Graphic by Kayla PennickWichita State University’s College of Engineering has named the latest group of high school seniors to join the Wallace Scholar program.
- Elijah Allen – Wichita Collegiate High School in Wichita, Kansas; aerospace engineering
- Benjamin Aquino – Homeschool in Edmond, Oklahoma; aerospace engineering
- Nasya Choy – Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts; aerospace engineering
- Isabelle Christensen – Southeast of Saline High School in Salina, Kansas; biomedical engineering
- T Goode – Maize South High School in Maize, Kansas in Wichita, Kansas; electrical engineering
- Evelyn Hrencher – Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma; aerospace engineering
- Cameron Klug – Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kansas; mechanical engineering
- TJ Morrison – Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kansas; applied engineering
- Jocelynn Palacio – Andover High School in Andover, Kansas; aerospace engineering
- Karaline Scott – Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas; applied engineering
- Angel Yanez - Wichita Heights High School in Wichita; undecided engineering
The 10 Wallace Scholarship recipients will receive $30,500 each to attend Wichita State for four years. One student, who will receive the Gore Scholarship, will be an honorary Wallace Scholar.
Wallace scholars comprise a community of more than 45 College of Engineering students, representing every class and almost every major in the college. Wallace scholars are involved in the College of Engineering, across the Wichita State campus, and in the Wichita community.
Selection for the Wallace Scholarship is based on recipients’ high school GPA, ACT scores and performance at the annual Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering (WISE), which was held in November and drew 165 students from 15 states.
The Wallace Scholarship is made possible through the Dwane and Velma Wallace Endowment, created in 1976, which supports scholarships for engineering and computing students and provides funds for the College of Engineering. Since 1980, the endowment has benefited more than 360 engineering and computing majors at Wichita State.
Elijah Allen
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita Collegiate High School
Aerospace engineering
Elijah discovered his passion for aerospace engineering in his internships at Textron Aviation and at the National Institute for Aviation Research. A three-time captain of the Wichita Collegiate Robotics team, he took classes to develop CAD, machining, and additive manufacturing skills required to bring his designs to life. Elijah is a National Merit commended student and AP Scholar who enjoys learning and tutoring his classmates in mathematics and physics. When he isn’t studying mathematics or working on CAD projects, Elijah can be found weightlifting or practicing for his high school’s varsity bowling team.
Benjamin Aquino
Edmond, Oklahoma
Homeschool
Aerospace engineering
Benjamin became enthralled with engineering after his participation in FIRST Robotics. He has been involved in FIRST Robotics for nine years and currently participates in FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2718, where he is the business lead. Through FIRST, he has been involved in many outreach opportunities including leading robotics camps and mentoring over ten FIRST Lego League teams. Benjamin is also the captain of his StellarXplorers team, which was ranked 6th in the STLX10 season. He volunteers in his local church and as a teaching aid in his homeschool co-op. His hobbies include game design, reading, and RPGs.
Nasya Choy
Conway, Arkansas
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts
Aerospace engineering
Nasya is an aspiring aerospace engineer who enjoys being involved in school clubs and other extracurricular activities. Throughout high school, she has been involved in her robotics team, and has competed in VEX and BEST Robotics up to the international level. Currently, she is the robotics team captain. In addition, she is the president of her school’s Dance Club and the executive secretary of her Student Government. In these positions, she has hosted multiple dance performances and helped organize Fall Fest, an event that raised over $1,000 in ticket sales. Outside of clubs, she has gained recognition for her academic abilities up to the international level. She is a National Merit Semifinalist and a member of the 2022 cohort of World Science Scholars. She enjoys playing Tetrisweeper, a combined game of Tetris and Minesweeper, and the New York Times logic games.
Isabelle Christensen
Salina, Kansas
Southeast of Saline High School
Biomedical engineering
Isabelle first discovered her passion for engineering during her sophomore year of high school while participating in an engineering camp for rural Kansas kids. She came to understand engineering was an applied and transformative extension of creativity and invention. Isabelle is involved in her school's dance team, drama club, mass choir, and select madrigal choir. Isabelle is heavily involved in all aspects of her community, filling pivotal roles in organizations such as FCCLA, NHS, and Student Government. In her free time, Isabelle loves to read, swim, or watch a good movie.
