MADELINE BAILEY
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Grove City College: Biology; Minor in Psychology
Employer: Carilion Clinic Outpatient Therapies- ION
Host: Tyler and Gabrielle Willson
Mentor: Karla Levering
Madeline is a graduate of Grove City College, where she majored in Biology. During her college years, Madeline interned at UPMC’s Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the research department, studying the impact of metabolic health on cancer. While at Grove City, Madeline served as a teaching assistant in a freshmen Biology lab as well as a resident assistant for upperclassmen. Additionally, she played piano on the GCC chapel worship band and served on the leadership team of Student Mission Fellowship, a campus ministry. During her time in Roanoke, Madeline will be working as a Rehab aide for outpatient therapies at the Carilion ION Clinic. She is passionate about helping people experience restoration and hopes to continue her love of serving others as an occupational therapist in the future.
HARRISON DINSBEER
Hometown: Fleming Island, FL
Davidson College: Classical Languages and Literature
Employer: Rescue Mission of Roanoke
Host: Chris and Robin Conrad
Mentor: Jon Puvak
Harrison Dinsbeer graduated from Davidson College in 2021, where he received the W. Kendrick Pritchett Award for Classics. His studies in Greek and Latin led him to learn about archeology in Cyprus (Athienou Archaeological Project, summer 2019) and all things Roman in Italy (Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, fall 2019). At Davidson, Harrison rowed as a member of the Club Crew Team and served with Reformed University Fellowship, a Christian campus ministry.
Harrison went on to teach Latin at St. Johns Classical Academy in Fleming Island, Florida. While back in Fleming Island he fell in love with community theater, and performed in The Importance of Being Earnest, The Sound of Music, and The Lightning Thief. This summer, he was a case worker and communications consultant for Sanford Healthcare Solutions, a small business that provides intensive psychiatric case management to Medicare patients in Jacksonville, Florida. He now works as a chaplain at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke.
SYDNEY DOUGHERTY
Hometown: Centreville, VA
George Mason University: Psychology and Minor in Nonprofit Studies
Employer: Family Services of Roanoke Valley
Host: Bryant and Lauren Self
Mentor: Teresa Blecksmith
Sydney has a passion for helping others and understanding human behaviors. Sydney spent her time at George Mason University focusing on her studies and exploring avenues to provide support for others. In her senior year, she served as an Emotional support hotline worker to better understand and serve the needs of others. Alongside academics, Sydney was active in Cru and served on a spring break and overseas summer mission trip sharing the Gospel. Outside of school, Sydney continued to explore her interests in psychology by venturing into social work and serving as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) to help improve the lives of families dealing with neglect and abuse. Currently, she is working at Family Services of Roanoke Valley as a youth development specialist. In the future, Sydney hopes to continue to work with youth and find a way to help those around her.
TAYLOR FARLEY
Hometown: Abingdon, VA
Virginia Tech: Animal and Poultry Sciences
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital; Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
Host: Nick and Tara Floyd
Mentor: Shenna Massey
Taylor is a first generation graduate of Virginia Tech, where she majored in Animal and Poultry Sciences. She was initially enrolled at her local community college, receiving 2 associates degrees before transferring to Virginia Tech. She became a member of New Life Christian Fellowship while at Tech and was quick to join both leadership and worship teams there. She also joined the Pre-Veterinary Club and worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Departments of Economics and Biomedical Engineering, studying the production of Pangolin scales in efforts to decrease poaching of the endangered species. After graduating in 2020, she began working in Roanoke at Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic as a veterinary assistant. During her time as a Blue Ridge Fellow she will be working both as a scribe in the Emergency Department at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and as a certified clinical research professional with Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. In her free time she loves the outdoors, rock climbing, traveling, iced vanilla lattes, and spending time with friends. She loves to care for people and build community wherever she goes and is excited to expand her passions and understandings of medicine throughout this year.
SHELBY FLESHOOD
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Florida State University: Interdisciplinary Social Science, Business minor
Employer: Nevada Policy Research Institute
Host: Dan Felton-Petry
Mentor: Dan Felton-Petry
Growing up in the shadow of the mouse, Shelby is a proud Florida native. He is a graduate of Florida State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science with Concentrations in History and Economics. During his time at Florida State, Shelby was heavily involved in the university’s Model United Nations team as both a competitor and a program officer. During his final year at FSU, Shelby served as the assistant director of programming and was responsible for training his teammates on the nuances of debate and policy argumentation helping lead the team to a record-breaking 4th place standing in the world for Model United Nations competition. An Eagle Scout, Shelby has a passion for camping and the great outdoors but can often be found inside showing off his ever-growing boardgame collection. Shelby works at the Nevada Policy Research Institute where he leads the Transparency Department. There, he works with Nevada activists to help arm the public with the information necessary to keep their leaders accountable. Shelby hopes to continue his work with non-profits like Nevada Policy to glorify God by helping preserve the rights of every American.
