Class of 2019-2020

Caroline Boliek

Raleigh, NC | University of North Carolina | User Experience Design

Caroline grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina with her older sister, parents, and dogs. During her time at UNC-Chapel Hill, Caroline loved volunteering with FOCUS as a Bible study leader for high schoolers. She was involved in Summit College campus ministry, and studied abroad her sophomore year in Florence, Italy. She spent her summers interning at healthcare companies doing User Experience and User Interface Design. Caroline loves quoting movies and tv shows, traveling, solving any and all kinds of puzzles, and spending time with her friends, family and animals. She will be working for Red Edge Digital this year.

Jeff Carlson

Vienna, VA | Wheaton College | International Relations

Jeff was born in Seattle, but his family moved to Northern Virginia when he was young. From there they spent time in Indonesia, China and Thailand and his international travels and experiences led him to study International Relations at Wheaton College in Illinois. While at Wheaton, he served as president of College Union, a student event programming team. Jeff was also on the cabinet for International Justice Mission’s student chapter. He loves playing and watching basketball, reading and traveling. Jeff will be working at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Mary Daniel Cheek

Burlington, NC | Wake Forest | Politics and International Affairs

Mary Daniel is from Burlington, NC and graduated from Wake Forest University, where she studied Politics and International Affairs and Sociology. During college, she worked as a research assistant in the Sociology department and the law school, served on the Committee for Women's History Month, and studied abroad in Austria. MD enjoys listening to podcasts, is rarely found without a book, and is always game for any outdoor sport. MD will be working at the Center for Public Justice.

Solomon Chen

Hayward, CA | Biola University | Political Science

The oldest of four, Solomon grew up in the Bay Area before heading down to Southern California to study at Biola University. Solomon grew a love for politics and communication through competing in debate during high school. Living in Biola’s dorms and becoming a Resident Advisor demonstrated to him the deep importance of Christian community. After graduation, Solomon moved to Capitol Hill and interned with the Hillsdale College Kirby Center as well as the Aspen Institute. In his free time, Solomon enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, and trying unique foods. Solomon will be working with the Philanthropy Roundtable in their Civic Education department.

Emily Fromke

Concord, NC | Wheaton College | Political Science

Emily grew up in Concord, NC with her parents, sister, and brother. During her time at Wheaton, Emily served as Editor in Chief of the Wheaton Record, sang in the Women’s Chorale, and decided that Chicago, IL is just too cold. She has spent her last few summers interning at the Center for Public Justice, the U.S. Senate, and working for a healthcare government relations firm. Emily loves running, cooking with new recipes, and reading anything by Madeleine L’Engle and C.S. Lewis. During her time as a fellow, Emily will be working in Senator Inhofe’s communications office.

Lucy Gardner

Birmingham, AL | University of Alabama | Communicative Disorders

Lucy grew up in Birmingham, AL with an older sister, an artistic mother, and a priest father. She graduated from the University of Alabama in May (Roll Tide!!) where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and was honored to serve on student staff for Cru campus ministry. With a heart for mental health advocacy, she hopes to one day become a counselor or a mental health therapist. She loves to read, learn about different cultures, and do anything outdoors. In her free time, she is seeking out coffee shops, opportunities to travel, long hikes, and hopefully a horseback ride here and there. Lucy will be working on TFCA’s student ministry staff.

Rebecca Jun

Baltimore, MD | University of Michigan | Korean Studies/Pre-Dental

Rebecca grew up in Baltimore with her parents and younger brother. While at the University of Michigan, she pursued the pre-dental path and a Korean Studies major, taking advantage of this opportunity to learn about her family history. Rebecca was a Young Life College leader, and completed an intensive Spanish language program, allowing her to partner with various communities in Mexico and Nicaragua. After much discernment, Rebecca decided that dental school is not for her. After graduating, she worked on Young Life Staff until becoming a Falls Church Fellow. She loves cooking colorful and healthy recipes, spending time outside, and doing barre. Rebecca will be working at the Human Trafficking Institute.

David Katibah

Huntersville, NC | University of North Carolina | Economics and Political Science

David grew up in Huntersville as the middle child in a bustling family of seven. While studying at UNC, David spent time serving as an ambassador for the Admissions Department, swimming on the club swim team, working with administration and faculty leaders on issues of affordability, and leading various student ministries across campus. He loves to travel, curate Spotify playlists, write (admittedly poor) poetry, study languages, and play volleyball. David is most recently returning from a year of ministry with Cru in East Asia. David will be working with Telos Group in conflict resolution and peacemaking.

