Student Spotlight

Name: Brandon Abraham
Major: Neuroscience
Graduation: April 2029
Instagram: @brandonsabraham

Briefly tell us about yourself and your passions:
I'm a Sophomore from Middleton, Idaho who loves learning. If there's something to be learned, I want to learn it. I love meeting and serving people, exercising, striving to further my discipleship to Jesus Christ, and trying new things. [Read more about Brandon here]

Name: Holland Allebes Anderson
Major: Plant and Landscape Systems
Minor: Art
Graduation: April 2027
Instagram: holl_and_all.3

I'm Holland and I was born in California, so I love camping, surfing, and botanical gardens.

What is something people are often surprised to learn about you?

My father is the son of the elected royal sculptor of Denmark. Read more about Holland here. [Read more about Holland here]

Name: Lotus Khoteja
Major: Statistics
Minor: Computer Science
Graduation: April 2026

I'm Lotus Khoteja from Kathmandu, Nepal. I'm currently studying statistics with a minor in Computer Science. I'm working on my Great Questions essay with the Honors Program and it has been such a fun learning experience! Creating a safe space of belonging is a top priority in my life; I value making sure people feel seen and heard. Join Lotus for a day in her life on our Instagram story today!

Name: EJ Smith
Major: Global Supply Chain Management
Graduation: April 2026 

EJ is a Junior in the Honors Program studying Global Supply Chain Management. She currently works as an Advisor in the Honors Office! In her free time EJ enjoys playing intermural sports, travelling, painting, and photography! Follow along with EJ on Instagram TODAY  to ask her questions about her journey in the Honors Program, including her upcoming thesis!

Name: Mauricio G. Morales
Major: Latin American Studies
Graduation: August 2025
Instagram: maumo.10

I'm from Bolivia and I am senior studying Latin American Studies. I love to travel, learn about different cultures, and enjoy authentic food. I enjoy watercolor painting, finding good deals, and helping people find their community here at BYU. This year I’m hoping to help students find their refuge in the Honors program, and help them feel included, loved and supported. A book I’ve read recently that I would recommend is Gratitude by Amelia Riedler. Follow along with Mauricio on Instagram TODAY and learn more about his Honors experiences!

Name: Elisabeth Scoffield
Major: Communications Major with Public Relations Emphasis
Graduation: April 2027
Instagram: elisabethscoffield

Hi, I'm Elisabeth Scoffield from Boston, MA and I'm a sophomore in the Honors Program. I'm currently taking the Unexpected Connections courses, which are some of my favorite classes. In my free time I enjoy skiing, hiking, spending time with friends and family, reading, TV and BYU sports camps! Follow along with Elisabeth on Instagram TODAY and learn more about her Honors experiences!

Name: Rosemary Ashby
Major: Experience Design and Management
Graduation: December 2024

Hi, I'm Rosemary! I'm from Virginia; some of my hobbies include baking/cooking, art, being outside, swimming, reading, and throwing parties. I am a senior studying Experience Design & Management and plan to graduate this December! With this being my last semester, I'm in the thick of finishing my thesis and hope to defend in a few weeks. I've been studying the effect of different components of a major on students' feelings of belonging, specifically in the Marriott Business School. I am passionate about making sure everyone feels included and hope that my research will enable faculty/staff to provide opportunities that will increase students' sense of belonging within their majors. After graduation, my husband and I are going to travel Europe for a few months (my parents and siblings moved to Italy last summer), which is something that I am really looking forward to. I love the Honors program and am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to be a part of it! Follow along with Rosemary on Instagram today and learn more about her research!

Name: Nicole Savage
Major: Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Classical Studies with a Greek Emphasis
Graduation: April 2027
Instagram: @nickel_savage

Nicole is a sophomore in the Honors Program currently in the process of changing her major to Ancient Near Eastern Studies. She's also hoping to double-major in Classical Studies. She's grateful she joined Honors because she has met a lot of great friends and appreciates the chance to build bonds that will last a lifetime! See Nicole's Student Spotlight takeover on the Honors Instagram account and learn more about what Nicole is currently working on!

