McVay Alumni: Interns 2008-2009

Hello, my name is Tyler Anderson, and I am an Intern at McVay. It is my first year here.  I enjoy spending time with the kids and getting to know them.

I am a sophomore at Hamline and am majoring in psychology. I am looking to get my teaching license as well.

In addition to working for McVay, I play trombone in the jazz and winds ensembles at Hamline. I am a Hand In Hand “buddy” with a third grader at Hancock Elementary. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, bowling, camping, fishing, biking, and just about anything active in the outdoors.

Hello, my name is Madison Arkadie and I am currently a senior at Hamline University. I am majoring in psychology in hopes to one day be a marriage and family psychologist. I am originally from Oceanside, California.  I must admit, I have never gotten used to the cold winters of Minnesota. Some of my hobbies include photography, movies, reading, hanging out with friends, and overall just relaxing and enjoying life.

I joined McVay my junior year as an intern and still currently hold the position of an intern. This is by far my favorite job to date. It is a job where if you’re having a really bad day, just the sight of the kids you work with will make your day amazing. The kids are amazing and have become a very important part of my life; it saddens me to know that soon I will no longer be working with them. My favorite site to work at is Arlington, and I love the older boys who attend this site. They are so full of energy and they have so much that they want to express. It’s extraordinary to see them develop into who they are throughout the year as I've been working there.

Hey everyone! I'm one of the new kids on the block (at McVay). I am a junior at Hamline majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology. I currently live on campus. I came to McVay with a passion for helping people - listening and giving advice about everyday life. Along with my major, I've thought about possibly continuing my education to focus on becoming some sort of counselor. 

Mentoring at McVay has been a great tool in moving toward becoming a counselor. Other than McVay, I work with children 5-12 years old at the YWCA and Adventure Club. I enjoy establishing and maintaining strong bonds and friendships with the students I work with.  I'm open to trying new ideas and activities. I love watching/playing sports, hanging out with friends and family ... AND of course, working with young teens/adults.

Hi! My name is Kael Clark. I am originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and am here in Minnesota for school. I'm in my second year at Hamline University, but in my first year working with McVay. Right now, I'm focusing on studying psychology, sociology, and criminal justice, and plan to either be a therapist or forensic psychologist.

I love getting involved on campus as well as off campus in the community, especially working with youth! In my spare time you'll find me playing my guitar, playing sports, hanging out with family and friends, and eating food! I can't wait to get this year started!

My name is Aubrey Hendry, and I’m a junior at Hamline.  When I grow up I’d like to be an art teacher.  I’m involved with Women’s Chorale, Student’s Together Organizing Volunteer Events, Gospel Choir, Delta Tau Sorority, and Residential Life.  I love cats, singing, drawing, pottery, and climbing trees.  McVay is AMAZING!  Going to “work” is the best part of my day.  Seeing the kids laughing and learning as well as building relationships with them is an amazing experience.  Being able to help change and be a part of their lives is an unbelievable opportunity!

My name is Khalid Islam. I am an international student from Kenya. I am a junior at Hamline University majoring in English. I started working in the McVay Youth Voice Program in the Fall of 2008, and I totally love it!  My hobbies are listening to music, watching movies, playing and watching soccer, and hanging out with friends.

My name is Jesada Moua. I’m a junior at Hamline, majoring in social studies with a minor in education. I’m a fellow at Wheelock. This is my second year with the McVay Youth-VOICE Program, and I hope to continue working for the program in the upcoming year. I really enjoy being part of the program because I plan on getting my teaching license. Working with the program has helped me learn what is effective, and what isn’t. I also enjoy working with the students, because I feel that it is important to help students gain a better understanding of the work they’re doing. It’s inspirational to see them learn from us as mentors, tutors, and interns.

I’m not involved in any sports, but I would like to try out for the Hamline football team in the future. I also enjoy playing any sort of sport for fun with friends. Currently, I am the president of the Hmong Student Association Organization at Hamline.

For fun, I enjoy playing sports, reading, drawing, playing games, learning about and working on cars, and more. In the future, I hope to get my teaching license so I can work with and teach students. I am the second oldest child in my family, and I have three siblings.

I was born in Thailand. I came to the U.S. when I was young and lived in Wisconsin for about ten years and then moved here to Minnesota. Currently, my parents live in Minneapolis. I live on campus in one of the theme houses that Hamline owns. I really enjoy living on campus and hope to get my own place once I get everything settled.

Long Nguyen is an international student at Hamline University. Raised in Hanoi, Vietnam, Long got out of his comfort zone and came to the United States four years ago to learn to live independently. He is majoring in management, and he believes that working for McVay would improve his leadership skills and abilities to interact with people. Besides studying, he also loves sports and dancing. For him, sports and dancing are the best ways to get acquainted and know other people.

Hi!  I’m Cat Polivoda.  I am a junior majoring in German and global studies.  I am an intern at Bethlehem and simply adore the McVay Youth VOICE Program!  This is my favorite job in the entire world!  Not only do I get to work with a group of amazing young people, I have become really close friends with many of my fantastic co-workers!

Some of the other activities at Hamline in which I am involved include Gospel Choir, Hamline Undergraduate Student Congress, New Student Orientation, Wesley Scholars, and Hand in Hand.  Other than that, my life consists of using any excuse possible to be in the sun, speaking German, drinking Simply Apple juice, abusing my unlimited texting plan, dreaming about traveling anywhere and everywhere, avoiding anything that is smoked or barbequed, singing in the shower, living car-free, laughing and talking too much, and attempting to be enthusiastically optimistic while remaining a voice of reason! 

HEY!!! I’m Alex Roetman, and I’m from Tampa Florida.  I have one younger sister who is one of my favorite people in the world.  I’ve moved a lot and have lived in Minnesota (now twice), Utah, and Florida.  

