Andy Polston

(He/Him/His)

Graduation Year – May 2026

Hometown – Winchester, VA

What is your major(s) and minor(s)? – Major in Environmental Biology, minor in Anthropology

What are your educational and/or career goals? How do you see your participation in the Bonner program relating to them? – My goal after I graduate is to pursue a career related to Marine Biology.

What is your service site and service track(s)? – The Virginia Living Museum; Environment & Animals

Other than Bonner and your service site, what organizations are you involved with (on and/or off campus)? – none

Why did you want to become a Bonner Service Scholar? – I wanted to be able to be engaged in the community around me during my time in Newport News.

What is your favorite experience that the Bonner Program has given you? – The First-Year Pilgrimage where I was able to get closer to my cohort 🙂

What advice would you give to a new Bonner to help them get the most out of the program? – Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people in the program, especially the people in your cohort.

What have you learned about yourself from being a Bonner? – That it’s easier to become more engaged with the people around me than I thought.

What do you think your role is in creating social change? What do you see yourself doing in the future to further your role? – I think my role is being able to spread information about important topics, like volunteering at places that encourage learning more about those topics.

What are your hobbies and/or interests (outside of academics and Bonner)? – Environmental science, cats, and nature walks

List your favorite: book, movie, musician/band, food, and quote – Book: Perks of Being a Wallflower; Musician: Pierce the Veil; Food: Curry Chicken

Share a fun fact – My cats’ names are Helena and Egress,