Intern: Hanna Nichols
hanna@phaseline.com | (303) 297-8170
Hanna Nichols is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and plans to graduate in 2011. Hanna received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she double majored in History and Political Science, along with a certification to teach Secondary Social Studies. Hanna is interning at Phase Line during the fall 2010 and focusing her efforts on assisting with The Greatest Generations Foundation.
Who has been your mentor, role model, person who has helped pave the way for you?
My parents have to take the cake on this one. I’ve been lucky to grow up with two parents who have supported my independence and growth as a woman, and they taught me what it means to truly care about others and to be strong in myself. They both live their lives with the needs of others in mind, and they’ve encouraged me to live my life in the same way. I can attribute so much of who I am today to my parents.
Biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome:
I have been extremely lucky and blessed in my life to have had countless opportunities to grow and to achieve my goals. The obstacles I’ve encountered in my life have been minimal and faced with huge support from those around me. For this, I am so grateful.
What part of your personality/charm/determination has been crucial to your success? What do you offer that nobody else can?
I can attribute a lot of my success to my overwhelming desire to explore the world and to know people. My curious and adventurous mindset has led me to be involved in so many great opportunities and experiences. It is through these experiences that I meet truly amazing people who have all helped contribute to my success as an individual.
Philosophy to live by?
My philosophy goes all the way back to singing in church choir as a child. There’s a song that we sang that expressed the message that as people, we should never “hide our light under a bushel”. Life is too short for people to keep their lights hidden or to snuff them out completely. I try to live my life by “shining my light” and by trying to encourage others to do the same!
Guilty pleasure/rainy day activity/favorite book/Friday night activity:
While I usually spend my free time playing outside and enjoying Colorado, it is not unheard of to find me enjoying countless episodes of “Glee” in my free time!
Greatest Accomplishment:
My greatest accomplishment is spending two years of my life living and teaching abroad in Hungary. I went on my own and met so many great people, and learned so much about myself and the world. I was also able to have a hand in teaching English and Western Culture to Hungarian students, which was so such a fun and challenging adventure. I created some amazing relationships and became a much stronger woman in the process.
What’s your “once-in-a-lifetime” moment?
My “once-in-a-lifetime” moment would have to be visiting Rome on Easter weekend of this year. Along with experiencing being able to see so much history, I was also able to stand outside of the famous Coliseum and watch the Pope as he spoke to a crowd of thousands of people. It was a truly amazing experience I won’t ever forget!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’m a person who gets enjoyment out of the uncertainty and possibility of the future. All I can hope for is to be a strong and happy woman who works to help and serve others…although I wouldn’t turn down the assurance of a giant candy machine and having a private jet to fly around the world in 10 years from now!