Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists

The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview.   This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation.   From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview.   The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them.  Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities.  Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Avery Ambrose  Westlake High School Austin, TX     Reese Arterberry  Ponder High School Ponder, TX   Yunbeen Bae  Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX   Jackson Bellard  Galena High School Reno, NV   Emine Ciftci  Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX   Jannah Collins  Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX   Sydney Collins  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Ethan Davila  Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX   Kien Deshpande  Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX   Daija Esparza  PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX   Katrina Fierro  McNeil High School Austin, TX   Will Florer  Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX   Thomas Grannen  St. John's School Houston, TX   Nikhil Guddati  Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX   Jorge Guerra  Sharyland High School Mission, TX   Anushka Gupta  Centennial High School Frisco, TX   Kyla Guru  Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL   Connor Hrachovy  St. John's School Houston, TX   Shevali Kadakia  Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA   Addison Kahle  Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX   Nikita Kakkad  Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Spandana Kamepalli  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Melissa Khasbagan  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Pranitha Kona  Coppell High School Coppell, TX   Sara Kothia  Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX   Sophia Li  Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX   Amanda Mackenzie  Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX   Lana Mohamed  Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX   Aria Morgan  Garland High School Garland, TX   Morgan Myhill  Kent Denver School Englewood, CO   Reese Neal  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Alice Nguyen  Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX   Amelia Nickerson  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla  Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX   Aleah Parafinczuk  Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL   Devan Patel  St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX    Olivia Pierce  Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School  Easton, MA    Anoushka Ramesh  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Jack Roehr  Sphairo Academy Houston, TX   Elle Smith  Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX    Kylie Sommer-Kohrt  Grafton High School Yorktown, VA    Walter Stark  Plano Senior High School Plano, TX   Charles Stock  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Rayan Tejani  Allen Academy Bryan, TX    Roman Ugarte  Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX   Kaya Unalmis  Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX   Stacy Wang  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Blaire Wartell  Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX   Elizabeth Whiteside  Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX   Ashley Xie  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Matthew Yekell  St. John's School Houston, TX  

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists

The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview.   This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation.   From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview.   The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them.  Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities.  Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Avery Ambrose  Westlake High School Austin, TX     Reese Arterberry  Ponder High School Ponder, TX   Yunbeen Bae  Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX   Jackson Bellard  Galena High School Reno, NV   Emine Ciftci  Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX   Jannah Collins  Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX   Sydney Collins  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Ethan Davila  Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX   Kien Deshpande  Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX   Daija Esparza  PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX   Katrina Fierro  McNeil High School Austin, TX   Will Florer  Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX   Thomas Grannen  St. John's School Houston, TX   Nikhil Guddati  Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX   Jorge Guerra  Sharyland High School Mission, TX   Anushka Gupta  Centennial High School Frisco, TX   Kyla Guru  Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL   Connor Hrachovy  St. John's School Houston, TX   Shevali Kadakia  Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA   Addison Kahle  Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX   Nikita Kakkad  Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Spandana Kamepalli  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Melissa Khasbagan  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Pranitha Kona  Coppell High School Coppell, TX   Sara Kothia  Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX   Sophia Li  Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX   Amanda Mackenzie  Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX   Lana Mohamed  Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX   Aria Morgan  Garland High School Garland, TX   Morgan Myhill  Kent Denver School Englewood, CO   Reese Neal  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Alice Nguyen  Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX   Amelia Nickerson  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla  Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX   Aleah Parafinczuk  Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL   Devan Patel  St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX    Olivia Pierce  Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School  Easton, MA    Anoushka Ramesh  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Jack Roehr  Sphairo Academy Houston, TX   Elle Smith  Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX    Kylie Sommer-Kohrt  Grafton High School Yorktown, VA    Walter Stark  Plano Senior High School Plano, TX   Charles Stock  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Rayan Tejani  Allen Academy Bryan, TX    Roman Ugarte  Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX   Kaya Unalmis  Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX   Stacy Wang  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Blaire Wartell  Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX   Elizabeth Whiteside  Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX   Ashley Xie  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Matthew Yekell  St. John's School Houston, TX  

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists

The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview.   This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation.   From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview.   The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them.  Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities.  Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Avery Ambrose  Westlake High School Austin, TX     Reese Arterberry  Ponder High School Ponder, TX   Yunbeen Bae  Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX   Jackson Bellard  Galena High School Reno, NV   Emine Ciftci  Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX   Jannah Collins  Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX   Sydney Collins  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Ethan Davila  Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX   Kien Deshpande  Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX   Daija Esparza  PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX   Katrina Fierro  McNeil High School Austin, TX   Will Florer  Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX   Thomas Grannen  St. John's School Houston, TX   Nikhil Guddati  Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX   Jorge Guerra  Sharyland High School Mission, TX   Anushka Gupta  Centennial High School Frisco, TX   Kyla Guru  Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL   Connor Hrachovy  St. John's School Houston, TX   Shevali Kadakia  Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA   Addison Kahle  Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX   Nikita Kakkad  Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Spandana Kamepalli  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX   Melissa Khasbagan  Westlake High School Austin, TX   Pranitha Kona  Coppell High School Coppell, TX   Sara Kothia  Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX   Sophia Li  Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX   Amanda Mackenzie  Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX   Lana Mohamed  Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX   Aria Morgan  Garland High School Garland, TX   Morgan Myhill  Kent Denver School Englewood, CO   Reese Neal  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Alice Nguyen  Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX   Amelia Nickerson  Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla  Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX   Aleah Parafinczuk  Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL   Devan Patel  St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX    Olivia Pierce  Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School  Easton, MA    Anoushka Ramesh  Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX   Jack Roehr  Sphairo Academy Houston, TX   Elle Smith  Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX    Kylie Sommer-Kohrt  Grafton High School Yorktown, VA    Walter Stark  Plano Senior High School Plano, TX   Charles Stock  Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX    Rayan Tejani  Allen Academy Bryan, TX    Roman Ugarte  Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX   Kaya Unalmis  Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX   Stacy Wang  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Blaire Wartell  Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX   Elizabeth Whiteside  Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX   Ashley Xie  Highland Park High School Dallas, TX   Matthew Yekell  St. John's School Houston, TX  

Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap

Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery.   The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include:  Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly  Relationship Building  Academics  Dr. Jeremi Suri  Wellness  Social and Extracurricular Activities  Reflection  It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.”  Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series.   "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury  “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena  “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black 

Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap

Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery.   The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include:  Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly  Relationship Building  Academics  Dr. Jeremi Suri  Wellness  Social and Extracurricular Activities  Reflection  It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.”  Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series.   "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury  “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena  “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black 

Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap

Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery.   The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include:  Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly  Relationship Building  Academics  Dr. Jeremi Suri  Wellness  Social and Extracurricular Activities  Reflection  It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.”  Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series.   "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury  “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena  “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black