Levy Pait
Spring 2022 John Jay Fellow
Hometown: Bladenboro, NC
School: Liberty University
Degrees: M.A. History
Levy Pait was born and raised in south-eastern North Carolina. He was blessed with a traditional, Christian, conservative family. Growing up in a rural community impacted his worldview, giving him a strong attachment to conservative traditions. His father and grandfather instilled in him a love of reading, especially history.
Levy Pait earned an Associate of Science at Bladen Community College (BCC), graduating with high honors, and served as a College Ambassador for a year while in attendance there. He then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, graduating summa cum laude, and was recognized as one of the two 2018 History Department Outstanding Students of the Year. His favorite area of study at UNCP was modern European history, from 1789 (the start of the French Revolution) through 1991 (the end of the Cold War). Before going to graduate school, Levy worked for a year as a writing tutor at BCC. He then attended Liberty University where he earned his Master of Arts in History, graduating with high distinction and worked as a Graduate Student Assistant. His Master’s Thesis, titled “‘Venerated for their Bloody Deeds’ – English Medievalism in Literature, World War I Aviation, and Memorials,” addresses, through the lens of English culture, the historical phenomenon of World War I aviators being called “knights of the sky.”
He, initially, pursued his degrees in history with the intent to become a history teacher; however, during his time in college, he saw the limitations that are put on conservative teachers and the rampant and accelerating decay of American politics. After observing the 2020 election, Levy decided he wanted to get involved politically. This was something he had already dabbled in when, during the 2018 election, he worked as a poll worker and election judge. Therefore, in 2021, Levy participated in the Heritage Foundation Young Leaders Program Summer Academy. He followed that by interning at the Heritage Foundation during the 2021 Fall semester. During the internship, Levy wrote an article titled “Dispelling 3 Common Myths About Abortion” for the Daily Signal.
Levy is currently undecided as to what form his desire to get involved politically will take. He has considered working in a think tank or for a representative. It is vital to him that he can defend America and traditional American values proactively. He is currently exploring his options in the policy world where he hopes he can take an active role in fighting for conservative and Christian values, which are currently under attack in America today. He hopes that after completing the John Jay Fellowship to return to North Carolina and get involved in local or state politics/policy. During his free time, Levy enjoys reading, writing, playing boardgames and videogames with friends, and considering political, theological, and philosophical questions.