Jenna Rose – Spring 2026 Intern
Jenna is a student at UVA Wise pursuing dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Hospitality & Tourism Management, with plans to graduate in 2027 – and to say she is driven would be an understatement.
From day one at Breath of Dawn, Jenna has brought creativity, initiative, intuition, and entrepreneurial energy to everything she touches. She helped launch and organize our farm newsletter, assisted with social media and marketing projects, supported guests and events during our Spring Farm Day, and even created an incredible promotional video that is now featured on our YouTube channel.
But what makes Jenna especially inspiring is that she is already building businesses of her own while still in college. She operated a mobile hardware/tool business selling tools online and at events, holds her real estate license, and is actively developing business ideas as well. In true Southwest Virginia fashion, she also spends her spring hunting morel mushrooms.
At Breath of Dawn, we believe rural communities are full of talented, innovative young people who deserve opportunities to grow right here in Appalachia. This internship was made possible through the Virginia Internship Program, which helps businesses connect with and employ local college talent through reimbursement grant support for eligible internship wages.
A few words from Jenna…
The mountains and overall atmosphere at Breath of Dawn first drew me to apply for the Spring 2026 internship. I have always loved this community and everything it stands for. There simply are not enough people who know how special Southwest Virginia truly is. It is a place everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. That became my mission when I joined the Breath of Dawn family: to help share this wonderful place with the world.
My experience during this internship turned out to be different from what I originally expected, but in the best way possible. When I first started, I expected to spend most of my time hands-on working events and focused primarily on social media marketing. Instead, I gained something far more valuable. I learned real world skills and built confidence in my marketing abilities that I can carry with me into any future opportunity.
Throughout this internship, I learned how to build a newsletter and grow an email list from the ground up, skills that will benefit me in any marketing role moving forward. I also became more confident in allowing my creativity to flow when creating social media content and marketing videos. Creativity and independence are both deeply valued at Breath of Dawn, and I am incredibly grateful to have worked in an environment that encouraged both.
Although I only had the opportunity to work one event during my internship, the experience was much more than simply “working” an event. The Spring Farm Day in April 2026 was a beautiful community gathering where everyone felt welcomed and included. It was a time of fellowship, learning from one another, and creating lifelong memories and connections. I feel honored to have been part of such a meaningful experience.
My time at Breath of Dawn has given me the confidence to approach any marketing challenge with an open mind, creativity, and determination. I am incredibly thankful for everything this experience has taught me and for the people who made it so memorable.
Jessica Monroe – Owner
Breath of Dawn | Educational Homestead in Southwest Virginia 