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Honors Program

Student Spotlight

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Student Spotlight

Zach Stevenson

Name: Zach Stevenson
Major: American Studies & French Studies
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @zzstevenson6

I'm the fourth of seven children, and I love to read (primarily contemporary literary fiction and long-form journalism), write and watch films at the International Cinema. I was born in Madison, Wisconsin and spent a few years in California as a young child, but the only place I've ever called home is Purcellville, Virginia, a small but growing town about an hour outside of Washington D.C. Read more about Zach here.
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Student Spotlight

Ian Brunson

Name: Ian Brunson
Major: Nutritional Science
Minor: Chemistry and Mathematics
Graduation: April 2026
Instagram: @brunson.ian

I am from Marshfield, Wisconsin, and served a mission in Billings, Montana, and Sao Paulo Brazil. I enjoy anything that keeps me active (running, swimming, powerlifting) and I love music as well. I play guitar, piano, and trumpet. Read more about Ian here.
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Student Spotlight

Dallin Swanson

Name: Dallin Swanson
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Gerontology
Graduation: April 2023

I am from Draper and served a mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil. My wife and I are both graduating this semester and have loved our time at BYU. I will begin medical school in July and am very excited to start!

What are people often surprised to learn about you?

I have an identical twin. You might see him on campus and if you call him Dallin, he will likely respond by saying hi. Read more about Dallin here.
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Student Spotlight

Rachel Hunter

Rachel Hunter
Major: Bioinformatics
Minor: Chinese
Graduation: 2025
Instagram: @Rachel.hunter01

What’s one item on your bucket list?

Study abroad in China

What are three things that can always be found in your pantry/refrigerator?

Eggs, rice, and muffin mix.

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

I joined the Honors Program after viewing a number of research papers from the program. My major and minor are very different. I appreciate the challenge to learn using different perspectives to identify new solutions for challenges. Read more about Rachel here.
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Student Spotlight

Siena Christensen

Siena Christensen
Major: Linguistics
Minor: Portuguese
Graduation Date: April 2024
Instagram: @siena.with.1.n

"Study the science of art, Study the art of science," Leonardo da Vinci once wisely said. It's for this reason that I love the Honors program so much! Throughout my life, I've sought to find this balance in school, hobbies, and other pursuits. I chose to study Linguistics as a way to apply both creativity and logic to something I love: language. In my free time, I love to do art and write (though not that well) or solve puzzles. Though I'm not sure where I'll end up after graduation, I know I'll find some career that will allow me to explore both sides of myself. Read more about Siena here.
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Student Spotlight

Carter Glass

Carter Glass
Major: Music
Minor: Global and Community Impact
Graduation: April 2025
Instagram: @carterplastic

As a military brat, I've lived in six states, two countries, and ten different houses. I love love love pop culture, especially music and movies. Music has been a huge boon in my life, being a lifeline when I've been lost and a place for me to build community. I'm a trumpet player, though I've dabbled in a little bit of everything. My lifelong goal is to take the difference that music has made in my life, and hopefully pay it forward.

What are your favorite books?

The War for Late Night by Bill Carter Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Read more about Carter here.
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Student 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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

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.
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Student Spotlight

Wyatt Nillson

Wyatt Nillson
Major: Computer Science: Data Science Emphasis
Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Instagram: None

I'm a huge nerd and I love all things computers. I enjoy programming for classes as well as for fun. I like playing video games as well as learning!

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?

Grades are important, but if you're sacrificing learning for them, you have lost the entire point of your education. Read more about Wyatt here.
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Student Spotlight

Emma Fox

Emma Fox
Major: English
Minors: German and Global Woman Studies
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @8fawkes

I’m from beautiful Provo, Utah and am the oldest of six kids. I’m a passionate BYU sports fan; you can find me at any home football or basketball game cheering as loud as I can. If I’m not there, I’m probably hiking in the mountains with my dog, hanging out with my friends and debating the merits of our favorite fictional characters and Taylor Swift songs,... Read more about Emma here.
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