Spring 2020 Levine Children's Intern Showcase

Sinclair Molnar
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ‘20

Sinclair is from Charlotte and is a recent graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte, with a degree in finance. As she has not had prior experience in broadcasting or production, Sinclair caught on very quickly, and loved being able to expand her knowledge into a completely new field. Although she did not get to be hands on in the studio for the whole semester, you can tell she still learned so much and was dedicated to being excited and energetic when she came to the studio. She brought her passion for Disney Princesses and competitive games to Seacrest Studios, and was always willing to jump into song and dance when she needed to as well.

“I would have never imagined being able to be a part of something that affects the lives of so many, and I am so grateful that Hunter and Meredith took a chance on me to help contribute to that.”

Ben Ruiz
Queens University of Charlotte ‘20

Benjamin Ruiz was born on August 31, 1998 in Long Island, New York. He attended Queens University of Charlotte, where he studied Creative Writing and New Media Design. Ben is working towards writing scripts for comic books and wants to one day write for DC or Marvel Comic publications.

“Interning for Seacrest Studios has been a great pleasure, and it truly brought me happiness putting on shows for kids, interacting with them when they would come in the studio, and singing their favorite Disney songs!”

Nia Lucky
North Carolina A&T State University ‘20

Nia Lucky is a senior journalism and mass communication student with a minor in English at North Carolina A&T State University. Over the course of the Spring 2020 semester, Nia had the opportunity to work at Seacrest Studios as a production intern. She will forever cherish the memories made at Levine Children’s Hospital. Nia plans to pursue a career as an entertainment reporter. Look out for her on the big screen!

“The love within Seacrest Studios runs deep, and I will forever cherish the memories I made at Levine Children’s Hospital.”

Corey Earwood
Queens University of Charlotte ‘21

Corey Earwood is a rising senior at Queens University of Charlotte, pursuing a major in music therapy and a minor in psychology. She is the President of the Music Therapy Club and the Vice President of her sorority, Phi Mu Gamma Gamma. After college, she intends to earn a master's degree in music therapy and vocal performance. One day she hopes to work as a Board-Certified Music Therapist in a hospital setting, where she can leave an impact and brighten patients' stay!

“Seacrest Studios leaves a lasting impact on everyone who enters and has absolutely left one on me that I will hold close to my heart forever!"

Sarah Lansden
Queens University of Charlotte ‘21

Sarah is a rising-senior Communications major at Queens University of Charlotte who not only shows creativity in her personal life, but also in her professional work. From the moment she heard about Seacrest Studios, she knew it was the place for her because it combined her love of children with her creative passions. She dreams of either becoming an event planning director at a children's hospital, or a Program Coordinator at any of the Seacrest Studios across the country.

“Seacrest Studios changed my life by giving me the purpose, passion, and drive I need to succeed, while also helping me overcome some of my biggest fears.”

Matthew Hughes
Appalachian State University ‘20

Matthew Hughes is a graduating senior at Appalachian State University studying Electronic Media/Broadcasting. Matthew's favorite Disney character is Moana. He hopes to get into television production with a focus on reality television.

"Even if it was for 5 or 10 minutes, anything that got the patient's mind off of what was happening was a win for me."

Evan Santiago
Winthrop University ‘21

Evan Santiago is a senior at Winthrop University pursuing a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. He currently serves as a co-host for a popular culture radio show at WINR Eagle Air (Trash Talk), as well as a content production intern for a Charlotte-based marketing agency (The Dean's List). More recently, Evan has also taken on the role of creative director for a digital publication startup called Cinésque. In addition to his second internship at Seacrest Studios for Atrium Health, he works part-time as a circulation assistant at the Fort Mill Public Library. In his spare time, Evan works as a freelance editor, photographer, graphic designer, and custom artist catering to a wide variety of clientele.

"Working as an intern for Seacrest Studios at Atrium Health has taught me so many life-changing lessons, the main one being that there is so much more to learn from the patients then there is to teach them."

