A rising junior at Vanderbilt University, Lauryn Smith studies Communication of Science and Technology and Engineering Management, holds the school’s long-jump record (19’ 7.75”), and loves cheddar cheese blocks.  Hailing from Carrollton, Texas, she is an aspiring lawyer – perhaps even a law professor – who has tutored for BrainWorks Inc., frequented summer camps, and long been fascinated with how things work.  This summer, she will learn firsthand what makes MTC and our Holly Springs Summer School work: Lauryn Smith is MTC’s 2007 summer intern.

“I [will] not be doing one specific thing.”  She will be doing just about everything.  Full of intelligence, energy, enthusiasm, and infectious playful laughter, Lauryn received numerous internship offers but, like many students, had learned about MTC from her academic advisor and decided that MTC “offered the most benefits” and was “an all-around great package” that would allow her to explore the Mississippi Delta, meet estranged relatives, and establish connections for the future.  Having just driven from Chicago, she has already begun organizing Ben’s life, meeting MTC instructors, navigating our new iMacs, preparing for the corps’ arrival, and befriending her roommate: Ms. Torsheta R. Bowens, M.A.

    Eager to undertake her new responsibilities, Lauryn admits that “Mississippi, so far, is different from what I’m used to… There’s just so much land.”  And so much work to be done.  Last summer she studied chemistry, this summer she’ll keep Ben Guest and MTC alive, and next summer… perhaps Lauryn will study abroad on her first trip beyond American borders.  We are as excited as she is to kick off the summer and to meet the first-years!