McVay Interns and Associates: 2010-2011

I'm 21, I'm in my third year at Hamline University, I play several instruments, but my main one is guitar. My interests include music, meeting people, learning about different cultures, languages, and playing sports (especially Racquetball). 

Hi, my name is Adri. I’m from Los Angeles, California. By fate I landed in Minnesota and became a part of the Hamline Community. I’ve enjoyed being here so far its been such a great experience. I enjoy doing things with friends and family, from going to a Hockey game to a day at the beach. I am always up for any type of adventure. 

I love helping other people and being able to give a helping hand makes me happy. I’ve been all over the world to places like New Zealand, Hawaii, Sicily, Switzerland, and a few others, and I feel so lucky to have the family and support of my family. To see other cultures and the way others live has been a beneficial experience for me and has encouraged me to reach out to others and share my experiences. I am happy to be apart of the McVay community.

 I am 20 years old and a sophomore at Hamline University. I am currently studying communications with a minor in education. I am not sure what I want to do with that degree but along the lines of teaching, social work, or counseling. I was born in raise in St. Cloud, Minnesota and went to high school at Sauk Rapids. I played four years of Varsity Basketball there and took away many beneficial life lessons from that experience. Sports is a big hobby of mine, I don't care what sport it is but whatever it is I always enjoy it. I have enjoyed my time at McVay greatly and wish to continue working with the youth after college.

Hi, my name is Quynh.

I started at Hamline in 2008 and I like it here, especially those great programs that Hamline has. I'm majoring in Accounting and International Business because I love traveling. I hate staying at one place for too long. I love outdoor activities like hiking, camping, tubing, etc. I enjoy doing services and giving back to the community. I love kids and enjoy playing with them. For me, McVay is not only about working but also about having a great time hanging out with the kids. They are totally awesome and I love them!

Hi! My name is Alex Garza; it will be my third year here at Hamline. I plan on majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. I love doing creative things, working with kids, discovering new music, hanging out with my family and friends. I’m originally from southern California, so I love doing things outside when the weather is nice out, hitting up the beach or lake shore if I’m in Minnesota, Barbecuing, and boating. I’m currently in my last semester at Hamline and will be graduating in December.

Unfortunately it’s my last year with the kids, but I’m looking forward to all the fun activities we have planned and all the new students and staff I will be meeting.

Hi, my name is Meron Gebrehiwot, I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and I am a junior at Hamline University. This is my first year working for McVay and so far it has been wonderful. I am majoring in economics with a minor in business administration and I am hoping to pursue a career in economic development. I love sports and music, as well as the opportunity to be a role model for the bright young kids I work with.

 Hi, I am Rakshya Gorkhali, Junior and a Biochemistry major. I am originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. During my three years in MN, I have come to love the diversity, the lakes and the weather; amazingly even the harsh winter.

Being the eldest in the family and having taught kinds back home, I have had lots of experience with kids and love them for their innocence and energy. I am sure working in the McVay program will be a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

When I'm not busy (which is rare), I love playing with my two year old cousin, Aayan. I also like playing sports, watching TV and dancing. 

My name is Dayliar Htoo. This is my first year at Hamline. I’m an intern in the McVay Youth Partnership. I was born in Myanmar and moved to Thailand when I was four. I came to Minnesota when I was 11 years old.

I love working with kids; they bring joy to my life. I would love to travel one day. I like to play volleyball and badminton. I like to listen to music and I like to sing. I enjoy taking pictures and doing crafts. But most of all I love animals. I have 7 cats at my house. Three of them are big cats and four of them are month old kittens.

Hi, My name is Zin Zin Htoo and this is my first year a 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 to Jane Krentz... without her I wouldn't be here with all of you at Hamline.

I also have a sister at Hamline named Dayliar Htoo. We both are in the same grade and also live in the some dorm. My favorite things to do are playing volleyball, listening to music and watching cartoons. I also love to cook. 

Hey there! I'm Nancy, a junior, and this is my first year working with McVay. I'm a communications studies major with a double minor in Spanish and education as well as acquiring a certificate in international journalism.

In addition to McVay, I'm also a new student mentor for incoming freshmen and heavily involved in the Asian Pacific American Coalition and Students Together Organizing Volunteer Events.

As an aspiring teacher, I'm thrilled to continue working with children both in and out of the classroom. I am so excited for this year!

My name is Khalid Islam. I am an international student from Kenya, majoring in English at Hamline University. 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 games, and hanging out with friends.

My name is Christian Kibler I am a sophomore at Hamline University. I am from Burnsville, Minnesota. At Hamline I am involved in track and field where a compete in the triple jump and long jump. I am a huge sports fan, especially basketball and soccer. In the future I would like to teach special education and physical education while working part-time as a personal trainer. Some of my favorite activities include playing old school video games and going to Timberwolves games with my roommates. This is my first year working for McVay and I am very happy to be a part of this special program.

