Bree Alten

I've spent 20 years on this planet, and I am so excited to be a part of this press team! I would identify myself as a student, a passionate artist of many fields and a pilgrim. I have spent the past three months exploring the beautiful country of Nepal. It has been an incredible life-changing journey full of discovery and magic, and I am ending my sojourn in lovely Australia. Besides traveling, my passions include the youth of our world, the arts (specifically theater), poetry, good food, reading and the Science of Mind philosophy. It is such an honor to be a part of this union of faiths. I know this conference is another step toward the ultimate planetary shift to peace. I thank all participants being a part of this coming together. Blessings to all.

Raine Barker

Hi! I'm currently a spectacular 17 years old and I've lived in Denver all my life. My greatest joys in life come from singing and creating works of fiction. I just love creating, doesn't matter what. Books come in a close third; I'm a junkie for a good book. I'm so excited for the Parliament in December! I can use this event to talk with other people about their homes, what they're like, etc. I've always wanted to meet people of other faiths, and this is the perfect opportunity. I hope to travel the world, and Australia is a start. I suppose you could say that the world is my home, and I'm homesick for the places I've not been to yet. This is a great chance that we're all getting, to learn about and grow into ourselves. Cheers!

Ariane Davis

Hello! I am 19 years old, living in lovely Southern California, and in my second year of college at Orange Coast College. I am majoring in business with a minor in photography. Photography has been a major part of my life. When I “grow up,” I would like to own a photography studio and do on-site photography. I love to play golf (I was on my high school golf team for two years), swim, go to the beach and just hang out with my friends and family. And religion has been a subject that never ceases to amaze me. I love when you can learn something new about a subject every day, and religion does that for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to the Parliament and to do something I love to give back.

Katie Dutcher

Hi everyone. I’m reporting (at the moment) from Berkeley, California. I’m 23 and was born and raised in Religious Science. I graduated from Pomona College in May with a double degree in linguistics and religious studies; while I was in college, I had the opportunity to study Tibetan Buddhism for a semester in India, Nepal and Tibet. I’m now the Northern California/Nevada regional director of International Youth and Family Ministries for United Centers for Spiritual Living. I enjoy yoga, sustainable food, and walks on the beach. I can’t tell you how excited, humbled, and honored I am to be attending the Parliament. I can’t wait tell you all about it.

Jennie Lobato

I'm 31 and I've been out of school for almost 10 years. I recently started a nonprofit organization, drawchange Inc., which sends art supplies to children throughout the world, and I've been in the advertising industry as a Web designer for 10 years. I stumbled upon Atlanta Unity Church while I was on a quest to find a spiritual center that would harness my love for the world. Atlanta Unity Church was it! With the spiritual food I have received from Unity, I have embraced my interest in the arts and helping children everywhere do the same. I want to spark the energy of world peace by igniting the passion of learning in the world’s children. I’m excited to communicate to the world while at the Parliament through the Web and by serving on the graphics team.

Joe Murray

I live in Southern California, in the San Diego area. I’m 20, a student of the humanities at our community college and a student of life in general. I serve as the youth community leader for the United Centers for Spiritual Living; in that capacity, I lead and learn with my community. My vision in life is to travel the world, learn as much as possible about life, educate others in what I learn and love as openly and deeply as possible. I am passionate about people, reading, writing, speaking and moving; I love to run, play Capoeira, dance, sing, rock-climb and cycle.

Olivia Ware

Hello all. I am beyond excited to be a part of the news team for the Parliament. I am a 16-year-old high school student from Idaho. I definitely enjoy school and work hard at it, but I try to maintain some balance in my life. Spending time outside is a necessity and summer is my season. In annual trips to California, I have attempted to take up surfing and have fallen in love with it. Although I would love to take on a surfer girl persona, I must admit I’m not very good. I love to read. A favorite book of mine is Life of Pi by Yann Martel. This book prompted my love of theology; something about the study of religion and philosophy excites me. I simply cannot wait to begin this journey and share everything I learn with all of you.

Susana Wolds

Greetings! I am 24 and live in San Diego, California. In 2007, I received an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where I studied international Spanish for the professions with an emphasis on sustainable tourism. Over the past year, I have indulged in my passion for travel and used the powerful medium of film to convey the positive impact that conscious travelers can have on the environment, culture and economy of a country. I can hardly wait to get to Melbourne and cover this extraordinary gathering of the world’s spiritual leaders.

Wes Yarborough

My name’s Wesley Adam Yarborough IV (the fourth isn’t actually a part of my name, but Wesley Adam Yarborough carries an air of royalty, so I added it for emphasis). I prefer Wes. I live in Reno, Nevada, where I was born and raised. I’m 17, an Eagle Scout and the representative of the Northern Nevada, Northern California Youth for the United Centers for Spiritual Living. My passion is art. I play eight different instruments and I’m a deep lover of all other art forms. Travel is also big for me; I’ve been to China and to Thailand, volunteering with abused elephants. My mom was a photojournalism major in college, so I suppose I get my love of photography from that. I can’t wait to begin work with everybody and share my experiences!