Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, June 19 /-USNewswire/ -- The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) announces that eight students are participating this summer in the 2007 Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation- AAPD Congressional Internship Program. This program is made possible by a generous grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).
This congressional internship program, a paid summer internship program that was launched in 2002 with a grant from MEAF, was designed to provide college and university students with disabilities the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge of the legislative and political process, and a unique learning experience that enriches their educational endeavors and enhances their future career opportunities.
2007 Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internships were awarded to the following students, who were selected on the basis of a written application and personal interviews. They started their internships on June 4, following a thorough orientation.
Zachary Glick (Zack) is a junior at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, studying History and Political Science. He is originally from San Francisco, California, but lived in Williamsville, New York for 17 years. During his freshman and sophomore years, Zack spent two semesters as a student teacher at area middle schools. He is active in intramural sports, to include ice hockey, floor hockey, flag football, volleyball and indoor soccer. Zack is contemplating graduate studies in U.S. History or Political Science. He is interning this summer with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
Donielle Hatcher, originally from Inglewood, California, is a rising junior at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, is interested in Public Policy. In the fall of 2006, she was an intern with the Claire McCaskill Senate Campaign. Donielle is very active on her campus, to include work and volunteer experience with College Initiatives for Diversity Awareness, Smith College Democrats, College Judicial Board, and the Anti-Defamation League. In addition, she is a Mellon Mays undergraduate fellow, researching "racial profiling" in biomedical research and clinical practice of inflammatory bowel disease. Donielle is interested specifically in poverty, health care, education, and disability policy. She is interning with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on the HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee, of which the Senator is Chairman.
Christopher Jackson was born in Germany, but grew up in Rochester, New York. He attends the University of Buffalo, New York. As a senior pursuing Political Science and Psychology, Christopher served a full-time semester-long internship with New York State Assembly member Michael Cusick; he had previously served a similar internship with Assembly member Sam Hoyt. He is active in his community with volunteer work at the American Red Cross of Greater Rochester; workshop presentations at a Peace Conference; and work at the ARC of Monroe. He has also volunteered in the Peace Conference, to help prevent school violence. Shaped by his childhood experiences, Christopher is determined to become a public servant to provide other children with the opportunity to grow up in safe and nurturing environments. He is interning with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Stacey Milbern is a junior at Methodist University in North Carolina majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She is very active with the National Youth Leadership Network, currently serving as its Vice-President, and founder of the North Carolina Youth Leadership Network; she is also a member of the North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council appointed by the Governor. Stacey is very passionate about disability rights and hopes to follow in the footsteps of activists and policymakers before her. Stacey is interning with Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).
Arisa Nakamori is a rising junior at the University of California at Davis, where she is a double major in International Relations and East Asian Studies. Arisa is a coach assistant for beginners in Kendo. Born in the U.S., Arisa's parents sent her to Japan in early childhood to learn and become familiar with the Japanese language and culture. Her experiences helped her to appreciate the value of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She hopes to pursue graduate studies and eventually work in the international arena, helping other countries to develop disability rights legislation. Arisa will spend her junior year studying abroad in Japan. She is interning with the House Committee on Science and Technology, which chaired by Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN).
Kerri E. Regan lives in Bethpage, New York, currently attending Nassau Community College, New York. Kerri is contemplating a major in Library Science and Information. She previously worked with Helen Keller Services for the Blind and Catholic Charities, and has volunteer experience with the Long Island Children's Museum. She is interning this summer with Representative Peter King (R-NY).
Luiz Renato Rens is a junior at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he is studying Political Science and Public Administration. He is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Luiz is very active with the Democratic Party, to include his nomination as a delegate to the National Convention of Young Democrats and the College Democrats of America. In addition, he had the opportunity to participate in the South Dakota Partners in Policymaking program, the Governor's Youth Leadership Forum, and the Governor's Freedom to Work Project which focused on labor and employment issues. Luiz is interning in the office of Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD).
Conrad Reynoldson is a sophomore at Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, where he majors in Political Science. He has had varied experiences, to include an I.T. internship with the Federal Aviation Administration and volunteering for a political campaign. He is also active with the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD). Conrad is interning this summer with Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS).
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, promotes the economic and political power for all children and adults living with disabilities in the U.S. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For information regarding the Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program and other internship opportunities available through AAPD or to sign up to receive internship announcements, visit the AAPD website at http://www.aapd.com, or call AAPD 800-840-8844 (V/TTY).