T Goode
Wichita, Kansas
Maize South High School
Electrical engineering
T has had a fascination with technology for most of his life, deriving from watching sci-fi, such as “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future.” He attends Maize South High School, where he participates in, soccer, track, and the Esports team for Rocket League. T is a two-time state champion for soccer, as well as a participant in the state championship for track as an alternate for the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays. You will often see him running around preparing for the next track season and, more importantly, for the love of running itself. T enjoys video games, hanging out with friends, playing board games with his family, or working on one of his engineering projects.
Evelyn Hrencher
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond North High School
Aerospace engineering
Evelyn has always loved problem solving, and she is excited to take it to the next level with aerospace engineering. Evelyn learned about aerospace engineering through an engineering camp and her school’s StellarXplorers program. Evelyn is the president of the French Club and the vice president of the drama department. Additionally, she is a member of National Honor Society and Key Club. Evelyn spends her summers on the lake racing sailboats and teaching at a youth sailing camp. She enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her friends, family, and two dogs.
Cameron Klug
Gardner, Kansas
Gardner Edgerton High School
Mechanical engineering
Cameron chose to major in engineering due to his interest in the unique mechanics found in different machines or products. He enjoys tedious, intricate puzzles and models. He loves instruments and plays several, including cello, guitar, and bass guitar. At school, he is a member of the competition-based chamber orchestra, theater, the interior design department, and the varsity scholars bowl team. Cameron loves traveling, reading, and being with his siblings, parents, dogs, and friends.
TJ Morrison
Olathe, Kansas
Olathe Northwest High School
Applied engineering
TJ’s passion for engineering and leadership comes from a culmination of his activities in STEM and music. As part of FIRST Robotics Team 1710, he’s grown proficient in videography, graphic design, and primarily robotic design as the team’s Chief Design Officer. Outside of robotics, TJ mentors elementary and middle schoolers through introducing them to robotics and engineering concepts. In addition to his STEM pursuits, TJ has been the bass section leader for three years in his school’s orchestra. He is also an active member in his church’s youth group. On top of that, TJ has spent several summers and weekends working as a finish carpenter, specializing in kitchen renovations with Kitchen Tune-Up. With the very little free time TJ has, he spends it listening to good music, thrifting, weightlifting, and enjoying Ryan Gosling movies.
Jocelynn Palacio
Andover, Kansas
Andover High School
Aerospace engineering
Jocelynn has chosen to major in aerospace engineering. She first decided she wanted to be an engineer in elementary school. She has always had a love for math and science, and loves being challenged. Jocelynn is involved in Science Olympiad, placing six times at regionals and twice at state. She is currently a student at Butler Community College in the Early College Academy and will graduate with an associate's degree in May 2024, with a focus on engineering studies. She enjoys traveling with her family and cat, playing games, and is currently learning how to play the guitar.
Karaline Scott
Goddard, Kansas
Goddard High School
Applied engineering
Karaline was inspired to choose the engineering pathway at her school because of the amazing role models in her life. She joined her first robotics class in middle school and took all offered courses during her high school career. Her love for math and science grew as she tried different forms of engineering design including computer science, aerospace engineering, technology engineering, and mechanical engineering. Karaline's involvement in school activities built her love for education as she served as an officer in Student Council, Science Club, National Honors Society, and Kansas Association of Youth. Karaline is also Varsity Cheer Captain and Head Drum Major for her high school. She is involved in her church youth group and has volunteered for the non-profit Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership for the last two years. Karaline is excited to start the next chapter of her life at Wichita State University as an applied engineering major with a minor in leadership through the Honors College.
Angel Yanez
Goleta, California
Wichita Heights High School
Undecided engineering
Born in California, Angel always had an interest in engineering. He spent time learning how different things worked, anything from cars to planes to pencils. Learning how things you see every day work was fascinating. After moving to Wichita and finishing junior high, he started at Heights High School. Always a fan of puzzles and strategy games, he played chess and other video games for Heights. In his junior year, he placed first school-wide in the American Math Competition. He also enjoys working with his hands, learning to weld at WSUTech. Cars and racing/simracing are also things he enjoys with a preference towards Formula 1.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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