Ella Perry

    Hi everyone! My name is Ella Perry, and I'm a rising Junior from Naples, Florida. I'm majoring in Mathematics-Economics and minoring in Data Analytics, but my love for math is something that came very shockingly late in my educational career. Math was always my least favorite subject in grade school, but I've come to greatly enjoy it in the Furman learning environment! I went from crying (yes, shedding actual tears) about having to take a math GER to majoring, sitting on the Mathematics Student Advisory Board, and working as a STEM Consultant for the department. 

    Outside of academics, I love staying involved on campus in as many ways as possible. I serve on the executive board for the Heller Service Corps and just finished my role as president of Ladies of Distinction, a middle school mentor program for local Title I schools. I've recently started working with the Greenville Humane Society as well, and it has become such a wonderful addition to my service. Additionally, I serve on the executive board for my sorority and work in the IT Service Center. This summer, I'll be furthering my interest in math through research with the Furman department! Whenever I find myself having some free time, I'm usually napping, but you can also find me shopping for clothes I don't need, watching the same few movies over and over, making playlists about how I'm feeling in that exact moment, playing on my iPad, watching an obscure documentary (most likely about the ocean), or socializing on the library steps.

Why This MayX?

    Growing up, one of my favorite shows was Expedition Unknown (I actually just found out its on Hulu and started rewatching it). Hosted by an archeologist, each episode "investigates the greatest legends in history". All of my favorite episodes had one thing in common: codes. I was fascinated by each one and found myself wanting to break them before the world could (pretty ambitious for a 10-year-old). When I heard of the MayX and realized I could put math and one of my niche interests together, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity! 

Looking Forward To...

1) Traveling to Europe for the first time! My only other experience with international travel was my MayX to Ecuador last year, so I'm excited to see a completely different part of the world. 

2) Making new friends! One of my favorite hobbies is meeting new people and socializing. I'm still super close with my Ecuador group from last summer; I can't wait to build relationships like that again.

3) The day trip to Dover! The white cliffs have been a bucket list item of mine for a long time, and there's nothing much I love more than a pretty view.