Alicia June
Stamps 1693 Scholar
Hometown
Alexandria, VA (Hayfield Secondary School)
Academic Interests
Geology, Psychology and Math
Why W&M
I’m someone who’s interdisciplinary by nature. I like music, math, psychology, sociology, and art. But I was prepared to tone it down once I got to college — maybe demote some of my interests to hobbies and the occasional Wikipedia deep dive.
That’s not something I wanted to do, but I thought that was what going to college was all about.
So I asked myself the standard questions when deciding where to apply to college: Do they have my major? Can I do undergraduate research? Is it financially feasible? I was prepared to go to college, focus on my major, maybe join a few clubs, and then head to graduate school. I also wanted to make friends along the way.
However, once I visited William & Mary during the 1693 Finalist Weekend, I discovered my college experience didn’t have to be limited in the ways that I once thought.
The other scholars that I met weren't just smart, but they were unabashedly excited about their MANY passions. I had conversations with them about the basics of graph theory, the community structures of ants, and the medicinal uses of the moringa leaf. The professors I met truly seemed open to helping students find a way to pursue their interests.
Finalist Weekend wasn't the first time I had been to campus, but it was the first time I got to see campus alive with people. I went to the You Belong program, then Finalist Weekend, and I also participated in some Day For Admitted Students activities. I even managed to squeeze in time to meet fellow Monroe Scholars. I got a big dose of William & Mary that weekend.
When I looked around at current students and my future classmates, I saw the best parts of people I already knew from home. When I was offered the 1693 Scholarship, I accepted it immediately. I’m looking forward to finding a home and new friends at William & Mary too.
W&M Activities
- Black Student Organization, General Body Member
- Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, Cellist
- Volunteer Research Assistant
- Geology research with Professor Rowan Lockwood
- Psychology research in Professor Cheryl Dickter’s Social Cognition Lab
High School Activities
- Cellist, Chamber Orchestra
- Cellist, Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
- Cellist, Pit Orchestra
- Participant and Composer, Argus Composers Institute
- Treasurer, Mu Alpha Theta
- Peer Math Tutor, Mu Alpha Theta
- Co-captain, Varsity Debate Team
- Student Ambassador to exchange students
- Amateur composer
- Maker of things (crocheting, graphing calculator art, digital art)
Awards / Distinctions
- The American Psychological Association Certificate for Achievement in Research in Psychological Science at the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
- Regional Science and Engineering Fair Awards (Behavioral and Translational Medical Sciences)
- National Merit Commended Scholar
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- College Board National African American Recognition Program
- Certificate of Special Recognition for AP Calculus BC
- Honor Graduate
- Certificate of Special Recognition for Human Anatomy and Physiology
