2022-2023 Clark Society Scholars

Kira Daniel

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Modern Dance

 
Kira is one of four students selected by the faculty to represent the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance on an exchange trip to Kigali, Rwanda to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the SEVOTA Peace Institute. She also serves as an International Orientation Leader in the TCU Office of International Services. Kira’s nominators, Susan Roberts Douglas and the entire faculty for School of Classical & Contemporary Dance, share that Kira is “a shining example of one who inspires generosity through leadership, scholarship, activism, and artistry in our SCC Dance community, in the TCU Community and in the greater community beyond TCU.”

Post-graduation, Kira plans to join a professional dance company, move to New York, and later obtain her master’s in Arts Administration and open a Performing Arts School or Center. Kira shared, “The challenges that have been presented to me throughout my years either academically, socially, or mentally have all shaped my way of thinking into wanting to do more with life. TCU has taught me that it’s okay to reach for the ‘impossible.’”

Sawyer Diaz

Hometown: Wylie, Texas
Major: Biology | John V. Roach Honors College

 
Sawyer, a member of the John V. Roach Honors College, won the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry as well as the College of Science & Engineering Dean’s Honor Recognition her freshman year. She serves as a PLC Coordinator, which is the top student leadership role in Pre-Health, and is a member of the executive board of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a national Pre-Health honor society. Sawyer’s nominator, Jill Duncan, says of her: “Sawyer is always willing to do what is asked of her. She is an excellent manager of her time and is professional in everything she does . . .I have no doubt she will represent TCU very well as a future alumna.”

Sawyer shares that after she graduates from TCU, she plans to become a physician who works to mitigate healthcare disparities faced by the medically underserved. “TCU has equipped me to reach these goals not only by educating me in the general sense, but also instilling in me a passion to use that knowledge and experience to improve the lives of others.”

Tenae Durham

Hometown: Prosper, Texas
Major: Journalism

 
Tenae is co-executive producer as well as a writer and sports reporter for TCU 360. In addition, she is co-executive producer for The Leap, an entirely student-run weekly pop culture show which she also anchors. Honors include membership in Mortar Board and Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s official honor society. Her nominator, Jean Marie Brown, says she is “an outstanding student” and “a wonderful leader . . . an example of what student leadership can accomplish.”

After graduation, Tenae plans to attend graduate school. “TCU has played a major role in my decision to further my education. Through the professors I have had, I realized I love journalism. . . Being able to teach the next generation of future journalists at the collegiate level would be a dream come true.”

Mya Estrada

Hometown: Horizon City, Texas
Majors: Strategic Communication | Writing

 
Mya serves as the Gauthier Apprentice in the English department, an RA for TCU Housing & Residence Life and public relations chair of the Multicultural Greek Council. She is Vice President, Alumni Relations Chair and a charter member of Kappa Delta Chi, a multicultural sorority she helped bring to TCU’s campus. Honors include membership in the Pi Epsilon Pi Writing Honor Society and order of Omega Greek Honor Society. Her nominator, Leah Carnahan, says of Mya, “I’ve been here for almost 20 years and can say that Mya is a truly exceptional student . . . Mya’s service and leadership will leave a legacy in the organization she has helped found and in the many lives she impacts in her daily work around campus.”

Mya says that of all her accomplishments at TCU, she is most proud of the personal growth she has seen in herself in the past two years. “My involvement in the TCU community has increased my confidence in myself and has helped me to become a better leader, friend, and peer. My previous and current roles as a peer guide, resident assistant, desk assistant, sorority member, and Gauthier Apprentice have given me many opportunities to connect with others in the community and leave a lasting mark on the campus that has given me so much.”

Kelly Jaimes

Hometown: Conroe, Texas
Major: Dietetics

 
Kelly serves as the communications officer for the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association and parliamentarian for the TCU Chemistry Club. She volunteers with the TCU Food Recovery Network, which works with local nonprofits to donate excess food from TCU that would otherwise go to waste. She also serves as a teaching assistant for Contemporary Issues in Nutrition Lab and volunteers at Burton Hill Elementary School weekly. Honors include winning the TCU “Meet the Author Essay” award and co-authoring a paper presented at the American Chemical Society Conference. Her nominator, Kelly Fischer, says, “Kelly loves TCU and loves learning . . . . [She] is truly a dream student—one who has high aspirations and an amazing work ethic. . . . I have no hesitation in recommending Kelly for this prestigious scholarship.”

As a member of the Combined BS/MS in Dietetics program, Kelly will continue at TCU for a fifth year to obtain her Master of Science Degree, with the goal of becoming a licensed dietitian in Texas. As she looks toward the future, Kelly shares, “My experiences at TCU have equipped me with everything I need to be a successful dietitian. Every day at TCU is a learning opportunity. Each hurdle is meant to be leapt over; it is TCU that has provided me the resources to navigate each challenge and to make the right leap.”

