During the summer of 2018, the MainStream Coalition is sending two dozen interns out this summer, knocking on doors and getting the word out about the importance of this election to many of our issues. These are motivated individuals who have walked five days a week in the sweltering heat we've been experiencing. If you see them at your door, give them a hearty welcome! Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting a few interns in each of our Weekly Updates and online. We will collect their bios and photos on this page as they are produced.

Patrick Callahan

Patrick is a rising senior at The University of Dallas, where he studies English and Classics. He helped register classmates to vote in the 2016 Presidential Election, and this summer he’s brought that experience with him to MainStream. He’s happy to be canvassing in his home state this summer, even if the heat is no better than in Texas!

Quote: “I’m canvassing to remind people in Johnson County that their votes count and to encourage them to visit the poll booths on election day.”

Daniel Courtwright

"Hi, I'm Daniel! I graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in Carbondale, Kansas and I'm a rising junior at Emporia State University majoring in Business Administration."

Quote: This is my favorite quote about voting: "Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Sarah Fisher

Sarah is a graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School and Middlebury College, where she majored in Spanish. After spending five years in Latin America she has returned to the US to start a Masters of Public Administration program at University of Southern California in the fall. She is passionate about social justice and women's rights around the world.

Quote: "Voting is how we hold politicians accountable and make sure that our government actually represents the people. It is a right and a responsibility!"

Riley Kivett

"Hey, everyone! My name is Riley Kivett. I'm 19 years old and a 2017 graduate of Pembroke Hill High School. I'll be a sophomore at American University next fall, where I'm majoring in International Studies."

Quote: "To me, democracy works best when all citizens are participating. The best way to engage people is to keep them informed and help get them involved. This summer, through Mainstream Coalition, I get to encourage and help people do both."

Tom McClain

"Hey everyone! My name is Tom McClain. I'm 19 years old and a 2017 graduate of Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, KS. I'll be a sophomore at K-State next fall, where I'm in the pre-law program and majoring in Biology and Economics."

Quote: "To me, the best ways to participate in democracy are by voting and discussing issues your fellow citizens. With MainStream this summer, I get to encourage people to do both."

Drake Minter

"I graduated from Olathe South High School in 2017. I will be a sophomore at Colorado School of Mines this fall majoring in Mechanical Engineering and dual minoring in Energy and Public Affairs. My dream is to help make power facilities greener and more efficient."

Quote: "I believe voting is the most important thing people can do. Every vote counts especially in local level elections because sometimes those elections are extremely close and one vote can make all the difference."

Ling Rudicil

"Hi. It’s me, Ling. I’m a rising sophomore at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. I’m majoring in Social Justice and minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. Catch you on the flippity flip!"

Quote: "One of the great things about America is that we’re a democracy. However, voter turnout in the U.S. is much lower than most established democracies. In order for America to progress and improve we need to figure out why this is and get more people voting."

Daniela Silva

"I'm a rising sophomore at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. I'm double majoring with Writing and History with a minor in Politics. I’m also a grad of Shawnee Mission Northwest. I've been politically active in local politics in my junior year of HS and I’m happy to spend another summer knocking doors!"

Quote: "Local elections are what really effect our day to day lives the most which makes it so important that we get involved with them."

Cole Steinle

Cole Steinle is currently a senior at KU and is double majoring in history and Russian. After college he intends to either work for a degree in Law or find work in government.

Quote: "The ballot is stronger than the bullet - Abraham Lincoln"

Mike Thibodeaux

Mike Thibodeau is a senior at KU studying psychology and strategic communications. He is also president of the KU Mindfulness and Meditation Club. In his free time, he is a big Sporting KC fan and likes hanging out with his cat, Onyx.

Quote: "Voting is supposed to give every person in our society a voice, and for a country built on the ideals of freedom and equality, voting is essential to protecting our voice. "

Aria Townsend

"I am a sophomore at Rockhurst University studying Non-Profit Leadership Studies. My original major was Molecular Biology & Applied Mathematics, but my passion for social justice led me to switch directions. My dream is to one day open up a non-profit for youth of color in the LGBTQ+ community."

Quote: "Voting is essential for guiding the course of our democracy down the path of justice and equality."