Bonner Scholar seniors showcase their work in communities, both locally and beyond, sharing what they have learned over the past four years and the impact of their efforts in their Presentation of Learning poster session.
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Four Years of Training in Leadership and Effective Communication Through Service
Manmeet Hayer '26
My Bonner education has been shaped by a deeply practical approach to service: I consistently chose sites and projects that would strengthen not only my ability to communicate effectively with different populations, but also my ability to recognize what those interactions revealed about deeper needs, gaps, and problems that required action. Throughout my four years with Bonner, that approach guided the full arc of my journey. During my first year, I focused extensively on education-centered service, working as an ESL tutor, supporting eligible 21st Century Scholars through EDGE 21, and serving as a counselor at a Lutheran summer camp during my first summer of service. Afterwards, I built on that early foundation in education and communication through more than three years with my current primary service site, Gift of Life, where I helped educate a much broader population on blood cancer and related diseases while contributing to efforts that helped facilitate two life-saving stem-cell transplants. In my senior year, I also had the opportunity to serve on the Bonner Leadership Team as Alumni Ambassador, where I helped plan activities and strengthen networks involving Bonner alumni. Across these experiences, Bonner became much more than a service commitment for me; it became a training ground for adaptability, discipline, event planning, consistent communication, initiative, and, most importantly, the ability to assess problems and respond with purpose. Along with teaching me how to truly serve, my Bonner education has prepared me to approach any issue, especially those tied to community and social education, with patience and a plan.
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Discovering My Passion for Social Justice
Nev Hommel '26
After taking a tour of DePauw in the fall of 2021, I knew it was my school. However, I didn’t know how I could afford to attend. I scoured DePauw’s website for scholarships and found out about Bonner! I’m so grateful I took a leap of faith and applied. I was thrilled to find out I was accepted into the program! Upon arriving at DePauw for Bonner orientation, I immediately felt welcomed by Val and my fellow Bonners. Bonner has brought me an amazing community of friends and peers. Furthermore, the Bonner program introduced me to the world of social justice and advocacy work. It also inspired me to pursue my second major, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Bonner completely transformed my DePauw experience and my future.
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Path Unexpected: Finding My Passion Through Service
Tanaa Jones '26
One of my biggest lessons from the Bonner Scholar program is that service can be about passion not only a career. Throughout my Bonner journey I have had fun and enjoyed much of my service. Although it won’t be what direction I go in, I still feel as though I made an impact within the community I spent 4 years with. My biggest piece of advice would be to breathe. Being a Bonner and a student is a hard task, give yourself a huge amount of credit.
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Servicing My Communties, Leaving An Impact
Leila Kirkpatrick '26
I was struggling on whether or not I wanted to attend DePauw University because it was a completely different experience from what I was used to being from Chicago. DePauw is located in a small town and predominately white institution, with limited modes of transportation. I didn’t know anyone on campus, but then a faculty member from my tour told me about Bonner because of the community service I did in High School. I have always been passionate about serving my community. I told that member if I get in the program ,I will attend, and that’s what I did. I was so overjoyed to have gotten in and have the opportunity to build community and connect with other students, so I wouldn’t feel so alone at first. I got to make meaninful connections and friends through Bonner. Then, I chose my service site: Beyond Homeless,. The Director Lea is very pasionate about the work she does and the work of the women’s and children’s shelter. This inspired me too to want to service there. I have loved it since. I enjoyed the service I have done outisde my service site too like the Humane Society Shelter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Trick or Treating tabling, and more fun service I have over my 4 years. I appreciate Bonner for giving me the opportunity to have these experiences and explore my passions.
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Rooted in Service, Built for Purpose
Vriseida Yaneth Lima '26
When I arrived at DePauw, I didn't know that one conversation would shape the next four years of my life. I was first introduced to the Bonner Scholar Program through friends and fellow scholars on campus. From the moment I heard and learned more about it, I knew I wanted to be part of something that allowed me to interact hands on with the community I was to spend the next few years of my life with. After going through the ladder interview process, I eamed my place in the program and began a journey I never could have anticipated. What started as an opportunity to serve in the community became a space where I discovered more who I truly am.
