Summer Mentors

Hey ya’ll! I’m Kaylen Breeze, a second-year from North Carolina State University majoring in Animal Science with an intended minor in Nutrition. I’m a Goodnight Scholar, an active member of the MANNRS association, and a member of the Elon Academy Omicron class. I’m super passionate about research and giving back to the community. In my free time I like to try new foods, play volleyball, hang out with friends, and listen to music. This is my first year as a CAT Summer Mentor and I’m super excited to spend the summer with you all!

Hello! I am Jaylem Cheek, a rising sophmore from Burlington, N.C., majoring in Astrophysics and minoring in Applied Mathematics. I am an Elon College Fellow, and an Odyssey Scholar. I was a part of the Omicron Cohort, I created a club with 2 other students called the Elon Astronomy Club, and I also enjoy Esports. I am now a Teaching Assistant for Intro to Astronomy on campus. I really look forward to meeting the new Elon Academy students, and I am super excited to share the same love that my CAT mentors shared with me!

Hey all! I am Taylor Duque, a First-Gen student from Graham, N.C. I was a part of Graham High School’s Pre-Collegiate Academy, where I was awarded my Associate in Arts. Now, I am an Elon Odyssey Scholar and a Communication Fellow majoring in Communication Design and Media Analytics. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching shows, being outdoors, and more. I also love watching my peers grow as people and professionals. With that being said, I’m excited to work with Elon Academy and can’t wait to meet my mentees!

Hello! I am Tashawna Garner a sophomore from Mebane, NC, majoring in Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am so excited to work with Elon Academy my first year as a Summer Mentor and to be a part of such an impactful organization. I was a part of the Omicron Scholars and enjoyed it. In my free time I love listening to music, reading, and spending time in nature. I look forward to working with Elon Academy and this opportunity given to me!

Hey! I’m Edward Hernandez, a first-year student at Elon, double majoring in Marketing and Business Analytics. I am from Burlington, N.C., and I even graduated from the Alamance Burlington Early College with an Associates in Science. I was also a part of the Omicron class at Elon Academy. At Elon, I am the treasurer of the Latinx-Hispanic Union, an Odyssey Scholar, and I am the Office Assistant for Elon Academy. In my free time, I love riding my bike, traveling, playing games, and spending time with my friends. I love the program and my time with Elon Academy, and I am so excited to be a Summer Mentor to have a great and fun summer!

Hello! I am Emma Mays, an upcoming sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am from Graham, N.C., majoring in Communication Studies and currently deciding between a second major in Business or Public Relations and Advertising. I am a Colonial Robinson Scholar at UNC and in the Honors College. I recently finished up an Internship for SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), where I acted as the NC Community Engagement Intern. In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, playing tennis, and spending time with my friends and family. I am an Omicron Scholar with Elon Academy, and I am excited to work with Elon Academy this summer and give back to the program after everything Elon Academy has done for me!

Hi! I am Emily Menjivar, a sophomore from Burlington, N.C. I am majoring in Special Education and Elementary Education, with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This is my first being a Summer Mentor and I am excited to work with the program. In my free time I enjoy baking as well as unwinding and binge watching shows.

Hello! I am Gabriela Vazquez, I am a Guilford College alumni, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice, with Honors. I am from Graham, N.C., and a scholar from the Nu cohort with Elon Academy. I am currently in the process of taking the LSAT and applying to law school. But, when I am not studying for the LSAT, I support Elon Academy throughout the academic year by serving our Spanish speaking families with translations during meetings and working on tasks that fulfill EA’s mission in Alamance County. I am also a Guardian Ad Litem Advocate, where I serve as a voice for abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services. I am also an intake and social media manager for my mom, she has recently started an at-home small business creating beautiful and delicious cakes! I am beyond blessed and grateful to be able to support her in this new journey, as she has supported me throughout my academic career, she is my hero. In my free time, I enjoy reading new books, painting, going to the gym and spending time with my family and friends. I am beyond excited to be a part of another amazing summer with Elon Academy, and cannot wait to keep giving back to the program that continues to support me as an individual and scholar!

Hi There! My name is Cooper Oates, I am currently a rising sophomore at Western Carolina University but plan to transfer to a community college to earn an associate in Engineering then transfer to university and earn a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Some things about me are that I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my pets, playing video games, and I am part of Elon Academy’s Omicron cohort. I am excited to be part of the Elon Academy summer program and meeting all the cohorts who will be attending!

I’m RyAnne, and I’m super excited for my second summer with Elon Academy as a mentor! I enjoy spending time with friends and family, drawing, and reading. I can’t wait to meet all the new scholars and have a blast this summer!

Hi there! I am Emmanuel Campos and I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Statistics! I am also from Burlington, NC and went to high school at Cummings! This is my third year being a summer mentor and I am super excited to work with the rest of the team and all the scholars! When I’m not busy, I love to spend time with friends and play music! I am currently learning how to play guitar!

Hello! My name is Janiya Moore, and I am junior Social Work major at Winston-Salem State University. This is my second year as an Elon Academy mentor. I had the opportunity of becoming apart of Elon Academy in 2019 as a Xi scholar: During my free time I love to watch television, read, and go places with my friends. Some of my favorite shows are All American Homecoming, Vampire Diaries, and Gossip Girl. I’m very excited for the summer.