The Blog

July 22, 2019

Meet Our Summer Interns (and Apply for Fall)!

From coaching kids’ soccer to analyzing data, It’s Time Texas interns are working in some pretty interesting ways to transform health this summer. We’re excited for you to meet them!

Lombardo Cuellar

School: Texas State University
Major: Health & Fitness Management
Internship Position: Stronger Austin/ Stronger Austin Kids

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? I wanted to intern at It’s Time Texas, because I find it inspiring that this organization wants to help others keep a healthy life style. Seems like everyday is getting harder and harder to maintain that life style. It is important to keep those good habits and healthy life style to live longer and enjoy the beautiful things in this life.
Why is this cause important to you? It’s important to me because everyday I see younger kids and adults suffer from diseases that causes harm to themselves and others (family members and friends). Changing their sedentary or low active life style could prevent them from developing those diseases.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? The culture in the office, I think the culture can really make your experience really good or really bad. Also I love the walks we get to take around the block.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? Check in with my supervisor to see if there’s anything she wants me to do. If she doesn’t, I work on developing lesson plans and physical activities classes for the Stronger Austin Kids as well work on my final project.

Favorite quote? “Ain’t no problem.”
Fun fact about you? I played soccer at very high levels nationally and internationally
Favorite thing to do in Austin? discover new hiking spots and rivers to visit.
Favorite way to exercise? Running outdoors or going on long walks at my hiking spots

It’s Time to change and live a healthy happy life!!!!

Chanellor Garay-Vidal

School: The University of Texas at Austin
Major: Public Health, Minor in Business
Internship Position: Outreach Intern

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? I wanted to intern at ITT because I truly reside with their mission statement. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has always been important to me. I knew, through this internship, I would have the chance to actively promote that belief and get great insight to networking, professionalism, and all the other opportunities that come with a functioning, successful, non-profit.
Why is this cause important to you? This cause is important to me because, one of the things I am driven to do in my professional career, is to help lower the alarming rates of obesity and heart disease. I hope to make an impact in the world by contributing to control these epidemics. The fact that something so preventable is the number one cause of death in the country, is astonishing; but is also hopeful in that we are aware of solutions to the problem, now we need to work on implementing them.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? So far, m y favorite part of interning has been creating new engagement activities geared toward high school and middle school students specifically.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? A typical day in the office for me includes: working on my daily tasks and projects my supervisor has provided for me, attending a meeting with my supervisor (as the note taker), and maybe even unpacking a bag or two from previous events ITT attended.

Favorite quote? “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think,” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Fun fact about you? I have been skydiving and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I hope to one day get my skydiving license.
Favorite thing to do in Austin? My favorite thing to do in Austin is to discover new, local restaurants and hangout spots! This city has so much to offer, going out and discovering it on your own is half the fun.
Favorite way to exercise? My favorite way to exercise is going for a run and doing yoga.

It’s Time to work hard and do my part throughout the community in helping make Texas a better, healthier place.

Donny Lee

School: UTHealth School of Public Health
Major: MPH in Epidemiology and Certificate in Data Science
Internship Position: Impact and Evaluation Intern

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? I wanted to sharpen my data analysis and visualization skills. Additionally, as someone who believes making a positive impact on health is my vocation, I thought this was a perfect fit.
Why is this cause important to you? I love serving people, and believe that data supported decisions can be a strong way to show the importance and efficacy of implementing health interventions.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? Being able to work in team focused setting and knowing that this work has the potential to improve the lives of people all over Texas.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? Usually it starts with having a meeting with my supervisor. Then I either visualize data on Power BI, help develop standard operating procedures or evaluate ways to improve the website.

Favorite quote? “Height doesn’t measure heart.” – Marcus Stroman
Fun fact about you? I’m an amateur coffee connoisseur, I love to make coffee and visit cool coffee shops whenever I have time.
Favorite thing to do in Austin? Playing basketball with friends at UT.
Favorite way to exercise? I love to play basketball, soccer, and tennis!

It’s Time to HAVE FUN!

