Meridian, ID – Students from around Idaho and around the country have spent their summer interning in the Idaho and Washington, D.C., offices of Congressman Walt Minnick. The team of Minnick interns includes honors students, law-school grads, Idaho natives, two student-body presidents and a former Fulbright Scholar.
“These young men and women are an outstanding bunch,” Minnick said. “They are smart, capable and driven to help my staff assist constituents. We are lucky to have them in our offices, and wish them well as their internships come to a close.”
Summer internships programs have a long tradition in Congress. Students from around the country converge on Washington, D.C., to work in Congressional offices and assist staffers with everything from tours to answering phones to helping with constituent mail. Minnick also offers internships in each of three District field offices in Idaho.
The interns include:
Grayson Badgley
Grayson is a native of Boise, Idaho. He graduated from Georgetown University in May with a degree in Science, Technology and International Affairs. Come October, Grayson will continue his education at the University of Oxford, working toward a master’s in Environmental Change and Management.
Charles Boespflug
Charles is a native of Mougins, France. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 2009 with a degree in political science. He enjoys serving the people of the first district in Idaho. His parents are Jean-Pierre and Nancy Boespflug of Boise.
Danica Ersland
Danica is a native of Eagle, Idaho and attends Willamette University in Oregon. She studies political science and is a regionally competitive debater for Willamette. Her parents are Paul and Mary Ersland of Eagle.
Carter Frank
Carter is a native of Pasadena, California and attends Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He is studying economics, biology and political science and has tentative plans to pursue a law degree after graduation.
Laura Fremgen
Laura is a native of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and will be graduating from Creighton University in 2010 with a degree in public relations. Laura is undecided about future career plans but will be starting an internship in Senator Ben Nelson’s office when she returns to Omaha in August.
Her parents are Alan and Kathy Fremgen of Coeur d’Alene.
Joseph Gamlem
Joseph is a native of Vancouver, Washington, and expects to graduate in December from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. After graduation, he plans to teach high school communications or history. His parents are Stephanie and Rex Gamlem.
Sara Garofalo
Sara is a native of Park Ridge, Illinois. She attends Miami University and plans to graduate in 2010 with a double major in political science and history. She hopes to attend law school and is interested in working in health care or international affairs.
Heidi Goltermann
Heidi is a native of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She graduated from DePauw University in May of 2009 with a degree in economics. While she is unsure of what comes next, she is enjoying her time on the Hill. Her parents are Dave and Betsy Goltermann.
Garrett Holbrook
Garrett is a native of Quilcene, Washington, but considers Moscow, Idaho, home. He will graduate from the University of Idaho in the fall of 2009. He is studying political science and public relations, and has served a term as student body president at the school.
Andrew Jaynes
Andrew is a native of Snohomish, Washington. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003, and received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 2007. From 2007 to 2008 he was a Fulbright scholar based in the Philippines.
Carl Jensen
Carl is a native of Genesee, Idaho. He is a senior at the University of Arizona, studying economics and political science. He is the son of Genesee farmers Wayne and Jacie Jensen.
Bryce Jones
Bryce is a native of Boise, Idaho. He is currently attending the University of Vermont, studying political science and economics with a minor in Mandarin. He will serve during the upcoming school year as President of the Student Government Association.
Shannon Kelly
Shannon is a native of Boise, Idaho and attends the University of Utah where she majors in biology and political science. Her parents are Mike and Janet Kelly.
Amanda Knarich
Amanda graduated with a degree in diplomacy and foreign affairs from Miami University in 2009. She hopes to stay in Washington after completing her internship.
Rob Lloyd
Rob is a native of Boise, Idaho. He plans to graduate in 2010 from Connecticut College with a major in government and history. Rob has also attended Babson Business School and volunteered for Operation Crossroads Africa in The Gambia. He plans to continue his education with a graduate degree in international relations.
Max Lord
Max is a native of Boise, Idaho. He attends the University of California-Berkeley where he studies history and mathematics. He is currently thinking about attending law school after graduating in the spring of 2010. His parents are Julie Cheever and Steve Lord, both of Boise.
Carlos Maza
Carlos is a native of Miami, Florida. He attends Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he majors in political science and is a member of the debate squad. He will graduate in 2010.
Catherine Richardson
Catherine is a native of Boise, Idaho. She will be starting college this fall at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, after graduating earlier this year from Boise High School. She plans to major in English and theatre with a minor in Spanish. Her parents are Pete and Betty Richardson.
Liza Schillo
Liza is a native of Asheville, North Carolina and graduated with a degree in environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently seeking meaningful work in the realm of public policy and the environment. She enjoys almost anything outdoors.
Mark Smit
Mark holds a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s in international relations, from Westmont College and the Universiteit van Amsterdam, respectively. He has travelled to over 25 countries and has worked in Washington as a research assistant at the Center for Economic and Policy Research and as a campaign media analyst for Media Matters. He plans to return to Washington after completing his internship in Minnick’s Meridian, Idaho office.
Nicholas Tabor
Nicholas is a graduate of Sidwell Friends School and Harvard. He is from Rockville, Maryland, and his parents are Edward and Brenda Tabor
Matthew Widmyer
Matthew is a native of Coeur d’Alene. He is a 2007 graduate of Lake City High School, and attends Arizona State University where he is working on a double major in business and political science. He plans to pursue a law degree and a MBA. His parents are Steve and Marie Widmyer.
Minnick congratulates summer interns
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