Humanities Scholar Spotlights | Saba Mekuria, Richard Henage, Krisalyn Memea
The Humanities Scholars program is an exclusive first-year experience providing an immersive atmosphere where students, faculty, and staff collaborate over shared interests, academic research, and community involvement.
Q: How did you choose the University of Utah?
A: I chose the University of Utah because I have a lot of interest in the programs the University offers. My majors allow me to have an amazing experience while also aligning with my passions.
Q: What are you most excited about starting this year or what are you most looking forward to?
A: I am looking forward to making new friends and making great connections! I enjoy getting to know people and opening my bubble! I don’t really enjoy football games but the hype around them here at the U makes me want to go to one.
Q: What is a hobby you enjoy and why do you love it?
A: I enjoy journaling, it helps me balance my emotions when I have a rough day! It helps me process my thoughts and calm me down during certain situations.
Q: What is your most frequently used or favorite emoji? and why?
A: I tend to use the teary-eyed emoji, I don’t know why I use it so often, but it fits most of the situations I am in. Whether I am sad, or trying to persuade somebody, it comes in handy!
Q: Who is someone in your family whom you look up to, and why?
A: I look up to my mother, because she’s been a hard worker her whole life. She’s always been family-oriented and tries her best to protect and care for her loved ones. As my dad is sick and no longer working, she continues to work because she never gives up. The most inspiring part about it is that she works in the restaurant industry which can be negative at times, but she continues to have a smile on her face!
Q: Would you rather spend time at the beach or camping, and why?
A: I visited the beach for the first time last week after camping my whole life, and I would honestly much rather go to the beach. My mom told me that in Hawaii where she spent her college years they would camp on the beach. I think there is more to beaches than there is to land.
Q: If you could go back in time, in what time period would you most like to live, and why?
A: I would want to live in the 90’s, because I believe the world was purer than it is now. I love the music genres that were popular such as R&B and rap. The artists’ lyrics were more genuine and relatable than they have become now. The fashion was amazing, and the world was just full of beautiful art.
Q: How did you choose the University of Utah?
A: I wanted to go to school in Utah, so it would be affordable. The University of Utah is the most acclaimed university in the state, so it seemed clear.
Q: What are you most excited about starting this year or what are you most looking forward to?
A: I'm looking forward to going more in depth on topics I've skimmed the surface of before like Shakespeare, art history, etc. I'm also looking forward to making friends and doing a little dating.
Q: What is something that you learned in high school that you think will help you this first year at the University of Utah?
A: Something I learned in high school that I think will help me in my first year is how to not procrastinate. Life is a lot better for me when I accomplish my tasks first before the fun stuff.
Q: What is your dream career, and what is it that excites you about that career?
A: I want to work for an non-governmental organization (NGO), especially one that helps the more impoverished areas in the world. This is something I feel strongly about, and I love being around people who are trying to do good in the world.
Q: What is your most frequently used or favorite emoji, and why?
A: I use the thumbs up emoji to communicate agreement/acknowledgement. Although, I love situations when I can use the thinking face emoji because it means there's something a little deeper going on.
Q: Who is someone in your family whom you look up to, and why?
A: I look up to my uncle Craig, who turned his life around after a couple of bad marriages. He’s now found the love of his life who he’s been married to for 10 years, become a CEO, and devoted himself to personal improvement and growth.
Q: Would you rather spend time at the beach or camping, and why?
A: I would rather camp, because there are more group activities to do and I feel like I am more in touch with nature.
Q: If you could go back in time, in what time period would you most like to live, and why?
A: The 21st century is pretty great, but there's also a case to be made for pre-agricultural society. It sounds like many tribes were tight-knit groups who really had each other's backs, could be in touch with nature, and led fulfilling, though somewhat dangerous, lives.
Q: How did you choose the University of Utah?
A: The University of Utah provides me with the best educational tools to fulfill my dreams of helping people and making the world better.
Q: What are you most excited about starting this year or what are you most looking forward to?
A: I am looking forward to the diverse perspectives that will be in my classes. I think the University of Utah has such a diverse pool of people and every single person has a unique perspective.
Q: What is something that you learned in high school that you think will help you this first year at the University of Utah?
A: When I was in high school, I didn't get involved as much as I would now, so I think during my first year at the U I'm going to do my best to get involved as much as I can.
Q: What is a hobby you enjoy and why do you love it?
A: I love creative writing because it's fun to create something new and put together storylines of people and places.
Q: What is your dream career, and what is it that excites you about that career?
A: I want to be a global health specialist and improve the quality of life for people in other countries. This is a career that excites me because it is people driven. I love working with people and I'm excited to dedicate my life to that.
Q: What is your most frequently used or favorite emoji, and why?
A: The pink heart emoji because pink is my favorite color.
Q: Who is someone in your family whom you look up to, and why?
A: I look up to my parents. They've made a lot of sacrifices for me to be where I am today, and I'll always really be grateful for that.
Q: Would you rather spend time at the beach or camping, and why?
A: I would rather spend time camping! I love the beach, but I think camping is so peaceful.
Q: If you could go back in time, in what time period would you most like to live and why?
A: I'd live in the 70s because it'd be fun to go to a disco. There's also a lot of history that was occurring at this time and I think it'd be cool to see that first-hand.
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