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My name is Matrika Bailey-Turner. I'm from Hanover, New Hampshire but I've learned to love Minnesota, especially the cold winter weather! In addition to serving as a McVay Youth Fellow, I currently serve on one of the Strategic Planning Committees and am a member of the Brooks-Osnes Honor and Leadership Society and the Student Congress Coalition for Social Change Chair. I love to hang around in coffee shops, go out to movies, and surround myself with fun-loving people when I'm not so busy. Red is my favorite color and hippos are my favorite animal.
My name is Emily and I am a fellow at Wheelock. I am from South Dakota and a junior political science major at Hamline. I was with McVay as an intern last year primarily at Emma’s and the former Asbury site. The McVay program is important to me for a number of reasons. I find it incredibly valuable to work with the ESL students at Wheelock. I like to think they benefit as much from our time together as I do. McVay afternoons give me a break in my hectic life as a college student and I get to relax and have fun with the kids. At Hamline I am in charge of Students for Peace, Hamline Cycling Club, and Hamline Outdoor Recreation Club. I play lacrosse also. In the summer I am a program coordinator and guide at a camp in the Boundary Waters, six miles from Canada. I live in a tent all summer and there’s no electricity or running water, even at the base camp, but I do get to “bathe” in the lake whenever I want. My future plans are quite loose and I like to keep my options open. I want to learn and explore and have adventures for the rest of my life.
Hi, I'm Kelly Dahlman. I’m a junior at Hamline University, majoring in sociology and anthropology, with a minor in women’s studies. I started working with the McVay Youth Partnership program my sophomore year, and I'm currently a fellow at the Bethlehem site. Out of all of my college experiences, the McVay Youth Partnership program has been the greatest opportunity for me because I'm able to interact with and teach kids, and be a positive role model in their lives. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, nature walks, and clothing design. In the future, I hope to build upon the skills I learned through working with the McVay Youth Partnership program, and continue my schooling in feminist sociology. Eventually, I would like to become a college professor, and help shape student’s lives, as I am doing now with the program.
My name is Laura Fett. I'm a junior at Hamline and am majoring in management and economics and with a minor in sociology. I've been working with McVay since September 2006. I have lots of hobbies including: scrapbooking, crocheting, horse-back riding, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends and family. My plans are to graduate from Hamline and get a job as a financial planner! I love working with all of the students in this program, and am glad to be a part of it.
My name is Elise Gust, and I'm a senior at Hamline. I'm really excited to graduate this year with a double major in Spanish and communications, although I'm sad to leave the McVay program, which I've been working with for the last three years. I'm currently a fellow at Emma's Place, where I've built some really important relationships with some of the students - a couple of them like to joke that they'll be the first of the twenty children they want me to have. Though, unfortunately, I won't be adopting any of them, I really enjoy the mentoring and give-and-take relationships I've built with them, and I'll truly be sad when I no longer start my afternoons to the sounds of "Ooh, guess what Elise! Today, I...” When I'm not at school or working for the McVay program, I really enjoy cooking recipes I've found on various trips abroad, traveling, watching movies with my husband and playing with our pets, and spending time with my large, close family (which, for the record, doesn't mean that I have any kids - just lots of relatives).
My name is Aubrey Hendry and I am a sophomore at Hamline! When I grow up I want to be an art teacher. I play volleyball at Hamline and am involved in Women’s Chorale, Students Together Organizing Volunteer Events, and Manor Hall Council. I love cats and have three. Singing is my passion and riding bike on a spring day for fun is ideal. This is my first semester with McVay and I’m so excited to be a fellow at Emma’s Place. I love the kids there!
My name is Alena Hyams and I am a junior at Hamline where I am majoring in English. This is my second year with the Youth-VOICE program, and I couldn’t be happier. I love getting to work with kids and learn about them - their likes, dislikes, goals. In my spare time I enjoy reading, listening to music, and seeing every movie I possibly can. In addition to the Youth-Voice program I am also involved in the Delta Tau Sorority on campus and the Liner yearbook. When I graduate I would like to pursue a career involving document design.
My name is Koome Kirimi. I’m a senior at Hamline and a fellow at Liberty Plaza. I have been with the McVay Youth Partnership (Youth-Voice) for the past two and a half years and it has been a great opportunity for me and the kids to interact. I was born and brought up in Kenya and came to Minnesota for my undergraduate education. My experiences from Kenya and at Hamline University have played a key role in my life. I will forever be grateful to all the students and staff I have worked with during my time with McVay Youth-Voice program. The children who attended the program have taught me a lot more about the American culture than I would have learned in class. I feel honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to interact with all the children I mentored especially at our Liberty Plaza and Bethlehem sites.
Hi! My name is Pa Kong Lee. This year I am a senior at Hamline University. I am majoring in Women’s Studies with a minor in English as a Second Language. This is my second year working with the McVay Youth Voice program. I am a Fellow at Emma’s Place this year. As I am finishing my last year with the program I am excited as well as sad because I am leaving. However, I am happy to be part of such a great program!
My name is Jesada Moua. I’m a sophomore at Hamline, majoring in social studies with a minor in education. I’m a fellow at Wheelock. This is my first year with the McVay Youth Voice Program and I hope to continue working for the program in the upcoming years. I really enjoy working for the program because I plan to get my teaching license and 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 and 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 vice 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 and I live on campus in one of the theme houses that Hamline owns. I really enjoy living on campus and I hope to get my own place once I get everything settled.
My name is Patrick Mitambo, and I am a senior at Hamline University. I am originally from Cameroon, which is located in West Africa. My first language is French, but I also speak English fluently. I am pursuing a degree in mathematics with a minor in management. I chose to study mathematics and management because I always loved numbers and by getting a better understanding of the economy today it will prepare me better for graduate school. My plans for the future are to go to graduate school so I could get my MBA (Masters of Business Administration). I am also a member of the football and track team at Hamline University. For my hobbies, I love to cook, watch movies, travel, but mostly I like to stay active.
My name is Nate Polinsky and I am a sophomore at Hamline University. I am on the football team and I am an active member in numerous organizations on campus including the McVay Youth Voice Program. I am a fellow for McVay and I have been in the program for almost a year now. I am a music and art lover. I am competitive in everything that I do and I put 100 percent into everything. Working in the McVay program has opened up my eyes and heart and I will forever take what I have learned in it with me for the rest of my life.
My name is Choua Vang. I was born in Saint Paul, but grew up living most of my life in Winona. I am currently a senior with a double major in political science and women’s studies. I am a McVay fellow at Wheelock Parkway. I have been a part of the McVay Youth Voice for three years now. I started out as an intern during my sophomore year and worked at various sites such as Liberty Plaza, Bethlehem, and Minnehaha. Then I became a fellow the following year at a new site that year called Emma’s Place, and then got shifted to Asbury, which was a new site as well that no longer exists. I also then worked in the summer of 2007. This was when Wheelock became a part of our program. I was a fellow at both Emma’s Place and Wheelock Parkway. I can certainly say it is a life experience of growth and knowledge for me and I enjoy every moment of it. After graduating from Hamline, my plans are to attend graduate school. I certainly want to do something within the education field regarding policy and then teaching in higher education as well. I am currently the president of the Hmong Student Association, a community coordinator at the Hamline apartments, and a member of the NCORE (National Conference on Race and Ethnicity) Team. I am a first generation college student in my family, so all my work, passion, and dedication are for my family, for my ancestors, grandparents, and parents that never got the opportunity to pursue an education.
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