administration. She interned at the Worcester Cultural Development Office and helped coordinate the Out to Lunch concert series. After spending a year in San Francisco with AmeriCorps, Hall returned to Worcester to find her current position.

“Arts and culture creates a vibrant, well-rounded community. Yes, we need food, we need shelter and education,” she says. “But I think arts and culture add great value to a city.”

Hall spends her downtime seeing great musicals at the Hanover Theatre or listening to live music and enjoying a well-deserved brew. But 2013 might be the year that Hall kisses the beer calories goodbye.

“I’m really going to focus on my diet this year and be fit,” she says. “Of course, I say this every year, and it lasts four months. But maybe this is the year it will work!”

Kathleen Wanat ~ Ironwoman

By Kimberly Dunbar

Kathleen Wanat just might be Superwoman. Not only does the mom of three have a job, she is part owner of Precision Endurance Coaching (www.precisionendurancecoaching.com) and manages to find time to train for Ironman triathlons.

“Six years ago, a girlfriend asked me to try a sprint triathlon with her,” says the 38-year-old Worcester resident. “I fell in love with it.”

Wanat continued racing and has since completed more than 100 races of various distances, even winning her age group a few times.

In order to take her hobby to the next level, Wanat relied on customized training plans that capitalized on her strengths. Two years ago, she and her coach, Mike Roberts, started their own business.

“I feel so lucky to be able to work in a field I love,” says Wanat, who is a USA Triathlon Level I certified coach. “I think people can do more than they think they can. I like to make them see that.”

Wanat, who often trains at 4 a.m. so it doesn’t interfere with family time, likes serving as a positive role model for her children. “It’s important for kids to see their parents being active, especially in this day and age,” she says.

Patrick Carroll ~ Chef at Gumbo

By Jenn Russo

Patrick Carroll, 35, strives to bring the south to your city plate. Offering temptations such as jambalaya, apricot-glazed chicken, fried catfish and shrimp and grits, Gumbo is the go-to spot for an authentic taste of the New Orleans bayou. The restaurant has had a fantastic response since it opened in early May.

“I have been most surprised by how many people in this area have ties down in that part of the country, whether it be that they went to school there, lived there or maybe were displaced and came up north after Katrina,” Carroll says.

Carroll, who began his culinary journey as many a chef does, in the dish room, was fortunate to work under two classically- trained chefs who took him under their wings. He fell in love with cooking and has climbed his way up the food pyramid, learning at Johnson & Wales on the way and opening his first restaurant at 18. He also took part in the Worcester’s Best Chef competition in 2012 at Mechanics Hall.

“What is great about this business is that an aspiring chef can try it out to be sure it’s what they want. Any chef will let you try to make a burger for them, but you can’t try to set a bone for a doctor,” says Carroll.

Carroll’s philosophy about cooking is simple. First, when you have good ingredients, don’t ruin them. Every food has its own unique thing, which makes it wonderful. Accent that flavor, pair it with complementary tastes, and let it be the star. Second, do something different.

“I like to do things in cooking that people may not be able to execute on their own. Taking something ordinary and making it out of the ordinary. I love cooking with seafood most, because there are so many different types, flavors and techniques to use. People get it and sometimes aren’t sure what to do with it. I like to make something extraordinary out of it for people to enjoy.”

In 2013, Carroll wants to stay focused on the important things and continue to work towards bring the Canal District to life.

Rahm Klampert  ~ Founder of Revolution Functional Fitness Training

By Kimberly Dunbar

Rahm Klampert knows fitness. The 32-year-old Webster resident was a professional snowboarder for 12 years, winning the World Championship Big Air title, the U.S. Open twice, and was a Top 10 competitor in the X Games for more than five years.

“After years of competing and having lots of injuries, I had one that finally took me out for good,” he said of a shattered ankle. At 27, Klampert decided to move on. “Spending years cross-training in a functional style, I knew that I had a love for fitness and would truly enjoy helping others reach their goals.”

After moving back to New England (Klampert is from Vermont, his wife is from Brimfield), he decided to open Revolution Functional Fitness Training (www.revolutionauburn.com) in Auburn, a facility that will provide members with workouts and nutritional guidance to make a difference in their lives.

”We use a variety of training methods, including strength, core and overall conditioning to speed along the fitness curve,” he says.

But he’ll never forget his roots: Klampert plans on hitting the slopes this winter ~ and he’s bringing a buddy. “My son is turning 3 … I plan on getting him out on a snowboard this winter,” he says.

Jon Dooley ~ Founder of Greendale Physical Therapy

By Jason Savio

If you are in need of physical therapy, Jon Dooley’s Greendale Physical Therapy is the place to go. With locations in Worcester, Shrewsbury, and downtown Clinton, Greendale is just around the corner.

Dooley, 36, is the founder and director of operations for Greendale and is also a physical therapist himself, having received his bachelor’s in health studies and his master’s in physical therapy from Boston University.

Dooley got his start practicing in outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation clinics on the South Shore before starting his own practice with Greendale.

Going strong in its 10th year, Greendale is a testament to Dooley’s dedication to his patients and determination to supply “Olympic athlete- level treatment” after having served as physical therapist for members of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team in the 2004 Rock and Roll Gymnastics Championships. Greendale isn’t only a good place to be treated, it is a good place to work.

“We have instituted Greendale Physical Therapy U., which is a series of clinical courses and certifications that gives our therapists a framework to advance their career,” explains Dooley, “something not offered anywhere else.”

With an educated and motivated staff, patients know they are in good hands at Greendale.

“(We) subscribe to the belief that physical therapy is an individual service, not a commodity,” says Dooley.

Photos by Justin Mayotte of Flash House Studios.