Honors Spotlight
Emma Wheeler Volz
Emma Wheeler Volz
Major: Media Arts
Minor: Business
Graduation: August 2023
Instagram: @memsvolz
I am an aspiring documentary filmmaker, avid tennis player, and rock n' roll lover.
What’s the best-kept secret at BYU? Why?
Definitely the cactus cooler pops in the vending machines.
What is something you wish everyone knew about your major/field of study?
When you choose to study film, you choose to study everything. While film is a very technical art form, it also holds the potential to encapsulate any subject, any language, any story, or any abstraction. With film, expressive possibilities are endless. Read more about Emma here.
Major: Media Arts
Minor: Business
Graduation: August 2023
Instagram: @memsvolz
I am an aspiring documentary filmmaker, avid tennis player, and rock n' roll lover.
What’s the best-kept secret at BYU? Why?
Definitely the cactus cooler pops in the vending machines.
What is something you wish everyone knew about your major/field of study?
When you choose to study film, you choose to study everything. While film is a very technical art form, it also holds the potential to encapsulate any subject, any language, any story, or any abstraction. With film, expressive possibilities are endless. Read more about Emma here.
Andrew Issa Rosenbalm
Andrew Issa Rosenbalm
Major: Media Arts
Gradation: April 2028
Instagram: @andrewrosenbalm
What is your favorite quote and why?
“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” - John Landis Mason
I’m fascinated by the concept of us being our most genuine selves when we’re young. Then, as we got older, we conform more and more to society’s norms, often to a point of losing our individuality. But those characteristics that make us different are the very things that give color to our world and our lives. Read more about Andrew here.
Major: Media Arts
Gradation: April 2028
Instagram: @andrewrosenbalm
What is your favorite quote and why?
“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” - John Landis Mason
I’m fascinated by the concept of us being our most genuine selves when we’re young. Then, as we got older, we conform more and more to society’s norms, often to a point of losing our individuality. But those characteristics that make us different are the very things that give color to our world and our lives. Read more about Andrew here.
Megan Houston
Megan Houston
Major: Communication Disorders
Graduation: April 2025
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to Join the Honors Program because I want to be involved with research during my undergraduate education and writing a thesis sounds terrifying yet so rewarding. I also love to be a part of the Honors community. Being in the Honors program has already blessed me with research opportunities I would not have without it. I love the growth that I am experiencing in this program! Read more about Megan here.
Major: Communication Disorders
Graduation: April 2025
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to Join the Honors Program because I want to be involved with research during my undergraduate education and writing a thesis sounds terrifying yet so rewarding. I also love to be a part of the Honors community. Being in the Honors program has already blessed me with research opportunities I would not have without it. I love the growth that I am experiencing in this program! Read more about Megan here.
Jonathan Dickson
Jonathan Dickson
Major: Strategic Management
Minors: Statistics & Philosophy
Graduation: Spring 2025
LinkedIn: jmdickson
I really enjoy organizing and solving abstract problems. I find it fascinating to deconstruct a complicated situation into its component parts and arrange those into an actionable solution. This interest applies directly to my interest in business, and I hope to have a career in consulting. Read more about Jonathan Dickson here.
Major: Strategic Management
Minors: Statistics & Philosophy
Graduation: Spring 2025
LinkedIn: jmdickson
I really enjoy organizing and solving abstract problems. I find it fascinating to deconstruct a complicated situation into its component parts and arrange those into an actionable solution. This interest applies directly to my interest in business, and I hope to have a career in consulting. Read more about Jonathan Dickson here.
Ekta Khoteja
Ekta Khoteja
Major: Statistics
Graduation: December 2025
Other than my one-sided love for math and statistics, I have an unquenchable thirst for true crime. Find me listening to true crime podcasts anytime I have my headphones on. I aim to be a data scientist in the field of criminology or forensics. Coming from the culturally diverse country of Nepal naturally made me curious about the world, so I love trying new experiences. Read more about Ekta here.
Major: Statistics
Graduation: December 2025
Other than my one-sided love for math and statistics, I have an unquenchable thirst for true crime. Find me listening to true crime podcasts anytime I have my headphones on. I aim to be a data scientist in the field of criminology or forensics. Coming from the culturally diverse country of Nepal naturally made me curious about the world, so I love trying new experiences. Read more about Ekta here.