Matthew Travieso

School: University of Arizona
Major: MPH with a concentration in Health Service Administration
Internship Position: Stronger Austin

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? I chose IT’S TIME TEXAS because of their approach on combatting obesity and creating nutritional awareness throughout Texas.
 Why is this cause important to you? This is important to me because I strongly believe that obesity prevention is necessary for our country.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? My favorite aspect of this internship is the freedom I have planning and developing my own project.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? My day usually consists of daily office work for the Stronger Austin program and class monitoring for Pan Am’s Boot Camp class.

Favorite quote? “Never forget where you came from” – Rian Harden
Fun fact about you? I love to blacksmith and paint Warhammer 40K miniatures
Favorite thing to do in Austin? Play games at comic book shops
Favorite way to exercise? Lifting and HIIT

It’s Time to make a difference!

McKenna Stoudemire

School: Cornell University
Major: Human Biology, Health & Society
Internship Position: School Programs Intern

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? To gain experience working on community health initiatives 
Why is this cause important to you? I believe that health is a right, not a privilege, and I want to dedicate my career to ensuring that people around the world have access to the knowledge and resources they need to lead healthy, happy lives.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? Quickly being exposed to so many different projects – I’ve learned so much about community interventions already!
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? Researching logistics for a number of projects and learning all about Texas school health.

Favorite quote? “Adventure is worthwhile in itself” – Amelia Earhart
Fun fact about you? I’ve studied in India, South Africa, and Brazil
Favorite thing to do in Austin? Paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake
Favorite way to exercise? Weightlifting & Spin class!

It’s Time to make sure our communities have the tools to thrive!

Lybbie Dang

School: University of North Texas
Major: Health Promotion – Communications Track
Internship Position: Stronger Austin Kids

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? The mission that ITT is so rad, and it really struck me how great non-profit organizations are and the passion that comes from it. I enjoy the values that are first stated and it is clear what ITT want to accomplish in helping the community.
Why is this cause important to you? The idea of promoting health and wellness that is easily manageable to everyone that doesn’t involve drastically changing your lifestyle 180. Health should be a positive change not a burden.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? Working with the kids in afterschool programs, and gaining knowledge and skills from everyone I encounter at ITT
A typical day in the office look like for you? My typical day involves revamping and organizing the Teach Healthier App, designing a curriculum calendar for future after school programs, tackling various small projects, and conversing with my fellow intern friends,

Favorite quote? “The biggest love is the love for oneself, so if you want to love others, you should love yourself first.” -BTS Kim Namjoon
Fun fact about you? My brother and I are ten-months apart, making us Irish Twins.
Favorite thing to do in Austin? Trying out new coffee shops and testing out there iced latte. I love trying out new coffee and experience the interior work.
Favorite way to exercise? Walking the dog

It’s Time to make being healthy manageable for all ages!

Rachel L. Castillo

School: The University of Arizona
Major: MPH- Health Service Administration
Internship Position: Events Intern

Why did you want to intern at It’s Time Texas? I wanted to intern at It’s Time Texas to get experience working with a statewide non-profit organization that focuses on community and population health. The organization is an ideal workplace for my future career endeavors of impacting communities through program development and implementation.
Why is this cause important to you? This cause is an important to me because many communities throughout the Lone Star State do not have access and knowledge about available health resources that can help towards decreasing incidence and prevalence of preventable diseases, illnesses, and diseases. I want to help bridge this pivotal gap towards improving community and population health.
What has been your favorite part of interning so far? My favorite part of interning so far has been assisting in the program development process to help facilitate a cross-sector collaboration platform for all local and state organizations to engage and connect towards a common goal.
What does a typical day in the office look like for you? A typical day in the office starts with a good cup of coffee and being inspired by others through their aspirations. I work throughout the day to accomplish small detailed goals to contribute to the long-term goal of program development in It’s Time Texas.

Favorite quote? “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”- Walt Disney
Fun fact about you? I was in college marching band for 3 years as a percussionist.
Favorite thing to do in Austin? I love exploring parks and scenery around Austin, including trying new food in unique local restaurants.

It’s Time to create ourselves and inspire others to be catalysts for change in health and wellness.

Want to be a part of the next cohort of interns at It’s Time Texas? You’re in luck! Applications for Summer 2019 are now being accepted. Check out current openings and apply here.

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