BENNY FORD
Hometown: Botetorte, VA
Virginia Tech: Consumer Studies
Employer: The Branch Group – Branch Build
Mentor: Bob Blecksmith
Benny graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Consumer Studies from the Pamplin College of Business where he learned to prioritize the consumer’s perspective and preferences while effectively developing products and services that address the consumer’s specific needs and concerns. A natural athlete, Benny played on a variety of intramural teams and helped lead no less than 10 of them to championship victories. Additionally, Benny was an active leader in his campus ministry, Cru as well as a volunteer leader for multiple youth ministries in his local church. Through these ministries Benny gained valuable leadership experience in mentorship and community building and is grateful for the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the next generation. While in Roanoke, he will be working with The Branch Group where he will be aiding the preconstruction and business development side of the company. Benny hopes this experience will help him refine his passions and desires for a career path where he is serving others to the best of his ability.
CHRIS GRAVELINE
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Virginia Tech: Mechanical Engineering
Employer: Altec
Host: Randy Fuller
Mentor: Andy May
Chris graduated from Virginia Tech in 2022 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While in college, he completed four internships and co-ops, accelerating his professional experience in a variety of different industries. He currently works at Altec as one of the manufacturing engineers in the fabrication department. Chris served in Young Life’s Capernaum ministry for adolescents with special needs while in college, and hopes to continue his work with the organization in the future. He enjoys playing tennis, spikeball, and any type of music. He loves fighting for the “little guys” of the world and plans to continue to do so in both his professional and personal life.
SYDNEY NELSON
Hometown: Fleming Island, FL
University of Florida: Psychology; Spanish
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: Michael and Suzanne Dalton
Mentor: Ann Claire Shepherd
Sydney is a graduate from the University of Florida where she obtained a dual degree in Psychology and Spanish. Within her Psychology major, she specialized in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. She also worked as a research assistant in a lab focused on child cognitive development. Apart from her academic endeavors, Sydney became involved in the UF triathlon team serving as both the president and treasurer. She enjoys training and competing, and has won her age group in several races. Additionally, Sydney has led kids in various capacities, acting as a tutor, youth leader at her local church, and camp counselor. During her time in Roanoke, Sydney will be working as a research assistant in the emergency department at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She has a passion for understanding different cultures and languages and hopes to incorporate that with her love for science.
JAKOB SCHNEIDER
Hometown: Ashland, VA
Virginia Tech: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Employer: Revlon
Host: Randy Fuller
Mentor: Mike Massey
Jakob is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he majored in Industrial and Systems Engineering and minored in Business. During his time there, he volunteered with Young Life at Giles High School, an organization dedicated to developing relationships and sharing the gospel with high school students He continued to lead Young Life in Giles for a year after graduating. During this time, he also began working for Revlon as an industrial engineer, which is where he will continue to work during the Fellows year. During his free time this year, Jakob will be starting a Young Life club at William Byrd High School and frequently playing sports.
MARY WILDING
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Virginia Tech: Clinical Neuroscience
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: Alex and Taelor Shema
Mentor: Mary Beth Sweet
Mary grew up in Pittsburgh, PA as the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Neuroscience, a field that sparked her interest in clinical medicine. She was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society and Nu Rho Psi National Neuroscience Honors Society. Throughout college, Mary was an undergraduate research assistant in the Hodes research lab, studying sex differences in mood disorders with a focus on sex specific immune interactions with the brain. Outside of academics, Mary served as a volunteer Young Life leader at Christiansburg High School, where she cultivated relationships with students through social events, bible studies, and one-on-one mentorship. Mary was also a member of VT Engage, a campus organization which promotes service learning and civic engagement. She also volunteered for several years as a medical scribe at Bradley Free Clinic and is now working as an emergency department scribe at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mary hopes to further her education through medical school, which she believes will combine her desire to serve people in a holistic manner with her passion for relentless inquiry.