Eleven students from Indiana chosen for prestigious Kelley Scholars program

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Eleven incoming Indiana University freshmen from across the Hoosier state have been selected as Kelley Scholars at the Kelley School of Business.

The Kelley Scholars, who intend to major in business at IU Bloomington, will receive standard tuition and fees, a stipend for living expenses and funding for academic activities such as overseas study.

The Kelley Scholars Program is funded by a multi-million-dollar gift from E.W. “Ed” Kelley and his family, made to IU in the fall of 1997. The university named its school of business for the Kelley family in acknowledgment of the gift.

This year’s class of Kelley Scholars was selected from a group of top students admitted to IU, who were invited to apply for the program because of their outstanding academic records. The application included references, a high school transcript, several personal statements on a variety of topics and an essay.

The incoming Kelley Scholars are:

Colten Adams, a graduate of Benton Central High School. He is a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and was salutatorian of his graduating class. He ran cross country and track and earned Academic All State honors in both sports. Adams was senior class president, a student council member, and a 10-year 4-H member. He earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award gold distinction for his volunteer work within his school, church, and community. He plans on majoring in finance with a minor in political science and economics.

Kerry Ao, a graduate of Signature School in Evansville. He was valedictorian of his class, named an AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded his International Baccalaureate Diploma. He served as business club president, Math National Honor Society vice president, student council treasurer, and a member of the National Honor Society. He represented Indiana at the 2023 United States Senate Youth Program. He is the co-founder of Intertwined, an AI-driven financial education software company, and was awarded TechPoint Mira Student Entrepreneur of the Year. He plans on majoring in finance and international business.

Mia Cochran, a graduate of Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs. She graduated summa cum laude and served as both president of National Honor Society and vice president of her class. She was named AP Scholar with Distinction, Indiana’s Rising Star, and “Ms. Floyd Central” for excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character. She was co-captain of the girls varsity swim team and was selected Academic All-State. In addition, she was a member of the student council and Rotary International Interact Club. She plans on majoring in finance with a co-major in Law, Ethics, and Decision-Making.

Allison Craig, a graduate of Columbus East High School. During her high school career, she was president of both Best Buddies and Student Assembly. She was also an All Conference and 2nd Team All-State soccer player, member of the Champions Together Committee, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honors Society member, and member of the basketball team. She plans on majoring in marketing and professional sales.

Maya Gorney, a graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John. During her high school career, she founded a Women’s Empowerment Club, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, graduated summa cum laude, and played varsity tennis. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in other volunteer activities within her community. She plans on majoring in accounting and finance.

Haley Hunt, a graduate of Carmel High School. During high school she was a freshmen mentor, member of the National Honor Society, officer for the CCPL Teen Library Council, and named a National Merit Finalist. She also founded a book donation organization that promotes literacy for underprivileged youth in Indianapolis. She plans on majoring in management and entrepreneurship.

Dariush Khurram, a graduate of Carmel High School. During his high school career, he was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. In the summer of 2020, he co-founded an organization in his area with the goal of creating a more educated and unified community. Through this organization, he has helped coordinate numerous speaker panels, put up a large-scale mural, and run multiple fundraising events. Dariush was also an editor for his award-winning school newspaper and was involved in senate, peer tutoring, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Model UN, among other clubs. He plans on majoring in business management.

Nicole Liu, a graduate of Noblesville High School. During her high school career, she was the president and co-founder of Peonies, a women’s advocacy group, served as a VOICE Indiana Ambassador and won CFTFK’s National Youth Advocate Group of the Year, and was the co-editor-in-chief of the literary magazine. She was a national qualifier in DECA, won the Scholastic Gold Medal and the Scholastic American Voices Award for her writing, and graduated summa cum laude. She plans on majoring in marketing.

Abigail Ortiz, a graduate of Ben Davis High School. During her last two years of high school, she interned with AES Indiana through the Modern Apprenticeship program within the company’s public relations team. She was highly involved in DECA. In addition, she was a member of National Honor Society, an Honors Student, a Top 30 student in her graduating class. She plans to study marketing.

Emma Sandman, a graduate of Shelbyville High School. During her high school career, she was a three-sport varsity athlete, senior class president, high school mentor, deacon, and a barista at a local coffee shop. In addition, she was named a Lilly Community Endowment Scholarship finalist and an AP Scholar. She plans on majoring in Finance.

Teresa Yu, a graduate of Carmel High School. She was the board liaison and communication chair of Carmel Key Club, vice president of the National Chinese Honor Society, the cello section leader of her school’s Philharmonic orchestra, a member of her school’s orchestra council and Symphony orchestra, a social studies peer tutor, a counselor at an art summer camp, and a volunteer at her local library. She was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Constitution Day Poster Design Contest National Finalist, and received a language department award. She plans on majoring in marketing.