Sarah Christiano and Violet Batcha have a few things in common: an interest in government, prominent roles in this Call Me Maybe video, and—lucky for us—a summer internship at Fenton’s DC office. Keep reading to see why we’re so happy to have Sarah and Violet on the team (and to find out which one has a secret history of socializing rabbits).
 
 
 

SARAH

In the non-summer seasons, you study at Georgetown. Can you tell us about what you’re learning and how you’re involved on campus?
I’m going into my final year of studying Government, with a concentration in American political systems, and Spanish. Since they’re both very open-ended programs I’ve taken classes on everything from social policy legislation to Spanish 19th century literature. On campus I’ve been involved with the Georgetown College Democrats and our chapter of DC Students Speak, which hopes to engage DC students with local issues and politics.

Where did you intern before Fenton?
I spent two summers with Organizing for America in California, the grassroots network associated with the Democratic Party and Obama for America. There I was involved in voter outreach, education, and mobilization as well as the state-wide volunteer training program. I also interned at the Democratic National Committee here in DC during the chaotic 2010 midterm elections. Most recently I was a research assistant at George Washington’s National Security Archive in their Southern Cone Documentation Project, where I wrote about historical relations between the US and Argentina.

How did you decide on Fenton for this summer’s internship? (We’re happy you did!)
I knew that I wanted to learn more about communications since being exposed to it with Organizing for America, but I also wanted to continue working with causes that I care about. I was instantly drawn to the clients and mission of Fenton.

Any hidden talents?
In high school I volunteered at the Humane Society “socializing” rabbits. Its not as odd as it sounds, but I trained rescued rabbits to live in homes.

What’s your favorite thing about summer in DC?
It’s a tie between Nationals games and jazz in the sculpture garden.
 

VIOLET

Where did you intern before Fenton?
Last summer I interned at Kiwi Magazine, a healthy lifestyle parenting magazine. The two summers before that I interned at the Organic Trade Association in both their Communication and Policy departments.

How did you decide on Fenton for this summer’s internship? (We’re happy you did!)
As a Government major, I wanted to go into a political career, but becoming a politician didn’t seem creative enough. I heard about Fenton because the Organic Trade Association worked with them on a campaign and it sounded like the perfect place to combine creativity, communication and politics.

Any hidden talents?
I make a mean strawberry rhubarb pie!

What’s your favorite thing about summer in DC?
Coming from a small town in Vermont I just love that there’s always something going on and things to do.