Mission Statement of the 121st Class
We, the Knights of the 121st Class of The Society of Innocents, will unwaveringly uphold the pillars of superior academic achievement, unparalleled leadership, and selfless service.
We exist to cultivate a community where the unseen threads of connection weave our university together—across personal passions, identities, and experiences. We cherish the traditions and moments that shape something greater, knowing that our presence today paves the way for those who follow. While we reflect on the past, we work to advance the continuation of the society.
We understand and see the value of the whole, while utilizing the diversity we represent to best serve our communities. Through advocacy and service, we foster belonging in all corners of campus, ensuring that every student has a voice and every future is met with direction and purpose.
We are the bridge between past traditions and future possibilities. A society of resilient leaders and quiet revolutionaries, we open doors and break barriers—not for ourselves, but for those yet to come.
Tanner Maas, President
Gretna, NE
Tanner Maas, son of Jeff and Angie Maas of Gretna, Nebraska, is an actuarial science and finance double major with minors in economics and music. On campus, he pursues his passion for music by leading the Cornhusker Marching Band as a drum major and is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. He also serves as President of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy Council, is a member of the Cornhusker Business Case Competition steering committee, and mentors a high school student through NHRI Leadership Mentoring. Tanner has held multiple actuarial internships, is a member of the Actuarial Science Club, and serves as a learning assistant in the College of Business. He is a Regents Scholar and is on the College of Business Dean’s List.
Reem Ahmed, Vice President
Lincoln, NE
Reem Ahmed, daughter of Ahmed Ataelgied and Hana Elamin of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a double major in Psychology and Nutrition Health Science with a minor in public policy analysis. She is a UCARE funded researcher at the global health communication lab on campus and has participated in research internships at Johns Hopkins University and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she presented her research at their headquarters’ showcase. Reem is an active member of the Afrikan People’s Union and former Vice president of the African Student Association. She previously served as the Chief of Staff of ASUN student government and represented the organization in a coalition of other Big Ten student governments, helping organize ASUN’s federal lobbying efforts.
Aaron Morrissey, Secretary
Omaha, NE
Aaron Morrissey, son of Ted and Lori Morrissey of Omaha, Nebraska, is a data science and economics major with minors in computer science and business. He is a Raikes School student who is involved in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and an NHRI leadership mentor for an 8th-grade student. He also conducts economic research for the UCARE program and at the Bureau of Business Research. His work experience includes being a product manager at Hudl and a developer for DMSi software at the Raikes Design Studio. Over his summers, he has studied abroad at Oxford University and has held software engineering and finance internships at companies like Bank of America and Mutual of Omaha. He is also an intramural basketball champion and a regular at the city rec.
Jenna WakeField, Treasurer
Lincoln, NE
Jenna Wakefield, daughter of Larry and Kari Wakefield of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a double major in biochemistry and mathematics with a minor in psychology on the pre-medicine track. She is a Regents scholar and in the Honors Program. On campus, Jenna serves as the Executive Director of Dance Marathon, Secretary of Psi Chi, and a Biochemistry Ambassador. She is also a UCARE recipient and does research in Dr. Weaver's lab at the Nebraska Center for Virology. Off-campus, Jenna volunteers with CEDARS.
Jenny Castor, Sergeant at Arms
Tecumseh, NE
Jenny Castor, daughter of Erika Cruz and the late Arturo Castor of Tecumseh, Nebraska, is a double major in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in International studies. She studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and is actively involved in campus organizations such as Teachers Scholars Academy, Best Buddies, Project RAICES, Future Teachers of Color and ASUN. Additionally, she contributes to the Mexican American Student Association, New Student Enrollment, and NHRI Leadership Mentoring, demonstrating her commitment to inclusive education and leadership for diverse students.
Mollie Petersen, Keeper of Traditions
Elkhorn, NE
Mollie Petersen, daughter of Mathew and Laurinda Petersen of Elkhorn, Nebraska, is a mechanical engineering major with minors in mathematics and biomedical engineering. She serves as the President of the Society of Women in Mechanical Engineering and a mentor in the NHRI program. She is also an undergraduate teaching assistant and researcher in the College of Engineering.
