Our Spring 2020 interns have been hard at work so far this semester! You may have met some of them at conference, but if not, here they are!
Nithia Akineza
Where do you go to school?
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
Where is home to you?
Bujumbura, Burundi
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Programs
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
I wanted to learn more about the organization and ways to help people.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
Graduating from High School.
Favorite place to eat in DC?
Bistro Cacao
What are you binge-watching right now?
Friends or Private Practice
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
Read or bake
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
Cuba
Kody Brown
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
I attend(ed) Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where I majored in psychology.
Where is home to you?
I grew up in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Development
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
The well-being and happiness of others has always been important to me and normalizing the conversation surrounding mental health is something that needs to be accomplished in order to ensure these things for all. Active Minds’ mission and efforts are doing great things to eliminate the stigma.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
Exploring DC and working with the Active Minds team.
What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Every day that I wake up I look forward to being a lifeline for my puppy and a source of happiness for everyone that I cross paths with.
Favorite place to eat in DC?
Sloppy Mama’s BBQ (Union Market)
What are you binge-watching right now?
How to Get Away With Murder
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
Socialize and go to the gym
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
I would definitely take another trip to Europe.
Guthrie Edson
Where do you go to school? What do you study?
I’m majoring in sports management and minoring in journalism at The George Washington University.
Where is home to you?
Falls Church, Virginia
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Communications
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
I want to make a career out of advocacy, and I wanted to be at an organization which helps people just like me every day!
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I’m looking forward to conference and contributing to the blog!
What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Knowing that I get to be a part of a mission that’s much bigger than myself.
Favorite place to eat in DC?
Butter Chicken Company (on 18th St between I and K Sts)
What are you binge-watching right now?
Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
Go to the gym!
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
I’ve always wanted to go to Eastern Europe, especially Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Kaia Howard
Where do you go to school? What do you study?
Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University
Where is home to you?
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Programs
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
Active Minds’ mission of removing the stigma attached to mental health is extremely important to me. I firmly believe that it is so crucial for people struggling with a mental illness to know that they are not alone. Promoting discourse on mental health, particularly on college campuses, is such an important cause, which is why I wanted to join the mission.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I’m so excited to be in DC! I can’t wait to explore the city some more.
What makes you get out of bed each morning?
I enjoy being productive with my day! I’m motivated to help others and to experience life in the fullest way possible.
Favorite place to eat in DC?
Sweet Green or Cava!
What are you binge-watching right now?
Madam Secretary and Friends
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
I love to draw! I also love spending time with friends, listening to music, or watching Netflix.
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
I’ve always wanted to travel around Western Europe! France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands… the entire region!
Brella Serrano
Where do you go to school? What do you study?
Bridgewater State University. Studying Fine Arts and Psychology.
Where is home to you?
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Communications/Graphic Design
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
I wanted to test the waters on how graphic design rather than fine arts would be in a collaborative environment. Plus, Active Minds’ message about mental health really interested me and related to what I’m passionate about and studying for in school.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I am looking forward to exploring and finding inspiration in the city.
What makes you get out of bed each morning?
My vision of the future; if I don’t get out of bed, I won’t reach the goals I’m working towards.
Favorite place to eat in DC?
My own kitchen, I don’t eat out much
What are you binge-watching right now?
You
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
Paint
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
Aruba
Kendall Stevens
Where do you go to school? What do you study?
I’m a history major/education minor at University of California, Berkeley.
Where is home to you?
Home for me is near Santa Barbara on California’s Central Coast.
Which team are you interning for at Active Minds?
Programs
Why did you want to intern at Active Minds?
While searching for internships, I knew I wanted to be involved in an organization that promotes the mental health and well-being of students. Active Minds’ mission to change the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in our country greatly aligns with my goals as a future teacher. Furthermore, my own experience with mental illness has made me eager to get involved with organizations that seek to end the stigma around mental health.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I’m really excited to learn more about different ways our chapters are advocating for mental health on their campuses. The strategies many chapters have implemented are incredibly creative, and I look forward to supporting these endeavors on an organizational front.
What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Knowing I have an incredible support system. My family and friends truly mean everything to me– their constant love and encouragement motivates me to bring good energy into this world!
Favorite place to eat in DC?
Le Diplomate– the brunch is great.
What are you binge-watching right now?
I’m currently waiting for the final season of Schitt’s Creek to be released on Netflix!
Favorite thing to do in your free time:
I love going for coffee with friends and enjoying walks around my neighborhood.
If money were no object, where would you go for your next vacation?
Either Italy or Japan.
