McVay Fellows: 2013-2014

Hello, my name is Allie Greene-Winek I am a current junior majoring in Psychology and co-majoring in Elementary Education. I absolutely love kids and hope to become a kindergarten teacher one day. This will be my second year as an Arlington fellow and I am so blessed to get to go to work every day. I love getting to know the kids, helping them with homework, doing crafts and just being a part of their lives. Arlington has a remarkable group of students that are full of energy and sass and I love it! These kids teach me so much each and every day and I would not be the same person without McVay. I was fortunate to study abroad in Thailand last January and see where some of our kids grew up, it was an amazing experience and brought me closer to the kids. I am so excited for another year of McVay!!

Hi, My name is Zin Zin Htoo and this is my fourth year at Hamline University. I came to the U.S. in 2003. I'm from Burma. I speak Karen, English Burmese, and a little Thai.  Over the summer I worked with the McVay program and I just loved it! Before that I used to be a student at the McVay program at Arlington, but now I'm a staff member in the program.  I am just so glad to be at Hamline University. Thanks a lot to Jane Krentz because without her I wouldn't be here with all of you at Hamline.

Hi there! My name is Whitney Newbauer and I am a senior here at Hamline studying Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Women’s Studies. Some things I love to do are painting, being outdoors, and being involved! I have been with McVay since summer 2012 and I am really looking forward to another fun year ahead!

I'm a Senior at Hamline University. I am a Communications major and Religion minor. I plan on graduating and going into to event management. I have been a part of the Hamline Women's Soccer team for four years and play defense for the team. I'm also the Student Alumni Broad Event's team Chair and have been for three years. My hometown is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I love to be outsides doing all kinds of activities such as hiking, biking, and tennis. I enjoy working with youth and hope to make a positive impact on their lives.

Hi everybody! My name is Jake Blanchette and I am a sophomore at Hamline. I am undecided in my major but have loved exploring new things and learning! McVay is an awesome place to have some fun and make a difference. In my free time, I like to play the guitar and listen to music.

I am Ellen Doering. I am a senior, studying sociology with minors in criminal justice and education. I spend my free time attempting to teach myself guitar, cooking new recipes, and watching Netflix, among other things. I am so excited to continue as a fellow at Wheelock, I love spending time with the McVay youth.

Hey! My name is Dayiar Htoo. Hey! My name is Dayliar Htoo. I am a Karen student at Hamline University. This year will be my senior year at Hamline. My major is Business Management. I was born in Myanmar and moved to Thailand when I was a little girl. I came to the United States when I was 12 years old and now it’s about 10 years that I have lived in United States. Today I am at Hamline University trying to achieve my goal. This year will be my fourth years working with McVay. I enjoy working with kids a lot and McVay is a program where we work with kids, so it's a perfect job for me. Kids come to McVay to hangout, get involved in activities, learn about themselves and others. I had learned a lot from this program and I got to know a lot of kids and staff members. In my free time, I like to hang out with my friends and family. I like playing volleyball, soccer, and badminton. I like to listen to music, sing, and watch movies. Most importantly, I love to eat good foods and sleep a lot.

Hello, my name is Luis Rodriguez and I am a Senior at Hamline University. I am majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and Sociology along with a certificate of proficiency in Spanish. I hope to one day work for a program like McVay and keep influencing the lives of the youth in a positive way. I love working with the youth because not only do I have a chance to teach them what I know but I along get to learn from them as well. I bring a lot of things to the youth especially my love for games. I am a kid when it comes to games and love friendly competition. 

My name is Tong Xiong. I am really looking forward to this year because I am going to be a fellow at Wheelock. While also going to Hamline University, I will pursue a business career (minoring in criminal justice) as a sophomore. I am really looking forward to a great year with McVay, especially interacting with the kids at the site. I will be happily learning and enjoying the year.

Hey Everyone! I am Huda Badri and I am currently in my third year at Hamline. I am majoring in Biology and Health Sciences as well as some minors I’m still deciding on. I started McVay at the beginning of the year and I am happy to serve as a fellow. I was born and raised in Kenya. I arrived in the U.S at age fourteen and I speak English and Somali. I’m amazed at how my folks are able to retain seven languages since I forgot Kiswahili and Amharic. Those two languages were what I grew up with. I am the oldest of nine kids and I have the responsibility of leading the rest. I have always been involved in programs where youth were the focal point and I am hoping my career has the same in store for me. I am happy that I get to work with amazing kids that I learn from as much as they learn from me. I also enjoy the great people I serve alongside with.

