Student Experiences

Mary Margaret Fulk, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Dobson, NC
Major: Sociology & History
Campus/Community Engagement: Emma Families Resource Center, Hunger Awareness Week Coordinator

"Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I believe that this statement explains where I am in my life right now. Who am I? I know that I have a distinct purpose in life, but what is it? These are questions that I am presently struggling with, but I feel that everyday of my life is a new page, with endless opportunities. I believe that everyone has a calling in life, or a special talent or passion, mine is children. Children possess unique qualities that I am drawn to. Within them there is a certain innocence and uncanny ability to love that others seem to have lost. I don’t really know how to explain it, but within me I have a desire to comfort and protect them, educate and guide them."

Travis Sullens, Honors Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Major: Biology
Campus/Community Engagement: Outdoor Center at MHC

"Many things in life can be sources of amazement and all the other things that are included in being amazed. There are many different ways of being amazed for that matter. When it comes to reflecting on what I have learned by studying amazement, what I have gotten out of it is as diverse as the topic itself. I don’t believe that amazement and other related things like awe and vision can be taught, but instead they can be discussed which can lead to an opening up to them. I think that opening oneself to those types of things has been the main purpose in our group meetings and discussions."

Danielle Kamffer, Honors Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: South Africa
Major: Spanish/Business/International Studies
Campus/Community Engagement: All intermural sports, Hill Guide

"We will never make a difference unless we show up. When I get out into the community and help others I get a feeling of accomplishment. It makes me happy to help others, even if they aren’t in need, so to put of procrastinating for another day is really a tool we all need to acquire. We have been chosen as leaders within this college, but even leaders need leadership."

Caty Carpenter, Bonner Scholar Class of '06

Hometown: Marshville, NC
Major: Psychology & Sociology
Campus/Community Engagement: The Family Visitation Center

"Through discussion and personal reflection, my eyes were opened to the incredible influence politics has upon the realms of community service. Throughout this past year, I have learned the importance of politics, especially in community service. From our weekly leadership meetings and my comparing what I have learned to my individual service work, I have seen, first hand, government policy in action at a community service site. I now comprehend the importance of speaking out and voicing my opinions about various government policies, and I have gained the confidence needed to do so now as well as later in life."

Andrew Chilton, Bonner Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Mount Airy, NC
Major: English
Campus/Community Engagement: Assistant Wrestling Coach at Madison High School

"We only get one chance to live this life. There is one common thread between Einstein, Thoreau, Martin Luther and me: time. We are all given the same amount of time and it is how we use these resources that matter. The main ingredient to a successful life is how we look at it, what we expect life to be. If we look at the world as owing something to us, instead of looking for what we can make of it, we will fall utterly short. To truly accomplish anything, one must have a clear vision on the future and a plan to get there. The people in life who have always succeeded are those who are filled with awe and see a vision of the greater world around them."

Jaclyn Bowen, Bonner Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Church Hill, TN
Major: Zoology, Minor-Chemistry
Campus/Community Engagement: Tutor at Mars Hill Elementary

"Discovery is always a value that tends to amaze. When people discover new things, it can open up their eyes to completely new worlds, and possibly influence them in unimaginable ways. Vision is something that everyone needs to have. Something to visualize in your future like goals, and your personal views on things are always good to keep in your sights at all times in order to help you to get where you want to be in life. Last, but not least, awe. Awe and amazement go hand in hand. When something makes us stand in awe, it can change us, maybe in a neither good nor bad way, just change."

Tamara Washington, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Blythewood, SC
Major: Elementary Education
Campus/Community Engagement: Mountain Hopes, Mars Hill Afterschool Program

"I believe that I was put here to help others that are in need.  In my service-learning placement, I really don't see at-risk children nor do I see poverty. But when I go back home to South Carolina, I see poverty and at-risk children.  By me seeing this, and it being so close to home, I wanted to try and do something about it.  Because if it was me, I would want someone to help me in my time of need.  I thinks that's what's wrong with today's society, we're so quick to turn and look the other way, saying to ourselves Someone else is going to stop and help why should I waste my time to help when I don't know the person." 

Katie Kellett, Bonner Scholar Class of '06

Hometown: Travelers Rest, SC
Major: Psychology
Current Placement: Bonner Intern

"My education has been furthered a great deal this year by learning about and becoming more involved in issues regarding voting, public education, and stepping up to debates on issues I feel strongly about. All of these things are important to everyday life, or civic life, and becoming involved with these things like voting can make one realize how important their role is as a citizen in society. If something happens that someone does not agree with there are numerous things that can be done to change that, all it takes is getting involved. "

Justin Scarbrough, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Waynesville, NC
Major: Biology
Campus/Community Engagement: Elderberry Nursing Home

"Through my Bonner service learning I have realized that children can teach us so much, much more that we could probably teach them. They taught me one very important things that I had forgotten as I’ve grown up: Never forget about the little kid inside of you, let him out every now and then, don’t worry about what other people might think. As I got to college I was all about acting mature and not wanting to act like a little kid. If you ask anyone I grew up around I was the little kid out of the group. I was fascinated by the simplest of things. I was able to have fun with out doing much at all. "

Joel Oliver, Bonner Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Business
Campus/Community Engagement: Emma Elementary Volunteer

"Improvising and insight are also very useful in the classroom. My teachers and peers will agree that I put much emphasis on seeing the big picture. I love to relate one class to another whenever possible. Community service can also be applied to the importance of each small task. Reading the Parable of Sadhu in LAA111, I saw the importance of being more than just another hand-out giver to the community but digging in with two hands. That is what communities need more of and greatly lack in the roles of leadership and support. Society survives best when all of its people are surviving, if not flourishing. The reflection of this importance is vital to keeping a creative mindset and using everything that has the potential to improve anything or everything."

