New Growth

Bonner Scholars at Maryville College typically choose to volunteer in one of five service areas: adult literacy, children’s advocacy and mentoring, healthcare, hunger and homelessness, global issues. Above, FOCUS introduces five “spokespeople” for the main areas served by current Bonners. The quotes printed as a part of their profiles have been extracted from longer essays that are now posted online.

Discover how these Bonners chose their placements, what kind of assistance they provide at various non-profits and community organizations and how the Bonner Scholars Program is inspiring them to grow in ways they never before imagined.

Bonners in Healthcare

Cornerstone of Recovery, Good Samaritan Clinic, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Peninsula Hospital, Trinity Dental Clinic
Name: S. Jason Barnes
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Major: Psychology
Regular Bonner placement: Peninsula Hospital

“Almost all of my time at Peninsula is spent with the patients, and I have found that, in most cases, they are just like anyone dealing with a hardship and life’s setbacks. I find happiness and pride almost every day I go to Peninsula, whether it be juggling to make someone laugh or helping someone take a shower and eat a meal because they are too impaired to function properly.”

Bonners in Global Service

Bridge Refugee Services; Peru, Mexico (group service trips); Ghana, China, Thailand (individual service trips)
Name: Megan Burgess
Hometown: Hixson, Tenn.
Major: Writing/Communication
Regular Bonner placement: United Way of Blount County

“One of the most incredible things about the [Peru] trip for me was getting to build relationships with those around me. Those who made an impact on me were filled with love and laughter. These people challenged me to become a better person and to encourage those around me to think more about making a positive impact on the world and to really love those around me.”

Bonners in adult literacy

Adult Basic Education Center, Asbury Place, Blount County Justice Center
Name: Aaron Triplett
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Major: Political Science
Regular Bonner placement: Asbury Place

“When we cannot read, we are cut off from the global community. Illiteracy makes it difficult to know what is going on beyond one’s immediate surroundings. It leads to frustration, which can carry over to other aspects of life.”

Bonners in Children’s advocacy & mentoring

AYSO Soccer, Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Camp Wesley Woods, Fort Craig Elementary School, Maryville Middle School, Martin Luther King Center, Maryville Housing Authority, William Blount Middle School
Name: Joshua Gresham
Hometown: Rome, Ga.
Major: Mathematics
Regular Bonner placement: William Blount Middle School

“I hope to be able to give children a special type of advice as a counselor – the type of advice that is based on understanding how difficult it can be to have family problems and try to remain focused on academics. Not only has the Bonner program given me direction in my future career, but more importantly, it has given me direction in my life.”

Bonners in advocacy for the hungry & homeless

Blount County Habitat for Humanity & ReStore, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Salvation Army
Name: RaeKenya Walker
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Major: Child Development and Learning for Teacher Licensure
Regular Bonner placement: Habitat for Humanity

“Despite all the theories that people have about why people are homeless, the fact of the matter is that affordable housing is the real issue … Mostly due to my Bonner affiliation, I am currently president of the College’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity. I feel by being a force behind an organization that deals with these issues head on, I can influence others and do something to fix the obvious problem.”