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Class of 2022 Scholars

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Simon Van Den Abbeele

Simon Van Den Abbeele


Simon is from Westminster, Colorado. In his coming years at Simpson he plans to study both history, and political science. Once he has finished his education here, he may even go on to teach history, as there are few things he is more passionate about than American History. His on campus activities, similarly to his major, revolve around his interests. He is a goalkeeper on the Simpson men's soccer team, as well as being a new member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

As someone who loves history, I see no better place to study it than in the heartland of the United States. - Simon Van Den Abbeele

Abby Loecke


Abby is from Manchester, Iowa. She plans to major in history and possibly secondary education. Here at Simpson, along with the Iowa History Center, she is involved in cross country, track, FCA, and the Wesley Service program.

Despite having an interest in history from the fourth grade and living in Iowa my whole life, I do not know much about Iowa History and would like to learn more about my home so I can share it with others. - Abby Loecke

Abby Loecke
Laura Nielsen

Laura Nielsen


Laura is a first year Scholar from Arnolds Park, Iowa. She graduated from Okoboji High School and is majoring in Spanish, with plans to add a second major in the future. On campus, she is involved in vocal music, speech, intramurals, and religious life.

I believe that the preservation and education of all history is incredibly important, and am honored and excited to be able to do so through the Iowa History Center at Simpson. 

Laura Nielsen

Sienna Hancock


Sienna is from Troy Mills, Iowa. She is currently majoring in Neuroscience and Pre-Nursing. Other things she is involved in on campus includes cheerleading, Pre-Health society and FCA.

I have always had a passion for history because of my Grandpa John Hancock. He always had historical books that told stories of our ancestors coming from Ireland and making a life here in the United States. - Sienna Hancock

Sienna Hancock
Hannah Spencer

Hannah Spencer


Hannah recently moved to Indianola from Denver, Colorado. She intends on majoring in Forensic Science/ Pre-Med. In addition to being an Iowa History Scholar, she is involved in the Rotaract, and serves as both a Community Advisor and a Wesley Service Scholar. Being an out-of-state student, she knows close to nothing about Iowa history. However, she sees the importance in knowing the history of one's environment and how the past developments, conflicts, and interactions all led to the present day.

I am excited to learn more about Iowa history and culture over the next four years and the events that took place to transform it into the beautiful state we know today. - Hannah Spencer

Kyra Pastor


Kyra Pastor was born in Galesburg, Illinois but lives in Norwalk, Iowa. She is double majoring in health & exercise science and psychology to pursue being a sports psychologist or a physical therapist. She participates in volleyball, Wesley Service Scholar, Health and Exercise Science Club, Pi Beta Phi, and intramurals on campus.

I love learning about cultures and events that mold people and the future. By learning from the past, we know what to do for the future. - Kyra Pastor

Kyra Pastor