Campus: Duke
Hometown: Asheville, NC
High School: Christ School

I’ve spent my high school years problem-solving in a wide variety of ways, including leading four large-scale conservation initiatives, founding and leading an after-school robotics education and homework tutoring program for local elementary and middle school students, and restructuring my robotics team into a supportive and student-led learning environment. Robotics put me in touch with my love for mechanical design, my teachers put me in touch with my appreciation for math and physics, and my parents and mentors put me in touch with the culture of service and selflessness that I hope to bring to everything I do. With engineering as my platform, I plan to find global solutions to our world’s most pressing issues. Duke and UNC’s diverse range of courses will give me both the hard science knowledge and global, big-picture awareness I need.

Outside of my attraction to service, STEM, and robotics, I have a long list of interests and hobbies. I love to read. I’m fascinated by films, from the writing to the set creation to the cinematography. I love poetry and mechanical design—I see both as creative outlets. My time in Scouting gave me a great appreciation of the outdoors; backpacking and biking are some of my favorite things to do. I’m also a vinyl record and board game enthusiast.

What drew you to the Robertson Program? 

I’ve spent much of my life determined to work as an individual, but as I’ve matured, I’ve come to understand the magic of collaboration. My path in life will be dramatically affected by who is around me, and I can’t wait to be surrounded by the people in the Robertson Program. The Program initially interested me though its collection of top-notch opportunities and amazing reputation, but the Finalist Weekend showed me just how wonderful the people within the program are, and wonderful they’ll be for me. They’ll help me, challenge me, and push me to be better. There’s no group I’d rather be a part of to take on our generation’s challenges.