We are thrilled to announce the launch of Rocky Mountain Equality’s Youth Internship Cohort for Fall 2024, based in Boulder! This group of young leaders will be at the heart of planning and organizing some of our upcoming Fall events, including our much-anticipated LGBTQ+ Youth Dance and the festive Holislay Winter Party.
From event logistics and outreach to fostering a fun, inclusive space for everyone, their role is all about lifting the queer community and creating unforgettable experiences for LGBTQ+ youth in Boulder and beyond.
Stay tuned for updates on their incredible work, and prepare for an exciting fall packed with fabulous events! We can’t wait to see what this amazing cohort brings.
Boulder County Interns
Aura Zooey Muriel
Peter Taben Tae
Aurella “aura” (any/all) is 16 and a junior in BVSD. Aura has been involved with RMEQ for almost 4 years, a second year participant in Slay The Runway, and third year participant in RMEQ’s youth summer camp. Aura is excited for an opportunity to work with the amazing people at RMEQ, get to meet new people, and uplift the queer youth community. Their favorite hobbies are drawing, writing, making/upcycling clothes, playing indie games, and playing DND!
Zooey (she/her) is currently in eighth grade. This is her first time working with RMEQ, however, she attends RMEQ’s middle school group. She loves doing art and theater and is excited to be able to work for this organization.
Muriel (any pronouns) is in 10th grade at BSVD. This is their first time working for RMEQ. Muriel wanted this internship because they were interested in getting involved with the community and being a part of an LGBTQ+ group. Muriel is excited to meet people they can relate to and get work experience from a unique organization. Muriel is a counselor in training at a summer camp, part of their school's speech and debate team does miscellaneous volunteering in their free time, and loves music and art. They enjoy playing piano, clarinet, and painting.
Peter (he/him), a senior at SVVSD, is ecstatic to be working with RMEQ this year. He has not had previous experiences with RMEQ, however, as an LGBTQ teen who has encountered many internal and external challenges throughout his teenage years regarding his identity, he was very thankful that he found a way to create new connections and make other students feel safe, welcomed, and supported. He is looking forward to planning events, helping increase tolerance, acceptance, and visibility, and making a discernible difference in the community. Previously, he has worked with the Firehouse Art Center, planning and working community events and engaging with art and artists in many different and impactful ways. In the past, he has volunteered at food banks, worked on political campaigns, and worked in food service. During his free time, Peter loves going to the gym, rock climbing, traveling, painting, playing guitar, and collecting vinyl.
Taben is a non-binary (they) Sophomore student at SVVSD! They have been attending RMEQ groups/events since 2021. During this internship, they are hoping to develop skills in working with a team and event planning. One thing they’re excited about is to aid in designing inclusive, and safe events for LGBTQ+ youth. Some of Taben’s interests are Halloween, decoration, theatre, music production, and theatrical lighting. Taben is currently the social media chair for their high school and was previously trained to care for cats at the Longmont Humane Society.
Tae is a non-binary sophomore in SVVSD. They’ve been with RMEQ for 4.5 years! They attend the Thursday youth groups and go to as many events as they can. They have a strong passion for theater and setting up events that people will love, have fun at, and appreciate the work. They’re excited for all the new experiences with making the events that they’ve always attended, get a peek on the bts. Tae does tech theater at their high school, they’ve been with it since day 1 of freshman year. They also coach a flag football team with their dad for 1 year. Tae enjoys making events, cats, theater, music, Studio Ghibli, and more! They’re so excited to be a part of the team.
Larimer County Interns
Jeremy Finn Madelyn Aster
Jay Daniel Oliver
Jeremy (he/they) is a junior at Poudre School District. He has done a summer internship with Rocky Mountain Equality in the past and he is so excited to be on their team once again for this fall/winter internship. He was especially passionate about getting this internship because he finds supporting the queer community in Northern Colorado to be extremely important and fulfilling for him. He is a member of the Student Equity Coalition to work as an activist all year long. He also likes to do art, specifically sculpture and other forms of 3D work. He's a part of the National Art Honor Society so he can dedicate time to doing artwork throughout the week. He's also in the National English Honor Society as a writing consultant. He's currently DMing for his school's D&D club as well because it's something that combines his love of art, storytelling, and hanging out with his friends.
Sebastian (Finn) he/they is a 12th grader who's always been homeschooled and has been a library volunteer for nearly six years. The flexibility from being homeschooled has allowed him more time for interests such as painting, illustration, character design, calligraphy, paper mache, sculpture, recycled art, and makeup/face paint. As well as time for attending many social groups such as the Teen Council Programming Committee - a group of teens that meet once a month to create fun programs for other teens to shape the library's teen collection, advise the library on policy and improve library services for teens. Magical Masquerade Morp & Metamorphosis - a queer night of joy, QSA - a former group for queer folks and allies to drop in for an hour to chat and craft. NOCO NAUTILUS - a current group for queer teens and allies to drop in for a couple of hours to chat and craft. His interest in this internship comes from three primary things, a love for creating events and celebrations surrounding joy and belonging, a love for interacting with people in the community, and a need for job experience.
Madelyn (she/they) is a current senior in the Poudre School District. After attending the Pride Prom, they found RMEQ’s work in the community very inspiring. Madelyn is excited to help plan community events and help form an LGBTQ+ curriculum. Outside of RMEQ work they enjoy participating in debate, music, student advisory council, and spending time outdoors.
Aster is currently enrolled at Front Range Community College through Colorado Early Colleges as a high school senior getting their associates. She attends the RMEQ Youth Group every Thursday and enjoys the company of their fellow peers. Aster wanted this internship so that she could help out her peers and gain more experience. They were part of the founding council that opened the Fort Collins Teen Center and volunteers at the Larimer County Food Bank when she had time. In their downtime, she enjoys jewelry making, playing their instruments, and doing meaningful work. She is very excited for this opportunity and they will work hard to benefit the community.
Jay uses he/him pronouns. He's a Freshman at Front Range Community College. He has not been involved with RMEQ before. He wanted the internship because he wanted to be more involved in the LGBTQIA+ community. He's excited to have the opportunity to meet and work with the community and RMEQ. He has experience working on magazines for NOCO Splash and he's an artist who dabbles in all kinds of mediums from traditional to digital, to writing.
Daniel uses he/him pronouns and graduated from Poudre School District in May. One of his favorite hobbies is drawing. The only involvement he's had in RMEQ was a leadership camp. One of the main reasons he's excited about having this internship is because he gets to work with RMEQ again, which will be the first job he gets paid for.
Oliver uses he/him pronouns and is a sophomore in high school. He Participates in theater, choir, and he plays 2 instruments. Oliver loves all things music, arts, and cooking. He wanted to apply for this internship because he wanted to find a good way to engage with his community.