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WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger welcomed four summer interns to her Washington, D.C. and Henrico, VA offices. Among the four, two grew up in the Seventh District and three are proud Virginians. Interns will get a view into the workings of a Congressional office and receive hands-on experience in serving Central Virginia constituents, assisting with Spanberger’s legislative priorities, and more.

Amanda Werner is a third year student at Middlebury College, majoring in history and German. She is a proud product of Chesterfield County Public Schools, and a graduate of Cosby High School. Werner’s first order of business is establishing a grant program for the office, and she is eager to make an impact on the communities she grew up in before studying abroad in Germany and Austria this fall.

Grace Headinger is a recent graduate from George Washington University, where she majored in international affairs. She grew up in Chesterfield County and graduated from Maggie Walker High School. Headinger has experiencing interning with the Embassy of Australia, conducting research for the Center for American Seapower and the Elliot School of International Affairs. She is looking forward to serving her home district and learning about all areas of work in a congressional office.

Avery Gagne is a third year student at Rep. Spanberger’s alma mater, the University of Virginia. He is double majoring in politics and economics. Hailing from Mechanicsville, Gagne has interned for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and conducts research for UVA’s Commission on UVA in the Age of Segregation. He also serves as a copy editor for the Cavalier Daily. Gagne is eager to broaden his understanding of Central Virginia’s top priority issues and gain experience in both legislative and communications work.

Tenzin Thargay is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a current Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellow. He doubled majored in political science and Chinese, and is pursuing a career in the U.S. Foreign Service. He is particularly looking forward to supporting the office’s work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Our spring interns set the bar very high, and I have no doubt that our summer interns will meet that standard of excellence,” said Spanberger. “Their work will provide valuable support as our team works to serve constituents and push forward on issues that are top-of-mind for the people in our communities, including lowering the cost of prescription drugs and pursuing much-needed investments in our infrastructure. To our interns – welcome, and thank you for your strong interest in public service.”  

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