This summer, we are excited to welcome five interns to our team! We are looking forward to all that they will accomplish throughout their time at Make-A-Wish North Texas over the next few months. Get to know our interns:

Peighten Kapper

Peighten is a senior from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. She is studying psychology and sociology with a minor in political science, and she is interning with the volunteer services department in the Addison office. On campus, Peighten is involved in Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, and she will be serving as the organization’s treasurer for the upcoming year. Peighten’s favorite type of food is breakfast food, her favorite sport to watch is hockey, her favorite movie is Moana, and if she could have an animal sidekick, it would be an elephant because they’re intelligent and one of her favorite animals.

Peighton has loved Make-A-Wish for years and is excited about her internship this summer.

“I wanted to intern at Make-A-Wish this summer because ultimately, this is my dream job. In high school, we had Wish Week—a time where we got to make the wish kids feel special, celebrate, raise funds and spend time doing things that made them feel like family. We incorporated themes, their favorite color, what their wish was and more. I loved the message and mission behind Make-A-Wish. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work somewhere that helped others and gave back to the community,” she expressed.

Haydon Leiseth

Haydon is a senior from the University of Oklahoma. She is studying marketing with a minor in accounting and serving as the marketing and communications intern at the Make-A-Wish Addison office. Haydon’s favorite color is blue, her favorite Disney character is Winnie the Pooh, she thinks the best dessert is ice cream, and she has a dog named Brooke. Haydon is a member of Chi Omega, and that’s how she discovered her love for Make-A-Wish.

“Prior to college, I knew a little bit about Make-A-Wish. I knew someone who had a wish granted, but it wasn’t until I supported Make-A-Wish through philanthropy events at OU and had the opportunity to meet a few wish kids that I realized how truly special this organization is,” she shared. “I wanted to intern with Make-A-Wish because it is an organization that means a lot to me. I love what they stand for and how hard they work to make an impact in a child and their family’s lives!”

Omar Maldonado

Omar is a graduate student from the University of Texas at El Paso. Omar is studying business administration, and he is interning with the volunteer services department in the El Paso office. Omar’s favorite sport to watch is basketball, his favorite season is winter and his favorite movie is Spider-Man: No Way Home. If he could have an animal sidekick, it would be a bald eagle because it could be his eye in the sky.

Omar is excited about this internship and everything that he will learn this summer.

“One of the reasons why I wanted to intern here was because in the fall, I will be interning at Disney World. Make-A-Wish grants a lot of wishes to Disney World! I felt that if I could intern here while preparing for my future goals, it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on!” he shared.

Delaney McDuffie

Delaney will begin her freshman year at Texas Christian University in the fall, and she will be majoring in fashion merchandising. Delaney is a mission delivery intern in our Addison office. Her favorite color is lilac, her favorite Disney character is Stitch and she loves French toast. Delaney first learned about Make-A-Wish when her little brother Anderson's wish was granted several years ago. She and her family started our Sunshine Box program, which gives supporters and friends of Make-A-Wish the opportunity to create fun boxes full of encouragement for children who are waiting for their wishes to be granted.

“I wanted to intern at Make-A-Wish because I’ve always loved the foundation and been involved with them, from helping fundraise, to being a wish sibling, and now, an intern!" she shared.

Owen Wilson

Owen is a senior attending Texas Christian University. He is studying psychology with a minor in cultural awareness in health and healthcare, and he is interning with the wish discovery team in the Addison office. Owen is a wellness peer educator at TCU, and he is a research assistant in a social psychology lab. Owen’s favorite food is a sandwich, he has two dogs, his favorite tv show is The Office, and his go-to Sonic drink is a Diet Dr. Pepper with cherry.

Owen is a former wish kid, and he is excited to give back to the organization that helped him find hope during a scary time.

“I had a brain tumor when I was 15 and had my wish granted to go to Maui. My cancer experience made me want to have a career where I help people who are in a similar position as I was, and Make-A-Wish definitely does that,” he shared.

We’re thankful for our interns and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish this summer as they help grant more wishes and spread awareness of our mission. Interested in interning with us in the fall? Learn more here.