Student Spotlight

Name: Landon Shumway
Major: Applied and Computational Mathematics (ACME)
Graduation: April 2027Instagram: @shumwaylandon

Landon is a sophomore in the Honors Program studying applied math in the ACME program and dance. In his words, "the Honors Program is the place to be!" Follow along with Landon today on Instagram as he traverses campus between the RB and Maeser building!

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.

Name: Cassidy Felt
Major: Pre-Music
Graduation: Winter 2028

I am a freshman in my second semester at BYU. I’m very passionate about music—I play the French Horn and love to play in symphonies! I love art and science; as such cooking is one of my favorite pass times. I also love to be outdoors. I love to learn and am ecstatic to continue forward in the honors program! Read more about Cassidy here.

Name: Caleb Rogers
Major: Political Science
Secondary Major: French Studies
Minor: Global Business and Literacy
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @calebbrogers

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

I wanted to diversify my educational experience here at BYU and push myself to meet people studying in different majors. It’s absolutely exceeded my expectations and I'm grateful for the relationships I've built along the way! Read more about Caleb here.

Name: Rebecca Kuhn
Major: Theatre Arts Studies
Graduation: December 2026
Instagram: studentoflife@_becks

What has been your favorite Honors experience?

I have absolutely loved the brilliant community! It's been an amazing experience to meet so many lovely, kind and interesting people! It's been a community that's let me explore ideas, wonder at the world and fall in love with learning again as an adult going through college. Read more about Rebecca here.

Name: Henry Tullis
Major: Mathematics: Applied and Computational Mathematics (ACME)
Graduation: April 2026

Single! Violinist, and fan of *almost* all comida Latina. Served in Orlando, Florida speaking Spanish. A student at heart, loves all things math and science (and can appreciate other subjects too). A passionate math tutor, but tragically had to hang up the blue vest at the end of last semester. Now I am doing more research on emergent biological phenomena, like cell sorting and coordination of the Dictyostelium Discoideum slug (google it!). Read more about Henry here.

Name: Joseleen Niebbia
Major: Pre-Business
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @josie.niebbia

I'm from northern Indiana and Argentina, and I love doing anything outdoors! I spend my summers outside playing sports or on the lake, and in the winter I'm either snowboarding or reading a good book. One random thing that I love doing is making flower arrangements. Read more about Joseleen here.

Name: Elizabeth Goodrich
Major: Undecided but hoping to do International Relations
Graduation: 2027

I've lived in San Diego, Hawaii, Florida, and Maryland! I love to travel and have been to 49 states (minus Alaska). I enjoy volleyball, dancing, and speaking French. I am so grateful to be a part of the BYU Women's Chorus! I am excited to serve in the Adriatic South Mission speaking Albanian! Read more about Elizabeth here.

Name: Ilse Eskelsen
Major: English
Minor: French
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @ilsetheimpaler

All modesty aside, what are you better at than 90% of people?

I'm pretty good at trivia (for instance, I've won my fair share of Kahoots), but especially when it comes to, like, the Tudors, Louisa May Alcott, and Pete Davidson's love life. Read more about Ilse here.

Name: Israel Davila Aleman
Major: Physiology & Developmental Biology
Graduation: April 2025

I am an enthusiast of medicine, ambitious scientist, and initiator of altruism. I imagine a world where medicine is a dynamic unity of advocating for patient's needs through clinical, research, and service-oriented aspirations. I aspire to become a physician. I love serving in the community through Y-serve and at a free clinic. Read more about Israe here.