Monmouth ‘Just Felt Like Home’
MONMOUTH, Ill. – For Emma Romano of Wilmington, Illinois, it took just one visit to realize that Monmouth College offers her something special.
Monmouth’s most prestigious scholarship, the Goldsborough Scholars program is a full-tuition, four-year scholarship worth more than $160,000 that recognizes outstanding students from the Chicagoland area who have consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout their high school careers and who embody the mission and values of Monmouth, as evidenced by leadership, service, civic engagement and cocurricular commitments.
Romano said she was drawn to Monmouth’s strong sense of community and academic programs.
“Monmouth has a small-town vibe, and it’s very homey,” she said. “The second I stepped foot on campus, it just felt like home. You’re definitely not going to be a number at Monmouth. I wanted to know that when I’m walking down the sidewalk, I’m going to know who I’m seeing – or if I don’t know them yet that we will be friends soon. … So the community at Monmouth was a big reason, but Monmouth also has a fantastic music and business program,” Romano’s two intended majors.
“Originally, I was just going to be a business major, but I have been involved with music for years,” said Romano, the daughter of Tracy and Aaron Romano. “I finally realized that music was no longer a hobby for me – it was a passion, and I decided to do something with this. So I decided to pair it with business.”
Romano’s long-term goals include working in the recording business or “I would love to open my own business, where I give lessons and maybe start a choir in a town that doesn’t have as many music opportunities.”
In high school, Romano has earned a plethora of awards and honors. She received all-academic honors four times in both cheer and soccer, qualified for the state speech meet, and was an Illinois Music Education Association All-District Musician as a Soprano 1.
She has been vice president of the Tri-M Honor Society, an officer in Interact Service Club, student coach on the speech team and a soprano section leader in the Showcasts Elite Choir.
Romano has been performing since middle school and has been a member of her school’s choirs and theatre programs.
“I could spend all week just doing choir stuff, and I would never be bored,” she said.
Romano said she looks forward to joining the Monmouth Chorale as well as the College’s Theatre Department.
“I definitely am looking forward to being a part of the theatre community,” she said. “Because Monmouth is a smaller school, I’m excited that I get the opportunity to do everything I want. And I still have time to do really well in my academics, have a social life and just kind of get to explore the Monmouth area.”
The Goldsborough Scholars program honors former Monmouth Board of Trustees Chair William J. Goldsborough and his wife, Beverly. William Goldsborough is a 1965 Monmouth graduate.
Meet Emma Romano …
Listen Up …
Emma Romano talks about her career ambitions; interview begins at 19:10.
Related Stories
-
A World Premiere
Monmouth College Wind Ensemble will be first to perform “Paideia Fanfare,” a celebration of the liberal arts in the Midwest, at April 28 concert.Read More -
Episode 4: September 17, 2021
Classics professor Bob Simmons (pictured) on Classics Day V, set for Oct. 2; and Rep. Cheri Bustos delivers fifth-annual Wiswell-Robeson Lecture (9:31).Read More