Name: Landon Shumway
Major: Exercise Science
Graduation: April 2027

Welcome to the newest student advisor in the Honors Program Office, Landon Shumway! Landon is a sophomore in the Honors Program and is looking forward to working with the students in his new position. His favorite part about the Honors Program is making friends with professors who might be hard to reach otherwise. "I'm excited to be in Honors Advisement because Vika, Julie, and the rest of the staff are the best people. I'm hoping they rub off on me." Read more about Landon here.

 

Name: Gigi Avery
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2026

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

When my mom and I toured BYU during my freshman year, we talked to an advisor. She told us all about the unexpected connections courses and the thesis and as my mom and I were walking out of the Maeser building, we looked at each other and said at the same time "I have to do this!" I've never looked back since! [Read more about Gigi]

Name: Yali Zegarra Calderon
Major: Political Science
Graduation: 2027

I come from immigrant parents from Peru. My father is from the beautiful small port town of Matarani in Arequipa and my mother is from Lima Peru in Santiago de Surco. Growing up I learned about my parent's culture and traditions, and we spoke Spanish and ate amazing authentic food. I'm very proud of my culture and I have tried to follow what my ancestor had done. My goal is become an immigration lawyer so I can help other immigrant families. In my spare time I enjoy trying new things. [Read more about Yali]

Name: Josh Clawson
Major: Marketing
Minor: History
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @ Joshclawson_

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

I thought that the Honors program would be a great place for me to push myself to be a better student. The Honors program has helped me find opportunities to take classes that I am interested in and classes that I would have otherwise not taken. [Read more about Josh]

Name: Catherine Howard
Major: Art History and Curatorial Studies
Minor: French
Graduation Date: Winter 2026
Instagram: @catherinequinn_howard

I grew up in Orem, but I'm actually Australian-American! I'm a bookworm and a foodie and a cinephile and a major dog person. I love movies and the work that goes into making them -- I actually seriously considered majoring in Film Studies for a bit. I love to travel and explore the world, especially other cultures' art and food. My favorite food is a falafel I got from a street vendor in Paris once. [Read more about Catherine]

Name: Moses Esplin
Major: Physics
Minor: Math
Graduation: 2029
Instagram: @mosesesplin

I love skiing and board games and would consider myself a social butterfly. I love hanging out with people and making new friends! I also recently received my mission call to the Thailand, Bangkok mission! [Read more about Moses]

Name: Katie Young
Major: Philosophy
Minor: Sociology
Graduation: December 2026
Instagram: @kttheyounger

What has been your favorite Honors experience?

It's definitely been my current Unexpected Connections class! It's so cool being in a class with people with so many different strengths and interests, and we're learning about whole new ways to see the world, which I find absolutely fascinating. [Read more about Katie]

Name: Cole Bourne
Major: Pre-Business
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @coleabourne

I love baseball! I love playing it, reading about it, and watching it. I love all other sports but that’s my favorite. I’ve finished all my Honors requirements besides my thesis so I’m looking for some fun ideas for that. I love the outdoors and I’m training for my first iron man! Read more about Cole here.

Name: Theresa Bell
Major: Philosophy/Physics
Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Instagram: @ theresae_bell

I really enjoy being a person! That might sound quite silly, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an embodied being and to be alive. I love to learn and understand the world to the best of my ability. In my free time I enjoy exercise, the outdoors, reading, spending time with loved ones, and doing my best to make my room like an eclectic wizard lives there. Read more about Theresa here.

Name: Darren Skidmore
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematics, Statistics
Graduation Date: April 2027
Instagram: @ darrenrs0515

I am from a multicultural (White + Mexican) family in Roy, Utah. This is my second year at BYU and I've been part of the Honors program since I started here. I enjoy tinkering with computers and technology, traveling, and learning more about the world around me. I also enjoy playing video games—but not the type most people might be acquainted with—I mostly play puzzle and incremental games. Read more about Darren here.