McVay Interns and Associates: 2015-2016

Hi! My name is Emily Anderson, and I'm very proud and excited to be in my first year at Hamline University. I am majoring in Global Studies with a minor in Music. I love to sing, watch Vikings football, listen to music, and spend time with smiling people! This is my first year as an Intern at McVay, and I can't wait to get to know the program and everyone involved!

Hey, my name is Kaitlyn Anderson. I am an Associate at Wheelock and a senior at Hamline. I'm majoring in Business Analytics and minoring in Sociology. I love listening to music, singing, and playing piano, guitar, and hand bells. I've been so excited and blessed to be a part of this program. I first started working with youth on mission trips, and when I heard about what McVay does, I had to be a part of it. Its visibly apparent that the program makes a difference in these kids' lives, whether that be through mentoring, providing a safe space, helping with homework, or providing them with new and exciting things to learn. My favorite part about McVay is the staff's creativity in coming up with brand new games, projects, and activities for the youth to keep them interested and energized.

Hello y'all,

It's Adebowale Bankole, but everyone calls me Debo. I am a second year intern at McVay, usually at Liberty & Mounds Park. I am a Sophomore at Hamline and I'm majoring in Business and Communications. I definitely am a person who likes to sing and do a lot of cooking! I am grateful to be part of this program McVay Youth Voice and I am excited for the growth of the youth in it as well. I am excited to work with the staff and the kids, so let's get it!

Hi I’m Tess and I am a new intern at McVay. I am a sophomore at Hamline majoring in Criminal Justice and Social Justice. I came to Hamline from Milwaukee, WI and am currently living with another McVay staff, my sister Janney. Before working at McVay I was an ice skating instructor, babysitter, and recently was an intern for a nonprofit in Milwaukee that works with young men in the criminal justice system. I currently work at the Hamline Apartment front desk. I love reading, writing, listening to music, and playing board games. I am very excited to work for the McVay Partnership and can’t wait to get to know everyone better!

My name is Tottiana Duffy, and I am a Sophomore at Hamline University. I graduated from Eastview High School this summer. My hobbies include Hip-Hop and contemporary/modern dancing, singing, acting, and most recently, photography. I have a big heart for working with kids so I plan on going to medical school once I graduate from Hamline to become a pediatrician. I feel very blessed to be starting my journey with the McVay program, and can't wait to get to know all the amazing kids and staff!

Hello! My name is Indie Falana. I am a first year student at Hamline. I am a Public Health major and a Biology minor. I am also the Public Relations Representative this year for the Heights in Hall Council. This is my first year working with McVay, and I am so grateful and excited to be working with the wonderful children and staff here! In my free time, I like to read, laugh with my friends, learn anything and everything about Biology, and spend quality time with family.

My name is Megan Gillespie and I will be a Sophomore this year. I am studying chemistry and forensic science at Hamline University. I grew up in a small town in west central Minnesota. I have two brothers one older and the other younger. In my free time I enjoy to craft, be outside, go fishing, and hang out with family and friends. My favorite food is peanut butter. I have a sweet spot for cheesy jokes, the silliest joke makes me laugh. During the summer time I am a camp counselor at a local church camp. My favorite TV show is Criminal Minds and I absolutely love to cook and bake. On campus I am involved in various groups some including: knit wits, habitat for humanity, and relay for life.

Hi, my name is Elise and I am a sophomore at Hamline University. Currently, my major is undecided and I am enjoying testing the waters in a variety of subjects! I love learning and trying new things! Some of my hobbies are cooking, baking, hiking, skiing and exploring. I love being outside and meeting new people. I am excited to work in the McVay Youth Partnership and I can't wait to see what this year has in store!

Hello, I'm Josh! I am a senior here in the Global Studies department and this will be my third year with McVay. After a year of being abroad, I am excited to return to McVay as an associate. I have also been involved with other organizations on campus including the Hamline A Cappella Choir and Hamline Outdoor Recreation Club. Some of my passions are traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures. I love to do things out-of-doors including playing paintball, camping, backpacking, swimming, hiking, biking and all sorts of other fun stuff. I hope to be able to use all of my experiences to enrich the lives of the kids McVay strives to help!

Hi My name is Christopher Her. I come from a family of 4 brothers and 2 sisters. As the middle child I have always gotten the hand-me-downs, and the opportunity to babysit. I currently attend Hamline University with the intentions to co-major in education and math. My goals in life are to make sure that my loved ones are well off in the future, alongside myself.

