Brandon will be majoring in biology. He is most proud of the work he did in his high school summer research program, “Project STEM,” in which he worked to create a protein that would help study age-related hearing loss. He looks forward to getting another chance to work in a research lab and would like to study abroad in France or Belgium.
Esha anticipates majoring in psychology. During her time at IU, she looks forward to exploring new avenues, developing new skills, and meeting new people, as well as studying in Europe, which appeals to her because of its rich and diverse cultural history. Her most important value is integrity.
Natalie plans to double-major in International Studies and Hispanic linguistics. She is most proud of composing her extended essay (about the songs used by the Spanish countercultural movement La Movida Madrileña) entirely in Spanish. She looks forward to learning from people at IU who are as passionate as she is.
Jesus Enrique Castañeda Buitimea
Enrique, from Mexico, is planning to major in anthropology. During the pandemic, he created a bioplastic using fruit peel and established an organization focused on providing people with free environmental education, an initiative recognized with the Mexican Youth Award for Environmental Protection. He looks forward to learning new languages at IU, such as Maya and German, and generally stepping out of his comfort zone by trying new things.
Simon will major in International Relations at IU. Simon dreams of studying abroad in Barcelona, which he visited as part of an exchange program last year. His most important value is kindness.
Karin, from Turkey, will major in psychology. She is most proud of being chosen as the mentor of her high school’s robotics team as it meant she was trusted with a new generations’ success, character, and sense of belonging. Karin’s primary value is “loyalty, whether it is to a goal, a person, a promise, or myself.”
Alejandra Carolina Dávalos Valadez
Alejandra is from Mexico and will study biotechnology at IU with a possible minor in environmental science. She loves how IU has made her feel welcome and she looks forward to making it her home. Alejandra anticipates getting involved in undergraduate research, working for the IU Journal of Undergraduate Research, and pursuing many extracurricular activities.
Anna plans to study neuroscience at Indiana University, while also pursuing her other interests in biotechnology and healthcare management and policy. She chose IU because of the strong support and network it provides. Her most important value is honesty, and she always strives to be the most authentic version of herself.
Maya intends to study biology on a premedical track at IU. At IU, she wants to challenge herself with her courses and eagerly anticipates trying out student organizations. She lives by her dad’s wise insight that “intelligence means nothing without empathy and honesty.”
Sam will be studying computer science at IU. What attracted him to IU were the multiple opportunities offered by IU’s growing computer science and AI programs, which will allow him to meld his many interests. Sam is excited to join IU’s Hillel and eagerly anticipates playing with the all-campus orchestra. He would love to study in Israel, which not only has great cultural significance but is also a hotspot for technology.
Abby will major in linguistics. She chose IU because it is close to home—but not too close as to not allow her to find her path. She also loves the campus for its natural beauty and is grateful for the chance to walk through the woods on the way to her dorm. She can’t wait to form connections with the other Wells Scholars, attend the Little 500 race, and make Bloomington her home.
Cathlene will major in Germanic Studies and Slavic Studies. Her grandparents, who are the reason she speaks German, met at IU in the 1960s. No wonder Cathlene fell in love with IU, too. Of course, there are those beautiful limestone buildings and the renowned German Department and the fact that she likes red.
Poorabi is a senior majoring in majoring in Political Science and History and minoring in Geography and World Political Systems. During her time at IU, she has enjoyed working as a research assistant studying Latinx voting behavior and political participation; serving as Secretary General for the Indiana Model United Nations Conference; and working with groups like the Eleanor Roosevelt Society to encourage women to participate in the fields of international relations and foreign policy.
Aika plans to major in Molecular Life Science, with a language she doesn’t yet know as a possible minor. At Indiana University, she looks forward to meeting new people, making great friendships, and using the wealth of resources the Wells Scholars Program provides. She is also excited to learn Korean or Russian in a classroom setting and explore Bloomington’s international cuisines.
Julia will major in psychology. She selected IU because of the opportunities it offers to expand her academic interests and hopes to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Julia is enthusiastic about understanding other people because that quality is essential for individual and collective growth.
Ravi intends to study entrepreneurship and corporate innovation at IU, with a second major in Sustainable Business and Law, Ethics, and Decision-Making (LEAD). At IU, he looks forward to joining the Raas (Indian dance) team and pursuing extracurriculars and clubs in and outside of Kelley, because he wants to connect with as many new people as possible.
Jackson will major in political science (on a pre-law track) and is excited to make use of the many connections and opportunities this large campus will offer him. He has played the bass clarinet for seven years in all-state and honor ensembles and considers this one of his most rewarding experiences. Kindness and compassion are his most important values.
Elijah is planning to major in accounting and minor in Spanish. Visiting a pow-wow in Miami, Oklahoma, was a very impactful experience for him as 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.
George will pursue a B.A. in viola performance at the Jacobs School of Music. His most impactful personal experience was listening to Richard Strauss’ Tod und Verklärung in Atlanta’s Symphony Hall: “I was so profoundly moved that I decided there on the spot, that I wanted to play professionally.” George identifies with Robert Schumann’s dictum: "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts—such is the duty of the artist.”
