We have four fabulous new interns! They will be with us the whole month, and after just a week they are already right at home in the Green Light office! In fact, they have been so hard at work that we haven’t even been able to get them to sit down to take a group picture. I promise we will get one next week, but in the meantime we asked them to write a blog about themselves so that you can get to know a little bit about them. Here is what they had to say:
Introducing… THE INTERNS!
We’re all sophomores at Oberlin College, here in the Big Easy for a month of interning with Green Light. Here’s some information about each of us.
Alexandria
Place of origin: Seattle, WA
Area(s) of study: Politics, Economics, and Philosophy
Fun fact: I love film photography. I brought my Nikon FE and bought a couple of disposable cameras, so I’m hoping to capture that good ol’ New Orleans charm while I’m down here. Also, I’m a firm believer that Tupac is still alive.
Reason for being here: I was here in October with Sarah and some other Obiefolk to work with Beacon of Hope and Green Light. During that week, I fell in love with the city and was also struck by how many of Katrina’s effects linger years afterwards. I’m here because I want to make a difference in how New Orleans sees environmental issues, learn more about non-profits like Green Light, and get to know the New Orleans community.
Sarah
Place of origin: Scarsdale, NY
Area(s) of study: Politics, African American Studies, and Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies
Fun fact: Since I was younger, I have been involved in classical music, playing viola, violin, and piano. As I get older I have found it harder to find time to play, but is definitely hobby I hope to continue for as long as possible. Too bad I couldn’t bring any of my instruments with me to NOLA, i would love to play with some of the musicians on Bourbon Street
Reason for being here: Alex and myself worked with Green Light in October, and unlike other non profits I have been involved with, Green Light’s dedication to creating a strong relationship with the NOLA community made me want to come back. I am here to learn more about how non profits work on a day to day basis and get a better feeling of the NOLA community and the problems they continue to face.
Maxwellington
Place of origin: South Bend, IN
Area(s) of study: I don’t have any definite future plans; I’m interested in film production/animation as well as graphic design and stuff but I haven’t decided whether I consider it more as a hobby or an academic pursuit.
Fun fact: I have an embarrassing obsession with cats. None of the cats in New Orleans want anything to do with me, though. My goal is to make a few cat friends by the end of the month.
Reason for being here: New experiences, personal development, maybe some life clarity. Involving myself with the New Orleans community & hopefully making some positive impacts.
Seth
Place of origin: Baltimore, MD
Area(s) of study: Biology, specifically mycology and ecology.
Fun fact: I love food so much, and New Orleans has the monopoly on tasty, and spicy food. While I’m here I’m trying to sample as much as I can, and maybe learn some recipes along the way
Reason for being here: Environmental issues are especially important to me; I feel that humans can reduce our detrimental effect on the earth if we respect and understand the whole community of life with whom we share this planet, from huge animals down to the very smallest living beings. Part of that is being conscious of the resources we take and the waste we spew back into world, and realizing that even small steps, like switching the kind of lightbulbs you use, can have long-lasting effects. Also New Orleans is a great city, with such a rich, unique culture and wonderfully friendly people. And unlike so many other places in this country, the reaction of the earth to our ill treatment of it is of immediate concern to folks here and people are willing, if not downright excited to learn and participate in causes like Green Light.
We’ve only been here for a few days, but already we’ve jumped in and gotten involved in the work Green Light’s been doing. We’ve helped schedule applicants for the free lightbulb program, prepared installation materials for volunteers, enrolled people for the new SmartView program from Entergy, and worked on the Tip the Block project. All in all, it’s been a great first week here and we’re excited for the weeks to come!