Meet the New AHA Interns: Lineth Garcia and Cate Pringle
AHA Headquarters in Washington, DC Learn more about Policy Intern Lineth Garcia and Organizing Intern Cate Pringle!
What drew you to humanism?
Lineth Garcia: My introduction to humanism came through my sociology courses, particularly through one of my favorite professors. I was drawn to its emphasis on human values and ethical principles, rather than supernatural beliefs. The idea of a nonreligious worldview resonated with me, and I found myself identifying with its perspective.
Cate Pringle: I was initially drawn to humanism because I felt it aligned with my secular belief system while still maintaining a strong optimism regarding the compassion and cooperation that human beings are capable of. I strongly believe in the importance of artwork and inspiration that comes from the ordinary moments of daily life, and find that humanism represents those beliefs more solidly than other secular schools of thought.
Did you grow up in a traditional religious faith? How did it impact you?
Garcia: I was raised in a Catholic household, attending church and following traditions encouraged by my parents. Despite this, even from a young age I struggled to connect with the faith, finding it lacked reasoning. Over time, I realized that inherited traditions don’t necessarily make something true, shaping my approach to learning and decision-making. It impacted me to seek reason and evidence rather than accepting beliefs at face value.
Pringle: When I was young, neither of my parents were particularly religious. However, when I was in middle school, my mom started attending a Christian church every week. When I asked her why she had started doing so, she said that although if you held a gun to her head and asked her she’d say she doesn’t believe in any god, she really had been craving the community that can come from attending church and wanted to find a way to start volunteering more often. This really inspired me to start searching for this kind of community for myself, so I could become more closely involved with the people around me and start working towards the common good.
What are you studying?
Garcia: I am currently majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Spanish.
Pringle: I am a rising junior at William & Mary, where I am majoring in Kinesiology with a concentration in Public Health, and minoring in Biology. Some other, more specific academic interests of mine include epidemiology, healthcare administration, and cardiovascular physiology.
What book has influenced you the most?
Garcia: I’d say Fahrenheit 451. It opened my eyes to the importance of independent thought and staying informed, rather than blindly following societal norms. The book’s themes of censorship and intellectual freedom reinforced the value of questioning, learning, and forming my own perspectives.
Pringle: It’s a children’s book, but I would say When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. It’s about a young girl, Miranda, who witnesses a homeless man jump in front of a moving car, sacrificing his life to push her best friend out of the way. It’s difficult to explain why it’s so impactful without totally spoiling it, but it basically showed me that I might not know everything I think I know about the world around me, and a moment that I barely think about might be something someone else ponders for a long time afterward. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read something that catches them off guard.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Garcia: If I could have dinner with any three people in the world I’d choose Keanu Reeves, Freddie Mercury, and Viola Davis. Reeves inspires me with his wisdom and generosity, choosing to give back rather than chase wealth. Mercury was an icon, his artistry, advocacy, and Queen’s music shaped generations. Davis is a remarkable talent and advocate, and her personal history and activism make her an inspiring voice of today.
Pringle: 1. Carl Sagan – I read his book Pale Blue Dot when I was probably just a bit too young to fully appreciate it. I plan on reading it again sometime soon, and if I had the chance to have dinner with him, I would ask him what he wants readers to take away from his novel Contact.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright – Years ago I saw a picture of the stunning office he designed for the Johnson Wax Headquarters and instantly became obsessed with his architecture. I admire how he created spaces that will look modern and fresh for the entire time for which they exist, and would be interested to learn how he found inspiration for his unique designs within the world around him.
3. Nathan Fielder – This one is less serious, but I am totally transfixed by Nathan Fielder’s most recent show, The Rehearsal. I have this unshakable urge to find out how he came up with such an insane idea and how he manages to build fake scenarios that end up feeling so uniquely authentic.