Washington and Lee University
Hometown: Georgetown, TX
Major: Politics
Internship: Bagamoyo, Tanzania at a school for 90 kids between the ages of 2 to 7
I didn’t get involved in the Shepherd Program until I was a Bonner Leader, or about winter term of my sophomore year. I had volunteered in high school, so I thought I was already aware of issues involving poverty: how wrong I was! Taking Poverty 101 completely changed my career aspirations, and opened my eyes to the vast study of poverty. Through the program, I have been able to see different sides of poverty and the different problems associated with these sides. I stayed in Lexington that summer, working closely with the community, and was able to get a better understanding of rural poverty. Particularly, I was shocked to learn of the high number of grandparents raising grandchildren in the Rockbridge area, and I was able to help start a support program for those affected. The summer after my junior year, I took an international internship through Shepherd to Tanzania, where I was able to see some of what third world poverty looked like. I lived with a host family in a very rural area. Our water came from a pump shared with about six other houses. Luxuries included things we take for granted, like honey and milk for coffee. The eight weeks in spent in Tanzania solidified in me a desire to work towards eradicating poverty and providing education to Africa.
I have found the Shepherd program unique in that it not only teaches the theoretical side of Poverty through excellent, multidisciplinary classes, but students also have the opportunity to put this knowledge to use practically in our community. Service learning has become a uniting structure in my college experience, allowing me to combine interests in different academic areas.
Capstone Topic:
No Child Left Behind and the Achievement Gap
Community Service/Involvement:
