Burnett RA Staff
Name: Lyndsie Yontz
Year: Junior
Major: Exercise Science, Pre-Med
Hometown: Watauga, TN
Interests/Hobbies: Sports, Music, Cooking, Reading, and Knitting
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
I came to C-N due to the influence of some close friends. After visiting the campus, I knew this was the place I was supposed to be.
Name: Samantha Bates
Year: Junior
Major: Graphic Design
Hometown: Dahlonega, GA
Interests/Hobbies: Jesus, being with family as much as possible, hanging with friends, hiking, chilling in my hammock, crafts!
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
I wanted to go to a small Christian college that also had a football team so that I could participate in the color guard with the marching band. I fell in love with the atmosphere of this campus and how all the students seemed to be like a family.
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
My favorite experience as an RA has just been that I’ve gotten the opportunity to step outside my box and be a RA for the freshmen athletes. I have enjoyed learning all about their sports and encouraging them in all aspects of their lives. I have been able to build awesome relationships with my girls and I really love it when they ask me to do things outside the hall; like going to see a movie!
Name: Katelynn Davenport
Year: Junior
Major: Business Administration-Emphasis in Pre-Med.
Hometown: Crossville, TN
Interests/Hobbies: Jesus, Golf, Knitting
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
I came to Carson-Newman because I felt like God was leading me here. I prayed about it and this school has the curriculum I was searching for along with the small atmosphere. I liked the small class ratios and the Christian atmosphere.
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
Computer chair relay races took place once, maybe twice, on my hall and they built a lot of community between the residents. We are now starting to get into mattress surfing. Those are probably among the best experiences. I have enjoyed getting to know my girls on a more personal level and being there to encourage them.
Name: Caitlyn Buchanan
Year: Junior
Major: Art Education
Hometown: Madisonville, TN
Interests/Hobbies: Hiking, running, water sports, anything outdoors, photography, arts, and crafts
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
A friend of my family was a student here and became a huge influence on the colleges I was considering. I really felt like God was leading me into this direction because I knew I would have the opportunity to be highly involved. I also want to be involved in Young Life and I knew that it was growing at C-N.
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
Getting to know people and making so many friends, and not just those on Res Life staff but also from the halls I have worked in.
Name: Emerald Proctor
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Spring Hill, TN
Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I like to read and listen to music as often as possible. I have three dogs and really enjoy playing with them.
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
I was looking for a small Christian college that was close to home. My high school anatomy teacher mentioned Carson-Newman. I visited the school and fell in love. It had everything that I wanted in a college and it was just close enough to home that I could visit my family when I wanted to but I could also grow up a little bit because of the distance.
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
I do not have one favorite experience as an RA. My favorite thing about being an RA is being able to be a positive influence for the girls on my hall. I enjoy when they come and talk to me and ask me for advice. They all tease me about how much I study but I think my focus on school makes me a good example for them. I enjoy the impact I am able to make on these girls and I can tell they look up to me.
Name: Beth Carter
Year: Sophomore
Major: Education K-6
Hometown: Gate City, VA
Favorite Color: Yellow
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
As a senior in the last semester of high school, I had mostly made up my mind that I had no other option but to attend the community college closest to my home. My dad did not want that for me. He wanted me to expand my horizons and explore different places. I considered Bluefield College in West Virginia. I was so excited to learn how affordable it was and all sorts of other aspects I no longer remember. Daddy told me I would not like it there, but I continued to seek an opportunity to visit the campus. Before that opportunity arrived, Dad convinced me to come and take a look at Carson-Newman College. In the week or so before I came, I did some research on the area, the price of the school, and what the school stood for. My research did not go much further than the, “$28,000 per year,” results. I told my dad, “We cannot afford it there. This trip is a waste of time,” and the excuses went on and on. Finally, however, he convinced me to come just for the fun of a “Daddy-Daughter” day. When we met with an admissions advisor, something inside of me clicked. I looked at Dad and said, “Daddy, this is it! This is where I’m supposed to be!” He said, “Okay, we’ll see what we can do,” and tried to leave it at that. I did not settle for his vague reply, I KNEW that this is where the Lord wanted me! He made that known to me right then and there. I exclaimed that it did not matter what I had to do, or how hard I had to work, I would be here! When we got farther along in the admissions process, the Lord paved the way. That includes finances and all. I sat back and watched as He opened doors left and right for me. I am so, so thankful for how the Lord has used this place, and the people here, to grow me for His glory! He never ceases to amaze me!
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
One of my favorite instances that has happened on my hall would have to be the time that I caught my little chickens riding a bicycle, followed by a pair of skates, up and down the hall after quiet hours. I opened my door, ready to reprimand them for disobeying quiet hours, but I got so tickled, that all I could choke out was that their shenanigans would have to wait until quiet hours were over. Being an RA is fun and full of surprises. The fun, however, is not always the most rewarding part. Being able to serve these freshman girls this year has been such a blessing to me. I pray that the Lord has used me for His glory in their lives. I have had the pleasure of watching them grow closer to Him. I have had the pleasure of crying with them when their hearts are grieved, or when the stress finally bursts from their tear ducts. I have had the honor to give them advice and pray for and over them. Not only have I gotten to watch them learn and grow, but God has used them to grow and teach me. These girls are dear to my heart, and I praise the Lord for the time that He has allowed me to spend with them.
Name: Lauren Veitch
Year: Sophomore
Major: Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Hometown: Cartersville, GA
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, baking/cooking, reading, taking walks, drinking coffee, doing Bible studies
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
Beginning junior year of high school, I began to seriously consider what I wanted to do with my life and where I should begin applying to go to college. Eventually, God led me to become a dietitian. In doing research on dietetics and the requirements to work in that field, I discovered that Carson-Newman was one of only two Christian schools with the program I needed and that wasn’t too far from home. Unfortunately, it was out of my budget. But I prayed about it and asked the Lord to provide a way if Carson-Newman was the school He wanted me to attend. Obviously, He made a way, so I came!
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
I’m not sure that I have a favorite “experience,” but I do have a favorite opportunity. As an RA, I get the chance to watch my girls grow towards Christ. I get to see them struggle, see them persevere, see them be challenged. At the same time, I have the opportunity to encourage them to continue to pursue God and to never be satisfied with where they are. Last semester I led a few girls in a Bible study; perhaps that’s my favorite experience, because I could see and be a part of what God was doing in their lives.
Name: Sonsoles Llodra
Year: Junior
Major: Music Theory
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Favorite Color: Blue
How did you come to Carson-Newman?
I found it doing research in the website “collegeboard.com” and I came across this school so I sent an email introducing myself. The next day I received reply from the violin professor and the reply was in Spanish! It turns out he is from Venezuela, so we “clicked” right away. I sent a tape of me playing and he said he wanted me in his studio.
What is your favorite experience as an RA?
As an RA in relationship with my residents I will have to say being in the Cultural Experience Hall and seeing how much everybody in there has grown in perspective and interest for each other’s cultures (some of my American residents are learning Korean!). As an RA in relationship with staff I loved the training of the beginning of the year. Some serious bonding happens in there.