Meet the YMCo Interns!

The summer interns have arrived! This week we’ve been learning the in’s and out’s of a smooth-running YMCo summer. We’ve learned policies and procedures, gone over curriculum, and met some fantastic people at some fantastic agencies. As we get ready for our first youth groups to arrive this Sunday, you can read below about who we are and where we’re coming from!

Asheville Youth Mission:

I’m Caitlyn! I’m from Hartsville, SC, and I graduated from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion in May of 2015. This year I’m serving as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Asheville, so I’ve been interning at AYM since January. During these last five months, I have learned so much while writing the weekly YMCo blog posts, helping with our spring groups, and sitting in on (and contributing to) curriculum-writing meetings, among so many other tasks. I’ve loved every second of it, and I’m really excited to spend this summer as the AYM Camp and Conference Intern, helping to lead groups with Montreat Mission Experience and others coming to us from camps and conference centers.

I’m Michelle Beers and I hail from the mid-Atlantic, but for the past three years I’ve called the mountains of Western North Carolina home. I am a rising Social Work senior at Warren Wilson College, and hope to continue working with young people in the Asheville community after graduation. For fun I enjoy hiking on the Parkway, binge watching Broad City, and baking pineapple upside down cake. I identify with the awkwardness of a clarinet.

​My name is Troy Schmidt, and I’m from Raleigh, but as of June 6th, my family will be moved to Pawley’s Island, SC. I just finished my sophomore year at UNC Chapel Hill (still not ready to discuss the basketball game), where I am an Economics major with minors in History and Education. I’m an active member of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UNC, and will be serving on Leadership Team for my second year next year. I like sports, dogs, and have recently gotten into playing disc golf. My spirit animal would be a sea turtle.

​I’m Alec Powell. I’m a senior at Presbyterian College. I grew up in Clinton, SC. I am a Chemistry major and Christian Education minor. If I could be any of the X-Men, I would definitely be Nightcrawler. Having a tail and being able to teleport would be awesome.

​I’m Lauren Nalley, and I’m from Asheville, NC, but go to school in North Georgia at Young Harris College. I’m really excited to be giving back to the community that provided me with so much when I was growing up here. Fun fact, I think my spirit animal is a panda.

​Raleigh Youth Mission:

​I’m Erin, and I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH and I’m currently a student at Ohio University where I study Marketing and Management. This is my second summer working at Raleigh Youth Mission. Last summer was completely transformational, so I’m so glad to be doing it again; I can’t wait to see where this summer leads! In my free time, I enjoy ham mocking with my dog and eating watermelon.

I’m Jane, and I am a student at UNC Chapel Hill where I am majoring in English and Religious Studies. I’ve spent most of my life in Clinton, NC, but my family recently moved to Clayton, NC and is enjoying being near the Triangle. I’m excited to spend the summer with RYM after participating as a youth for the past two years and enjoying the experience immensely. In my free time I like to cook and spend time with my cats.

​We can’t wait to have these interns working with our youth participants at our summer programs in Raleigh and in Asheville!