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Living in Service: Mia's Bonner Journey
Mia Martin-Fuller '26
During my time, I have been allowed to learn a lot about myself and the communities I have had the privilege of serving. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that I do not always have the answer, and that's okay. Going into areas where individuals may think or act differently than I do, I have found it is most useful to approach with a humble attitude and an open mind.
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The Power of an Unplanned Path: My Bonner Journey
Amia McDonald '26
Coming into my freshman year at DePauw, I had no idea what the Bonner program was or how much it would come to shape my college experience. It wasn’t until a senior Posse scholar took the time to tell me about Bonner and encouraged me to apply that I even saw myself as a part of it. From the start, I’ve always loved giving back and being involved in the communities I’m in, so joining Bonner felt like a natural fit. Over the past 3.5 years, my journey hasn’t been linear, but each service site I’ve been a part of has taught me something different and meaningful. Those experiences have not only shaped me into the person I am today, but they’ve also deepened my passion for community service and strengthened my commitment to helping others.
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A Journey with a Map
Ruben Munoz '26
My Journey through Bonner has been an interesting one. I personally have struggled to find a permanent spot throughout my four years in the Bonner Program. I have bounced between service sites, serving at places such as The Humane Society, TZ after-school program, Women's Center, Family Support Services, Crounded, among other sítes and opportunities. Although it has been a struggle, every site has come with its own lessons and motivations. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be a Bonner Seholar and have the journey that I have had.
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How Bonner Influenced My Love For Education and Non-Profit Work
Abbygail Napper '26
There will never be enough space for me to write all of the things that Bonner has taught me over the last 4 years. Bonner has taught me the importance of civic engagement and how imperative it is to your community that you get involved. Just a little bit of involvement goes a long way. Bonner has taught me an immense amount of life skills, from interacting with people in a professional setting, to creating a resume and applying for jobs, to simply just getting your work done on time. Bonner has morphed me into the hard worker that I am today!
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Rooted in Service, Reaching for the Stars
Lucila Ojeda '26
My biggest takeaway from Bonner is to not be afraid to ask for help. Coming from out of state, the transition from a familiar community to somewhere completely foreign was scary. The kindness shown to me by the people at Bonner is something I will never forget. Do it scared and take the leap of faith in reaching out and building your community. Bonner will help you as much as they can, and I hope my service has reflected the support I have been so fortunate to receive.
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My Four Years of Animal Care Through Community Service
Margaret Reed '26
I joined DePauw as a Bonner Scholar with little knowledge about the program, but ready to continue my work in community service. I was unaware of the long term impacts and relationships that I would build over the course of the four years. I bounced around many service sites, but one, the Putnam County Humane Society. I began regularly volunteering at the shelter entering my second semester of freshman year. In my final semester, I am the intern and coordinate for other new volunteers like myself all those semesters ago. I also am a volunteer at the Lakeland Center, Inc., where I have developed skills in event planning, fundraising, and horse handling. Both places have built important experience for my career.
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Building Community Through Communication: A Bonner Scholar's Journey in Health Equity and Its Impacts
Samrawit (Samri) Soloman '26
As a Global Health major on the pre-medical track, I focused my Bonner experiences on becoming a culturally conscious physician who advocates for community health justice. My Bonner journey lead me to realize that communication is the foundation of building community. It was only through the multidisciplinary opportunities across different areas of health that I developed a more comphrehensive understanding of health equity. My experiences and leadership developemnt in Bonner equipped me with the tools to recognize overlap among health organizations and to use my professional skills to form partnerships and promote health equity.
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Cultivating Community Through Service and Leadership
Alberto Zamora Martinez '26
Introduced to the Bonner Program after committing to DePauw University Encouraged to apply by older brother, Eduardo (DePauw Class of 2021, former Bonner Scholar) Committed all four years to service at Asbury Towers Supported residents’ well-being in a retirement community focused on care, respect, and collaboration Helped create volunteer opportunities for Bonner Scholars and other DePauw students Developed a strong passion for public service and strengthened my long-term commitment to helping others