Hi everyone! My name is Trang Le, from Vietnam. I am a sophomore at Hamline. My major is Finance; and I want to become a successful business woman in the future. I love chatting with people, shopping and especially working with kids. I just addict to see kids playing around me. They rock my world!!!

I am a kinda shy person, but I love communicating with people and making new friends. Therefore, please come and talk to me, and I am more than happy to talk with all of you.

My name is Jesada Moua. I’m a senior at Hamline, majoring in social studies with a minor in education. I’m a fellow at Wheelock. This is my third 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 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.

Hi all, my name is Hieu Nguyen. This is my third year at Hamline and second year working for McVay. I’m double-majoring on Business Management and Accounting. My goal is to be a public accountant!! I love cooking, outdoor activities, and hanging out with friends. Also, I love kids and enjoy playing and helping them. From my experience at McVay last year, I felt good and relaxing when I worked and played with the kids in our program, and I’m sure that it will be more fun working for McVay this year. For me, McVay is the place that I can both help the kids to release stress from school and find a peaceful place to rest myself because the kids are just awesome. I hope I will be able to meet and hang out with all of you!! Thanks McVay!!

Hi everyone, my name is Tram Pham.  I am from Vietnam, but I like I like to travel all over the world.  In fact I have been to all 5 continents. I fall in love with America for its rich diversity and I love Minnesota’s winter because I had never seen snow before. I still get excited every winter when I see  falling from the sky.

I’m majoring in International Business. I love to study different languages, cultures and meet people from different part of the world and I hope I can apply that to the business world. This is my second semester with the McVay program so I am very excited to work with everyone especially the youth because I have a lot of things to share and I would like them to share their stories with me.

Hi, my name is Aidan Read and I am a Freshman at Hamline. I'm from Northfield Minnesota and am considering a major in International Relations and a minor in linguistics. I started as a McVay intern my second semester and I've really enjoyed working with the kids and meeting some great people. When I'm not working or in school I like to play sports, go camping and I love music. I'm really enjoying my first semester working with McVay and I'm looking forward to working with the program in the future.

 "Hey! I am Esha and am a freshman at Hamline. I will be majoring in Psychology. I am from India and this is my first time in the United States. I love dancing and spending time with friends. I also tutor at LEAP high school and love spending time with the children there. This is my first time working as a McVay intern and I'm really excited. I love spending time with children and hope to be able to be a good mentor and create many great memories. "

Hey, my name is Ahmet. I’m currently a junior at Hamline. I’ve been a part of McVay for two years now. I like to hangout with kids younger than me because it reminds me of my own childhood. As a kid I had some really cool role models and it meant a lot to me. That is partly why I like to work with McVay, and partly it also never gets boring with kids.

I played soccer for Hamline my first year here. Now I play Tennis. I like s ports, enough that I actually did a marathon once. I also like chess and I am a former high school chess champ for it! I currently study Physics. I want to become an engineer someday, I feel like I would be good at inventing things, for I have a creative mind . I also have tricks for convincing kids with how talented they really are, because sometimes they simply aren’t conscious of it. I believe that everybody is especially good at something, and that you truly have to believe that you are for your talent to flourish. 

Art Associate

 I graduated from Roosevelt High School in June of 2008, I am now 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.

I am a transfer sophomore at Hamline University interested in becoming a professor of Spanish. I have worked with youth at my K-12th grade school in Costa Rica while I was a high school sophomore by teaching soccer, and being a role model and friend.  I have also have been a ESL teacher for four months in my hometown in Costa Rica.

Over the summer, I was a camp counselor in Wisconsin. I enjoy working with youth and sharing experiences with them.  I am a Pentecostal Christian.  I enjoy playing soccer and live a healthy lifestyle. This is my first year working with McVay and I am thrilled to be in such a diverse community here in Saint Paul.

Hi, my name is Amy Xiong. 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!

My name is Pa Yong Xiong.

I will be a sophomore at Hamline this year, majoring in Business Administration. On my free time, I like to paint, sing off tune, and relax. My favorite quote for this moment is, "life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself". I hope that being in the McVay program will allow me to build bridges, inspire, and motivate students. Apart from that aspiration I am a New Student Mentor, also currently serving as President of GenesysWorks Alumni, Public Relations for APAC, Treasurer for HALO, and a Core member of STLF on Hamline's campus. I look forward to being in the McVay program this year.

Hello! I am Pa Houa Yang, but call me Pa for short.  I am currently a sophomore here at Hamline University, and my major is still undecided as of now, so we’ll see where this year will lead me.  I am involved with a couple of Hamline MISA Student Organization on campus, such as HSA and SOSA.  This year, I am an incoming intern for the McVay YOUTH Partnership program, and I am looking forward to a great years with the other interns, fellows, associates and especially the children.