Rhea Varughese  

Inspired by the hard work and perseverance of her parents, Rhea approaches every endeavor with dedication and compassion. Her passion for supporting children and families during challenging times has shaped her journey, from her involvement with the Miracle Network Dance Marathon to earning a degree in Health Administration. Having long admired the mission of Make-A-Wish, she is excited to now contribute to the organization. For Rhea, this internship represents not only a valuable professional opportunity but also a meaningful way to give back to a cause she has supported since childhood. 

Taylor Johnson 

Taylor’s passion for bringing joy to others, especially children, made Make-A-Wish the ideal place to pursue her goals. Inspired by the organization’s mission to create lasting impact through kindness, connection, and celebration, she finds the most meaningful aspect of her internship in building relationships—with wish families, colleagues, and the community—and witnessing how each wish can inspire hope. Taylor’s experience is deeply influenced by her mother’s example, whose compassion and strong work ethic instilled in her the importance of leading with heart. 

Arely Alcala 

Arely was drawn to Make-A-Wish by its inspiring mission and the genuine warmth of the team. Inspired by her parents’ resilience and sacrifices, she approaches each day with gratitude and a strong desire to make a positive impact. What excites her most about the internship is being part of the wish discovery process—witnessing the magic unfold from the very beginning. For Arely, this experience is not only an opportunity to give back but also a chance to grow through meaningful connections and purpose. She hopes to carry forward a spirit of empathy and service in all that she does. 

Emily Graham 

Inspired by her mom’s quiet strength and compassion, Emily lives by the motto, “Be kind”, because you never know what someone is going through. Outside of her internship, she enjoys pickleball, journaling, and exploring new coffee shops. Her passion for nonprofit work began with her family’s experience with the ALS Association. Emily cherishes time with loved ones, especially by the water at sunset. A fun fact: she played violin for seven years and wishes she knew more about cars. She’s excited to learn how wishes come to life—from behind-the-scenes logistics to meaningful family connections—deepening her understanding of empathy in action. 

Nicole Kramer 

Nicole draws inspiration from her parents’ hard work and generosity. She lives by the motto, “You never fail until you stop trying.” Nicole finds comfort in her home, where she can relax and recharge. Nicole earned her associate’s degree in business administration while working through high school and is now pursuing a finance degree at UTD. Outside of her internship, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, crocheting, reading, and watching TV. Drawn to Make-A-Wish’s mission, Nicole looks forward to learning how nonprofits operate behind the scenes—especially with events and fundraising—while gaining skills to make a real impact. 

Sirisha Ramesh 

Sirisha draws inspiration from her parents’ hard work and resilience, which motivates her to keep moving forward. She loves her hometown, Bangalore, India, and is eager to learn more about artificial intelligence and its future impact. Known for her strong memory of small details, Sirisha lives by the motto, “If you don’t work hard for what you want, then don’t cry for what you lost.” In her free time, she enjoys mandala painting, reading, and building with LEGO. She chose to intern with Make-A-Wish because she admires its mission to bring hope to children and is excited to contribute to such meaningful work.