Student Spotlight

Name: Meredith Nielsen
Major: Pre-Business
Graduation: 2028
Instagram: @meredith.niels

What do you do differently than most people?

I love to watch movies on the treadmill! It makes it feel a little bit like you’re in the movie and it doesn’t even feel like exercise. Read more about Meredith here.

Name: Isabella Keller
Major: Linguistics
Minor: Russian and Psychology
Graduation: Winter 2028
Instagram: @bellabookangaroo

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

I love the idea of looking at things through every discipline possible. Ultimately that’s how the world works, everyone adding in their perspective on an issue. Each person coming from thousands of different backgrounds. Read more about Isabella here.

Name: Jarom Hickenlooper
Major: Psychology & German
Minor: Sociology
Graduation: June 2023
Instagram: @hickenlooperj

What are your favorite books? / What are you currently reading?
I recently finished Anna Karenina and it is now one of my favorite books.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Make sure to find a balance between school, work, and still taking time for friends and relationships. Read more about Jarom here.

Name: Madilee Gulbrandsen
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2027

What has been your favorite Honors experience?

The Honors Ball! I had such a great time meeting the other honors students and learning all sorts of new dances! The speaker was amazing (and so was the food)!! I had a great time and would highly recommend going next year if you couldn't make it. Read more about Madilee here.

Name: Andrew Nicholls
Major: Computer Science

Minor: Anything I can fit in!

Graduation Date: April 2026


What has been your favorite Honors experience?


The Murder Mystery dinner last semester was fabulous and I had so much fun. Everyone got really into playing their parts, the deaths were dramatic, and the setup in the reading room was perfect. Plus, whatever sparkly juice was being served was intoxicatingly delicious. Read more about Andrew here.

Name: Lorin Utsch
Major: Political Science
Minor: International Development, Communications
Graduation: April 2024

What is something you can never be found without?

So freshman year at BYU I became very passionate about the outrageous sprinkle prices at all the nearby ice cream stores, so I had a phase where I would just carry my own sprinkles with me in my purse everywhere I went so I could save some money but not have to lose out on the happiness that comes from adding sprinkles. Read more about Lorin here.

Name: Joseph Nielson
Major: Computer Engineering
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @JosephNielson1

What has been your favorite Honors experience?

The disciple scholar lectures have consistently been excellent and enjoyable opportunities for me to learn and grow. I have changed perspectives and gained new insights on civil rights, self-discipline, and creativity, to name a few. Read more about Joseph here.

Name: Miranda Seminario
Major: Philosophy
Graduation: 2028
Instagram: @miranda.sem

I’ve always loved learning! I graduated a year early from high school and have loved my first year of study at BYU. I’ve wanted to go into law since I was in middle school and hope to practice immigration law. However, I had a really hard time choosing an undergraduate major because I am interested in so many things! Read more about Miranda here.

Name: Timothy Grigg
Major: Mathematics
Graduation: June 2028
Instagram: @qui.gon.tim

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

I decided to join the Honors Program because I love making new connections. I wanted classes that would challenge me and make me think. I'm currently in HONRS 220, "Supernatural Creatures in Life and Literature," where I get to explain the biology of mythical creatures like vampires and dragons. It's interesting, fun, and challenging, and I am excited to see what the other classes are like. Read more about Timothy here.

Name: Meili Hollingshaus
Major: Theatre Arts Studies
Minor: Editing
Graduation: December 2028
Instagram: @meili_holli.day

I'm a freshman from Orem, and I basically grew up on the BYU campus since both my parents are professors here. I did lots of theatre throughout junior high and high school, and my favorite roles were Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing" and Black Stache in "Peter and the Starcatcher." Read more about Meili here.

Name: Tate Staker
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @tatestaker

Tate is an aspiring pre-med student from Dripping Springs, Texas. He discovered his passion for life science while shadowing physicians in clinics in Utah and Las Vegas. Tate enjoys making music with his friends, working on his small-engine motorcycle, and attending Fuego Fridays. Read more about Tate here.

Name: Emily Logan
Major: Applied Statistics and Analytics
Graduation: December 2023
Instagram: @3milylogan

I'm Emily! I'm from Texas and love going to school here at BYU, even when the sidewalks on campus are death traps in the winter. I love volleyball and my brother recently convinced me to take a Ju-Jitsu class with him, so I guess we're trying that out! Read more about Emily here.

Name: Emilee Forbush
Major: Pre-Computer Science: Animation and Games
Minor: Creative Writing
Graduation: December 2027

I am passionate about all thing's stories. I hope my major will teach me the skills required to develop video games, and my minor will aid me in my ambition to become an author. I hope to use this major and minor pair to build worlds that you can enjoy through the written word... Read more about Emilee here.

Name: Colby St Gelais
Major: Communications
Minor: Design Thinking
Graduation: April 2025
Instagram: @colbyst.gelais

What has been the most significant plot twist in your life?

The most significant plot twist in my life was the moment I found out what I wanted to do as a career. I had received a special assignment to create content for the Facebook pages in my mission. I had little knowledge of video production, but I learned how to do it and quickly fell in love as I learned I had a knack for it. Read more about Colby here.

Name: Esther Dewitt
Major: Psychology
Minor: Music
Graduation Date: 2026
Instagram: @queen__esther_

I’m from Williamsburg, VA but I’ve grown up moving all over the world because of my dad’s job. I love music, I’ve played piano for 13 years and have sung and done theatre for 9 years. In the future, I want to go to graduate school, get my PhD and work as a clinical psychologist. I hope to work in war torn areas and refugee camps providing... Read more about Esther here.

Name: Jack Holland
Major: Pre-Business
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @haircutoff76

My name is Adam Holland, but I go by Jack because Adam is my father’s name. My family consists of me, my younger brother Ricky, my father Adam, my mother Jacquie, and our two golden retrievers, Liberty and Bailey. I have family in the Salt Lake Valley region. I am second generation BYU student on my mother’s side and fourth generation on my father’s side. I was born while my parents were still attending school. Needless to say, I bleed Blue. Read more about Jack here.

Emmie Hall
Major: Cyber Security
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @emmster_100

I was born in San Francisco but moved to North Carolina at the age of eight. One of my favorite things about the South is the food, especially Bojangles biscuits (if you know, you know). I love tennis and play every chance I get. I can fall asleep anywhere and I enjoy public speaking, traveling, and shopping for clothes. When not in school, I'm most likely cheering on the Cougars at sporting events, spending time with friends, or working out with my roommates. Read more about Emmie here.

Name: Sophie Cranney
Major: Psychology
Graduation: April 2025
Instagram: @sophie_cranney

Hi! My name is Sophie Cranney and I'm from a teeny town in Northern Michigan called Harbor Springs. Before coming to BYU, I studied at the University of Michigan. I was baptized into the LDS church in October of 2021 and applied to BYU directly after. I came here in the fall of 2022, and it has been the greatest adventure of my life so far. I am extremely passionate about my studies in psychology and am so excited to see how my career will grow over my next two years here. Read more about Sophie here.