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10 freshmen students along side the ODK president holding their Top Ten Freshman awards

ODK Top Ten Freshmen

2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Eric Bennett posing outside in a blue suit.

ERIC BENNETT

Eric is a Computer Science major and Chinese Language minor, and a member of the Gemstone Honors Program. He is a part of the Residence Hall Association as President of Ellicott Hall, a pledging member of AKPsi professional fraternity, and looking forward to pursuing Data Science at UMD.

Aamna Cheema posing outside in a black suit.

AAMNA CHEEMA

Aamna is a Physiology & Neurobiology major from Ashton, Maryland. As an Ambassador for College Park Scholars, she is involved in various initiatives, including serving as the President of the Rotaract Club of UMD and as a Research Associate with the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Hudson Grill posing in a white shirt.

HUDSON R. GRILL

Hudson is an Aerospace Engineering major from Columbia, Maryland. This Honors College student serves as the Vice President of Programming and Community Development for his residence hall. He also does rotorcraft research under Dr. Chopra and is an avid climber in his free time.

Gabrielle Hester posing in a sage green shirt.

GABRIELLE E. HESTER

Gabrielle is an Immersive Media Design and Information Science double major. This President Scholarship recipient and Design, Cultures, and Creativity Honors student serves on the DCC student council, as a Design Director of Student Entertainment Events, Graphic Designer of Veritas Short Films, and Design Organizer of Technica.

Ela Jalil posing next to a window in a floral shirt.

ELA JALIL

Ela is a Journalism major and Asian American Studies minor from Potomac, Maryland. She is part of Honors Global Communities, and is Tour Guide with the University of Maryland. She also writes articles and assists with social media for Stories Beneath the Shell and freelances for other campus publications.

Faith LeBrun posing in a white suit.

FAITH J. LeBRUN

Faith is an Operations Management and Business Analytics major from Baltimore, Maryland. This Banneker/Key Scholar, Smith Business Leadership Fellow, and inaugural cohort member of Interdisciplinary Business Honors serves her community through Snider Consulting Group, her podcast “Women Who Lead,” and as an academic tutor.

Ally Rizzo posing in a black and white suit.

ALLY RIZZO

Ally is an intended Viola Performance and Business Management double major from Baltimore, Maryland. They are the Social Media Intern for the Honors Humanities program and the Co-Principal Violist of the University Orchestra. This Banneker/Key Scholar is also a RedBlack Marketing Consultant and an Arts writer for The Observer.

Savannah Robbins posing outside near the tidal basin.

SAVANNAH M. ROBBINS

Savannah is a Psychology major from Derwood, Maryland. She is a part of the University Honors Living Learning Program, is involved in the Peer Mentor program for Behavioral and Social Sciences, and is a piccolo player in the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band and the pep band.

Michelle Rodriguez posing outside in front of a lake in a white shirt

MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ

Michelle is a Public Health Science major with a Humanities, Health, & Medicine minor from Bowie, Maryland. This Presidential Scholar is a member of the University Honors College and an Outreach Coordinator for the Representation And Research Ethics (RARE) project. She’s passionate about health equity & elevating the voices of historically marginalized populations.

Margie Shalgian posing in front of a tree

MARGIE SHALGIAN

Margie is an Elementary Education major and Public Leadership Scholar from Germantown, Maryland. She is a Maryland Football Team Equipment Manager, a Tour Guide with Maryland Images, and a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. She has a passion for education and equality for women working in sports.

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