Olivia Merrell
Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, 2026
Olivia Merrell
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!”
Adele Miller
Special Education, 2026
Adele Miller
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.”
Tori Nagode
Marketing, 2026
Tori Nagode
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.”
Jasmine O’Connor
Business and Chemistry, 2026
Jasmine O’Connor
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.”
Aarya Patel
Civil Engineering, 2026
Aarya Patel
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.”
Kajal Patel
Computer Science, 2026
Kajal Patel
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.”
Adithya Taire
Material Science, 2026
Adithya Taire
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.”
Grayson Adelstein
Supply Chain Management and Entrepreneurship, 2027
Grayson Adelstein
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.”
Graciela Best
History and Latina/o Studies (Minor in Spanish), 2027
Graciela Best
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!”
Aditya Dave
Neural Engineering, 2027
Aditya Dave
Hometown: Aurora, IL (Metea Valley High School)
“My time as a Stamps Scholar has been a transformative journey, molding my perspective, solidifying my purpose, and confirming my future goals. I’ve learned that a night spent under a blanket of frost can be a powerful statement of empathy, that peers can turn shared passion into a beautiful orchestra, and that the most profound connections are built through mutual respect and collective endeavor. The Stamps Scholarship at Illinois has not only shaped my character but has also deepened my commitment to sparking positive change in the world around me.”
Sofia Marin
Finance, 2027
Sofia Marin
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.”
Noah Meyerhoff
Mathematics & Philosophy, 2027
Noah Meyerhoff
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.”
Julia Olson
Music Performance, 2027
Julia Olson
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!”
Eryn Van Wijk
Astrophysics, 2027
Eryn Van Wijk
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.”
Akshaya Ayyah
Computer Science + Chemistry, 2028
Akshaya Ayyah
Hometown: Aurora, IL (Metea Valley High School)
“As an Illinois Stamps Scholar, I am able to build strong relationships with like-minded individuals who want to better the world through our research, arts, community service, and commitment to making the most of our education. At UIUC, I am involved in computational research and engineering focused RSOs. Through this program, I hope to grow my passions by learning through experience, and to be a positive influence in my community both at Illinois and beyond!”
Nicholas Delgado
Chemistry, 2028
Nicholas Delgado
Hometown: Morton, IL (Morton High School)
“As an Illini and Stamps Scholar, I plan to utilize the Stamps resources at UIUC to study chemistry on the pre-med track as an aspiring physician. I hope the next several years are full of growth, development, and exploration through exciting research and study abroad opportunities. I look forward to forging friendships with my fellow Scholars at Illinois and across the country.”
Alex Kim
Chemistry & Molecular/Cellular Biology, 2028
Alex Kim
Hometown: Palatine, IL (William Fremd High School)
“The Stamps Scholarship gives me so many opportunities to grow at Illinois, from connecting with other brilliant minds to using my enrichment funds to pursue cancer research internships. Being a Stamps Scholar also gives me the freedom to explore a variety of my interests beyond STEM fields. I am excited to be part of this unique group of diverse people, and I hope to make lifetime memories and friends!”
Allie McLevige
Division of General Studies, 2028
Allie McLevige
Hometown: Winnebago, IL (Pecatonica High School)
“I’m so excited to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Illinois and by Stamps to explore all my interests, and I can’t wait to meet everyone!”
Karissa Zimmerman
Speech & Hearing Science, 2028
Karissa Zimmerman
Hometown: Normal, IL (Normal Community West High School)
“I enjoy all subjects and believe there are many benefits to be gained from an interdisciplinary education, so I can’t wait to get to know Scholars from all different fields! I’m grateful for this opportunity to immerse myself in all that U of I and the Stamps community have to offer!”