Christina Mantsorov

Hometown: Bennington, Nebraska
Major: Neuroscience | John V. Roach Honors College

 
Christina, a member of the John V. Roach Honors College, won the TCU Chemistry/Biochemistry Royalty Award for Honors Qualitative Analysis in her freshman year. She is President of the TCU Chemistry Club, a Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society member, and an Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society member. She was student co-director of the first annual TCU STEM & Culture Symposium, has held research assistant positions at TCU and at UNC Chapel Hill, and is a co-author on an academic article currently under review. Her nominating professors, Kayla Green and Jeffery Coffer, say of her, “Christina gets things done and brings success and quality wherever she goes. She [embodies] the spirit of the Clark Society [Scholar],” and “I can think of no more deserving candidate for this scholarship than Christina Mantsorov.”

Christina plans to attend medical school. She shares how TCU has prepared her for the next chapter in her educational career through allowing her to interact both with people who have similar backgrounds and those who have had very different experiences. “They’ve helped me push the doors to express my original beliefs, opinions, and values in my everyday life. I am incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by mentors and peers at TCU who value both my work and me as an individual.”

Morgan Washington

Hometown: Haslet, Texas
Majors: Environmental Science | Political Science | John V. Roach Honors College

 
Morgan, a member of the John V. Roach Honors College, serves as a peer tutor in the writing center, a copy editor for TCU 360, and researches with professors in both of her majors. Morgan is vice president of the TCU Rhino Club, a TCU Honors College Ambassador, a TCU Leadership Scholar, secretary of the TCU Food Recovery Network, and a delegate to Model United Nations. Gehendra Kharel, Morgan’s nominator, says: “It is unusual to see such a high level of maturity, dedication, and engagement in research activities and leadership while maintaining . . . double majors, one minor and [membership in] an honors college. I believe that Morgan has earned and deserves this nomination.”

Morgan shares that she has surprised herself while at TCU with the path she’s chosen to pursue post-graduation. “Before entering college, I had an idea of my interests in environmentalism and policy, but no clear plan for how I wanted to incorporate those interests into my career. With the help of my professors and advisors, I have initiated a future in the environmental field with interests in data science, consulting, and law — fields I had not even considered before I started at TCU!”

 

Savannah Ekrut

Hometown: Denton, Texas
Major: Performance - Wind/Percussion

 
Savannah is vice president of service for Kappa Kappa Psi, the national band service fraternity, as well as president of the TCU Flute Society. She is a member of multiple bands herself, while also working with various middle and high school band programs in three different local school districts. Honors include being named Collegiate Flute Competition Winner by the National Flute Association and a TCU Music Ambassador. Her nominator, Elizabeth Kirkendoll, says of Savannah, “Given the leadership qualities that Savannah displays in her roles in the School of Music and the DFW community, I am confident she will represent TCU well no matter what venture she undertakes after graduation.”

What does Savannah see on the horizon after graduation? “If I do not attend a graduate program, I will be looking to get a teaching certificate to be a music educator. My experience at TCU has equipped me with a large skill set of music performance, education, and administration skills that allow me to be a multifaceted individual.”

Roxy Odiorne

Hometown: Georgetown, Texas
Major: Psychology | John V. Roach Honors College

 
Roxy, a member of the John V. Roach Honors College, is a Resident Assistant in Colby Hall, was a Frog Camp facilitator and is currently the Frog Camp Director as well as a Frogs First facilitator. When she is not studying, Roxy dedicates time as a Research Assistant in the FACES Development Psychology Lab, is an Honors College Ambassador and has a Child Development Internship at Wedgwood Academy. Through shared Frog Camp experiences, Roxy’s nominator, Ryan Tiglas, Assistant Director in Alumni Relations, saw firsthand Roxy’s ability to support through empowerment, focus on empathy through openness, and command with adaptability. “She exemplifies all of TCU’s core values, but most importantly, commitment to service in pursuit of the greater good.”

Roxy has surprised herself by how much she’s grown as a leader while at TCU. “I have developed my leadership capabilities so greatly through the opportunities I have had at TCU. Through my experiences, I have learned how to properly delegate, listen to understand rather than listen to hear, and truly utilize a “people-first” mission, to name a few. I look forward to seeing how I will continue to grow as a leader in my senior year and beyond.”

Mariana Zollinger

Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Major: Biology  | John V. Roach Honors College

 
Mariana, a member of the John V. Roach Honors College, is a research team member in Dr. Giri Akkaraju’s laboratory. She is also a biology tutor through the TCU Peer2Peer Tutoring Initiative. She is a member of the STEM Scholarship 2023 Cohort and is a peer leader in the TCU STEM Scholarship Program, assisting the incoming cohort of TCU STEM scholars with their transition to university life. She serves as a Spanish medical interpreter at the Fort Worth Mercy Clinic and is Student Assistant to the Provost. Her nominator, Dr. Giridhar Akkaraju, shared that Marianna exemplifies what we hope to see in a TCU student and a Clark Scholar. She is a great role model – he doesn’t know where she finds the time to do everything that she does!

Mariana shares that after graduation, her two immediate goals are to enroll at the University of Salamanca to expand her knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic culture and to be accepted into medical school giving her the opportunity to deep dive into the medical profession and continue to advocate for better bilingual patient-provider interactions. “TCU not only has helped mold me into the scholar that I am today by challenging me academically with rigorous and intense courses, but also has shaped me through my involvement in cocurricular activities. Overall, TCU has developed me into a well-rounded and passionate student who is excited to take on life and make a strong positive impact.”