Wichita State University’s College of Engineering has named the latest group of high school seniors to join the Wallace Scholar program.

• Genevieve Jensen – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• Sam Maercklein – Lombard, Illinois
• Matilda Olinek – Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
• Lane Parthemer – Mount Hope, Kansas
• Hannah Marie Payumo – Omaha, Nebraska
• Rishi Rathi – Edmond, Oklahoma
• Jameson Russell – Wichita
• Kayla Spoors – Charles, Missouri
• Camdyn Sybert – Smithville, Missouri
• Shahrin Tajree – Wichita

Each of the 10 Wallace Scholarship recipients will receive $30,500 to attend WSU in the College of Engineering for four years. Wallace Scholars comprise a community of more than 40 College of Engineering students, representing every class and almost every major in the college. Wallace Scholars are involved in the College of Engineering, across the WSU campus and in the greater Wichita community.

Selection for the Wallace Scholarship is based on recipients’ high school GPA, ACT scores and performance at the annual Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering (WISE), which was held in November and drew 172 students from 12 states and provinces in the United States and Canada.

The Wallace Scholarship is made possible through the Dwane and Velma Wallace Endowment, created in 1976, which supports scholarships for engineering and computing students and provides funds for the College of Engineering. Since 1980, the endowment has benefited more than 360 engineering and computing majors at WSU.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Broken Arrow High School
Major: biomedical engineering

Genevieve Jensen is a dedicated innovator whose STEM foundation was shaped at the Vanguard Academy, where she developed skills in human-centered design and research. Her yearlong capstone focused on improving health literacy for young adults, reinforcing her interest in biomedical engineering as a way to translate science into solutions that support community well-being. Alongside her STEM pursuits, Jensen is deeply involved in the arts. She performs cello with the Broken Arrow Orchestra, conducts middle school ensembles each semester and serves on the fine arts leadership team to strengthen collaboration among programs. Outside school, she won gold medals in the Oklahoma Junior Olympics in archery and volunteers with the American Red Cross through Sound the Alarm events.

Lombard, Illinois
Glenbard East High School
Major: Aerospace engineering

Sam is excited to major in aerospace engineering at WSU. His interest in aviation took off when he attended his first air show in elementary school, and he decided on aerospace engineering after taking his first engineering class in high school. Outside of the classroom, Sam competed on the school's bowling team, earning academic all-conference honors. He volunteers as a sports photographer for the football, basketball and baseball teams and was published in the local newspaper and yearbook. Sam works for the Park District as a lifeguard in summer (where he leads a mentor program for other guards) and as a basketball practice supervisor and scorekeeper in winter. He also enjoys volunteering his time with his local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter, marshaling planes and taking pictures. In his free time, Sam enjoys photographing nature, planes and landscapes; traveling with his family; attending air shows; bowling; and watching movies.

Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Kitsilano High School
Major: aerospace engineering

Born in Colorado and raised in Canada, Matilda Olinek found aerospace engineering through Destination Imagination’s Aircraft Challenge, where her love of math and science met hands-on problem solving. She is a longtime competitive soccer player, serving as a captain and coaching youth teams. At school, she is president of the Student Forum and contributes to the Junior Lions Club, Athletic Council, Medical Science Club and Grad Council. Olinek is a French immersion student and will be graduating with a bilingual diploma. She is interested in military leadership and looks forward to contributing to campus life at WSU. Outside of school and soccer, she enjoys time with friends, binging Netflix and exploring Vancouver’s diverse food scene.

Mount Hope, Kansas
Andale High School
Major: undecided engineering

Lane Parthemer’s interest in engineering began with grade‑school robotics and grew through math, science and hands‑on learning. He has explored the profession through job shadowing across multiple disciplines and is currently interning with C.E. Machine, where he observes real-world engineering applications in manufacturing and design. A two-year member of the National Honor Society, Parthemer also volunteers with the Knights of Columbus and supports parish and community fundraisers. A three-year letterman and team captain in football, he contributed to three state championships and earned all-state first-team defensive back honors. He also competed in basketball and track and field. Parthemer enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his siblings.

Omaha, Nebraska
Daniel J Gross Catholic High School
Major: biomedical engineering

Hannah Marie Payumo moved from Manila, Philippines, to Omaha at age five and has pursued leadership and service throughout high school. She serves as student council president and a Willett House leader, plans and facilitates youth ministry as a Marianist LIFE Core Team member, and helps lead spiritual retreats for younger students. A former volleyball, track and powerlifting athlete, she’s also a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award from the West Point Society of Nebraska. Payumo’s interest in engineering was sparked by her school’s engineering team and a fascination with how things work — especially at the intersection of biology and technology.

Edmond, Oklahoma
Deer Creek High School
Major: aerospace engineering

Rishi Rathi’s fascination with aerospace began at age 14, watching a rocket launch that revealed the power of engineering to make bold ideas real. He strengthened his foundation through advanced math, science and engineering coursework at Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Engineering Academy, where he explored systems design, testing and iteration. Outside the classroom, Rathi developed a passion for public speaking and leadership. He’s active in debate and participates in YMCA Youth and Government. He also enjoys reading, writing and playing piano.

Wichita
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Major: industrial engineering

For Jameson Russell, industrial engineering brings together his love of data analytics, operations and problem-solving — he used to make spreadsheets for fun as a kid. He is involved in Madrigals, National Honor Society, tennis and Eagles for Life. An Eagle Scout, Jameson has completed more than 500 hours of community service, including leading a major project to refurbish the exterior of his church, serving as a “buddy” at Holy Family Camp supporting individuals with disabilities and tutoring students after school. He also engages in Catholic Youth Ministry. In his free time, he enjoys baking, hiking and reading.

St. Charles, Missouri
Francis Howell North High School
Major: aerospace engineering

Kayla Spoors chose her major due to her love of math and fascination with flight and all things space. At school, she is a two-sport varsity athlete competing in both softball and track and field. She has been on the conference academic team for four years and has been awarded the GAC Sportsmanship award in both previous seasons. Spoors is a member of her school's National Honor Society chapter and has been serving as president since her junior year. She was appointed as a student advisor for her school district, a state qualifier for FCCLA and a Senior Shield leader, where she works with elementary students to teach them district core values. Kayla enjoys baking, traveling, hanging out with friends and watching movies in her free time.

Smithville, Missouri
Smithville High School
Major: biomedical engineering

Camdyn Sybert thrives on community, leadership and creativity. She recently completed her final seasons in softball and swimming and performed in her last theater production. Faith is central to her life. On Sundays, Sybert volunteers in a kindergarten classroom and has supported children’s spiritual growth for five years. At school, she has served as mental health chair for the Youth Coalition and as vice president of STAR Events in FCCLA, advocating for student well-being and leadership development. At home, Sybert enjoys time with her dogs, drawing and painting, crocheting little animals and singing.

Wichita
Wichita Northeast Magnet School
Major: mechanical engineering

Shahrin Tajree’s engineering pathway was shaped by the engineering magnet at Wichita Northeast Magnet High School, where she combined technical coursework with leadership and service. She has served as the marketing manager for the Technology Student Association since her junior year and as volunteer coordinator for her National Honor Society chapter. Dedicated to community impact, she volunteers at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, assists with wheelchair transport and serves on the USD 259 Student Board to elevate student voices. She also contributes to the UNICEF Club, gathering clothes and necessities for families in need and created a podcast passion project to raise awareness about local safety and environmental issues.

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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