“Ashley’s internship for the St. Joseph Museums included creating an exhibit about Ruth Warrick, a St. Joseph native who played Phoebe Tyler on the daytime soap opera “All My Children” for 35 years.”

Hometown: St. Joseph
Why I’m a Griffon: Awesome internship opportunities

Ashley Coats’ internship for the St. Joseph Museums included creating an exhibit about Ruth Warrick, a St. Joseph native who played Phoebe Tyler on the daytime soap opera “All My Children” for 35 years. The display, “Fame and Politics: The Life of Ruth Warrick,” opened at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph.

Ashley said her internship experience included being involved in everything it takes to set up an exhibit, from writing grants to fund it (she received $1,500 from the Missouri Humanities Council) to research, figuring out what to include and what not to include, drawing a floor plan, designing invitations and buying supplies for the opening reception, and giving presentations about the exhibit.

Coats credits her advisor with helping her secure the internship.

But the best part was, the St. Joseph Museums director hired her when her internship was completed.