My name is Mallory Harris. I’m from the south side of Chicago. I am a junior at Augsburg, majoring in communication studies. My future goals include being a director of photography and a motivational speaker. My favorite thing about being an Auggie is the commitment and foundation built on helping others. I’m excited to engage with students and get to be a part of something larger than myself.
Meet Lizzy – 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hello! My name is Lizzy Hoversten, and I am from Viroqua, Wisconsin. I just finished my first year at Augsburg University, studying Management with a minor in Communication Studies.
At Augsburg I have enjoyed finding myself in new settings and getting to know new people. There are a number of paths I could pursue, and I have very specific hopes for my Management degree, but if those do not pan out I will hopefully go to law school. I am incredibly enthusiastic for this summer’s AYTI theme of Stewarding Creation in our Neighborhoods: Science and Theology in Action. I will be taking a week break from working at a summer camp to come back to Augsburg and engage with youth who are passionate about theology and want to learn how we are called to be faithful stewards to our habitat.
Meet Ian – 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hello!
My name is Ian Heseltine. I’m a second year at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Music, Media & Management with a minor in Religion. My hometown is Alexandria, MN, two hours west of Minneapolis. In the future I hope to be managing artists or their tours.
My favorite thing about Augsburg is how connected you are to your friends, faculty, staff, and administration. Our average class size is 16, so you really get to build a relationship with professors and in return they become invested in your education.
I’m so excited to be returning this summer to be an AYTI mentor again! Which is such an incredible and indescribable week that I believe all youth should experience! I can’t wait to have all of our 2019 AYTI students here at Augsburg to learn more about God, reflect on God, and serve their communities through God.
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Grace- 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hey everyone!
My name is Grace Koch Muchahary. I’m from India. I am a first year student at Augsburg University majoring in Sociology. I am really glad to be called an Auggie, and I love the surroundings over here. My favorite thing is the people who are really very good and help each other with every need. My future goals are to become a greater youth leader and a social worker as a missionary. I am really excited for the AYTI program, to meet new people, and get to learn many new things.
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Kali – 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hi! My name is Kali Kadelbach. I’m from Cloquet, Minnesota. I’m in my third year of college but first semester at Augsburg. I’m majoring in Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies. My favorite thing about being an Auggie is the community we have around and within campus and the way that all students and staff come together to help each individual be successful and happy. My future goal is to work alongside others to share the Word of Christ through outdoor ministry and youth. I would like to be a leader in faith–not just in the United States but all over the World. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the students and to see the growth this week has within myself, other staff and students.
Learn more about AYTI and this summer’s theme at http://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
AYTI Mentor Reflection – Destyn Land
The Day I Learned to Walk the Two-Way Street
by Destyn Land, 2018 Augsburg Youth Theology Institute Mentor
As a small group leader, I always saw it as my obligation to set the tone with transparency for all of our discussions and time together. Before I entered the small group space, I attempted to make a mental script and plan every single thing that would happen from the beginning until the end. To make a long story short, my script absolutely never worked (and I mean never). But even in those moments I thought to myself that maybe this was God’s way of showing me that flexibility is truly a virtue.
After our very first small group meeting I left feeling content with how things went, however, in the back of my mind I still desired our group to become more open with each other. To debrief and process my thoughts I began to journal about what I wanted to do differently and things that I thought went well. After writing for just a few minutes, I came to this conclusion: It is completely arbitrary and irrational to expect my small group to open up to me, if I could not open up to them. During the the time of the theology institute I was facing some challenges in my life that were worth sharing, but the tempting desire within me to be perfect made me silence myself. Continue reading “AYTI Mentor Reflection – Destyn Land”
Meet Our AYTI Ambassadors-Lizzy
Hello, my name is Lizzy. I am a first year at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Communication Studies and maybe double majoring in Business Management. To me, theology is incredibly fun because there is a theoretical aspect which enables the participant to ask difficult questions through a different lens. AYTI is incredibly important because being a young adult intrigued by faith and theology can be isolating, and AYTI has given me a community of peers who are equally curious about faith. I am thrilled to be an ambassador for AYTI this year; I have only been here a little while but love the campus and love this program. I cannot wait to guide others into this community I love so much.
Meet our 2019 AYTI Ambassadors-Fidelina
Hi everybody, My name is Fidelina Xinico, and I’m from Guatemala. I am a senior double majoring in international business and economics with a minor in management information system. I have been involved in AYTI by being a mentor for the summers of 2017 and 2018, and as one of the AYTI Ambassadors for the academic year since 2017. Something that I like about AYTI is that you always keep learning and working with people for the common good by educating yourself, spreading information, and by doing hands-on jobs. I am excited to be one of the Ambassadors again this year!
Meet Our 2019 AYTI Ambassadors-Grace
Hi! My name is Grace Porter, and I am a first year here at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies and a minor in music. I attended AYTI a few years ago, and it was one of the best weeks of my life! I grew so much in faith and friendships and had so many wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Attending the camp is also one of the big reasons I chose to attend Augsburg, and I love it here just as much as I thought I would!
Meet Our 2019 AYTI Ambassadors – Ian
Hello! My name is Ian Heseltine. I’m a second year at Augsburg University and I am majoring in Music, Media & Management with a minor in Religion. I’m so excited to be returning this school year to serve as an AYTI Ambassador. This summer I was also an AYTI mentor which was such an incredible and indescribable week that I believe all youth should experience! I can’t wait to have all of our 2019 AYTI students here at Augsburg to learn more about God, reflect on God, and serve their communities through God.
