THE FALLS CHURCH FELLOWS CLASS OF 2018-2019

 

 

 

 

COURTNEY BEALS | Elkin, NC | University of North Carolina | Public Policy/Social&Economic Justice 

 

Courtney grew up in the small town of Elkin, NC as the oldest child of three. During her time at UNC, Courtney served as an 

ambassador for the honors college, president of the women’s club basketball team, and an intern at the Office of Federal Affairs 

on campus. Courtney was involved with the Summit College Campus Ministry and Chapel Hill Bible Church. She spent her summers 

interning for local law offices, Congress, a law firm in India, and at Christian summer camp in Texas. Courtney intends to pursue 

her law degree, with an interest in race and poverty within the criminal justice system. She enjoys reading, traveling, running, 

listening to podcasts, and being active outdoors. Courtney will be working at the Center for Public Justice.  

 

CHLOE BUCKLER | Colorado Springs, CO | Azusa Pacific University | Political Science/Spanish 

 

Chloe is from Colorado Springs, Colorado where she grew up with her two younger brothers, parents, and two dogs. During her 

time at Azusa Pacific, Chloe worked at the school's Center for Student Action which works to mobilize the student body to serve 

both locally and internationally, swam for the school's swim team, and worked on APU's Executive Council for the American 

Enterprise Institute in DC. Chloe loves learning about and experiencing different cultures, all outdoor activities, spending time 

with family and friends, cooking and watching movies. Chloe will be working at the Council for Christian Colleges and 

Universities.  

 

SAM CALHOUN | Charlottesville, VA | Grove City College | Mechanical Engineering 

 

Sam grew up in Charlottesville, VA but is originally from Grand Rapids, MI. He is the middle child of three brothers who all went to 

Grove City, played lacrosse there, and were in the Omicron Xi fraternity. In an attempt to break away, Sam also spent a semester 

abroad in Nantes, France, and wants to eventually live abroad for a time. He spent this past summer working at Grit Coffee in 

Charlottesville. As a Fellow, he is excited for the opportunity to learn how to intentionally live out his faith in the DC community. 

Sam will be working at The Atlantis Project. 

 

MASON CASADY | Santa Barbara, CA | Gordon College | Psychology/Business Administration 

  

Mason is a native of Southern California, where his family currently resides. Mason played tennis at Gordon College and earned his 

degree in Psychology and Business Administration, becoming a Presidential Fellow his senior year. Mason’s passion for tennis has 

also led him to serve the community around him through his team’s volunteering at a local elementary school in Lawrence, MA, 

and on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. During the summers, he has worked as the office coordinator for an Aramark 

marina at Lake Powell while serving as a team member for A Christian Ministry In The National Parks. Mason has also interned at 

his home church, where he mentored high school students. This year Mason will be working a the Philanthropy Roundtable. 

 

NOAH JACKSON | Kingsburg, CA | Azusa Pacific University | Political Science/Humanities 

 

Noah was raised a fourth generation farmer by trade in a small central California town. Being homeschooled in his early years, his 

parents instilled in him a love of U.S. history and government. His studies took him around the world, spending terms in both 

Ecuador and China. Beyond his studies, Noah led freshman orientation, gave campus tours, and tutored individuals for 

Citizenship. Strong Christian community has been the core of every season of his life, and he is thrilled to join The Falls Church 

Anglican family. In his free time you might find him reading a good book or spending quality time with friends. Noah will be 

working in the office of Senator Jim Inhofe this year. 

 

PALMER JONES | Florence, SC | Hampden-Sydney College | Foreign Affairs 

 

Palmer grew up in Florence, SC with a younger brother and an older sister. After finishing high school, he went off to 

Hampden-Sydney College, where he studied Foreign Affairs. While at Hampden-Sydney, Palmer served as a Young Life College 

Leader and was also involved with Campus Outreach during the summers. After he finished college a semester early, Palmer 

lived and worked on a dairy farm near Hampden-Sydney while continuing to serve with Young Life. Palmer will be working on 

TFCA’s youth ministry staff this year, and he has been accepted to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for next fall. 

