Nicole Ballard

Nicole Ballard from Hermosa, South Dakota, is majoring in wildlife biology. Passionate about conservation and education, she hopes to inspire the next generation through starting nature-related classes in schools. Her volunteer experience includes working with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Missoula Animal Control, the Wildlife Society, the Student Recreation Association and more. She also has worked as a Reptile Gardens animal handler and educator, as well as a Rush Mountain Adventure Park educator and tour guide. She received the RMEF’s Wildlife Leadership Award and South Dakota Great Service Award.

Arwen Baxter

Arwen Baxter from Pocatello, Idaho, is double-majoring in English literature and musical theatre. A proponent of artistic expression and storytelling – especially involving western landscapes and communities–she enjoys the intersection of science and art. She has worked as a research assistant at Idaho State University’s Stream Ecology Center, a community support worker for Consumer Direct Care, a co-lyricist for the Downtown Dance Collective, a volunteer performer and more. A member of UM’s Davidson Honors College, she has earned awards for her scholarship, work in sustainability and musical theater.

Natalie Bova

Natalie Bova of Frenchtown is double-majoring in music education and global leadership. With her sights set on becoming a Montana music teacher for elementary students, she is involved in numerous UM music clubs, as well as local and national organizations. As president of Circle K International, she organized the delivery of care packages to homeless people in Missoula. She is a teacher for Flagship After School Program, a church choir soprano section leader, a babysitter, a camp counselor, a member of various honors societies and an extensive volunteer.

Melanie Katen

Melanie Katen from Stevensville is majoring in art and is a wife and mother of three boys. She follows her son Coleman, who graduated from UM in December 2018, and has decided to go back to school to be more equipped for her future. Over the years, she has volunteered as a classroom reading aid, make-up artist and a second mother to her boys’ friends, as well as a baseball, football, soccer and basketball mom. She is most passionate about helping people – especially students – who don’t have voices.

Isabelle Melton

Isabelle Melton of Helena is double-majoring in political science and business and minoring in French and theatre. Inspired by her aunt, who immigrated to the United States from Syria, she hopes to work with government policy or humanitarian efforts to provide equal opportunities for others and attend law school. She is a member of the Global Leaders Initiative, performer with the Zootown Cabaret, legal intern at Goodrich Reely PLLC, Davidson Honors Council Ambassador, Mansfield Student Center Student Advisory Council representative and intramural soccer player.

Riley Terry

Riley Terry from Missoula is majoring in biology and keeping his family’s educational legacy at UM going. He is a lab assistant for anatomy and physiology at UM and traveled to Bolivia through Medical Ministry International, where he was responsible for conducting refractive eye tests in a temporary clinic. He has volunteered at Franklin Elementary School and Paxson Kindergarten’s end-of-the-year field trip experience. He plans to go to graduate school to become a physician’s assistant or complete a physical therapy program.