Congratulations Scholarship Recipients

Pictured above, left to right: Parker Johns, Sarah Denton, Karen Kanthak, Tariro Nicole Zambasa. Not pictured, Justin Perez.

The Honors Program is pleased to announce the Fall 2024 Honors scholarship recipients. Each semester, the Honors Program awards scholarships to students who demonstrate Academic Excellence through their service and scholarship. These students are all currently engaged in their Honors coursework or thesis research and contribute to the Honors community in a variety of ways. Read more about these students’ experiences below, and click here to learn more about Honors scholarship opportunities.

Robert K Thomas Scholarship

Parker Johns
Major: Chemical Engineering
I’m now in my fifth year at BYU studying chemical engineering with a computer science minor, and I have loved being in the Honors Program! Joining the Honors Program was a great decision for me, not only because it helped me get through my GEs quickly but also because it encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and experience or learn about new things. One example is my LDE project, when I had the opportunity to go on a study abroad through the Chemical Engineering Department. I was able to work with a team of BYU engineering students to build a motorized quinoa washer and then take it to Peru to show to Peruvian farmers. Being in the Honors Program has also helped me to find research opportunities so that I could be prepared to start my honors thesis. My thesis topic is “Measuring the Growth of a Single Bacterium Encapsulated within a Droplet of Growth Media Suspended in Oil in a 3D Printed Microfluidic Device,” and I’m looking forward to defending my thesis next semester. After I graduate, I plan to work for a little before pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering, with the hope that I can focus on machine learning and AI applications within the pharmaceutical industry. I’m so grateful for the Honors Program and how it has helped me develop skills that will help me be more productive as a future graduate student and researcher!

Sarah Denton
Major: Human Development
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I have always loved to explore. As such, amid my changing college studies, passions, and hobbies, the Honors program has remained a constant in my life, a home where my eclectic interests were not a hindrance to my education, but my guide. Throughout my classes in Honors and my quickly changing majors, I gravitated towards topics such as human resilience, morality, and identity. I began my university experience majoring in sociocultural anthropology, and have since dabbled in English, the philosophy of learning in Honors 320, and have found my home in Human Development with a minor in American Indian Studies.

I am combining many of these interests into my honors thesis, which examines individual and community responses to wars of ethnicities, using the events surrounding the fall of Yugoslavia as a case study. As an independent project with the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, I am also studying the moral and cultural complexities of missionary efforts among Indigenous Peoples in the 19th century Utah territories. After graduating next April, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Developmental Sociology, continuing my study of ethnic and social divisions. I plan to devote my career to deciphering how ethnic prejudices perpetuate across generations, and how families and communities can be key influencers in promoting national peace.

Khona Scholarship

Justin Perez
Major: Strategic Management
The Honors Program has provided me with invaluable opportunities to forge unexpected connections and develop lasting friendships. Through interactions with individuals from an array of disciplines, I have gained profound insights from diverse perspectives that I wouldn't typically encounter in my daily interactions. One of the highlights of my undergraduate experience was collaborating with classmates from various majors on projects that delved into complex topics such as pathogenic behavior, vaccine reception studies, and the exploration of creative literature. These collaborative efforts not only enriched my understanding of these subjects but also fostered a sense of camaraderie that deepened our bonds.

Without the Honors Program, my exposure to such broad and fascinating topics would have been limited. This program has opened my eyes to the vastness of knowledge and experience that exists beyond my usual sphere of influence. It has challenged me to think critically and adopt a more interdisciplinary approach to learning. Looking ahead, I am eager to take the lessons I have learned and apply them to my future career. By integrating the core values of the Marriott School, which emphasizes the development of Christ-like leadership, and the Honors Program's mission to cultivate interdisciplinary thinking, I aspire to make significant contributions within my industry. My goal is to create innovative solutions that address real-world challenges, ultimately leading to impactful changes in the business landscape.

West Honors Scholarship

Karen Kanthak
Major: Psychology

I joined the BYU Honors Program because I believe in motivation, discipline, and the importance of self-improvement. I know these are all qualities that this program can help me develop. Learning about the world and gaining new perspectives will make me a better and more knowledgeable person, opening my eyes to the things that need to change and helping me impact their resolution. It will also help me participate in experiences I could not get just by doing a regular major, like research, answering great questions, and allowing me to be part of a community of people who want to become better individuals. Right now, I am considering obtaining a psychology major and a business minor, and in the future, I will receive an MBA/JD graduate degree. I want to work with people and help them as much as possible. This is something that makes me passionate. It is my goal to graduate with honors from this school. It is a great distinction that could open many doors for the future, and help me with graduate studies and my career. I am looking forward to learn how to think critically and interdisciplinary, to learn through research and making connections how to respond to questions and find solutions. I am excited to know that I did my best in my college years, achieved the academic excellence I have always desired and looked up to, and connected with people with similar expectations for life.

Tariro Nicole Zambasa

Major: Biochemistry
I joined the Honors Program at BYU because I wanted a more engaging academic experience. The smaller class sizes really attracted me, and I’m excited about the opportunity to connect more personally with my professors and classmates.

I plan to study pharmacy after completing my undergraduate degree in biochemistry, allowing me to further explore my passions. As I strive to become the well-rounded individual that BYU encourages its students to be, I want to enhance my skills and talents. Utilizing my abilities gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, reminding me of the impact I can have in the lives of those around me. Ultimately, I envision creating an organization that supports talented students in my home country who lack the resources to pursue their education. Having witnessed how financial barriers can prevent bright individuals from reaching their potential, my main goal is to help students with their studies so that finances don’t hold them back. The BYU Honors Program will play a crucial role in this vision by equipping me with the skills and resources necessary to thrive academically and personally. By excelling in my studies and gaining practical experience, I aim to inspire and support others in reaching their potential, fostering a culture of academic excellence and community service.

I’m looking forward to the unique research opportunities provided in the Honors program, as I believe they’ll help me grow and prepare for future studies. Additionally, being part of a community of motivated students also inspires me to challenge myself further. Overall, I feel this program would give me the support and resources I need to make the most of my college experience.