The 2016 summer internship program for State and Federal Communications has come to a close. Take a look at what the interns thought of their time working for the company in this farewell tribute.

Elysabethe Anderson is an art history and visual communications & design major at Kent State University, with an expected graduation date of May 2017. Her hobbies include cycling, gardening, cooking, reading, and adventure.

Elysabethe was an exchange student in the Czech Republic for a year while in high school. One of the most memorable moments on that trip was when she took the train into Prague to visit the Natural History Museum in Saint Wenceslas Square.

After her graduation from Kent State University, Elysabethe plans on taking a year off from higher education before returning to pursue a master’s in printmaking at the Chicago Institute of Art. She would then like to move to Telluride, Colorado to study bookbinding and preservation at the American Academy of Bookbinding. She aspires to open a bookstore and illustrate children’s books

Elysabethe would describe herself as an “extroverted introvert” and values honesty, patience, and curiosity.

This summer, Elysabethe wants to drive to Pennsylvania to camp in the mountains, take a trip to a star preserve to sleep, star gaze, and read, to visit Canada, and to attend as many concerts as possible.

“If of thou fortune be bereft,

And in thy store two loaves are left.

Sell one, and with the dole,

Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.”

Untitled, John Greenleaf Whittier

“Cause when your pockets line with dollar bills, your heart forgets to eat.”

City in a Bottle, Shakey Graves

Zack Koozer attends Kent State University part-time and has yet to declare a major. His hobbies include playing video games, sketching, and hanging out with friends. He also tends to talk with his hands.

Although he has not quite decided what he wants to do with his life, he wants to be the person that people look at and say, “I want to be like him.” He would describe himself as a balance between whimsical and serious; he is protective of those close to him. Moreover, he values tolerance and open-minded people.

This summer, he plans on taking part in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with a group of friends and visiting with a friend and his godparents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He prefers cold beverages to hot beverages, and his Hogwarts house is Hufflepuff.

“Every person you encounter, whether for a minute or an hour, for a day or a year never really leaves you. They leave an imprint on you and help build who you are.” -Some wise guy

Sophia Avouris is a sophomore at Kent State University majoring in political science with a minor in public relations. She expects to graduate in the spring of 2019.  She enjoys playing quidditch.

Sophia has always been interested in political campaigns. Her first serious campaign was for Lou Gentile in 2010; he was running for a seat in the Ohio state House of Representatives. When he won, her passion for campaigning grew. It inspired her to go into political science and work in Washington, D.C. towards a career that would allow her to expand her political horizons and travel.

Sophia considers herself a quick learner, intelligent, and a good listener, which are all good traits to have in the political world. She believes humor and trustworthiness are important in any relationship, professional or personal. Because her family moves a lot, she thinks it is important to find stability in other social structures.

This summer, Sophia and her family are going camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. She plans on visiting a friend in Minnesota, and also eagerly anticipates seeing another friend who makes the best pizza in the world.

Out of all the technology and appliances that she uses, Sophia believes her laptop is the most essential. Her personal motto is: don’t forget to take a little time to laugh a little.

Tony Didion is a senior at Kent State University majoring in public relations and minoring in marketing. He will graduate in August of this year after his internship at State and Federal Communications. His hobbies include golf, canoeing, hiking, and anything outdoors.

When Tony went to Florence, Italy, to study abroad, he realized that the people there are full of joy and enjoy the little things in life. He found that enjoying life should come first and values positivity and living in the moment.

After he graduates, he wants to work in a public relations agency and eventually move to Florence. This fall he’s going to Maui, Hawaii, for a few weeks to visit with a friend. Later, he will be going to San Francisco for a week to attend his cousin’s wedding.

He likes to drink his coffee black and firmly believes that everything happens for a reason.

Clémence Besnard is a French exchange student who has been attending the University of Akron since January 2015. She is working on her master of science in international marketing at the ESC Rennes School of Business. Some of her hobbies include painting, other artistic pursuits, and swimming.

When she arrived in the United States, it was a difficult adjustment because it was the first time she had left her family for a long period of time and gone somewhere unfamiliar. She had to adapt to the American culture and to balance work and school. This opportunity to study abroad has proven itself to be a positive experience and it has made her more independent and confident in her ability to adjust. In her opinion, positivity, motivation, determination, open-mindedness, and trustworthiness are paramount to having a beneficial professional experience abroad.

In addition to her education, she would like go on a humanitarian mission to raise funds and provide education for all people, particularly those who are discriminated against. After she receives her master’s degree, she wants to find a job that would allow her to travel abroad.

Before she leaves America, Clémence wants to travel to various cities such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington, DC, and to explore the West Coast.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi

We are welcoming eight interns for our summer internship program here at State and Federal Communications! The program is designed to help college students learn more about government relations compliance and leadership and to help hone and showcase some of the skills they are learning within their respective college programs. It is also a paid internship, where they will be able to make money while they widen their horizons.

This summer, we have Tony Didion, who is graduating after this internship from Kent State University with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing; Brittany Anderson, who is graduating this December from Kent State University with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing; Clémence Besnard, an exchange student from France studying at the University of Akron is working on her master of science in international marketing at the ESC Rennes School of Business; Chris Jackson is a part-time student at the University of Akron working on his communication systems degree; Olivia Snyder a part-time student at the University of Akron pursuing civil engineering; Elysabethe Anderson, who is studying art history and visual communications and design at Kent State University; Sophia Avouris, a sophomore at Kent State University studying political science with a minor in public relations; and Zack Koozer who is attending part-time at Kent State University.

In addition to the projects they will be working on here at the office, our interns will be attending professional development programs, luncheons, and events, such as those held by Akron PSRA, Akron Roundtable, Intern Edge, the United Way of Summit County, and more. Stay tuned for more updates about this summer, and most importantly, let’s welcome these eight interns into the State and Federal Communications family!

On June 29, State & Federal Communications’ Team Intern attended an Akron RubberDucks afternoon game at Canal Park.  Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State & Federal Communications, extended the invitation to our parents or family members to accompany us.  It was really exciting to be able to meet the parents of team Intern and learn a little bit more about them.  Most of Team Intern brought at least one parent, and Elizabeth Bartz brought her husband, John Chames, as well as her parents and visiting sister and brother-in-law.

Seated in a suite, the air conditioning was very much appreciated by everyone.  Near the end of the game the team mascot, Webster the duck, came into our suite and we were able to take pictures with him.  The game itself almost went into extra innings, but the away team, Bowie Baysox, scored the winning run in the 9th inning.  Despite the loss, the game was a fun experience for all of us.  After the game ended Elizabeth Bartz took the opportunity to say goodbye to two of the interns, Elizabeth Scozzaro and Costa Janos, who were finishing their internship two days later.