1 0 • GCU TODAY
Hope Tedrow, 18
Joey Bombaci, 18
Hometown:
Gilbert, Ariz.
Major:
Psychology
“Well-rounded” comes to mind when
thinking of Hope Tedrow:
• Voracious reader with early
preferences, Clifford and Junie B. Jones,
edged out by current favorites, Karen
Kingsbury and Michael Crichton
• Singer who performed with a show choir
in Hollywood
• Fluent Spanish speaker
• Visitor to the equator
• Co-valedictorian of the Gilbert High
Class of 2015, with a GPA of 4.79
“I’m not a natural genius,” she said. “I’m
pretty good at organizing my time to
get my work done.”
The proof: She completed her freshman
year of college, with 15 AP credits and one
semester of dual enrollment, while in high
school. Tedrow enters GCU with 35 college
credits and a blank canvas on which to paint
her future. She’s interested in how the mind
works, maybe counseling or law.
Intramural volleyball and the Learning
Lounge at GCU also have enlarged her
sphere of interest.
The GCU factor:
“My best friend since I was
6 goes there, and I like the smaller class sizes
and the fact that there are tons of options —
if I ever change my mind.”
Hometown:
Phoenix
Major:
Digital design
Joey Bombaci grew up drawing anything
with wheels or wings and playing ice hockey.
When his parents suggested he pick art
or sports, Bombaci hung up his skates and
sharpened his pencils.
As a sophomore at Sandra Day O’Connor
High in Phoenix, he was part of a team
whose designs were among the top 50 in
Vans Custom Culture, a national contest
that inspires teenagers to embrace their
creativity using the blank canvas of blank
canvas shoes.
Bombaci pursued a job at a local Vans,
not to perfect the art of selling apparel, but
to learn the process of design. His creativity
landed on the radar of Steve Van Doren, son
of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, who
sent Bombaci a pair of size 66 blank canvas
high-tops to customize for display in the
Cypress, Calif., corporate office. Bombaci has
since personalized more than a dozen pairs
of Vans for friends and is looking forward to
exploring digital design at GCU.
The GCU factor:
“I want to use my art to
show a dark but creative world that there is
light, and that light is God.”
May Carreon, 18
Hometown:
Phoenix
Major:
Businessmanagement
GCUhas beenapart ofMayCarreon’s life
since grade school. She grewup eight blocks
away, nevermissinga Fall Festival or Christmas
party on campus anddreamingof being the first
person inher family togo to college, inher very
own community.
Butmoneywas tight, andCarreon realized
duringher senior year at AlhambraHigh that
shewas responsible for her future. Hermath
teacher directedher to theUniversity’s Learning
Lounge for pre-calculus tutoring, andCarreon
sought its help inwritingapplications for college
scholarships. She enrolled inGCU’s “JumpStart
to Jobs,” coming to campus onSaturdays to
buildher resume andpractice job interview
skills. Carreonhadnever before helda job.
Her initiative succeeded: a full-ride
scholarship fromtheColangeloCollege of
Business andapaid summer internshipatWells
Fargo. Carreonhas her sights on landingJerry
Colangeloas hermentor. Bank on it.
TheGCUfactor:
“I consider it part ofmy family.
I’ve known it since Iwas little. This ismy
secondhome.”
