Hi! My name is Cassie and I am the new Page Turners Intern. I am so excited to be working with such a passionate and energized community and cannot wait to see where this journey takes me.
I am currently entering my fourth year at UC San Diego as a Literature and Ethnic Studies Double Major. Throughout my undergraduate education, I have learned a great deal about how literature can be an extraordinary tool to express a vast array of identities and facilitate cross-cultural understanding. I am so excited to use this knowledge in aiding the Page Turners Program and supporting the broader mission of Words Alive.
Reading and writing have always been incredibly important to me. Through reading, I have been able to engage with and gain a greater understanding of the world around me. Through writing, I have grown to better understand myself and others. Since literacy and literature continues to serve me in countless ways, it does not sit lightly with me that my own access to education comes from a place of privilege. Literacy is an essential tool with which we navigate society and all levels of education, and yet 21% of adults in the US have low literacy skills. I am passionate about increasing equitable access to education, using my own educational background to increase access to education for others.
As I complete my last year of college and enter the abyss of adult life, I am grateful to have this experience to shine some light on my future. Although I am unsure of what my plans are for after I graduate, I can really see myself working at a non-profit organization in the future. I am thankful to Words Alive for allowing me to experience working in a non-profit environment for the first time and encouraging me to develop professionally through this experience. I am interested in doing some sort of social justice work, aiding the dismantling of the societal inequities of today. I am passionate and excited to learn more about mass incarceration, housing disparities, and immigration policy, issues which I would love to engage with further in my professional future.
What drew you to interning at Words Alive?
A fateful Handshake search led me to interning at Words Alive. Studying Ethnic Studies and Literature, it seems that my whole undergraduate education has orbited around diverse and accurate representations in literature. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this opportunity to be a part of the Page Turners program, a position that aligns beautifully with my own interests and passions.
Skimming through the summaries of the books being reviewed by Page Turners, I became really emotional. These are the books that I wish I had access to growing up! I cannot express the thrill that comes over me, knowing that there is a generation of children that will be able to see themselves represented in the literature they read and the media they consume, no matter their identity. I am so grateful to be able to contribute to the mission of providing these diverse literary representations to students through Words Alive, increasing literacy rates in the process.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love to indulge myself in anything creative. In my free time, you can find me crocheting or knitting, playing the guitar, and singing. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the UCSD Tritones, the premier a cappella group at UCSD. Singing and performing with the friends I have made in this group has made up some of the best experiences I have had in college. I also have grown a huge appreciation for live music all around, and I spend lots of time (and far too much money) on experiencing all the concerts I can, from jazz nights in Balboa Park to going to see Beyoncé in LA.
What is your favorite book?
I am really indecisive so it’s always hard to pick a favorite. Some of my all-time favorites are Beloved by Toni Morrison and The Overstory by Richard Powers.
I am so happy to be joining this community. I want to extend my thanks both to the Words Alive Staff and Volunteers for the incredibly welcoming and friendly atmosphere I have found here. I cannot wait to get to know more of you in the future!