My name is Alana Fink and I am from Plymouth, Minnesota. As of now I am majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish, but I may major in entrepreneurial management as well. Over the past few years I have been involved in the Youth Extending Service at my high school, the LINK program that helps freshman get accustomed to life as a high school student, Amnesty International, dance at Out on a Limb Dance Company, and some other activities. Dancing takes up most of my free time, but next year I hope to join the Habitat for Humanity group on campus.

Ashton Johnson 

Ashton Johnson is a freshman. He comes from Windom Minnesota, a town with a population the tenth of the University of Minnesota. He plans to major in Political Science and become involved with governmental politics. Co-President of the GLBTA Network, Student Administrative Assistant for the Queer Student Cultural Center, and the Cultural/Educational Chair of Comstock Hall Ashton loves to be involved on campus. Although he has plenty to keep him busy he always finds free time to waste away with video games or a good book.

Carolyn Kennedy is a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She is a dance major at the University.  Currently at the U, Carolyn is involved in University Dance Theatre, Premier Dance team and Entrepreneurship club.  In high-school Carolyn took part in Model UN, French club and the foreign exchange program as well as competitive dance at Accent on Dance.  In her free time, Carolyn enjoys playing tennis, dance, shopping, traveling and spending time with her family.

Claire Grasse is originally from Woodbury, MN. She is currently enrolled in the Carlson School of Management, hoping to major in Marketing. In high school she was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Chamber Singers, and Track and Cross Country. Here at the U of M, currently involved in Women in Business, and hoping to access volunteer and leadership experience through it! In her free time, love to go running or watch movies with roommates and new friends. Also, love to get picked up by parents every once in a while for a relaxing day at home.

Claire Rydeen, a freshman from Clearbrook, Minnesota, is currently majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She is involved with the Society of Women Engineers as well as the Biomedical Engineering Society. One of her favorite aspects of college life is meeting new people on campus and learning something new every day. Claire also likes to play volleyball.  She plays on an intramural team along with an off-campus league in St. Paul.

Diane O’Brien is a freshman from Appleton, WI and is aspiring to be a History or Spanish major for secondary education. She is involved in the History Day program and works as Event Staff for the athletics at the University of Minnesota. In her spare time she enjoys photography, listening to her favorite bands and spending time with friends and family.

My name is Jalal and I am an international student from Pakistan studying here on the Global Excellence Scholarship. Hopefully I will do Mechanical engineering with a minor in Management. After that I intend to go to grad school. In my high school I was the president of student council and the president of the debate society. Currently I am a member of ITSB(IT Student Board). I love travelling, watching movies and observing satellite images. That's what I do in my free time.

Jennifer Nicklay, originally from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is enjoying immersing herself in college life during her freshman year.  Though a student in the College of Biological Sciences, she is still unsure of what her major will be, but she is considering Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Science with a double major in history.  Academics, while important, are only a part of her life on campus.  Jennifer is a Minnesota State 4-H Ambassador and a member of the Collegiate 4-H Club.  She is also becoming involved in social justice initiatives on campus and other leadership activities.

Madeline Summers is from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is interested in studying Journalism or Mass Communications and Political Science with an intent to go to Law School. She is currently involved with Pioneer Hall Counci serving as the Publicity Chair. She is really interested in the Arts. In her free time she really likes to take black and white photos and spend a lot of time doing ceramics. She also enjoys going to concerts and art museums around the Twin Cities. She is always on the go and trying something different. She likes hiking, camping, running, and anything that involves the outdoors.

Matt Jorjorian is a freshman from Brookfield, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee. He currently is inrolled in IT majoring in Civil Engineering. However, next year he hopes to transfer to Carlson to double major in Econ and Finance. Other than the FYLI Matt is a member of the Ballroom Dance Club, and is applying to be a Y-buddy and next year hopes to be a tour guide, and over the summer Matt worked as a lifeguard. In his free time Matt enjoys hanging out with friends, reading, playing poker, and loves to watch Friends. His favorite movies are Anchorman and It's a Wonderful Life.

Michael Marotz is a freshman working on a double major in chemical engineering and chemistry. He is from Marshfield, Wisconsin. Michael participated in the intramural soccer and ultimate programs and plans to become involved in research on campus. In his free time he likes to read, play sports, play games, and hang out with friends.

Michael Pittman was born in Minnesota and is a freshmen hoping to major in nutritional science and philosophy. Mike plans on attending a School of Public Health and entering into the public sector as a means of implementing health awareness among individuals. He was involved in Debate for four years back in high school and plans on volunteering his time to different health or social organizations around Minnesota. In his free time, Mike enjoys running and reading literature.

Salah James El Haddi is a freshman studying biochemistry. He hopes to later study medicine and become a physician in order to help those that have not had as many advantages as he has had. Salah has a strong love of the performing arts and can be found playing the saxophone in his hometown, in central Minnesota, during the summer.

My name is Salma Yusuf and I am from St.Paul, MN.  I am currently a freshman in the College of Education and Human Development. I am planning on transferring to the College of Biological Sciences next fall to pursue a bachelor degree in biochemistry with a minor in pre-medicine. Then I am planning on going to medical school to become a surgeon or cardiac surgeon.  Since I started the fall semester in the university I am a board member in the Trio program and students for human life. I am planning to be more involved in other clubs. In high school I was involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Link Crew, and Free Pops.  In my free time I like to read love novels, go to the movies, hang out with my friends, watch the Oprah show, cook new recipes, and listen to music or go work out at the gym.

Xin Zhang

Xin Zhang is originally from China, but she has lived in Rochester, MN for seven years. She is in CLA and has no idea what to major in. However, she is considering applying to medical schools after graduation. Currently, she is in Ultimate Disc Club and Students Today Leaders Forever at the University. Xin enjoys watching movies, especially Asian horror films, reading, and being outside.