Last modified: Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Carmel's FitzGerald and Hegde named Wells Scholars at IU
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two Carmel students, Kate FitzGerald, a graduate of Carmel High School, and John Hegde, a Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School graduate, have been named Wells Scholars at Indiana University, two of a group of 20 incoming freshmen so honored. FitzGerald plans to major in political science and journalism at IU, and Hegde plans to study chemistry and economics.
The Wells Scholarship, named in honor of Herman B Wells, the late university chancellor and IU president, ranks among the most competitive and prestigious awards offered by any American university. Wells Scholars receive full tuition, fees and a living stipend for four years of study on the IU Bloomington campus.
The Wells Scholars program emphasizes close interaction with faculty, academic and career advising, opportunities for community service and contact with distinguished visitors. It offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. Wells Scholars are members of the Honors College at IU, where they have the opportunity to apply for grants in support of research, teaching internships, professional experience, creative activity, conference travel and honors thesis work. They are selected for having demonstrated character, leadership and distinction, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Below is more information on the two students:
Kate FitzGerald
FitzGerald is a National Merit Finalist and a recipient of the President's Award for Educational Excellence and the DAR Good Citizen Award. As a two-year member of the Hamilton County Mock Trial Team, she earned second place as a witness and her team earned fifth place in national competition.
She was active in her school's choirs, serving as president her sophomore year and performing with the Ambassadors Show Choir her senior year. She earned top honors at the state level for vocal solo. FitzGerald also won Scholastic Arts silver and gold key awards for her art and had a drawing displayed at a New York gallery.
President of her school's National Honor Society, she organized student volunteer projects, including making baby hats for St. Vincent's Hospital and helping to build a house through Habitat for Humanity.
She also was a class officer her freshman year and a member of her school's house of representatives for four years, a peer facilitator for elementary and middle school students, a Greyhound Kick-Off Mentor for Carmel High School freshmen and a member of Key Club and Student Venture. She holds a black belt in karate.
Hometown information:
Kate FitzGerald is the daughter of Carole and Matt FitzGerald, 4505 Somerset Way S., Carmel, Ind.
John Hegde
Hegde led his school's Academic Super Bowl Social Studies Team, which he captained two years, to a state championship. He also has been honored with the Kodak Young Leaders Award, the IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages Award of Excellence and a Harvard Book Award.
At Brebeuf, he was vice president of the National Honor Society and captain of several of his school's Academic Super Bowl Teams. He was treasurer of the French Club his junior year and vice president his senior year and head delegate for Model United Nations for two years. He also was a member of the Asian Club, the Debate Team, the White River Academic League, the Chemistry Team and the Brain Game Team, which earned a second-place tournament finish.
A co-founder of Simply Science, a program that brings laboratory science experiences into classrooms of elementary and middle schools, Hegde organized a set of experiments on electricity. He also volunteered at St. Vincent Hospital for four years as a greeter and clinical helper in the oncology wing.
Hometown information:
John Hegde is the son of Dr. Karen Stetyick and Dr. Vidyaphar Hegde, 2532 Royal Blvd., Carmel, Ind.
