2020 Urban Education Students

Matthew Boyer '21

Matthew Boyer is a Junior at W&M, who is originally from Portsmouth, VA. He is planning to double major in Government and Public Policy. On-campus, Matthew is a member of W&M’s club rugby team, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters America, and sits on the neighborhood balance committee for the City of Williamsburg. Matthew’s love for public policy started this past summer, working for the City of Atlanta, helping to shape affordable housing and sustainability policy for the city. Outside of classes, Matthew enjoys playing the guitar and traveling! Matthew is looking forward to spending time in DC and networking with W&M alumni.

Jamie Carkenord '22

Romy Chu '20

Paxton Condon '19

Lydia Dolvin '20

Lydia is a senior at the W&M studying chemistry. Lydia plans on enrolling in the W&M School of Education after graduation and earning her master's in secondary science education. She is so excited to get a taste of the policy side of education and learn more about equity in the classroom. Some of her favorite things to do on campus include being a TA for chemistry labs, singing in the Opera Workshop, and making pottery!

Aidan Gossett '22

Aidan is a sophomore at W&M from Fredericksburg, Va and is hoping to major in International Relations and minor in global education. On campus he is involved in Circle K, a service club, and the Conduct and Honor Advisor Program (CHAPS), a program where students offer advice and support for students who have to go in front of our Honor and Conduct Council. He is also an undergraduate research fellow in W&M's School of Education, where they have partnered with Newport News Public Schools to emphasize STEM within middle schools. He is really excited to learn more about national education policy and school choice in DC.

Sydney Hamrick '21

Sydney Hamrick is a junior from Centreville, VA. She's studying English and Linguistics, and a little bit of Spanish. She works in the Writing Resources Center as a peer-consultant and peer-administrator, teaches for CPALs (an ESL club), and volunteers with Circle K International. After school, she plans to stay for the 5th-year masters in Secondary Education and then move abroad somewhere for a few years before settling down to teach high-school English. She studied abroad in Seville, Spain for a semester so got to know a little bit about Spain's education system and is excited to now learn about DC's. Outside of school, her favorite hobby is exploring coffee shops; it's her dream to one day open up her own!

Anna (Annie) Haywood '22

Victoria Hernandez '21

Sophia Kidd '20

Sophie is a Senior from Norfolk, Virginia majoring in Public Policy at W&M. On campus, she is involved in the social sorority Delta Gamma, the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, and is a tour guide in the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in education policy. She’s excited to learn more about urban education and be back in DC this winter! 

Rachel Kidd '21

Rachel is a junior and an American Studies major with an intended Creative Writing minor. After spending the last year as an RA, she is excited to be more involved on campus. She is on the social committee for her sorority Phi Mu, as well as is involved with Young Democrats and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She is leading a bible study for Greek life members as well this semester. She is passionate about writing, especially journaling as a way to express herself. She is excited about this DC Seminar program as she feels it will be beneficial for her law school plans and future career goals in immigration law. 

Kathryne King '21

Yannira Lopez Perez '22

Cayte Lyonnais '21

Over the course of 18 years, Cayte Lyonnais attended schools in 4 states and 3 countries, and as a result, speaks 3 languages. She discovered her passion for teaching in high school while she interned for a 4th Grade Gifted class and an 8th Grade Inclusion Math class. Upon graduation, Cayte signed a contract with the Virginia Beach City Public School system guaranteeing a teaching position once her college requirements have been fulfilled. She is currently a Junior, majoring in Mathematics at W&M while simultaneously pursuing a certification in Secondary Education and volunteers in her local church youth program.  As a proud military dependent, she is very grateful for every opportunity this life has afforded her. Her life experiences in America and abroad have gifted her friendships with people of different nationalities, faiths, and cultures that will influence how she will teach her future students.  Her hope is to utilize the benefits of the different systems she’s experienced as well as share her love of learning with her students. 

Matthew McCauley '20

Jonathan (JonDavid) Nichols '19

JonDavid is currently a Senior at W&M, majoring in Government and Marketing. He has been heavily involved in the Orientation process, as well as the Admissions process through Senior Interviewing. He is also a Founding Father of Phi Gamma Delta and was the Secretary of Student Life and former 2020 Senator for Student Assembly. He was born and raised in Western New York but his family currently resides in Norfolk, VA. In his free time, he enjoys baking, kayaking, binge-watching, and spending too much time on the Terrace.

Karl Palenkas '21

Karl Palenkas is a junior from Wakefield, VA. He is currently pursuing a major in Sociology and a minor in American Studies. Karl is active in W&M TV and is also the President of his dorm's Community Council and the Vice President of W&M's Residence Hall Association. He has visited the Washington Center twice, both a PLUS student and as a PLUS counselor and is super excited to return again this winter. His interest in studying the education system stems from his mother's work in a public school system that struggles with the effects of inequality.

Nathan Park '20

Nathan Park is a senior at W&M and is a Psychology major. On campus, he is involved in Greater City and Agape Christian Fellowship. He hopes to one day be a school psychologist to support the upcoming generation of students. During his free time, he is usually reading a comic book or playing video games.

Sarah Petras '21

Sarah is a junior from Stephens City, Virginia, and is currently majoring in philosophy. She enjoys serving her community through W&M’s CKI service club and will be taking part in the Urban Education DC Winter Seminar. She is excited to learn about the various factors that affect urban education in the United States so that she can better understand her role in improving education for everyone.

Dustin (Dusty) Riles '21

Dustin Riles is a junior from Alexandria, VA, majoring in Public Policy and Economics. At W&M he is a member of Delta Phi Fraternity where he serves as housing manager and public relations chair. He is also employed by Residence Life at the college as a Housing Assistant. In addition, he is a stock analyst for the Mason Investment Club and an active member of Club Wrestling. He believes this course will be a great opportunity to get a closer look at education policy and how it impacts people.

Elizabeth Snyder '20

Elizabeth Snyder is a junior at W&M from Glen Allen, Virginia. She is majoring in Sociology with a concentration in social problems, policy, and justice and minoring in History. On campus, she is the co-President of VOX: Planned Parenthood Generation Action. Through this organization, Elizabeth advocates for women's rights and reproductive justice on campus and in the larger community. She is passionate about understanding the roots of social issues and making concrete social change. Elizabeth is looking forward to spending time in DC and learning more about issues of inequality related to urban education.

Madeline Tainagi '20

Sabina Valery '20

Sabina is currently a senior at W&M and her hometown is Venice, Florida. She is majoring in Hispanic Studies and plans to continue into the 5th - Year Master’s Program at W&M's School of Education to study ESL and bilingual education. Sabina works as a barista on campus and this semester she is a TA for a Spanish class. Outside of academics she is involved with two dance groups on campus and she enjoys attending meetings with the American Sign Language club. Coming from a smaller town, Sabina is excited to get a taste of life in D.C. and have more exposure to urban education. 

Taige (Tiger) Wang '21

Lauren White '21