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Last Year’s Staff

Summer Youth Institute 2011
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Bishop Desmond Tutu
	Kaitlyn Barnes Hometown: Jackson, MS Interests: Listening to music, eating food, driving cars, buying shoes Organizations associated with: UM Gay-Straight Alliance (secretary), WWIRR (intern) Why SYI? I’m too old to be a participant in the Summer Youth Institute, so I have to be the next best thing: a staff member. But really, the youth of this state are the ones with the power to make positive change, and I want to help with that process in any way I can.
	Melody Frierson Hometown: Memphis, TN Interests: Yoga, feminism, the intersectionality of race, gender, & pop culture, Netflix, True Blood, the Black Keys Organizations associated with: WWIRR (intern), UM Feminist Majority (co-president) Why SYI? I’m here to help you realize your (awesome) potential. You all have the power, passion, and tools necessary to help make not only your communities better, more valuable places, but also Mississippi. Always remember, “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. ” – Marianne Williamson
	Susan Glisson Hometown: Evans, GA Interests: Hiking, books, travel Organizations associated with: WWIRR (executive director) Why SYI? “To me, young people come first. They have the courage where we fail.” – Ella Baker

	Rui Gui Hometown: Oxford, MS Interests: Oil painting, reading, drinking strawberry black tea, watching Quentin Tarantino films Organizations associated with: Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Development Institute (research asst.), WWIRR (volunteer), Iglesia San Andres After-School program (tutor), SLC Iglesia Saturday Enrichment Initiative (co-chair, facilitator) Why SYI? SYI is a unique opportunity to engage young people in service learning within their communities. Students are told too often that they lack the maturity, knowledge, and means to make a difference, which we all know to be a flat-out lie. I hope your involvement with SYI will provide you with the resources you need to initiate the social change you know is possible.
	Jeremy F Hawkins Hometown: Nashville, TN Interests: Peace Love & Dancing. I also find quite interesting the idea of Balance. Organizations associated with: WWIRR (intern 2007), Volunteer Tennessee Why SYI? I’m involved because I really do believe that youth today have all the means to join and create a better world full of peace, love and understanding, and gosh darnit, I want to be a part of that too!
	Elliot Long Hometown: Wichita, KS Interests: Bicycles, vegan cooking, playing clarinet, long road trips, reading science fiction, writing Organizations associated with: WWIRR (senior secretary), UM graduate feminist criticism book circle Why SYI? I want to help empower youth to improve their communities and this nation as a whole. Young people have a tremendous amount of energy and creativity, and I want to support them in finding new strategies to tackle the problems we face.
	Jake McGraw Hometown: Oxford, MS; currently in Washington, D.C. Interests: Politics, Traveling, Baseball, Politics Organizations associated with: WWIRR (intern), Center for American Progress, San Mateo Empowerment Project, One MS Why SYI? Change doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a group of committed individuals with the resources, skills, and energy to turn their into vision reality. I am excited to work with this group of young leaders who share my passion for change in our communities and our state.
	Treshika Melvin Hometown: Jackson, MS Interests: Positively impacting humanity, inspiring youth, being inspired, green things, and randomness Organizations associated with: Millsaps College Student Body Association: Green Initiative (co-chair), “1Campus,1Community Center for Engaged Learning & Living” Leadership Team, Psychology Club, Students for Life Why SYI? Young people are amazing (speaking as a fellow young person), and SYI provides an opportunity not only for youth to realize just how amazing they are, but for them to nurture and further develop their amazingness. I’m excited to be amongst the future of this state and country and I can’t wait to see your passion!
	Renee Ombaba Hometown: Jackson, MSInterests: Piano, opera, reading, music, writing Organizations associated with: Student Government Association, College People (transitioning), Opera Workshop, Reformed University Fellowship, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, MADDRAMA Performance Troupe, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Blue Key Honor Society Why SYI? I am involved with SYI because I love passing on the spirit of community service and development to new leaders. Young leaders should have the skills to make the change they would like to see in their communities. SYI gives these leaders an opportunity to learn about productive community development with workshops, activities, and the use of each student’s creative skills. I am very happy to be a part of an organization that focuses on youth empowerment.
	Hope Owens-Wilson Hometown: Jackson, MS Interests: Civil Rights, vegetarianism, being mediocre at several instruments, and film Organizations associated with: WWIRR (intern), Feminist Majority, One MS, Gay-Straight Alliance Why SYI? When I was younger people at the Winter Institute believed in me and encouraged me so I’m returning the favor!

