- Pronouns:
- He/Him
Elijah, who is from Farmland, Indiana, is planning to major in accounting and minor in Spanish. He chose IU because of the national reputation of the Kelley School but also because his sister is already a student. Elijah is most proud of his Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency in Spanish from the Indiana Department of Education and the conversational fluency he has acquired that will stand him in good stead when he studies abroad. His parents taught him the maxim that still influences his life today: “Do it right the first time so that you don't have to do it again.” His favorite historical figure is Abraham Lincoln, whom he would have liked to consult about the secrets of great leadership. (Elijah is also wondering what Lincoln would do if he were President today). He frequently turns to the Bible for inspiration but is also a devoted fan of Marie Lu’s “Legend” series. Visiting a pow-wow in Miami, Oklahoma, was a very impactful experience for him since it helped him understand his Native American heritage. Similarly, a trip to Costa Rica he took with his school's Spanish club opened his eyes to the larger world around him. Elijah enjoys being in nature and is happy when he plays soccer and goes for hikes. The supreme values in life for him—dictated by his faith—are love and compassion for others. Elijah will hold the John W. and Margaret H. Biddinger Scholarship and the Ray W. Retterer Scholarship.