Will Lewis

Charleston, SC | University of South Carolina | Political Science/Islamic Studies

Will Lewis was raised in Charleston (which he is sure to mention) with both an older and a younger sister. Outside of his Political Science and Islamic Studies classrooms at USC, Will was a Younglife leader, Mayor’s Fellow, law clerk, and a disappointed Gamecock football fan. In addition to his work in law and politics, Will enjoyed time as staff at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. When free one can expect Will to be outside - whether that be on a sailboat, on a beach, hiking in the mountains, or just enjoying some sweet tea and a book on the porch. He will be working in the office of Senator Ben Sasse.

William Page

Washington, NC | University of North Carolina | Political Science

William is from the riverside town of Washington, North Carolina where he grew up with two older sisters. During his time at UNC he was an involved member in his fraternity and in Greek Life, a campus ministry catering specifically to the Greek System. His summers were spent in China, on Capitol Hill, and in Falls Church City. As a Fellow, he is excited to learn to engage in our nation’s justice, legal, and political systems from a Christian perspective and to further develop Christian community in a post-graduate setting. William will be working at Greenberg Traurig law firm this year.

Connor Porco

Charlottesville, VA | University of Virginia | Economics

Connor is from Charlottesville, Virginia but also lived in Auburn, Alabama and was born in Miami, Florida where his extended family still lives. His older sister also attends UVA. While at UVA, Connor was heavily involved in InterVarsity Fellowship, where he served as a small group leader for two years. During two summers in college, Connor worked as a counselor at Summer’s Best Two Weeks camp, so he is very excited to be serving as small group leader with the TFCA’s youth ministry. Connor will be working at Foundation Insurance Group.

Bella Rivas

Fredericksburg, VA | Christopher Newport University | Political Science

Bella grew up in Fredericksburg with her mom, dad, older brother and two dogs. At CNU, she earned a degree in Political Science with minors in Judeo-Christian Studies and Leadership Studies. While there, Bella served as a high school YoungLife leader and also served as a teaching assistant in the Religious Studies department. She spent her summers cooking breakfast and lunch for hundreds of high schoolers at a YoungLife camp. In her free time, Bella still enjoys cooking, listening to the Dixie Chicks, reading, or sharing a good cup of coffee with friends. Bella will be working in the grant writing department of Food For The Hungry.

Hayden Sealander

Madison, VA | Grove City College | Biblical Studies

Hayden has lived all his life in Madison, VA. He is the fourth of five kids in his family and the third to attend Grove City College. There, Hayden majored in Biblical and Religious Studies, was involved with Young Life and Summer’s Best Two Weeks camp, and was a member of the Beta Sigma Fraternity. Hayden loves to go hunting, fishing, hiking, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors. He spent the last summer waiting tables at the Bavarian Chef in Madison where he has worked on and off for the past six years. Hayden is excited to be working on TFCA’s youth ministry staff this year.

Abbey Shepard

Charlotte, NC | University of North Carolina | Strategic Communications and Political Science

Abbey was born and raised in Charlotte. Her parents quickly instilled in her, along with her sister, a love of traveling that has taken her to 5 continents, 25 countries, and 36 states. While at UNC, Abbey was involved in Cru's Greek ministry as a student intern and bible study leader. She spent her summers in East Asia with Cru, studying abroad in Australia, and working at The Smithsonian. Her undergraduate thesis, studying Corporate Social Responsibility and its effects on employees, will be put to good use as Abbey works at Next Tier Concepts in their Marketing and Talent Departments.

The Falls Church Fellows Alumni

Class of 2018

Anna Bret Allen – Wheaton University
Kirsten Ashey – Georgia State University
Kelsey Booth – UVA
Douglas Elmore – Grove City College
Ryan Goyer – Christopher Newport University
Justin Johansen – Palm Beach Atlantic University
Tessa Jones – UNC
Hannah Loechelt – Belmont
Margaret Pritchard – Wake Forest University
Carter Reynolds – Gordon College
Jonathan Roberts – Seattle Pacific University
Olivia Schoffstall – UVA
Catherine Shaughnessy – College of William and Mary

Class of 2019

Courtney Beals – UNC
Chloe Buckler – Azusa Pacific University
Sam Calhoun – Grove City College
Mason Casady – Gordon College
Noah Jackson – Azusa Pacific University
Palmer Jones – Hampden-Sydney
Connor Lachine – Hampden-Sydney
Matthew McKnight – UNC
Kara Simmons – The King’s College NYC
Camille Smith – Auburn
Christina Sturgeon – Furman
Molly Wicker – Grove City College
Ellie Wood – UVA

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