Of the nine first-year students who received UO’s most prestigious and generous undergraduate scholarship, six identify their moms as role models, several love their music, and James Baldwin, Jane Austen and Michelle Obama (among others) are tops for a conversation.
By Tarini Ramasamy, Photos by Sofia Rodriguez Baquero
Stamps Scholar…
It’s a prominent title for extraordinary students across the nation and in the United Kingdom. Those who earn the prestigious scholarship – which includes four years of generous financial support and access to enrichment activities, study abroad and leadership training – are celebrated as top academic scholars at 36 partner schools, including the University of Oregon.
At UO, all nine incoming Stamps Scholars are Clark Honors College students who just started their first year. We want to introduce them to the community. Check out the Stamps Scholars' Soundtrack Spotify playlist to get to know them sonically.
Abigail Bloom (she/her)
Hometown: Ashland
Intended Major: Currently undecided, but I’m interested in public policy and environmental studies.
Most excited for:
Having small, discussion-based classes through the Honors College that provide me with a strong faculty and peer support system.
Biggest role model:
My mom.
I would love to have a conversation with:
Fela Warschau.
Dream dinner party guests:
Michael Cera, all of One Direction, and my sister.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
The one in which “Avatar: The Last Airbender” takes place.
I can’t live without:
Interactions with dogs.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“Why” by Dominic Fike and “Changes” by Butterfly Boucher and David Bowie from the soundtrack of Shrek 2.
Kelsey Dennis (she/her)
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Intended Major: Neuroscience major and global health minor.
Most excited for:
The small community feel of CHC.
Biggest role model:
My grandmother. She is the coolest person I know.
I would love to have a conversation with:
Kathrine Switzer.
Dream dinner party guest:
Pete Davidson.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
“H2O: Just Add Water”
I can’t live without:
My family.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“August” by Taylor Swift.
Solange Dzeketey (she/her)
Hometown: San Marcos, California
Intended Major: Communication disorders and sciences.
Most excited for:
The super interesting classes offered by the CHC.
Biggest role model:
My mom.
I would love to have a conversation with:
Michelle Obama.
Dream dinner party guests:
Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Mariska Hargitay, and Beyoncé.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
The Animal Crossing universe. It seems so peaceful!
I can't live without:
Minute Maid fruit punch (from the carton, specifically!)
My song for the Stamps playlist:
“Paper Rings” by Taylor Swift because it never fails to pick me up.
Stephanie Jersey (she/her)
Hometown: Berkeley, California
Intended Major: Public policy, planning, and management. I have yet to decide on a minor, but most likely economics or a field related to writing.
Most excited for:
Making personal and academic connections in the classroom, both with my fellow CHC students and my professors. Additionally, the opportunity to explore classes and concepts which I've never been exposed to before is exciting!
Biggest role model:
My mom is someone who I look up to because of the passion and intelligence with which she approaches each aspect of her life. I admire the way she tackles challenges and always looks for the positive side of every situation.
I would love to have a conversation with:
My great-grandmother on my mother's side. She is someone who has come up in my grandma's stories and I feel that knowing her would allow me to gain more insight into my family's history.
Dream dinner party guests:
Adam Sandler, Trevor Noah, and Tina Fey because I know that we would spend the whole dinner laughing and their individual stories would be fascinating to hear.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Harry Potter's Hogwarts, because it would be my dream to eat in the dining hall and be able to practice magic.
I can’t live without:
My kettle, because I am always drinking tea.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“Ex-Factor” by Lauryn Hill, “Mercy, Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye, “August” by Taylor Swift.
Emma Kammerer (she/her)
Hometown: Orange County, California
Intended Major: Human physiology. I also have an interest in film and cinema.
Most excited for:
Meeting students with a wide range of interests within the CHC and learning about all the opportunities UO has to offer! I'm also excited about the really interesting classes the CHC has to offer, such as Music and Meaning.
Biggest role model:
My parents, who have always encouraged me to pursue the things I am most passionate about.
I would love to have a conversation with:
Dr. Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist from England who has worked on lots of high-profile cases and written some of my favorite books.
Dream dinner party guest:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. My favorite book is “Half of a Yellow Sun,” and she also has done some really inspirational speeches and talks that I would love to ask her about.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Middle Earth.
I can't live without:
Music; it helps me study and concentrate.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“Pool House” by The Backseat Lovers; “Still Woozy” by Drake; “Die Hard” by Kendrick Lamar; “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac; “Warm” by Dre'es; “New Romance” by Beach House.
Ilsi Lopez (she/her)
Hometown: Medford
Intended Major: Human physiology, Pre-PA
Most excited for:
Meeting people in the CHC!
Biggest role model:
My pediatrician.
I would love to have a conversation with:
My great-grandmother.
Dream dinner party guests:
Gordon Ramsay, Snoop Dogg, Summer Walker, Rihanna.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Wonderland.
I can't live without:
Music.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“I Don’t Wanna” by Aaliyah.
Byronie McMahon (she/her)
Hometown: Portland
Intended Major: Education and political science double-major
Most excited for:
The interesting and creative classes.
Biggest role model:
Probably my mom. When I think about the type of person I want to be and the energy I want to share with the world, it's her I think of!
I would love to have a conversation with:
Jane Austen. I am a huge fan of “Pride and Prejudice” and would love to speak with her about her writing.
Dream dinner party guests:
My grandparents. I think they have so much wisdom, and I would love to sit down with them.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Maybe the Amazon’s island from Wonder Woman. I remember seeing the movie and wishing I would go to an island with only women and be super strong!
I can’t live without:
My water bottle. My sister got it for me. Every time I see it, I laugh because it has this personal joke of ours engraved on it.
My song for the Stamps playlist:
“Feel Me Flow” by Naughty by Nature... the clean version, of course!
Bryanna Prado (she/her)
Hometown: Independence
Intended Major: Neuroscience, with a minor in dance
Most excited for:
Taking the courses at the CHC.
Biggest role model:
My mom, because she is so strong and has gotten so far in life all by herself in a different country with a different language.
I would love to have a conversation with:
My grandma, because there is so much to tell her and I miss her so much.
Dream dinner party guests:
Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Maluma. They're my favorite singers and I would want them to perform at the dinner.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Barbieland.
I can't live without:
Lip gloss.
My song for the Stamps playlist:
“The Color Violet” by Tory Lanez or any Bad Bunny song.
Jack Sackman (he/him)
Hometown: Portland
Intended Major: Undecided, but looking into either landscape architecture/environmental design or neuroscience. I am interested in minoring in Spanish as well.
Most excited about:
Being able to engage with my CHC professors on a personal level and getting access to small classes early on.
Biggest role model:
My mom. She's definitely influenced the way I live and the type of person I want to be way more than any celebrity ever could.
I would love to have a conversation with:
James Baldwin.
Dream dinner party guests:
I swear my brain is broken, cause the only people I can think of are Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. So, I guess if I'm starting with them, I would have to add AOC, Rihanna, Princess Diana, and maybe Obama.
What fictional universe would you want to live in?
Whatever universe “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is set in. Maybe after the show is set though.
I can’t live without:
I am a big apple-a-day kind of guy. I could live without apples, but life just wouldn't be the same.
My songs for the Stamps playlist:
“Desaparecido” by Manu Chao, “Doo Wop” by Lauryn Hill, and “The Oogum Boogum Song” by Brenton Wood.