My name is Yakasah Wehyee. I am a Liberian born, Minneapolis raised, and St. Francis graduate. I am currently in my senior year at Hamline University where I’m studying political science and history. It’s been a joy and privilege working with the great kids at McVay. It almost seems unreal to say that I’m going to be starting my third and final year with this amazing program. The people who I have the joy of honor of working with and the kids who I take pride in serving have all enriched who I am as a person and for that, I will forever be thankful. The students of McVay have coined a phrase that we can all find helpful to carry on that is to, “keep calm, and McVay on!!

Hey McVay! My name is Taylor Williamson, I live in Bloomington and I am a fourth year here at Hamline University.  I am a sociology major with a minor in education. I enjoy working with kids, listening to music, playing video games and sports. 

Josh Hass is in his second year at Hamline University studying Global Studies and French. He really enjoys being involved on campus and loves working for McVay! He started working for McVay last year at the beginning of the spring semester as an intern. However when the possibility of a new site arose, Josh jumped on board to become a leader at the new site: Saint Anthony Park United Methodist Church. He became a Fellow at the then newest site, and he worked, and continues to work, on developing strategies to increase and sustain attendance at Saint Anthony Park with his colleagues. Other things that Josh enjoys to do and be involved with around campus are the Hamline Outdoor Recreation Club (HORC) and the Hamline A Capella Choir, both of which he is Vice President of.

Hey! I am Esha and I am from India. This year I will be a senior at Hamline and my fourth year with the McVay Program. I will be a Senior Fellow this year at our newest site, St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church. I am be majoring in Psychology and Marketing. In the Spring, I helped open and recruit for our new site and hope for a bright future for this site. I have worked as a Math tutor at LEAP high school and loved spending time with the children there. I have made some great friends and have had a lot of fun working with the kids. This program has taught me that a job can be fun too! I hope to be able to be a good mentor to the kids.

My name is Evan Hanson. Here at Hamline I am majoring in Social Justice and Environmental studies. On campus I am involved in the Hamline rock climbing team: The Rock Stars, HU Radio, an internship planning programs for Drew Hall, as well as, McVay. Kids tend to make a huge impression on me. They are so full curiosity and energy. Every kid has potential in them. It is up to mentors like the students who work for McVay to help them realize that potential. I am so excited to be working with Mcvay with that as my mission.

Hey! My name is Jesse and I am a Junior majoring in Sociology this year at Hamline. This will be my first full year at Mcvay and I look forward to working with the kids once again. To describe myself a little bit,  I enjoy trying new things so I have many interests. A few interests I have are Dancing, writing, and any active sport games. I like to stay active which is why I enjoy working with the Mcvay youth!

Hey! My name is Mandi Wordes. I am a senior here at Hamline. I am majoring in Legal Studies with a minor in Philosophy and a Paralegal Certificate. I love music and singing. I also love playing sports-volleyball, basketball, and golf in particular. I also love to run. I absolutely love working with kids! I have taught Sunday school, Bible school, assisted in a summer kindergarten readiness program, and babysat. Kids have always been a big part of my life. I am a kid at heart. I have heard a lot of great things about the program. I know how big of a difference having a mentor and a role model can be for kids. I am exciting to help make a positive impact in their lives.

My name is Wah, Wah and this is my first year at Hamline. I am a First Generation student. I was born in Burma and I speak three different languages. When I was little, I lived in refugee camps because it was a safe place for us to be away from our enemy. It was hard there because they were not many opportunities for us. I came to the United States when I was 12. I didn’t speak any English at all and it was very difficult for me. What I knew about America was that there were so many opportunities and freedom. If I think about living in a refugee camp, I can’t ever compare to living in the United States. Doing volunteer work is one of my top things I love to do. I work with people a lot and I am really good with solving problems. I like to be on time and plan out things before I do it. I hate to be late. I mostly do well in my school and get good grades. I liked being a leader but I like team work more. I came to Hamline University because it was close to my house and they gave me a good scholarship. I really like the place and the people. I love my class and my teachers are really nice and helpful. It is a small college and that is what I want for my college. I have three jobs right now with Hancock Elementary school, McVay, and Get Ready. I really love my job and I am glad that I came to Hamline because it was a really good fit for me.