Michelle Garcia-Barillas, Philanthropy
Grand Island, NE
Michelle Garcia-Barillas, daughter of Wilson Garcia Saquich of Grand Island, Nebraska, is a secondary social science education major with minors in history and psychology. She serves as the President of the Future Teachers of Color and the Fundraising Chair for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Incorporated. Michelle is also a Resolution Specialist for New Student Enrollment and has volunteered over 215 service hours with Lincoln Public Schools, the Center for People in Need, and Peoples City Mission, providing translation services to Spanish-speaking individuals.
Zein Saleh, Initiation
Lincoln, NE
Zein Saleh, son of Abla Hasan and Hassan Saleh of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a double major in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Arabic and a Regents Scholar. He currently serves as a Laboratory Instructor and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Psychology. A UCARE-funded researcher in the Political Attitudes & Cognition Lab and a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar, Zein has published two first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals and completed research internships at Boston College, Yale University, and Northwestern University. He has also held leadership and service roles as ASUN (Student Body) Internal Vice President and Electoral Commission Director. In addition, he serves as a representative on the Undergraduate Psychology Committee and as a Special Events Intern in the Office of the Chancellor. Zein also volunteers on the Nebraska high school debate circuit, earning the 2024 Acumen Award for Outstanding Judge.
Anna Newcome, Homecoming
Topeka, KS
Anna Newcome, daughter of Scott and Patty Newcome, from Topeka, Kansas, is a double major in Environmental science and Plant biology with emphasis in Soil science and Ecology & Management and is minoring in Water science. On campus, she is a member of the plant biology club, the president of the UNL Soil Judging Team, involved in the University Honors Program, works as a Resident Assistant and is a UCARE Scholar. She has also been published as a coauthor in the American Meteorological Society for Ensemble subsetting. Anna also loves to travel having visited Rwanda and France, with plans to visit Mexico and Canada this year.
Grace Timm, Homecoming
Chappell, NE
Grace Timm, daughter of Emily & Ryan Timm, is an Agribusiness major in the 3+3 law program with a minor in Clifton Builders Management from Chappell, Nebraska. She finds joy in her involvement, from the Clifton Strengths Institute’s Coaching and Builder programs, to the National Agri-Marketing Association and Sigma Alpha sorority. As part of the 3+3 law program, Grace is also a first year law student, and previously served as an ambassador to the Ag Economics department.
Marissa Mendez-Santiago, Selections
Lincoln, NE
Marissa Mendez-Santiago, daughter of Ignacio and Maria Mendez of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a double major in Cellular Biochemistry and Psychology on the pre-medicine path. She is involved in undergraduate research through the UCARE program and presented her research at a national research conference. Marissa volunteers as a Spanish medical interpreter at Clinic with a Heart, is a biology and biochemistry teaching assistant, and tutors Latinx students in LPS. She studied abroad in Rwanda, Italy, and Costa Rica. Marissa is a Regents and Aksarben scholar, and a recipient of the 2023 Innocents Society Scholarship.
Angela Le, Selections
Lincoln, NE
Angela Le, daughter of Buu Le and Thao Nguyen of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a Software Engineering major with a minor in Mathematics and a Regents scholar. She has pursued interdisciplinary research experiences across biochemistry, robotics, and biomedical engineering, and is currently a Human-Robot Interaction research intern in the Nimbus Lab. She received a fully funded National Science Foundation IRES research internship in Japan, focusing on biomedical engineering, and has co-authored papers for international conferences. Beyond research, she is a Catalyst Intern at Nelnet, contributing to innovation projects, and has served as both a software developer and product manager in Design Studio with the Raikes School. She studied abroad in South Korea through the Hanyang Engineering program, leading a capstone project with international students. She is also passionate about mentoring first-generation students and advancing STEM outreach as a member of the TRIO program.
Emma Lindsey, Historian
St. Paul, MN
Emma Lindsey, daughter of Christine Graves and Mark Lindsey of St. Paul, Minnesota, is a CYAF studies major, specifically studying Inclusive Early Childhood Education. In ASUN, she serves as a chair for two committees and as a senator. She is a Teacher Scholar, an ODK and Tau Sigma member, and serves on an ABTS’ Committee. At SCC, she was recognized both at the collegiate and state level for her academic prowess, leadership, and as a peer. Outside UNL, Emma proudly volunteers as a TeamMates mentor.