Sofia Dartnell in Colorado studying bees.

Photo Credit: Sofia Dartnell

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship just went to GCDS alum, Sofia Dartnell for her study of bees! 

Dartnell attended GCDS through ninth grade. She reflected on her time by saying,  “GCDS was super amazing. I really attribute my growth in science to my science classes, but also the way that GCDS builds your character.” Dartnell mentions how she enjoyed Mr. Lehn’s 9th-grade biology class.  Mr. Lehn remembers her clearly, “she was an amazing student, and she had this interest in learning that was really genuine, and it wasn’t in your face, and she never felt like she needed to show anybody or be public about her amazing intellect. It was just a calm, focused, interested, and engaged vibe.” 

Sofia, back in 9th grade, in Mr. Lehn’s class.

Photo credit: Sofia Dartnell

Dartnell recently won a scholarship to Cambridge, “that sponsors Americans and international students who are not English to go study in England at Cambridge.”  This scholarship stood out to Sofia because “the school is focused on positive good for the world and making an impact. And with my studies about insects, I really want to show people how interesting they are and that they are worth protecting and saving.” 

Dartnell is currently attending Pomona college, studying biology–specifically entomology, the study of insects–and says that in college, she followed her interest in insects: “I have always liked bugs, and so when I came to school I took an insect ecology and behavior class and really enjoyed it because people don’t really study bugs.” In the summer of 2020, Dartnell spent 10 weeks in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, “it was there that I really fell in love with bees,” she states.

Dartnell is currently studying the bees and pollinators at the field station for her current project at Pomona College.  While she is in England, Dartnell will be studying bumblebees in agriculture fields. 

Mr. Lehn mentioned that she also applied for a Center for Public Good grant (CPG), “with her interests, she applied to go to a 10-day intensive camp. She was accepted and was granted the John Bates Environmental Stewardship Grant.”

When talking about her GCDS experience Sofia mentions, “I always enjoyed doing my community service hours.”