Meet the AHA Summer Interns
We’re pleased to welcome three individuals to the American Humanist Association’s Summer 2013 Internship Program! They will be hard at work writing articles for Humanist Network News, assist in editing The Humanist, lobbying on Capitol Hill, promoting humanism via social media, and supporting AHA’s many programs and projects.
Christian Hagen, Editorial Intern, The Humanist
HNN: What is your educational background?
Hagen: I studied Journalism and English at Minnesota State University. My primary work experience is self-made; I ran a music blog for two years with a small staff, and I currently host a podcast and contribute to various online publications when I can.
HNN: How did you first learn about humanism?
Hagen: The first time I heard of “humanism” was while I was researching Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite writers and, of course, a very well-known and important humanist. I like to think I was always a humanist, I just didn’t know it until I saw the word written down.
HNN: Did you grow up in religion? If so, what?
Hagen: My parents weren’t religious, thankfully.
HNN: What interested you most about interning for the AHA?
Hagen: While I grew up in a secular household, my family lived in a very conservative community, and participating in the Boy Scouts and in various choirs and things as a kid ensured that most of my friends growing up were all very staunch Christians. Because of the differences in our beliefs, I dealt with a lot of bullying and ignorance from kids I thought were my friends. When I got out of my home town and found out about the AHA, I decided I would do whatever I could to help kids like me to feel accepted and safe even in places where it might seem like they’re the only ones who don’t spend their Sundays in a church.
HNN: Do you have a favorite humanist/atheist?
Hagen: My favorite humanists and atheists are the ones that are strong in their beliefs but not forceful or hateful of others. They’re also mostly comedians, people like Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Hannibal Buress, and Louis CK.
HNN: Have you read any good books lately? What’s your favorite book?
Hagen: I recently re-read Fahrenheit 451, which I like to do from time to time to recharge my love of books. Books like, say, my favorite book, which is Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
HNN: If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Hagen: Alive! Wait, is that not how that joke goes? Oh. Uh, well, I guess I’d say Lincoln and FDR, because I think they’d have fascinating things to say about the evolution of American democracy, and Wolfgang Puck, because we’d need someone to cook us dinner.
Mallory Kruper, Advocacy Intern, American Humanist Association
HNN: What is your educational background?
Kruper: I will be a junior at the College of Wooster in the fall. I’m a double major in French and International Relations with a concentration in Political Science. I also spent this past semester studying in Paris through Sweet Briar College.
HNN: How did you first learn about humanism?
Kruper: I actually had never really known about humanism until seeing the AHA website.
HNN: Did you grow up in religion?
Kruper: I grew up Presbyterian, going to church every week because my mom taught Sunday school. My dad has always been atheist/agnostic though.
HNN: What interested you most about interning for the AHA?
Kruper: I was looking for a chance to be in DC for the summer and was fascinated by the work the AHA does. As a non-believer I liked the idea of interning for an organization that does good work, while supporting the same secular ideals that I believe in.
HNN: Do you have a favorite humanist/atheist?
Kruper: I actually had to do some research to answer this and never realized how many famous humanists there are out there! But I think I’d have to go with Bill Nye. He made me love science all through school, even when I had terrible teachers, and that’s probably why I wanted to be a meteorologist for the longest time. So either him, or Margaret Sanger.
HNN: Have you read any good books lately? What’s your favorite book?
Kruper: My go-to book when I need a laugh is Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, but my all-time favorite book is probably The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
HNN: If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Kruper: Thomas Jefferson, because I’d love to be able to talk politics with a founding father and Jefferson was also US Minister to France so I could hear all about Paris back in the day, too. Plus Jefferson is just awesome, so there’s that, too. Julius Caesar, so I could get his signature because apparently one doesn’t exist and it would be a nice way to pay for the rest of my schooling. Also I love the idea of eating a Caesar salad with Caesar. He would also have some amazing stories, I’m sure. And Ellen DeGeneres, because every discussion needs comic relief and Ellen is both hilarious and awesome. I’d love to get to talk to her for a few hours.
Sam Mauceri, Communications Intern, American Humanist Association
HNN: What is your educational background?
Mauceri: I’m a rising senior at the University of Maryland pursuing double degrees in Theatre and Arabic Studies. I’ve also taken a few Sociology and Women’s Studies classes and if I could major in everything I wanted to, those would be at the top of my list.
HNN: How did you first learn about humanism?
Mauceri: While I was somewhat familiar with the Renaissance definition of humanism, I hadn’t come across the modern humanist philosophy until about a year ago when I became aware of the AHA. I did some more research using the Association’s resources and other sites and found that humanism represents the core set of values that I stand for as a liberal-minded, non-religious human being.
HNN: Did you grow up in religion? If so, what?
Mauceri: I was raised without religion. My dad was raised Catholic and my mom’s family were occasional church-goers, but for whatever reason my parents chose to raise me outside of the church. My only real exposure growing up was the odd visit to my grandparents’ church when I would stay with them on weekends. Despite a few brief periods of curiosity, I discovered early on that I did not particularly want or need religion in my life and actually felt really out of place whenever I tried to insert myself into it.
HNN: What interested you most about working/interning for the AHA?
Mauceri: I was really excited about the idea of working with like-minded individuals who share my passion for progressive issues and promoting general human kindness. I’m really big on that whole kindness thing.
HNN: Do you have a favorite humanist/atheist?
Mauceri: I’m a big fan of Ira Glass. And of course Gloria Steinem.
HNN: Have you read any good books lately? What’s your favorite book?
Mauceri: I just hopped on the Hunger Games bandwagon about two years too late. I’ve really enjoyed the portrayal of Katniss, who is resourceful, brave, logical, and an incredible caregiver. Some of my favorite books are Slaughterhouse Five, The Poisonwood Bible, and All My Friends Are Dead.
HNN: If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Mauceri: Judy Garland, Carrie Brownstein, and St. Vincent. These three women are all incredible performers and/or musicians who have each had a great impact on their fields. I’ve watched Judy Garland on TCM with my mom for as long as I can remember and I love Judy’s sense of humor and wit. Carrie Brownstein is one of the best rock guitarists of all time and I learned how to talk about music intelligently from listening to her on NPR All Songs Considered podcasts. She also regularly blows my mind on Portlandia. Lastly, a St. Vincent show I saw last year at Bonnaroo changed my life. Sounds dramatic, I know, but watching her command the stage with her direct, alien-like stare and intense vulnerability made a huge impact on how I saw myself. The four of us would have a wonderful dinner together, and when I got tired, they could serenade me to sleep.