Meet Our Scholars

Hometown: Urbana, IL (Urbana High School)

"The Stamps Program has granted me an incredible group of peers to engage with prior to even coming to campus, and I look forward to getting to know the other Stamps scholars even better throughout my time at the University of Illinois. I also look forward to further expanding my performance and study of music with the support of Stamps in the years to come."

Hometown: Normal, IL (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy)

"Through Stamps, I was able to join a close-knit community filled with support and meet incredible people from different areas of study. I'm able to freely explore the intersection between computer science and other fields in my line of interest through research opportunities and conferences. Being a part of Stamps has helped me grow holistically as a scholar, leader, and community member. "

Hometown: Bloomingdale, IL (Lake Park High School)

"As a Stamps Scholar I’ve had to opportunity to pursue different enriching experiences as well as develop my leadership skills. The scholarship has allowed me to participate in a virtual service trip and get ahead in my curriculum by taking a couple extra classes. I’m excited for the future opportunities being a Stamps scholar will offer such as studying abroad. "

Hometown: DeKalb, IL (DeKalb High School)

“I am honored to be a Stamps Scholar! I look forward to connecting with some of the best and brightest students at UIUC. This generous scholarship will afford me the opportunity to expand my academic interests, philanthropic endeavors, and global experience.”

Hometown: Country Club Hills, IL (Tinley Park High School)

"As an incoming social work major, I recognize the value of studying behavioral phenomena to my comprehension of dysfunctional environments. It is without a doubt that my participation in the Stamps Program will be a significant step towards furthering my understanding of this concept while simultaneously improving my ability to address the difficult scenarios I will face."

Hometown: Elmhurst, IL (York Community High School)

"I am honored and excited to be a part of the bright community of Stamps Scholars at UIUC! The generous financial component of this scholarship and the numerous opportunities it provides for personal and professional growth will greatly enhance my college experience as well as the options available to me after graduation. I look forward to connecting with fellow Scholars at the University and across the nation to form lasting connections and memories during the next four years and beyond."

Hometown: Chicago, IL (Whitney M. Young Magnet High School)

“As a Stamps Scholar, I have already formed connections with my class, college, and fellow national scholars. I look forward to collaborating and engaging with this amazing group, and I’m excited for the memories we’ll make throughout my four years. This scholarship will not only help me secure opportunities in STEM and healthcare, but it will also help me achieve my goal of immersing myself in a new culture through study abroad.”

Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois (Glenbard West High School)

"As a Stamps Scholar at UIUC, I am looking forward to experiencing all that the Stamps community has to offer. The strong sense of collaboration and empowerment that advocates for all of its members, whether new, current, or alumni, is one feature that defines the Stamps Scholarship to me already.  As a student studying photography and advertising, Stamps brings forth an interdisciplinary array of ambitious individuals that are in constant connection and action, benefiting the professional and personal improvement and success of all its members. It is an honor and a privilege to be selected as part of the Stamps Scholar community at UIUC and I am thrilled to engage myself with fellow Illini scholars, other recipients nationally, and the alumni network to build lasting relationships and connections organically unlike any other undergraduate program available."

Hometown: Woodridge, Illinois (Lemont Township High School)

"My plan is to eventually attend law school in order to become a human rights lawyer. I developed a passion for public speaking and journalism, with an extreme passion for speaking out about period poverty. I look forward to continuing my work combatting period poverty as a Stamps Scholar at Illinois. But, I am also extremely excited to be a part of the Stamps community— as it is filled with truly extraordinary people."

Hometown: Roscoe, IL (Hononegah Community High School)

 "When making my college decision, I felt pretty overwhelmed since I knew this decision would be an important one. But after learning about the community of Stamps, the opportunities they provided students, and the potential for real growth within the program, I was able to make the decision very easily. I am very excited to join this group of amazing students on campus and look forward to learning from their example."

Hometown: Champaign, IL (Centennial High School)

"I've had several amazing opportunities to connect with the Stamps community both nationally and within UIUC before even stepping foot on campus, which makes me even more excited for future connections these next four years. I'm looking forward to enhancing my professional potential through the special experiences and relationships Stamps will help me build, while also developing my character and leadership skills."

Hometown: Springfield, IL (Springfield High School)

"As a Stamps Scholar at UIUC, I have had the chance to connect with other Stamps scholars from across the country, explore a wide variety of academic pursuits, build my leadership skills, and expand my horizons. I have had the chance to study abroad in London for ten days and to serve as an intern at the State’s Attorney’s Office in my hometown – as I am only entering my second year now, I am very excited for what lies ahead."

Hometown: Durand, IL (Durand High School)

“My passion lies in Environmental Science, and after obtaining my undergrad degree, I plan on joining the Peace Corps as an Environmental Educator. I look forward to meeting the other Stamps Scholars and forming a community at Illinois! I am ready to grow in new ways and innovate at the University!”

Hometown: Champaign, IL (Champaign Central High School)

“I look forward to being a part of the national Stamps Scholar network and connecting with everyone in the Stamps community at Illinois! I am thrilled that through the University of Illinois’ College of Education I will be studying abroad for two weeks in Italy this summer before I start my freshman year and with the use of my Stamps enrichment funds, my enrichment funds, I hope to study and volunteer in Central America, Finland, or China to immerse myself in different cultures and learn more specifically about international educational practices.”

