Members of the second class of Ernie Pyle Scholars in the School of Journalism Honors Program have a lot in common. All worked in some kind of journalism in high school, many are theater performers and all have stellar grade point averages. Three are IU Wells Scholars.

But they also hail from as far away as Ukraine and Hawaii and as nearby as Bloomington. Among them are an Eagle Scout, athletes in a variety of sports, bi-lingual speakers and two who are proficient in Latin. They are volunteers, racking up hours at shelters and as mentors in their hometowns.

This year, the Honors Program has 21 scholars, chosen from a pool of 57 applicants from around the nation. The Honors Program committee selected 22 and 21 opted to attend the School of Journalism.

"It's a real pleasure to have this many of our top choices," Dean Brad Hamm told the group in his welcoming remarks.

The School of Journalism Honors Program initiated last year is designed to guide the scholars as a cohesive group through their degree programs. Known as the Ernie Pyle Scholars, these students are directly admitted to the journalism program as soon as they enroll as freshmen and are eligible to take up to seven special honors courses. They also have access to top speakers and may take trips in the U.S. and abroad.

Honors Program Director Dave Boeyink read a brief bio of each student during an orientation last week to welcome the new scholars.

"You have much in common, but you also each bring something special," he told the group. As he introduced each student, he highlighted their achievements and several students laughed or applauded. The group had been networking on Facebook, but for most, this was the first time they had met in person.

As they mingled after the program, students greeted one another and exchanged IU e-mail addresses. Freshman Caitlin Van Kooten of Bloomington, also a Wells Scholar at IU, said she didn't feel pressured to go far from home for her journalism education.

"This is one of the best schools," she said. "I would not want to pick a school just to be leaving town."

Andrew Rectenwald left his hometown in Hawaii to attend the school. Zina Kumok emigrated from Ukraine to Tennessee with her family in 1992 and now plans to spend her undergraduate years as an IU student. Other students are from the Midwest, Florida and Oregon.

Hamm noted their statistics as a group: Their average GPA is 4.15, average SAT score is 1316, average ACT score is 30.

"But what is really important is not the bare statistics but the richness of experience you are bringing to the school," he said.