I am a sophomore at Hamline University, and I am planning on majoring in communication studies with a minor in religion.  I LOVE spending time with friends, laughing about anything, going on adventures, Tea Garden Tuesdays, and playing RUGBY!  I am going to be playing rugby with the Minnesota Valkyries in the spring and I could not be more excited!

One of my most favorite things to do is working with McVay!  I am lucky enough to spend most of my time at Emma’s Place with an amazing group of kids who make every day spent there an adventure.  These kids are the reason that I love my job so much; they make me want to come back every day.  

Corinne Salone is a first year at Hamline University and is happy to participate as an intern for McVay. She has really enjoyed working with the kids this last semester and Is hoping to continue to do so in the future. Last Summer she worked at a camp for children with disabilities. She hopes to study Education and minor in Theatre Production.

Corinne loves to travel, sing, and watch movies. Her favorite color is pink, and her favorite drink is a white chocolate hot coco. On campus Corinne is a member of Delta Tau and the swing dancing club. In her free time she can often be found reading a book or on the phone with her Scottish boyfriend, Craig.

Corinne attended Edina High School and graduated in the class of 2008. She plays the violin and has gone on tours to such places as Greece and St. Louis.

After she graduates Corinne plans on using her experiences at McVay to help her learn how to deal with children better for her future as a teacher. She sees herself in ten years as a teacher who tours with the young actors and actresses of theatre and movie productions. One day Corinne would also like to take some baking classes. 

My name is Taylor Seeman, and I'm from a little podunk town in northeast Nebraska.  My family is still there though, and it's still my home, so I love it!  This is my third (and last) year with the McVay Program, as I will be graduating in May.  A big part of my college experience has been studying abroad in Beijing China, and I hope to go back for a few months after I graduate. 

I'm majoring in economics, political science, and East Asian studies and minoring in urban studies.  I've also been learning Chinese.  At McVay, my favorite activities are cooking, arts and crafts, and gym time.  I also love the "theme weeks" we have been implementing at some sites (themes of culture or other topics).  I've loved working at Bethlehem in the past and now work mostly at Emma's Place and Arlington, which are very different from one another, but SO much fun!! Come and join us - it's a blast!  

 I am a first year student at Hamline University. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in June 2008. I am majoring in legal studies with a paralegal certificate, and a minor in psychology. 

My biggest passion is to help others. I hate to see injustice. If there’s an underdog being kicked to the curb, I will step in and help. This passion for others fuels my interest in law. Our legal system is set up for everyone to have an equal chance. However, if they don’t have a lot of money or a good lawyer, the system makes it harder. I want to be that person who provides legal help for those who aren’t able to afford it.

I love to spend time with my family, going to church, shopping and eating chocolate. I started working with the McVay program October 2008 as an intern and have been enjoying everything the program has to offer ever since.

Hi, my name is Amy Xiong. I am a second year student at Hamline University. I am originally from Saint Paul, but several years ago my family moved to Brooklyn Park. I attended Johnson High School in Saint Paul, and then transferred to Champlin Park High School in Champlin my junior year.

Here at Hamline I intend to major in criminal justice and minor in biology. Also I plan on getting a certificate in forensic science. I try to be involved on campus.  I am the Vice President of the Hmong Student Association, an organization here at Hamline.

I started working for McVay in the winter of 2007, and I’ve enjoyed it very much.  Working with the kids is the highlight of my week. 

Hi, my name is Kor Zoua Pa Xiong, but some youth at McVay also know me as Koko.  I am a city girl, born and raised in St. Paul, MN.  I’ve lived here all of my life. I am thinking of exploring or moving elsewhere once I finish school. I like to have fun and learn new things.  I enjoy being with family and friends and just taking chances in life.  I’m a risk taker, so watch out for me! 

This is my second year at Hamline University and I am planning to double major in criminal justice and exercise sports and science.  I am an intern working for McVay, and this will be my first complete year working with this program.  I love being a part of McVay Youth-Voice Program because it’s one of the most enjoyable jobs that I’ve had.  The program is great for youths; it gives them a chance to be themselves, have fun, and learn.  I enjoy working with the youths at all the sites; they’re all great kids.  I’ve learned so much from them, and hopefully they’ve learned from me too.  I hope to continue working with McVay!!!

My name is Susun, pronounced the way it is spelled. I was born in Fresno, California but raised in Tulare. I have lived in Minnesota for ten years now and love it, but cannot say the same when it comes to the forty below temperature. I graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis and am currently a second year student at Hamline University. I am a person who likes to hang out and have fun, but at times find it a challenge because of my hectic schedule.

I believe in giving back to my community and therefore currently volunteer with Hancock/Hamline Collaborative Magnet School encouraging English language learners to increase their use of English. In the past I have volunteered as a classroom assistant, helping students with their development of reading and writing skills.

The McVay Youth VOICE program gives me an opportunity to do two of my favorite things: working with the youth and serving as a resource for the students through community-building activities which result in the development of a relationship similar to that of a mentorship.

Hello, my name is Winta Yacob. I am a senior, and my major is social justice with a concentration in women's studies. I am an associate, and enjoy working at all five sites. I enjoy being a positive mentor to the kids that I work with. I have a lot of fun teaching and learning from the kids. This is the best job I've had thus far! I can relate to many of the kids at a number of sites that we have. I am a first generation American citizen. I lived in Saint Paul until I was nine, then moved to Eagan; where I currently reside. I was raised in a single parent household, and have one older brother. I am lucky to have the privilege of working with truly phenomenal kids! Thanks McVays!

When I'm not working and don't have any studying to do, I love reading, going salsa dancing, watching movies, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.