2024 Summer Meal Associates

Alexis Miniat is a rising senior at the University of the South from Fairview, Tennessee studying politics and environmental sustainability. Alongside working at Stirling’s and with the Sewanee Democrat Society, she has been very involved with the Order of the Gown student organization and will serve as the OG president for the upcoming school year. Outside of campus life, she enjoys reading, traveling and exploring the outdoors, and is passionate about pursuing a career in environmental policy. 

About her decision to serve, she says, “I am so excited about the opportunity to serve in AmeriCorps because it is the work that really makes a difference in communities. As a student…it is exciting to do the work which helps alleviate some of the issues we discuss within the classroom.”

Phoebe Tonole is a rising junior at the University of the South majoring in English from Memphis, Tennessee. She has a minor in music, learning piano and organ, and is very involved with her sorority, Alpha Delta Theta. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, learning how to cook, and spending time with friends. Phoebe aspires to study abroad in Nepal this coming spring.

“Although Sewanee is on the South Cumberland Plateau, I often feel disconnected from the community beyond my campus. I believe that service is one of the best ways to bring people together and strengthen a community.” 

Catherine Belser is a rising senior student at the University of the South from Birmingham, AL.  She is studying Politics with a minor in both International and Global Studies and History. While at Sewanee, she has been involved in the Kappa Delta sorority, SCCF’s philanthropy Internship Program, and studied abroad in Berlin this past spring. Catherine also greatly enjoys reading and hiking.

“I loved working with SCCF the past few semesters, and after coming back to abroad I wanted to do something where I could continue to work with and for the community on the Plateau!” 

Hanna is a student at Middle Tennessee State University from Coalmont. She previously graduated from Chattanooga State with an Associate of Applied Science and is now completing a Bachelor’s in Animal Science and Agriculture at MTSU. While there, she has been a part of the pre-vet club, the Block & Bridle fraternity, and the Equestrian team. She greatly enjoys playing sports, riding and competing with her horses, and spending time with family and friends, as well as her dog, Jenny. Hanna is also very involved in the Grundy County Saddle Club in Tracy City, serving as their secretary for the past few years. After school, she is interested in the field of agricultural education and possibly going to veterinary school.

“I love helping my community and being rewarded with a smile.”

Pete Haight is a recent college graduate and a Sewanee local who studied Music and Computer Science at the University of the South. He is participating in the summer meal program for the second year in a row, and served as an AmeriCorps member during the 2023-2024 school year with Monteagle Elementary’s Top of the Rock choir. In the future, he aims to find a job in data analysis for the sports or music industry. In his downtime, Pete enjoys photography, music composition and performing with his guitar. A fun fact about him is that he has met several living astronauts. 
“The effect that we, as summer associates, have on the greater Cumberland area is tangible…this impact is not easily replaceable and I am glad to make a difference in something bigger than myself.”

Maple Landis-Browne is a Sewanee local studying Public Health at Roanoke College. As a rising sophomore, she is involved in the Climbing Club, the Conduct Council, and the Marketing Fellowship program. She has previously worked as a summer camp counselor and outdoor adventures guide, combining her passions of childcare, photography, and outdoor education. Maple’s family is originally from Zimbabwe, and she has spent a lot of time there throughout her life. After school, she plans to pursue a career in healthcare.

“When this opportunity to make a dent in the local disparity presented itself, I knew I had to take it.”

Chayse Brown is a recent graduate of Grundy County High School from Tracy City. He will soon be attending Tennessee State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He is also a member of the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), through which he plans to enlist in the US Air Force. In his free time, he enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Bouldering. Chayse has previously participated in the Boy Scouts of America, and translated that experience well to working with the summer program. This summer, he has mainly served as a truck driver coordinator, performing the crucial task of transporting the meals to and from distribution sites, as well as helping out where additional hands are needed.

“I'm serving in Americorps to learn more about the community and its people.”

Sarabeth Bivens is a recently graduated Sewanee student with a degree in Biology (Ecology track). Growing up in Chattanooga, she volunteered with the Tennessee Aquarium as a guide. During her time at Sewanee, she has been very involved in the student orchestra and the jazz band, playing the oboe and tenor saxophone respectively. Sarabeth also has served as the social chair for her sorority, Kappa Omega, and worked part time at the Mountain Goat Market. After this summer, she plans to find a job working in animal conservation, specifically with reptiles and amphibians.