 

CONNOR LACHINE | Williamsburg, VA | Hampden-Sydney College | Economics 

 

A life-long Virginian, Connor is a 2017 graduate of Hampden-Sydney, where he swam on the swim team and studied abroad in 

Salzburg, Austria. Connor has been putting his economics degree and healthcare statistical analysis skills to use over the years 

by working for a home health care company. He is looking forward to exploring the intersection of faith and work in this area, 

and to expanding his experience to help find healthcare solutions in developing regions around the world.   

 

MATTHEW MCKNIGHT | Charlotte, NC | University of North Carolina | Public Policy and History 

 

Matthew grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. During his time at UNC, Matthew led Wyldlife, studied abroad in London, worked 

as a counsel on the UNC Student Attorney General’s staff, and served as a senior advisor to the UNC Student Body President. His 

most formative academic experience in college was writing an honors thesis on Abraham Kuyper’s impact on the epistemology 

of the American evangelical movement. Matthew is an avid reader, podcaster, Crossfitter, coffee drinker, chess player, and Tar 

Heel fan - and he is thrilled to be joining the TFCA community. 

 

KARA SIMMONS | Harrisonburg, VA | The King’s College in NYC | Politics, Philosophy, and Economics 

 

Kara was born and raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia. While attending The King’s College in New York City, she played soccer and 

basketball and was a member of the Financial Services Club and the John Quincy Adams Society, while serving as Faculty 

Assistant for Dr. Paul Mueller in economics. In King’s unique house system, Kara served as Helmsman and President of the 

House of Susan B. Anthony. She found her church family in NYC at Redeemer Presbyterian, where she also worked in the 

nursery. In her free time, Kara loves traveling, going on walks, listening to podcasts, hanging out with friends, and watching 

sports. Kara will be working for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. 

 

CAMILLE SMITH | Birmingham, AL | Auburn University | Kinesiology  

 

Camille grew up in the magical city of Birmingham, Alabama and - like any wise Alabama native - chose to attend Auburn 

University for college (War Eagle). During her time on The Plains, Camille studied Kinesiology to pursue a career in 

Occupational Therapy. Her greatest joy during those four years, however, came from the rich community she found in her 

group of Young Life girls that she had the privilege of leading and learning from. Camille loves all things Narnia, mountains, 

horses (There is always one horse girl. I am that girl.), running and spending as much time on porches as she possibly can. 

Camille is working on Capitol Hill for Congressman Gary Palmer.  

 

 

CHRISTINA STURGEON | Potomac, MD | Furman University | Philosophy 

 

A native of Potomac, MD, Christina joined TFCA youth group as an 8th grader in 2010! Several populations are close to 

Christina's heart: older folks, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those without homes or who 

struggle with addictions. At Furman University, Christina created an "adopt-a-grandparent" program, started a Best Buddies 

chapter, studied abroad in Spain, Italy, Greece & Israel, and interned at Triune Mercy Center in social work. In her free time, 

she can be caught unabashedly singing show tunes/oldies/folksy-country jams, enthusiastically dancing/doing zumba, or 

reading outside. Christina will be working at the Telos Group on Israel-Palestinian relations. 

 

MOLLY WICKER | Sewickly, PA | Grove City College | English/Economics 

 

Molly Wicker hails from Sewickley, PA and grew up as the oldest of four children in a house full of books and music. While at 

Grove City College, Molly worked as a writer and news editor for the college newspaper, as a student assistant in the Biblical 

and Religious Studies Department and in the Marketing and Communications Office on campus. She loves to write and her work 

has been published in a variety of places, including The Collegian, The Quad, and The New York Times. In her free time, she 

enjoys training for half marathons, exploring coffee shops, and reading. While a Fellow, Molly will be working as a Project 

Assistant at the Human Trafficking Institute. 

 

ELLIE WOOD | Winter Park, FL | University of Virginia | Public Policy and Leadership 

 

Ellie grew up in Winter Park, FL with her parents and two brothers. Throughout her time at UVA, she was very involved with the 

Intervarsity Fellowship, and she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, the NoTones Acapella Group (for bad singers), and the 

University Judiciary Council. In her free time, Ellie loves hiking, road trips, playing tennis, and hanging with friends. She also 

loves to travel and recently explored the entirety of Iceland in a camper van. As a Falls Church Fellow, Ellie will be working at 

Food for the Hungry, and she is very excited to learn and grow during this upcoming year.