Rachel Hall, Church Leadership Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Columbus, NC
Major: Possible Elementary Education
Campus/Community Engagement: Painting mural at Calvary Worship Center

"Usually people who wonder have big imaginations. This is true for me. I wonder about many things: why milk and cookies are the perfect match for a snack, how our body parts fit so nicely together, where the dinosaurs fit into the world, and when people developed the guitar and how it is and was made. I also wonder about those hard questions that require leaning on faith for answers. I wonder why babies and children have to suffer, what happens to people who never hear about Jesus, what motivates people to do such evil in the world. I come to the conclusion that God is so awesome that I cannot ever discover all the tough questions about life, love, and other mysteries." 

Bill States III, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Banner Elk, NC
Major: Sociology-Criminal Justice
Campus/Community Engagement: Campus Security Officer, Banner Elk Fire Department

"On Saturday the younger members of the Fire Dept took 3 trucks to the home and let the kids see them and have fun. We taught them some fire safety tips and then we set up a cool little game. We took some water extinguishers and let them squirt water at little pieces of wood shaped and painted like flames that we had from another time we did public relations. We let the kids learn about the trucks and how the firefighters work and all that. I think the best part came when we took the kids for rides in the fire trucks. For many of them it was the first time they had ever been in anything that large. There was this one kid, Frankie, he was probably about 8 or 9 years old. But he smiled really big and just had the greatest time. The counselor said that was the first time he had smiled since he got there about 4 weeks earlier. The guys that helped work the activities had a great time. I don’t know if they got the same thing out of it as I did. But it was fun to see the smiles on all the children’s faces. I think that was probably the best thing I have ever done with the fire dept."

Julian Cuthbertson, Bonner Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Business-Entreprenuership
Campus/Community Engagement: Emma Elementary Volunteer

"For many individuals, time management is a huge problem in their everyday lives. Some procrastinate; some just find other things to do to hinder them from their main goal in mind. Whatever the reason, time management is an area that many folks need to focus on improving. However these last five weeks my training on time management has been somewhat interesting and helpful for me. Every lesson from week one’s “Diagnosis of Life” to week five’s “Balance of Time” has given me ideas on time management and ways of improving my situation. Although some lessons impacted me more than other I have gained an overall outlook on time management and what it is capable of doing."

Holly Cable, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Murphy, NC
Major: Elementary Education
Campus/Community Engagement: Emma Elementary Volunteer

"My place in the world?  It is a question that everyone, including myself, struggles with probably everyday.  I wonder why God put me here and what I am suppose to accomplish while here on earth?  Although this question will probably be one that may never get answered, one question that may help in determining that answer is what kind of person I am? I believe that all people are bad natured and were born evil.  The only way that I believe a person can even attempt to over come this is through Christ, but no one will ever be perfect when compared to Christ, but somebody can strive everyday to reach that ultimate perfection."

Dane Christman, Bonner Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Roan Mountain, TN
Major: Biology
Campus/Community Engagement: Mars Hill Elementary

"The tool of expectancy is something that everyone should have in mind. As I look forward to my next three years at college I see success, fun, hard work, and good friends. Call me optimistic, but I believe that everyone who has a good positive life expectancy will still have hard times, as everyone does, but will have a more successful experience from college. I hope that all Bonner students think this same way and will have a positive outlook on the work we do and the college experience in general."

Matt Davis, Bonner Scholar Class of '07

Hometown: Marion, NC
Major: Special Education
Campus/Community Engagement: Special Olympics Coordinator

"Through the past semester I have learned a lot about how my environment has affected my abilities to learn, grow, and succeed. Through the Bonner program, I have been allowed to work within the school systems. I have been able to experience diversity as well as poverty as it affects the children. I have learned that I can be a positive role model for the students. I am able to teach students with different learning abilities. I can make a difference in the child’s life. I am now able to work with older adults with limited abilities, through working with the Special Olympics program. I have learned that everyone is different and learns in different ways. I have learned how to overcome barriers and obstacles by seeing those students with disabilities."

Christa Gaffer, Grayson Scholar Class of '08

Hometown: Peachtree City, GA
Major: Middle School Education
Campus/Community Engagement: Tutoring

"Awe can be from a holy standpoint. I am in awe of my God. I didn’t know it, but he took me out of a world that I knew so well, uprooted my family, and moved us to Georgia. I was so upset. But God had other plans for me. He knew I would be happier in the South. He knew that I would grow closer to Him through the whole ordeal than I ever would have living in Indiana. He knew my family would come closer together. He knew that I would fall in love with clogging. And now, most importantly in my life, He knew that I would be at Mars Hill College and be a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers. He had my best interests in mind when I had no idea."