“I firmly believe that every person deserves to have access to food and other basic necessities, and the summer meal program allows me to combine that belief with my passion for getting to know new people and learning about others.”

Rowan Renken is a rising junior at the University of the South from Memphis pursuing a degree in Chemistry. Having three years of summer camp experience under his belt, he saw the summer meal program as an opportunity to continue connecting with kids in the outdoors while learning more about the plateau community. As a student, he is involved in the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. This summer he has been serving with the South Cumberland State Park, the Cumberland Forest School, and the Sewanee Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. 
About his decision to serve with AmeriCorps, he says, “I just want to help give back to the community”.

Evan Fuller is a Politics major at the University of the South from Fairview, Tennessee. He is passionate about biology, art, music and travel. After graduating in 2025, he plans to apply for the Peace Corps and search for opportunities to get a secondary degree abroad. While at Sewanee, he has been involved in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the Young Democratic Socialists, and working at Stirling’s. A fun fact about him is that his mother is from France, and he has visited her hometown several times. 
“This program allows Sewanee students to create relationships between the university and the community.”

Anna is a student at the University of the South from Gallatin, Tennessee double majoring in International and Global Studies and German Language & Culture Studies. Growing up, she would often volunteer with a farm in Joelton, helping the farm plant and raise crops that would be donated to a local food bank. This experience reflects her passion for sustainability, which she plans to pursue academically in grad school. She recently studied abroad in Berlin, will be studying in Denmark this fall, and is hoping to move to Europe in the long term. Outside of school, Anna enjoys many hobbies such as hiking, painting, baking and gardening.

"I joined the AmeriCorps Summer Meal Program because I believe that it will be an impactful and meaningful way to give back to a community that has been my home for the past two years.”

Jadon Silva graduated from the University of the South in May 2024 with a double major in Math and Music. Hailing from Cleveland, Tennessee, he is interested in composing music for films and possibly pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics. In his free time, he enjoys movies, animation, coding, and playing video games. Outside of meal service this summer, he has been serving with the University Farm, the Hospitality Shop, and tutoring at the Grundy County Jail.

“Due to being homeschooled until 10th grade, I had longed to be part of a community throughout my childhood. The times spent doing community service were fulfilling, and I enjoyed working with others.”

Jonathan Silva is a rising Junior student at the university of the South. As the third of his siblings to attend Sewanee, he studies physics and plans to participate in the 3/2 dual degree engineering program. He is passionate about fitness, outdoors activities, and mental health awareness. A fun fact about him is that he has overloaded his classes almost every semester, taking up to six classes at a time (compared to the usual four). In the future, he wants to pursue a higher degree in both engineering and physics.

“I want to serve in AmeriCorps to provide meals to people who need them, as I have personally experienced having very limited access to food and going hungry for weeks or even months at a time.”

Tessa Hamann is a rising junior student at the University of the South from Vienna, Virginia studying History, Politics and Spanish. Growing up, she would often volunteer with her family at a local organization, preparing and distributing meals to people in need. As a student, she is a part of the University Choir, the Alpha Delta Theta Sorority, and is an employee at Biehl Cafe. She also enjoys cooking, watching movies, being outside and traveling, and will be studying abroad in Spain this coming fall.

“When I first came to Sewanee, I took a class about the South Cumberland Plateau. I really enjoyed learning about the areas surrounding Sewanee, and I’m looking forward to engaging with the community and giving back!”

Nevaeh Wilson is a rising senior at Grundy County High School from Gruetli Laager. After graduating, she is looking to pursue a degree at Middle Tennessee State University. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, playing guitar, and spending time enjoying the peacefulness of nature. This summer, Nevaeh has been serving with Mountain T.O.P., Grundy Safe Communities Coalition, and Growing Roots.

“I am serving with AmeriCorps to help my community and to better understand Grundy County.”

Tammie Beers is a Tracy City resident originally from Dawson Springs, Kentucky. She is currently studying Psychology at Chattanooga State. After graduating in 2025, she is aspiring to open a counseling center in Tracy City to promote community wellness and mental health. She is very involved in local volunteering, and is participating in the summer meal program for the second year in a row. In her downtime, Tammie enjoys doing crafts, cooking, music, and fine arts. She has been serving with Grundy Safe Communities Coalition, the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, and the local chapter of Its My Very Own outside of meal service.

“I chose to serve with AmeriCorps because I want to make a difference in my community by providing help and healthy meals to all who need them.”