Amelia Scott
Amelia Scott
Major: English
Minor: Spanish
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @hydecastle.raven
I love love LOVE writing. If I have a spare minute, you can find me on my laptop jotting down ideas. Telling stories has always been a hobby of mine, and I'm working on several novels to eventually publish.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I want to travel to Antarctica. Read more about Amelia here.
Major: English
Minor: Spanish
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @hydecastle.raven
I love love LOVE writing. If I have a spare minute, you can find me on my laptop jotting down ideas. Telling stories has always been a hobby of mine, and I'm working on several novels to eventually publish.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I want to travel to Antarctica. Read more about Amelia here.
Ethan Hardy
Ethan Hardy
Major: Music
Graduation: April 2026
I'm a sophomore, and I'm from Heber City Utah. I'm passionate about learning, teaching, music, riding my motorcycle, and doing exciting things outdoor.
What are three things that can always be found in your pantry/refrigerator?
Chicken nuggets (perfect fuel &quite healthy), Hummus (may be a phase I’m in but it’s lasted close to a year now I eat hummus most everyday) and Sourdough Bread. Read more about Ethan here.
Major: Music
Graduation: April 2026
I'm a sophomore, and I'm from Heber City Utah. I'm passionate about learning, teaching, music, riding my motorcycle, and doing exciting things outdoor.
What are three things that can always be found in your pantry/refrigerator?
Chicken nuggets (perfect fuel &quite healthy), Hummus (may be a phase I’m in but it’s lasted close to a year now I eat hummus most everyday) and Sourdough Bread. Read more about Ethan here.
Melissa Mains
Melissa Mains
Major: Business
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @meimains
What has been the most significant plot twist in your life?
Learning that I love to fly! For the last 6 years I have always said that I was going to be a pharmacist but then I got up in the air and I knew that flying was what I was going to do! As of now I'm working to build up flight hours to get my private pilot's license. Read more about Melissa here. Read more about Melissa Mains here.
Major: Business
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @meimains
What has been the most significant plot twist in your life?
Learning that I love to fly! For the last 6 years I have always said that I was going to be a pharmacist but then I got up in the air and I knew that flying was what I was going to do! As of now I'm working to build up flight hours to get my private pilot's license. Read more about Melissa here. Read more about Melissa Mains here.
Aaron Gorner
Aaron Gorner
Major: Comparative Literature
Minor: Ancient Near Eastern Studies & French
Graduation: December 2024
Instagram: @aaron_gorner
I love the humanity and relevance in literature and the equalizing influence of accessible libraries. I'm passionate about finding wells to draw from and beautifying the mind of mankind. It seems that literature is the most unifying influence... Read more about Aaron here.
Major: Comparative Literature
Minor: Ancient Near Eastern Studies & French
Graduation: December 2024
Instagram: @aaron_gorner
I love the humanity and relevance in literature and the equalizing influence of accessible libraries. I'm passionate about finding wells to draw from and beautifying the mind of mankind. It seems that literature is the most unifying influence... Read more about Aaron here.
Naomi Julian
Naomi Julian
Major: Sociology
Minor: Global and Community Impact
Graduation: Fall 2024
Instagram: @naomijules
An INFJ and an expert at overcommitting, I am passionate about everything and anything to do with empowerment and advocacy. As part of the BYU Filipino, Antiracism, and Women of Color clubs, I'm constantly immersed in what we can do to help others courageously belong in a space that may have originally ostracized them. Having been in this position before, it gives me no greater joy than to see others finally find a community of understanding. Read more about Naomi here.
Major: Sociology
Minor: Global and Community Impact
Graduation: Fall 2024
Instagram: @naomijules
An INFJ and an expert at overcommitting, I am passionate about everything and anything to do with empowerment and advocacy. As part of the BYU Filipino, Antiracism, and Women of Color clubs, I'm constantly immersed in what we can do to help others courageously belong in a space that may have originally ostracized them. Having been in this position before, it gives me no greater joy than to see others finally find a community of understanding. Read more about Naomi here.