Hometown: Mundelein, IL (Carmel Catholic High School)

“As I’ve learned, business means crossing boundaries and promoting positive change in the world. To me, [being a Stamps Scholar at] Illinois is the perfect way to put those words into action. I am looking forward to using my enrichment funds to study abroad in Korea, studying business and Korean language.”

Hometown: Champaign, IL (Champaign Central High School)

“Throughout these next four years, I look forward to interacting and building close relationships with brilliant and creative individuals like myself and finding opportunities to positively impact my community through the mentorship of the Stamps program.”

Hometown: Lake Villa, IL (Lakes Community High School)

“I can’t wait to interact with the wide range of diverse people at UIUC and especially the passionate and hard-working Stamps Scholars. I look to take advantage of all the resources provided to me at Illinois and the amazing Stamps Scholars network. I hope to use my enrichment funds to fulfill my life-long goal of doing research in Antarctica and finding solutions to glacier melting and wildlife endangerment.”

Hometown: Mundelein, IL (Mundelein High School)

“As a Stamps Scholar, I look forward to building a network of peers and faculty who are as passionate about education – both their own and others’ – by leading an outreach program for underrepresented middle and high school students to encourage them to pursue STEM fields. I can’t wait to embark on this journey at Illinois – focusing not on the destination, but the stops along it.”

Hometown: Naperville, IL (Neuqua Valley High School)

“I feel incredibly honored to be selected as a Stamps Scholar and I look forward to being part of the Stamps community, both nationally and at Illinois. I hope to utilize all the available resources to research materials science topics ranging from the efficacy of different adsorbents on microplastics in the wastewater nexus to the effects of materials on sound & quality of a flute. I also hope to study abroad to see the environmental issues other countries face and how they relate to our own in order to develop a solution that has global applicability.”

Hometown: Oak Park, IL (Oak Park and River Forest High School)

"I am extremely grateful and thankful to have been selected as a Stamps Scholar at Illinois! I look forward to interacting with world-renowned faculty and building a community of peers who value innovation, service, and interdisciplinary learning. I am excited to continue to explore the many ways to use my knowledge and experience as an entrepreneur to positively impact those around me. I have no doubt that Illinois and the Stamps Scholars network will equip me with skills to thrive in any future endeavor. I plan to use my enrichment funds to gain a global perspective by studying abroad and to assist in research on blockchain technology and social impact."

Hometown: Morris, IL (Morris Community High School)

"I am an incoming Stamps Scholar at the University of Ilinois, where I will be majoring in History. Outside of school, my main activity has been gymnastics in which I have participated as both a competitor and coach. I find joy and satisfaction in helping others and teaching them new things. I am also very passionate about civic engagement and hope to participate in community service projects throughout my time at Illinois. I am an avid reader and am particularly drawn to the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres. I am very excited to join the Stamps Scholars community!"

Hometown: Aurora, IL (Metea Valley High School)

"I will be studying Neural Engineering at the Grainger College of Engineering with aspirations to become a physician. I was heavily involved in my school and community as a Speech Team Captain, Principal's Advisory Board member, and Argonne National Lab student researcher. Having competed in Entrepreneurship competitions through Business Professionals of America as a national finalist for the last 3 years, I hope to get involved in medical innovation on campus and take action on my ideas. I'm also a passionate cellist and I play in various school events and the local community as a member of my orchestra and cello ensemble. I'm looking forward to the next 4 years as an Illinois Stamps Scholar and I hope to forge memories and connections that will last a lifetime!"

Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL (Vernon Hills High School)

"I am driven to use policy and advocacy to create and promote equitable practices and spaces in underrepresented areas. I’m looking forward to collaborating with a hub of talented, hard-working, and daring individuals to grow even stronger—as a student and individual. These next four years, I’m hoping to tackle the broad range of goals I have—from running, to school, to life, and I’m so glad Illinois and Stamps will be a part of that journey."

Hometown: Riverwoods, IL (Deerfield High School)

"I have a keen interest in languages, studying Mandarin and Spanish, and in high school I was editor-in-chief of both Deerprints, the school newspaper, and The Flipside, the underground satire paper. At Illinois, I am starting as an Undeclared student (DGS) at first, and I plan to explore Philosophy, Mathematics, East Asian Studies, and Creative Writing, among other subjects."

Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL (Rolling Meadows High School)

"I am excited to be a part of the Stamps community at UIUC and nationally. I am studying music performance, concentrating on the oboe. I am passionate about giving back through music, whether through performing, contributing to the academic community through research, or teaching and mentoring younger players. On campus, I plan to get involved in research and performing in ensembles. I am looking forward to getting to know the Stamps community at UIUC and beyond!"

Hometown: Hanover Park, IL (Hoffman Estates High School)

"As a Stamps Scholar, I hope to connect and collaborate with other scholars both nationally and internationally, and through this program explore my love for astronomy, philosophy, and art more deeply. With the wealth of opportunities that Stamps provides, I look forward to studying abroad using the enrichment funds, possibly visiting GTC, the world's largest telescope, in the Canary Islands, or involving myself with undergraduate research exploring our cosmic origins to build a better model of our universe. Through humanities and the arts, I believe Stamps will be instrumental in allowing me to make the most of my time as a student at UIUC over the next four years, and hopefully acquire knowledge during that time that will better allow me to share the awe I feel with the world and its inner workings."