We Love Our Interns

Our interns are an integral part of all that we do at Darling. From showing up early and setting up photo shoots, to staying here late and shipping hundreds of magazines, we couldn’t be more appreciative of these young women who give their time, energy and resources to putting the #DarlingMovement into action.

We don’t want to keep them a secret, either, so below we’re sharing the faces, stories, and a few interesting facts about the ladies behind Darling Issue No. 14.

Mara Vargas | Office Intern

Major: Communications

Darling is: beauty that is carried within a woman in authenticity, compassion, and courage in order to create a community filled with honesty and vulnerability with one another.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? I see myself eating gelato while on vacation in Cinque Terre, Italy or Barcelona, Spain. I  (hopefully) will be working as a social worker with a non-profit organization that carries the same passions as I do. And continuing to shape, mold, and learn who I am with the people I love while serving God in community.

An interesting fact about yourself: I have dual citizenship with the Unites States and Mexico!

Teresa Houndonougbo | Style Intern

Major: Marketing with a Minor in Apparel Merchandising.

Daring is: a magazine that inspires everyday women to love themselves and dream bigger, without allowing society to shape who it is they need to be, and constrain what it is they can do.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? I hope to be able to travel the world at least once, and use the different cultures I encounter in my work as a stylist in a company that shares my unique style.

An interesting fact about yourself: Something interesting about me is that I speak 3 languages, and I have a mixed ethnicity.

Cynthia Landaverde | Style Intern

Major: Communications

Darling is: a community of women that invites and promotes women from all walks of life to accept and enjoy who they truly are.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?  Styling, traveling, adventuring, and inspiring others.

An interesting fact about yourself:  After watching the documentary True Cost my life and wardrobe drastically changed.

Nicole Badaan | PR Intern

Major: Business Management

Darling is: a collection of art, words, beauty and love put together in a way that inspires women to be all they can be, and to lift other women up with them to rule the world.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Working for, or owning my own socially conscious company.

An interesting fact about yourself: I have a 2 year old daughter. Her name is Miss Beverly Petunia and she is a mini Shih Tzu. She’s also a therapy dog and we visit hospitals together. She makes each of her patients smile and laugh.

Chloe White | Visual Intern

Major: Graphic Design

Darling is: an inspiring movement of creative women empowering one another.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? My goal is to have a career where I feel inspired but challenged everyday, ultimately this would be at a magazine. Maybe I’ll be in California or back home on the east coast, whatever happens I just want to feel successful and happy in all aspects of my life.

An interesting fact about yourself: I’m a fine artist! Before school, I used to do commissioned graphite portraiture as a little business during the summers. Now you’ll always find me with a sketchbook in my bag, drawing is always what I do to unwind.

Jessica Zoutendyk | Editorial Intern

Major: English, with a concentration in literature. I have minors in philosophy and psychology as well.

Darling is: empowering and authentic–it refuses to conform to the standards of our society, and instead pursues higher thought and creativity.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years? Living in Los Angeles, reading and writing daily, and working in a position that involves doing both.

An interesting fact about yourself: I am a huge music nerd. If I’m not writing, or reading, I’m probably listening to something really old and/or weird. I was named after the Allman Brothers song, “Jessica”, so I’d like to think its fate.

Alexandra Austin | Photo Intern

Major: Film and Television

Darling is: the cheerful supporter of women, like a mother, aunt, or best friend, who is gracefully and truthfully pouring into you, rooting for you, because they want to see you do well.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? I hope to see myself on a movie set, learning from film directors or on an editing, post-production team for a movie company. Or maybe even shooting the cover a magazine.

An interesting fact about yourself: As a kid, I would sometimes ask what my friends were having for dinner to determine whether or not I would go over their house to play. I know, I know, and I’m sorry.

Anna Converse | Photo Intern

Major: Fine Art Photography

Darling is: a celebration of passion and encouragement to aspire higher.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Working full time as a Fashion and Social Documentary photographer with a handful of countries traveled to under my belt.

An interesting fact about yourself: I’m mildly obsessed with pandas, it’s a dream of mine to volunteer at a panda sanctuary some day!

Naohmi Monroe | Photo Intern

Major: B.A. in Fine Arts and Modern Literature

Darling is: a production of integrity.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Established somewhere along the Californian coast with my dogs, friends, and family nearby.

An interesting fact about yourself: I am currently sporting a cast and crutches while starting this internship. It’s tough work, but Darling is well-worth the effort. Do not fall into daydream; you walk, folks.

Joscie Marie Bonneville | Photo Intern

Major: Radio Television & Film / Receiving an MFA in Screenwriting

Darling is: feeling confident and beautiful in our own skin as the queens that we are.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Falling more in love with life each day. I also want to begin establishing my own photography and design company, traveling across the world, as well as selling one of my own screenplays!

An interesting fact about myself: I believe in the supernatural and interpreting dreams & I also love to read poetry xo.

Alexa Brown | Online Editorial Intern

B.A. in: English with an emphasis in Writing and Rhetoric.

Darling is: a medium to inspire and connect, to promote engaging questions, and to imbue others with compassion and originality.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?  Being able to express my passion for writing, cooking, and traveling!

An interesting fact about yourself:  I have ten tattoos (and counting)!

Kelsey Mangan | Editorial Intern

Major: English with a Journalism focus

Darling is: a publication meant to empower women to be comfortable in their own bodies and their identities as modern women.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Working for an L.A. based magazine that allows me to explore my passion: writing.

An interesting fact about yourself:  I got to intern at a newspaper in London during the fall 2014 semester!

Want to see yourself up here? Check out our available internships this winter and spring!