The 2024-25 Kelley Scholars, from left, Madison Kelly, Cyrilla Sommer, Claire Acklin, Kent Fujita, Joel Bell, Shawn Wong, Owen Marietta, Meredith Dunning, Madelyn Burton and Vani Sharma.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Ten 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:
Madison Kelly, graduate of Perry Central High School in Leopold. She graduated as valedictorian of her class, earning her technical honor diploma, academic honor diploma, and the Indiana College Core credential. She served as president of her 4-H club, section leader in band, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a national qualifier in Business Professionals of America and three-time gold medalist at the Indiana State Solo & Ensemble competition. Outside of school, Kelly dedicated her time to volunteering throughout her community. She plans to study accounting.
Kent Fujita, a Carmel High School graduate. He was named one of 43 distinguished graduates in a class of 1,300 and was an AP Scholar with Distinction. During high school, he played varsity golf from freshman to junior year, served as an executive for DECA, was managing editor for the national award-winning HiLite newspaper, involved in National Honor Society, and co-founded the Carmel Cubing Club. He also helped found insightUp, a start-up improving patient understanding of lab test results, which reached the regional in the Innovate WithIN competition. Fujita also served his community on the GKOM Council, helping freshmen acclimate to high school. In his extracurriculars, he achieved 1st Place in the National Quill and Scroll Competition for his graphics, placed 3rd in the IHSAA Boys State Championship as a team, placed Top 10 out of more than 1,000 competing teams in the DECA Hotel Virtual Business Challenge at the international conference during his junior and senior years. Additionally, he collects Snapple caps for fun. He plans to major in finance.
Madelyn Burton, a graduate of Hobart High School. She earned Top 10 in her graduating class, was an Indiana Regional Academic All-Star, achieved the Principal’s Choice Outstanding Contributor Award, graduated with an associate’s degree, and accumulated over 100 college credits throughout her high school career. Burton served as her class Vice President, Business Professionals of America Secretary, and as a member of Hobart’s School Board. Throughout her time in Business Professionals of America she became a National qualifier. She was also involved in National Honor Society, Spell Bowl, Spanish Club, Slam Poetry, Brickie Leaders, and the varsity basketball team. During her junior and senior year, Burton assisted in the development of a Writing Center at Hobart High School where she served as student administrator. She intends to major in management with co-majors in international business and leading diverse, equitable and inclusive organizations.
Owen Marietta, a graduate of Fishers High School in Fishers. He graduated Summa Cum Laude, was named a National Merit Scholar, and was an AP Scholar with distinction. He was his high school’s DECA chapter president, and was a two-time state champion, three-time international qualifier, and placed 5th internationally in 2024. Marietta was also involved in investment club, was a student delegate for Launch Fishers (a local small business incubator), and participated in multiple volunteer organizations. He plans on majoring in finance and entrepreneurship & corporate innovation.
Claire Acklin, a graduate of Westfield High School. She was honored as a distinguished graduate and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. During her high school career, she was highly involved in DECA, as a three-year member, two-time international qualifier, and chapter president. She was also a member of the Dance Marathon executive committee, serving as the dancer relations co-chair for two years. She assisted in launching a print shop business within Westfield High School that fulfilled orders within the school and community. Additionally, she was a part of National Honor Society, a freshman mentor, and a peer tutor. She plans on studying marketing and business analytics.
Vani Sharma, a graduate of Fishers High School. During her high school years, she was the National Honor Society president, Volunteer Coordinator, DECA vice president of service, mentor leader, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Sharma is a trained Indian Classical Dancer (Bharatnatyam), keynote speaker, involved in pageantry for the last eight years, and an avid volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House, among several other non-profit organizations for the past 13 years. She founded her own service initiative in 2018 called E.A.S.E (Educate, Achieve, Smile, and Empower) to encourage youth to serve their communities and recognize their potential. She plans on majoring in marketing with a co-major in business analytics.
Joel Bell, a graduate of Penn High School in Mishawaka. He was a valedictorian of his class, named an AP Scholar with Distinction, and recognized as an Indiana Rising Star. He served as the founder and opresident of the Chess Club, Co-Founder and Executive of the Math Club, DECA Officer, Student Council Executive, Kingsmen Tutor, and a member of the National Honor Society. Joel also enjoyed volunteering regularly at a food bank and working at a golf course. He plans on majoring in Finance.
Shawn Wong, a graduate of Bloomington High School North. He achieved the distinction of valedictorian in his class, earned recognition as an Indiana Regional Academic All-star, and was honored as an AP Scholar with Distinction. He served as the Freshman Class President, Junior Class President, Student Council Treasurer, Science Olympiad Captain, Business Professionals of America Vice President, and the Chess Club co-founder and vice president. During his Science Olympiad career, Wong won more than 35 medals in regional, state, and national invitational competitions. He was also involved in National Honors Society, DECA, Model United Nations, Environmental Club, and a founding member of Cougar Care Meals, a non-profit student organization that prepares meals for the under served in Bloomington. Additionally, Wong played violin in the IU Jacobs School of Music Pre-College String Academy for 13 years. He plans on majoring in finance.
Meredith Dunning, a graduate of Bloomington High School South. She graduated her four-year high school in three years with an honors diploma, served as a member of National Honors Society, helped as a member of the Women’s Empowerment Club, and earned Academic Achievement Awards all her years at high school. She served as the swim team manager for her school for two years, which they won sectionals both years. She plans on majoring in accounts with a co-major in law, ethics, and decision-making.
Cyrilla Sommer, a graduate of Tell City High School. She was recognized as a College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition awardee, Indiana’s Rising Star, and DAR Good Citizen. Additionally, she served as president of the National Honor Society and Key Club, along with vice president of her class, student council member, and a 12-year Girl Scout. Sommer founded her own cupcake business in high school, Sommer’s Sweets, and is very passionate about community involvement. She plans to major in finance and accounting.