Eight students from Indiana chosen for prestigious Kelley Scholars program

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Eight 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:

Anna De La Torre, graduate and valedictorian of Bishop Noll Institute. During her high school years, De La Torre was president and coach of the speech and debate team, and was a state qualifier the last two years, president and state qualifier of the Academic Super Bowl. She was vice president of the National Honor Society and manager of her school’s tutoring program, section captain of the flute section of her school’s concert and marching band, a student ambassador, high school minister, WARRIOR mentor, member of the Hispanic Student Union, Biology Club, and STEM Club. Outside of classes and clubs, De La Torre remained in service through her work in parish ministry for eight years, as a Bible camp and retreat leader for seven years, and as a volunteer for her town’s local Empanada Fest, a festival dedicated to celebrating Hispanic Culture. She also participated in various summer programs, including the University of Chicago Neubauer Phoenix STEM Program, Indiana University’s Jim Holland RISE, SSRP, and SEP. She plans to major in business management and minor in biology.

Brycen Shively, a graduate of Yorktown High School. He graduated summa cum laude, was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, named a National Merit Scholar, Indiana Regional Academic All-Star, and a DAR Good Citizen. He also completed the Indiana College Core. During his high school career, Shively was heavily involved in DECA, where he was a four-time state champion, two-time international medalist, one-time international finalist, and Indiana DECA’s vice president of career development for two years. Additionally, he served as student council senior class president, National Honor Society vice president, and was a member in drama club, government club, tennis, Spell Bowl, Quiz Bowl, KEY Club, and the YHS Mentor Program. Outside of high school, he volunteered at Yorktown Reach Ministry, a local food pantry in his area. He plans to major in accounting and finance.

Tamanah Fazel, a graduate of Bloomington High School South. She graduated as valedictorian of her class with an Academic Honors Diploma and is a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Indiana Rising Star, and AP Scholar with Distinction. During her high school tenure, Fazel founded a non-profit organization, Empowering Women Globally, which aims to help underprivileged women gain access to education and employment. She was an active member of DECA and served as her chapter’s president. She also helped establish a Business Professionals of America chapter at her school and served as its president. Additionally, Fazel was the leader of Women in Business for the Women Empowerment Club, head of fundraising for Asian Culture Club, and the executive of fundraising for her school’s Riley Dance Marathon, helping lead the club to raise close to $100,000 for children’s health. Outside of school, Fazel spends her time volunteering at WonderLab, and practices Taekwondo, holding a 2nd Degree Black Belt. She plans to major in finance with a co-major in business analytics.

Kolton Watt, a graduate of Benton Central High School in Oxford, Watt graduated in the top 10  of his class, earning his Academic Honors Diploma, Indiana College Core credential, as well as being a member of the 4.0+ GPA club. He was also involved in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Council for Academic Excellence, and varsity basketball and soccer. In addition, he served as the varsity soccer captain during his junior and senior years and was selected as a member of the all-conference soccer team his senior year. Outside of school, Kolton interned at Fowler State Bank for over a year, becoming an involved member of his local community through banking.  He plans to major in finance.

Ellery Walpole, a graduate of Zionsville High School. She was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the AP with WE Service recognition for her volunteer efforts with Overdose Lifeline. A four-year varsity athlete on the tennis team, she earned Hoosier Crossroads Conference All-Conference honors three times and was named First Team All-State by IHTA/IHSTECA for No. 1 doubles. She was also selected as the recipient of the United States Tennis Association’s Brad Holmes Award for her volunteer contributions to the Central Indiana tennis community. Throughout high school, she served as a peer tutor and was an active member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She plans on studying marketing.

Chase Frank, a Fishers High School graduate. In high school, he graduated summa cum laude with the AP Capstone diploma, also being an AP Scholar with Distinction. He was the president of math team, competing in multiple state and national competitions, captain of Academic Superbowl teams for multiple years, and a leader and state champion in Quizbowl. He volunteered in his community through tutoring, both by the Fishers Tutors club and individual tutoring in Spanish and math. He helped open a new chapter of the Conrad Challenge at Fishers, which is a multi-disciplinary innovation event dedicated to helping foster entrepreneurship ideals in students across the globe. He plans to study economic consulting and informatics.

Cole Anderson, a graduate of Fishers High School. He graduated summa cum laude, was named a National Merit Scholar, and was an Indiana Academic All-Star. During his time at Fishers, he served as a student government class officer, varsity soccer captain, and president of the school’s DECA chapter. In DECA competition, he was a two-time state champion, three-time international qualifier, 2024 International Runner-Up, and 2025 International champion. Anderson was also involved in Recycling Club, National Honor Society, the FHS School Improvement Committee, and the FHS Downhill Ski Club. He plans to major in marketing with a co-major in entrepreneurship.

Paige Spaulding, a graduate of Signature School in Evansville. She graduated as salutatorian of her class. She has received the International Baccalaureate Diploma, AP Capstone Diploma, and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction twice. She was a team captain of her school’s mock trial team, which placed second in the state competition this year. During her senior year, she served as president of the French club, government club, and history club. Spaulding also volunteered at her local humane society and teen court program, serving as a student attorney to help first-time juvenile offenders. She plans to study finance and history.