Hi, I'm Natalie! I'm a senior at Hamline University. Currently, I am double majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, and going to the gym. Along with being a part of McVay, I am also apart of Minnesota Math Corps.

My name is Rico. I am from Hong Kong. I am a sophomore majoring in Sociology at Hamline. This coming year will be my first year to work with McVay I enjoy playing and watching soccer. The reason I chose to study in the US is because of the diversity here. I am really interested in cultural differences, so I am looking forward to working with all the kids!

My name is Nathan Huss and I am a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in education. I am from Alexandria, MN and love the outdoors. I am on both the football and track teams here at Hamline. This will be my first year working with McVay and am looking forward to what the year will bring.

My name is Sam Karnes and I am from Zimmerman, MN. I am a sophomore at Hamline University. I plan on majoring in Chemistry. I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and reading.

My name is Joshua Kiyee. I'm currently a Sophomore at Hamline University seeking a degree in the Public Health Sciences and Global Studies with a minor in Spanish. During my time here at Hamline, I've been highly involved with the theatre department starring in shows such as Macbeth and Batboy: The Musical. I have an interest in globalization and cross cultural studies, and in my time during and after Hamline I'd like to engage in International Relations and ESL training. McVay has affected me greatly as I once was a student of the program. It has been a blast getting to create a relationship with the children at each of the sites and reliving some of the memories I once had.

Hi I am Thuy Le, from Vietnam. I am a Junior majoring in Finance and International Business. This fall will be my first semester working with McVay as an intern. I am also the president of the International Student Organization (ISO) at Hamline. I enjoy working with kids and creating some sweet moments of life with them. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and shopping.

Hi, I'm Lee Mai and this will be my second year at McVay! I'm a Junior majoring in History and Music with emphasis on Chinese and English comparison history and Musical Arts, respectively. I enjoy gaming, reading, and playing french horn when I have time available. I hope this year will be a good one for not only the program, but for the academic year as well!

Hey, I'm Deric Moffitt and am a Senior at Hamline University. I'm originally from Southbend, Indiana but I've been living in Saint Paul, Minnesota for quite a while now. I graduated from Harding High School. I like to play soccer and the guitar. I also run track and love to play basketball.

Hi! I am Arogundade Opeyemi from Nigeria. I am currently a sophomore at Hamline University majoring in Physics. I love watching movies and playing soccer. I feel blessed to be starting my first year with McVay!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Nguyen and I am a second year student at Hamline University. I am aspiring to major in physics and mechanical engineering. My interests include hip-hop/break dancing, playing music, and tennis, or any other sport. I am currently signed with the nation's largest dance network DanceOn Network, and YouTube. I speak and write fluently in Vietnamese. This will be my second year working with McVay.

Hi, my name is Lilly and I am an Intern and also a Girl Scout Associate at Mounds Park. I am an international student who is a junior majoring in International Business and minoring in Chinese. I love to hang out with people, especially young kids; watching them grow and discovering new things is what I love at working at McVay. I was very luck to be introduced to McVay through my cousin, who has graduated.

Associate

Hello, my name is Aubrey Stenson and I'm a senior at Hamline. I am majoring in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. This school year is my second year working with McVay. In the future I hope to work with youth in some capacity as I always find it rewarding. I am a captain on the Hamline Women’s Soccer Team, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and I also belong to the Hamline Outdoor Recreation Club. In my free time I enjoy playing sports, spending time with family and friends, and trying new things.

My name is Jasmine Tappin and I am currently a sophomore at Hamline University. I'm from Minneapolis, Minnesota and I am majoring in Sociology and Minoring in Psychology and Social justice. I chose to work at McVay because I love the idea of being a mentor to youth.

Hi, my name is Michael!

I live in Massachusetts.

I am a sophomore, I am a potential biology major.

I enjoy watching movies, and playing sports outside.

It has been nice to explore the city. I am looking forward to spending time having fun with youth in our area.

Hiya! My name is Lydia Yahnke. This is my third year working with McVay and I am so incredibly excited to start another adventure with the staff and youth! I am currently a Senior, double majoring in Communications and Political Science. I am also a Resident Advisor this year, so I have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to. In my free time, I like to talk baseball, be silly in singing classic rock tunes across campus with my friends, learn anything and everything about history, promote much Piper Pride, and spend quality time with the giraffes at the zoo. I'll be looking forward to spending time with the youth to create a safe, empowering, and educational environment.