Volunteer Spotlight: Our Spring Interns

We would like to introduce our nine interns for the spring semester of 2023! We look forward to seeing all they accomplish over the next several months. They are excited to join the Make-A-Wish North Texas team and support various departments while ultimately helping us grant more wishes!

Heidi Lozano

Heidi is a welcome and onboarding team intern at Make-A-Wish North Texas. In this role, she helps welcome families to Make-A-Wish and assists them with initial paperwork requests. She is in the final semester of senior year at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, where she is getting her master’s in social work and community and administration practice. This is her second semester interning with Make-A-Wish.

Heidi’s favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, and she is passionate about fashion and makeup. Her favorite place in the world is Monterrey, Mexico, where she made happy childhood memories with her family. She loves learning about the world around her and broadening her perspectives.

“The joy and impact that Make-A-Wish brings to our community is what lead me to intern at here. I wanted to be a part of the magic that Make-A-Wish is known for, and it has been such an incredible and rewarding experience for me so far. I am grateful to belong to an organization that is dedicated to the happiness of kids,” she said.

Brooke Hart

Brooke is a student at the University of North Texas majoring in nonprofit leadership with minors in accounting and psychology. She is a wish discovery intern this semester, and in this role, she discusses potential wish ideas with families and answers any questions they have. Her favorite place in the world is her home, because she loves to be surrounded by her family. If Brooke could switch places with anyone in the world, she would choose Kate Middleton, so she could live the lifestyle of a royal for a day.

Brooke is also a former wish kid! In 2014, her wish to go to the Disney Aulani Resort with her family was granted. Her cancer journey and wish experience inspired her to pursue a college degree that would allow her to work with childhood cancer patients and their families.

“Childhood cancer is something very near and dear to me. I'm most passionate about childhood cancer research, awareness and patients. Helping young kids going through similar situations as I did has driven me and played a major role in my future career choice,” she explained.

Meg Kundur

Meg is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin studying management information systems. She is a mission integration and engagement intern this semester. In this role, she helps with various tasks associated with wish kid involvement. At school, she is the Sargent of Arms for the Texas Lassos, a spirit group on campus. She works on a diversity, inclusion,and equality platform within the group. Meg is passionate about encouraging others to learn more about themselves through mindfulness and self-expression. 

Meg is also a former wish kid! In 2018, her wish to go to Italy—her favorite place in the world—was granted.

“I wanted to intern for Make-A-Wish because I was searching for something fulfilling. My wish experience was life-changing. Now, I am lucky to satisfy those hopes with my role as the mission’s integration and engagement intern for the semester,” she said.

Elle Pirrone

Elle Pirrone is a wish logistics intern this semester, and in this role, she helps plan wish experiences. Elle is a high school graduate, and she plans on perusing a career in speech pathology. She is also a former wish kid! Her wish to have a bedroom makeover was granted last year.

Elle is inspired by her family because of their caring nature and desire to help others. Her favorite place in the world is the East Coast, where the majority of her family is located.

“I’m passionate about helping people, especially those who are chronically ill. I have a passion for bringing joy and positivity into their lives so they can feel better, at least for a little bit,” she said.

Blessy Varghese

Blessy Varghese is currently a junior at the University of North Texas studying information science with a concentration in project management. She is a volunteer services intern this semester. In this role, she helps process wish assignments and communicates with volunteers about upcoming opportunities. Blessy is excited to intern on the Make-A-Wish team because she wants to work for a nonprofit organization after she graduates.

Blessy’s favorite place in the world is Kerala, India, where she was born. She is inspired by Hadassah from Francine Rovers’ book, A Voice in the Wind, because she lives every day with courage, a servant heart and a gentle spirit.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be an intern for Make-A-Wish this semester and to be a part of the hope and light the organization brings to wish kids, families and the community,” she said. “I am also looking forward to getting to know the Make-A-Wish staff and to be able to work with people who are passionate about changing others’ lives.” 

Danielle Ward

Danielle Ward is a sophomore at Texas Christian University. She is receiving a major in strategic communications and a minor in data analytics, and she is a marketing and communications intern this semester. In this role, she writes wish stories and helps promote upcoming events through various communication channels.

At TCU, she is a member of many on-campus groups including Chi Omega, where she serves as the assistant social chair. Through Chi Omega, she had the opportunity to learn more about Make-A-Wish and decided she wanted to be more involved.

“Before college, I knew about Make-A-Wish because I have relatives who work for the organization. After joining Chi Omega, I wanted to get more involved, specifically after one of my own friends in Chi Omega had her wish granted when we were first-year students at TCU,” she said.   

Montse Cuevas

Montse Cuevas is currently serving as a wish discovery intern. In this role, she discusses potential wish ideas with families and answers any questions they have. She is a senior at Texas Woman’s University studying childhood development. Montse’s favorite place in the world is anywhere near a body of water because she enjoys swimming.

Montse is passionate about cooking, and she loves to make new recipes and learn about different cultures through food. Montse is a clean and tidy person and has great organizational skills.

“I wanted to intern with Make-A-Wish because my brother was a wish kid, and I know how much his wish impacted our family, which interested me in doing the same for others,” she said.

Anna Blackwell

Anna is currently a sophomore at Southern Methodist University and is majoring in general business with a minor in sociology and an emphasis in nonprofit studies. Anna is a development and events intern and helps with event preparations and logistics. A few years ago, her wish to play HORSE with Dirk Nowitzki was granted. Anna looks up to Dirk because of his humble nature and impressive accomplishments in the NBA.

Last year, Anna learned how to crochet beanies, and she now creates them for a pediatric neurosurgeon’s office. In the past year, she has made over 75 beanies and has a goal to make more than 100 before summer.

“I’m passionate about giving back to the communities that helped me get through my cancer journey. Make-A-Wish was a huge part in my journey, so being on the team is a huge honor!” she expressed.

Haven Watts

Haven Watts is beginning her third semester as a Make-A-Wish North Texas intern. Haven previously worked as the marketing and communications intern before supporting the development team last semester. In her current role, she helps process auction items for upcoming events. She is also a former wish kid! When Haven was 14, her wish to go to the Bahamas with her family was granted.

Haven is a sophomore at Keiser University and is studying psychology. At school, she is a member of the NLHS Honors Society. Haven is looking forward to continuing to develop new skills through her internship.

“I love interning for Make-A-Wish because it gives me the opportunity to give back to such a special organization that helped me through my darkest times!” she shared.

We are grateful for our interns and thrilled to see their work this semester. For more information about internships and volunteer opportunities, visit ntx.wish.org/volunteer.