This has been an interesting year for us. In the Winter/Spring months, we, like pretty much every other non-profit out there, struggled to get through these terrible times of COVID-19 and having to adjust to the new reality of social distancing.
But this article isn’t about tough times; it’s about what’s to come and how, when you get great people together, beautiful things can happen.
I was reminded of the brilliance of the human mind when I started interviewing summer interns. We received over 500 applicants for our seven positions. And all of the people we selected, even the ones that we’re able to bring on, had terrific qualities and showed me that our future is in good hands.
That’s such a cliché, but I genuinely do mean it. I want to introduce you to our summer interns, and I hope you will learn as the other volunteers for this organization, and I have been in a short time that they’ve been on board with us, are exceptional people.
Grace Barnes
Hi everyone! My name is Grace, and I’m a full-time film student and part-time journalist from Arlington, VA. I’m majoring in Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin and I’m a senior reporter at the Daily Texan, our student newspaper. No, I haven’t seen Matthew McConaughey on campus yet, but I will either meet him in class or when I (hopefully) become a film producer someday. When I’m not re-watching my favorite films, I’m usually plotting how to get invited to the 100th annual Academy Awards.
Justine Conry
Hi all! I’m Justine, I’m a recent graduate who just moved back to Northern California after living in Scotland for almost 2 years. No, I still cannot understand Scottish accents. I earned my Masters in Film Exhibition and Curation from The University of Edinburgh & I was lucky enough to work at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 (I was able to go to the Parasite and Rocketman red carpet premieres which is when I 100% peaked in life). As I’ve been stuck at home for the past 3-ish months, I’ve been re-watching some of my favorite movies and shows and, like Dan Feldbusch, gained an addiction to Animal Crossing.
Eventually, I’d love to work as a film festival programmer or open my own indie theatre.
Emily Hoffmann
Hi everybody! I’m Emily, your training specialist intern this summer. I am an instructional designer with a background in post-secondary language education. I have a MA in Curriculum and Instruction and am currently taking grad classes part-time to expand my expertise in learning and design.
I’m a culture and language junkie who has lived in Italy, Turkey, China, and Hong Kong. I am currently riding out the pandemic in my home state of Wisconsin. I enjoy reading philosophy, watching documentaries, learning Italian, and camping.
Lewis DeCarolis
Hi everyone! My name is Lewis, and I am the E-commerce intern this summer. I am a junior at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska studying MIS and economics. I ultimately hope to work in information security and am taking corresponding courses in the following semesters. While I do enjoy the nice people of the midwest and doing community service, I am happy to say I have moved back to my home state of Colorado for the time being and am an outdoor enthusiast. My legs are dead from all the bike rides I go on with friends, and my brain is pretty much fried from binging Breaking Bad for the 900th time. I look forward to meeting all of you this summer!
Mary Wilbur
Hi ya’ll! My name is Mary Catherine Wilbur, and I am one of the Art Specialist Interns this summer. I graduated from Lamar University with a BFA in Studio art. I’m a Texan at heart, but a few months ago I moved to Alaska. It’s beautiful here with near 24-hour sunlight, and I’m hoping to get a good bike to explore the outdoors. My videogame addiction of choice is Overwatch. When I’m not drawing, I work as a Revit Technician/Head of Visualization (a fancy title for ‘I make things pretty and occasionally do 3D renders’) at a mechanical engineering company.
I love to learn new, and hopefully useful skills. Currently, I’m on a lock-picking, art theory, and 3D modeling bender.
I really look forward to working with you guys this summer!
Colin McCamy
Hello, everyone! My name is Colin McCamy, and I’m one of the art specialist interns! I’m a senior at Harding University pursuing a BFA in graphic design, with a particular interest in illustration and animation. I also play the cello and have been involved in a few orchestra groups and musicals (Newsies being one of my favorites!) Right now home is just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and when I’m not drawing or designing I like spending time outside or watching movies. I am very excited about working with you all this summer!
