My Experience
Welcome to some more in depth details about the projects and internships I have recently completed!
Cannonball Run Rally
In October, I was given the opportunity to attend and work the 2025 Cannonball Run Rally. There were 27 sports cars in attendance, driving across the country together, staying in beautiful hotels, and ending the day together every night with dinner parties and various events. Below are some more details of the event, my experience, and what it entailed.
Duties
I was hired as a general staff member with a interest in marketing and social media. I performed mostly as a personal assistant for our rally owner Kelly Dugger for the duration of the event. During the day, I assisted in giving directions, answering emails or calls, and sending out any live updates to the schedule out to the participants while Kelly drove. I made sure food orders were correct, events and hotels were settled, and participants were taken care of during the rally. I observed our senior marketing staff members as well as the photographers to better learn the marketing and media side for future rallies.
Highlights
My favorite parts of the rally were the sights we saw and the people I met. I had never been on an event like this before, and the drives were beautiful every day. In Nashville, we were able to drive a NASCAR on the superspeedway and it was one of my favorite moments. Another favorite moment of mine was when we would all meet up for a gas stop and just hang out with each other for a few minutes before continuing on with our drive for the day. I truly will never forget this experience and I hope to have many more in the future.
Opportunities
By attending this rally, I was given not only the opportunity to travel the country in beautiful cars, but to meet and network with the people on the rally. Participants and staff came from all over the world to hang out and it was an indescribable experience. Everyone was hospitable and welcoming, so getting to spend a week with people in all different professions and stages of life opened my eyes and taught me so much about how I should work toward the future. I took the time to get to know everyone and learn how they got to where they are now and it motivated me in my own life.
Locations
During the rally we traveled 7 states over 9 days. We began the rally in Bar Harbor, Maine, then traveled to a new state by day. We stopped in Boston, MA, Watkins Glen, NY, White Sulphur Springs, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, Indianapolis, IN, and ended in Nashville, TN. We typically drove in packs, enjoying the scenery, each other's presence, and a shared joy for driving.
Team
There were 15 staff members on the rally as well as the two owners who put the whole event in place. We had 7 photographers and videographers, 4 car detailers, 3 general staff covering marketing and operations, and 1 luggage transporter. The event could not have ran as smoothly as it did without the help of every staff member working together to make sure everyone was taken care of.
McQueen Racing Sponsorship
I worked with team owner Shannon McQueen to create a custom sponsor deck for the Chili Bowl Midget Car Nationals in January 2026. I took the image she wanted for her team, incorporated her team's success backed by some event information, and turned it into an 11-slide deck to best showcase her brand to any prospective sponsors for the race event.
I also collaborated to build a pricing package clearly listing what were are wanting out of the potential deal. I aimed to be clear and concise to best portray our goals for each partnership.
Indianapolis 500: May 15 - May 25 2025
AJ Foyt Racing
Social Media Internship
I had the amazing opportunity to work with A.J. Foyt Racing for the duration of the INDYCAR Qualifying and Race Weeks for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
Over the span of these two weeks, I assisted in creating graphics, generating ideas for social media, and posting to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook live from Race Week.
I worked alongside the Communications Director: Marie Fornoro to assist in any way I was needed during the two race weeks.
David Malukas
No. 4 Team Photo
Santino Ferrucci
No. 14 Team Photo
Working with
AJ Foyt Enterprises
In-Race Pit Change
for No. 4 Car
YSU Athletics
Marketing Internship
During the Spring semester 2025, I worked with YSU Athletics as a Marketing intern
Hours
I work about 6-7 hours a day 3 times a week, but it varies based on workload and events that week.
Responsibilities
I answer mostly to our social media coordinator to complete any jobs she gives me and bring ideas to the table to use in the future.
Swim & Dive
I have been working specifically with the Swim & Dive team to run their social media for the past three years. With a previous team of about 5 members, we expanded to 12 team members this year, with me as the leader. Leading the bigger team this year, I learned a lot about leadership, team management, and conflict management. It was a much harder role, but I am so grateful to have been trusted with it.