	Charles Taylor Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA & Jackson, MS Interests: Social activism, food, watches Organizations associated with: Jim Hill High School Civil Rights Civil Liberties group, 100 Blackmen of Jackson, MS & Atlanta, GA, Bonner Scholar at Morehouse College, Youth Media Project, Oprah Winfrey South Africa Fellow Why SYI? Why not SYI…the youth in Mississippi have a thirst for justice and voice to be heard. SYI is us just an avenue for the youth across the state to rethink and begin changing the world.
	Charles Tucker Hometown: Cary, MS Interests: Books, photography, Japanese animation, science fiction Organizations associated with: WWIRR (director of communications) Why SYI? Because children are our rainbow.
	Nathaniel Weathersby Hometown: Wesson, MS Interests: Writing, Reading, Dancing Organizations associated with: Residential Housing Association, UM Student Media Center, Gay-Straight Alliance, WWIRR (volunteer) Why SYI? The youth has a special power to influence and bring change in the world. I’m involved with SYI because this conference will give the youth the tools they need to harness that power. To be a part of such an event is a life changing experience I am glad that I and you all get to share. I’m involved with SYI because I love the fact that I may play an integral part in the coming together of young people with like minds willing to change the problems of the world.
	Patrick Weems Hometown: Madison County Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, SYI, Long Walks Organizations associated with:MS Youth Circle, One MS and WWIRR (youth program coordinator) Why SYI? I helped create SYI to help young people find a voice so that together we can create an amazing future. And most importantly to build friendships with some amazing folks!
	Dawn Mahi Hometown: Kailua, Hawai’i Interests: Cooking, baking, going to the beach, having fun with awesome people like the ones I’ll meet at SYI, traveling, social justice, speaking Spanish, dancing hula, helping people connect! Organizations associated with: Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Ho’oulu ‘Āina Nature Preserve Why SYI? I’m involved in SYI because I want to learn more about Mississippi and make connections all the way from Hawai’i. I think the youth from our different places could learn a lot from each other and I’m excited to start! Besides, the staff and community of SYI are so cool I can’t wait to meet everyone else and share the connections with my friends and colleagues from home!
	Joseph Miller Hometown: Kalihi, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii Interests: Hawaii, the world, sustainability, environment, nature, working and playing in the mountains, playing in the ocean, surfing, paddling, hiking, FOOD, cooking food, family, animals. Organizations associated with: Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services – Ho’oulu ‘Aina Why SYI? I am interested in learning more about other peoples, and I believe that that learning will empower me to better serve the Kalihi community, Hawaii, and in turn the world. I am very interested in learning about how to make a change in our community, society, Hawaii, and the world. I believe that working with youth, our future generations, is one excellent way to make a change for the better.
	Darla Simeona Hometown: Pearl City, Hawai’i Interests: Growing food, bodysurfing, making stuff, building bridges Organizations associated with: Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services and Ho’oulu ‘Aina Why SYI? I am excited to learn about the good things going on in Mississippi and share what we do in Hawai’i and make connections with everyone!
	Scotty Garlough Hometown: Waimanalo, Hawai’i Interests: Bodysurfing, fishing, eating, raising animals, working in the mountains, educating youth about the land they come from and the culture they come from Organizations associated with: Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services and Ho’oulu ‘Aina Why SYI? I always like traveling, to learn more things about different types of people, places and cultures. I am excited to share about the land that I come from and am always willing to learn.