Duane Bonifer  |   Published February 24, 2023

Meet the Class of 2027 Admiral’s Scholars

Mariah Hobson of Princeton (Illinois) High School, Uma Phadke of Jordan (Texas) High School named Admiral’s Scholars.

Meet Mariah Hobson …

Meet Uma Phadke …

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Mariah Hobson was at Princeton (Illinois) High School when she received a text message from her Monmouth College Office admission counselor asking her to call him.

Hobson said she was a little nervous about making the phone call, but whatever nerves she had were quickly replaced by joy when she learned she had been named one of two Admiral’s Scholars in Monmouth’s Class of 2027.

Admiral’s Scholars receive a full-tuition scholarship worth more than $160,000 over four years. They also get a $5,000 academic enrichment fund.

“I just froze – and I was like, ‘No way, like I actually got it,” said Hobson. “And then I was trying to hurry off the phone because I was trying to call my mom. I screamed – for sure scared my dogs. Then I called my mom, and my mom started crying.”

Uma Phadke, a senior at Jordan High School in Katy, Texas, has been named the other Admiral’s Scholar in Monmouth’s Class of 2027.

Whereas Hobson learned about Monmouth through several of her Princeton High School teachers who are Monmouth alumni, Phadke discovered the college through the book Common Sense Guide to Choosing a College: Making a Case for Small Residential College, by retired Monmouth admission counselor Peter Pitts.

“A lot of the universities (in Texas) are really big, and it’s easy to get lost there and not be able to make much of a mark as you should be able to in college,” said Phadke.

Phadke plans to study international studies at Monmouth because “I’ve always been interested in history and politics and that’s the perfect way to combine the two for me.” Phadke said she plans to go on to graduate school, and Monmouth’s opportunities to study abroad and work on research will help prepare her.

She’s also excited about the breadth and diversity of studying at a liberal arts college.

She said that “being able to broaden my horizons … being able to make connections with my peers and professors” also made Monmouth very appealing.

(Hear Mariah Hobson and Uma Phadke on the “Monmouth Conversations” podcast.)

Hobson said she was also attracted to Monmouth’s campus atmosphere, “where everybody knows everybody … and you can find your way pretty easy.”

Hobson plans to major in physical education and continue her soccer career at Monmouth, with the goal of becoming a high school soccer coach.

“I don’t think I could not have soccer in my life,” she said.

And Hobson said she is looking forward to playing soccer for the Fighting Scots

“I like the team a lot, I bond with them already,” she said. “And I also enjoy the girls in my class. I think we will do really well playing together.”

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