Lindsey Burrell
Winthrop University ‘21

Lindsey is a rising senior at Winthrop University majoring in mass communications for broadcasting with a minor in leadership studies where her aspiration is to become a behind the desk news anchor for a major network. Lindsey is very involved in the Winthrop community singing in multiple honors choirs, being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, and is the current President of Winthrop’s College Panhellenic Executive Council. Lindsey has a passion for working with non-profit organizations and is an active volunteer at NothingPink.org, a local Fort Mill non-profit focused on aiding women in the fight against breast cancer and educating young individuals of genetic testing for hereditary cancers. Lindsey plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May 2021 and either work in the Charlotte area or move post-grad to a major city.

“Working with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation has shown me the true importance of Children’s Hospitals being a place where kids can receive the treatment they need and still have fun and express themselves.”

Grace DuBose
University of South Carolina ‘16.

Grace DuBose is 25 years old. She is from Florence, SC. She graduated from The University Of South Carolina in 2016. After graduating she spent a year traveling and doing mission work, while being a youth instructor at her local church. When she was 23 years old, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Now in remission, she enjoys spending her time helping others and traveling to schools and hospitals to share her children's book and cancer story. Her favorite dream is to make a difference and she is so honored to be working at Seacrest because she feels that the studio allows her to follow that dream.

“Even though my time at Seacrest Studios was cut short, it was still nothing short of AMAZING!!”

Margaret B.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte ‘20

Margaret Baughan is currently a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. When she is not in the studio you can probably find her playing with her golden retriever, Koda, or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. Fun Fact: She had a pet goat when she was younger.

“Seacrest Studios is a family that I will never forget and that I will have forever, and I am unbelievably grateful for it.”

Taylor Ward:
Queens University of Charlotte ‘21

Taylor Ward is a rising senior student-athlete at Queens University of Charlotte pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Taylor applied for Seacrest Studios on a whim but is so grateful it transformed her life in such positive ways and that she was able to be a part of its magic during spring 2020! With a concentration in Health Communication, Taylor views communication through a lens of narrative medicine and meaning making, which she hopes will lead her to a future in a communication niche of a hospital.

“Seacrest Studios provided an environment where I could tap into my creativity to help patients and their families heal, which proved a priceless experience with memories that will last a lifetime.”

William (Billy) Pickens
University of North Carolina Charlotte ‘19

William (Billy) Pickens, III is a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a B.A. in Communication Studies -Mass Media and minor in Journalism. He is currently hosting his own weekly radio/TV show at Seacrest Studios located at Levine Children's Hospital. The theme for his show is "Positivity and Peace of Mind." Billy is a "youth advocate" at Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) and was the Keynote speaker at the NC Deaf-Blind Southeast Transition Institute. He has traveled to all 50 states and he loves music and sports. Billy is totally blind with progressive hearing loss. Billy's motto is "conquer your obstacles and don't let them conquer you."

"It is my belief that the beauty of influence is not simply having the power to inspire others but using that influence in a way that makes others feel powerful themselves. In Seacrest Studios, I have found the place where entertainment meets inspiration, positivity and the hope of bringing children joy even in their darkest moments. I am thankful to this studio for not only accepting me as an intern but giving me a platform to use my own story and wisdom to uplift those around me. This has been a life-changing experience and has not only made me a more selfless person but confident in my belief in using entertainment to help others as it helped me.”

Ward Jolles
University of South Carolina ‘21

Ward is a junior broadcast journalism major from Orangeburg, SC. When he's not at Seacrest, he serves as News Director at USC's on-campus TV station and USC's on-campus radio station. He's a total movie buff, loves watching the news, enjoys spending time with his dog, Perry, and has a weird obsession with R&B music.

"Seacrest Studios has been such an eye-opening experience for me and has taught me so much about how important it is to be there for someone when they're in need."

Michaela Lopez:
University of South Carolina ‘21

A visual communication major from the Bay Area who loves to jam out to music with friends and talk about the latest entertainment news!

“Seacrest has given me something else no other internship can offer, perspective.”