Meet the 2025 Fall Interns--Part 1

Welcome to the team, SASA Interns! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our fantastic new cohort of interns to SASA! Our interns bring a variety of diverse skills and fresh perspectives to our SASA teams across research, event and conference planning, blog writing, design, social media and many more.

The goal of our Internship Program is for SASA Internships to be mutually beneficial, such that interns gain experience in multiple areas, learn skills, gain knowledge, and build connections with numerous people in Ancient Studies and the nonprofit world, by helping to work on various SASA projects. Say hello to a few of our newest recruits:

Yesenia Brocamontes (she/her)

Major Donors Team

History

What inspired you to join SASA?

What inspired me to join SASA is knowing the importance of becoming a good team leader or member in an organization who can be able to network and socialize with other people. As a college student, I always knew that attending classes is never enough to gain experience for the real world.

What are you hoping to get out of this internship?

I hope to gain the experience necessary to be successful in my career in researching, or assisting in government law

agencies, since I am studying for a History degree.

If you could explore any ancient culture firsthand, which would it be and why?

An ancient culture that I would like to explore civilizations during and after the Ice Age like the Homo Sapiens and the Neanderthals because it is always important to know our backgrounds and where we came from.

What is a fun fact about you?

One fun fact about me is that I learned to dance Folklore, a Mexican culture dance. I have also participated in an Aztec dance in high school.

George Richards (he/him)

Executive Team

Ancient History and Archaeology

What inspired you to join SASA?

Thinking A LOT about the ancient world has made me very happy and provided a lot of direction to my life, so supporting the passion of others was a huge influence for me.

What are you hoping to get out of this internship?

The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards the growth of classical studies on a global scale!

If you could explore any ancient culture firsthand, which would it be and why?

Early Classical Sparta, so we could finally see through `Le Mirage Spartiate´!

What is a fun fact about you?

I represent my college soccer O team (Yes, the P team does exist…)

Madeleine Casco (she/her)

Fundraising Team

Classical Civilisation

What inspired you to join SASA?

I felt inspired to join SASA's team as an intern since the organisation itself really aligns with my core interest in Classical work. I value their aim of broadening research and materials in the Classics field as I feel there just is not enough out there! 

What are you hoping to get out of this internship?

I feel this internship is giving me the opportunity to not only engage in work associated with Classics but it is also teaching me about marketing since I am joining the fundraising team. I am excited to gain relevant experience and knowledge in this subject area as it is

a possible career path for me.

If you could explore any ancient culture firsthand, which would it be and why?

I would love to experience a day in Rome during its early foundations. There is so much lost material from this monumental period of history where the myth versus history debate is prominent when discussing ancient sources. I would love to go back then to observe way of life as well as see all the lost archeological finds and written materials.

What is a fun fact about you?

I love to travel and I have climbed the Athenian Acropolis!

Emma Tessitore

Inspire Team

Anthropology and Classical Studies

What inspired you to join SASA?

I was inspired to join SASA's internship because I discovered ancient studies my freshman year of college through a Greek mythology class and was immediately transfixed. I also really resonate with SASA's mission of reversing the downward trend of ancient studies in colleges both because I wish I had discovered ancient studies sooner and because my college's ancient studies department is very small and focuses mainly on Greek and Roman civilization. I want to learn more about other

civilizations and cultures and inspire others to do the same.

What are you hoping to get out of this internship?

I am hoping to make connections with scholars in ancient studies and professionals in the field. I also hope to learn more about other cultures my institution doesn't teach about, as I said above. My long-term career goal is to work in archaeology post-grad and SASA is a great place to start to meet people and learn more about what that might look like for me. 

If you could explore any ancient culture firsthand, which would it be and why?

If I could explore any culture firsthand it would be ancient Egypt, specifically the Old Kingdom. I would like to explore Old Kingdom Egypt the most because I'd love to see the pyramids of Giza in their prime. I want to know exactly what they looked like and what they were used for. The Giza plateau now looks nothing like it did then and I would love to explore it in all its glory.

What is a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I am legally blind in my left eye but my favorite hobby is to read!

Casey Carver

Creative Team

I focus on accessibility-driven graphic and web design, with a strong emphasis on WCAG compliance, strategic storytelling, and inclusive user experiences. My work blends emotional resonance with visual clarity, and I’m constantly exploring how design can be both beautiful and functional for everyone.

What inspired you to join SASA?

I was drawn to SASA’s internship because of its commitment to inclusive design and community impact. As someone who’s passionate about accessibility and advocacy, I saw this as a chance to contribute meaningfully while growing alongside like-minded peers. The opportunity to blend strategic thinking with creative execution felt like the perfect fit for my strengths and values.

What are you hoping to get out of this internship?

I’m hoping to refine my portfolio with real-world projects that reflect both technical skill and human-centered design. I also want to deepen my understanding of how advocacy campaigns operate at scale—especially how storytelling and systems thinking can drive change. And honestly, I’m excited to learn from others, share resources, and support the team however I can.

If you could explore any ancient culture firsthand, which would it be and why?

I’d love to explore ancient Mesopotamia. It’s often called the cradle of civilization, and I’m fascinated by how early systems—like writing, law, and urban planning—emerged there. Seeing how those foundational ideas shaped societies would be incredible, especially from a systems design perspective.

What is a fun fact about you?

I once created a visual timeline that mapped out a nonprofit’s entire campaign strategy—from email blasts to display ads—and turned it into an interactive mentorship tool. It started as a portfolio piece, but ended up helping others plan their own advocacy projects. I love when design becomes a ripple effect.