For the Georgia Tech community, homecoming week is more than just a celebration of Yellow Jacket pride – it's a tribute to the traditions, spirit, and unity that define the Tech experience. For eight remarkable students the week holds an even deeper significance.
Ramblin’ Royalty, hosted by the Student Center Programs Council (SCPC) within Student and Campus Event Centers (SCEC), celebrates students who embody Georgia Tech’s motto, Progress and Service. Previously known as Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech, the program has evolved into a more inclusive scholarship initiative to represent all students who are making a positive impact on campus.
This year’s Ramblin’ Royalty nominees are:
- Caleb Buchanan, Business Administration, Spring 2025
- Ilyana Bonfoh, Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2025
- Harrison Baro, Environmental Engineering, Spring 2025
- Suraya John, Aerospace Engineering, Spring 2025
- Simran Patel, BS/MS Economics, Spring 2025
- Stephanie Vagelos, Biology, Fall 2024
- Lauren "Vic" Paulson, BS Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2023; MS/PhD Aerospace Engineering, Fall 2024/Spring 2027
- Sofia Varmeziar, Industrial Engineering, Spring 2025
What truly distinguishes this year’s finalists is their shared commitment to ensuring that every Yellow Jacket feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed during their journey at Georgia Tech.
For Ilyana Bonfoh, being a Ramblin’ Royalty finalist is a chance to inspire those who often feel unseen, proving that you can make an impact no matter how small you think it may be. She aims to open doors for others, demonstrating that being a “Helluva Engineer” comes with no prefilled boxes.
Similarly, Suraya John’s favorite leadership experience has been ensuring that every student sees themselves reflected in Georgia Tech’s story. After observing a gap between campus-wide traditions and those unique to Tech’s student body, she reimagined events like Traditions Night to honor both Georgia Tech-specific traditions and the rich cultural traditions across campus.
Stephanie Vagelos has been an advocate for women at Tech, especially in athletics, after noticing a gap in medical support for fellow cheerleaders during her first year. Stephanie was inspired by sports medicine students working with the football team and instrumental in getting the same position for the cheerleading team. Now, she’s in a role helping guide cheerleaders through their injuries; inspiring others to start similar initiatives across other sports.
Harrison Baro and Vic Paulson are both dedicated to bridging gaps and connecting students who may feel isolated or in need of additional resources. Harrison’s favorite contribution to Georgia Tech has been reintroducing “Home for the Holidays,” a program connecting students staying on campus over Thanksgiving with faculty and alumni hosts for a holiday meal, creating a sense of belonging and community during a time that could otherwise feel isolating.
Similarly, Vic, who once relied on Georgia Tech’s food pantry, is passionate about ensuring students from underprivileged backgrounds have access to essential resources. Once unsure if they’d graduate with their bachelor’s degree and now a PhD student, Vic views their journey as a testament to the transformational power of Georgia Tech and actively advocates for on-campus support like Klemis Kitchen to help others succeed.
For Sofia Varmeziar and Caleb Buchanan giving back to the Georgia Tech community means investing in the success and well-being of its newest members. Sofia finds fulfillment in guiding underclassmen through the challenges of college, drawing from her own experience and the support she received as an incoming student. As a mentor, she helps ease the transition for new students, hoping that these relationships will empower others to embrace all that Georgia Tech offers.
Caleb has found his calling as a Challenge Counselor, a role that allows him to connect with new students by helping them build a strong foundation - academically, socially, and emotionally. For three summers, he has mentored dozens of incoming Yellow Jackets, ensuring that every student feels welcomed and prepared for the journey ahead.
Simran Patel is committed to enhancing the student experience, crediting her Georgia Tech community for shaping who she is today. In her leadership roles, Simran has enhanced communications and addressed funding gaps to better support student organizations and their success.
These Ramblin’ Royalty finalists have redefined student leadership at Georgia Tech, dedicating themselves to creating a more inclusive and supportive campus for all. For each finalist, their recognition honors their journey and commitment to making every student feel valued and welcome. You can read more about each finalist below.
During the Yellow Jacket’s homecoming football game, all finalists gathered on the field, where, following a student-body vote, Harrison Baro and Caleb Buchanan were named the 2024 Ramblin' Royalty Honorees. We thank each finalist for their dedication, positive impact, and lasting legacy on the Georgia Tech community.
Caleb Buchanan
"Being nominated for Ramblin' Royalty is a dream I’ve had since Freshman year, and it’s surreal that it has come true. It’s such an honor to be seen as deserving to represent the ministry I care so much about, and to potentially represent the Georgia Tech student body as this year’s Ramblin' Royalty! Since my freshman year, I’ve gone to every home game 2 hours early when gates open to get front row seats to support the Yellow Jackets. I’ve always marveled at the honor of being a Ramblin' Royalty finalist, and I’m just so extremely blessed that I get to experience that myself."
Scheller Business Ambassadors - former President, current Alumni Chair, Ambassador
African American Male Initiative - former President
Challenge Counselor
Identity in Christ Church on the Georgia Tech Campus - Ministry Leadership
Georgia Tech Strategic Consulting
Harrison Baro
"Being nominated for Ramblin' Royalty is an amazing honor. I do not think I ever expected to have this much fun in college or find this level of community that accepts me for who I am. But stepping onto Georgia Tech's campus feels like stepping into a second home, and I have made so many memories and relationships here that have changed me for the better and helped me learn myself. Being nominated for this award is a great way for me to give back and show my appreciation to the community that has built me up and made me the man I am today."
Involvement:
Georgia Tech Student Ambassadors President
Former Executive Vice President of SGA
Member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity
Member of the Association of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AEES)
Undergraduate research assistant in the Pinto Lab at Georgia Tech
Ilyana Bonfoh
"It is an incredible honor, especially since I did it to represent people who look like me who don't always get the opportunity to end up in these spaces. I get to demonstrate that being a "Helluva Engineer" comes with no pre-filled checkboxes, and that you can make an impact on others no matter how small you think it may be."
Involvement:
Engineers Without Borders – Vice President of Project Relations, Lead for international Nepal project
Writing Club @ GT – Vice President
EWB – Marketing and Design Coordinator
Millennium Fellowship Campus Director
Miss Gold for the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha
Petit Scholar
Simran Patel
"To me, being nominated for Ramblin' Royalty has been the greatest honor and I am so grateful to all of the peers, friends, and family who have helped me during my time at Tech. I would not be who I am today, or where I am today without my GT community. If me being Ramblin' Royalty can show even one person what this Institute can give them and how it can help them achieve their dreams, then it will all be worth it."
Involvement:
Ramblin' Reck Club - President
Joint Finance Committee of SGA - Communications Specialist
Member of Economics Club
Member of ODE Honors Society
FreShGA - former Head Advisor
Former GT1000 TL
Former Chemistry PLUS leader
Sofia Varmeziar
"To be nominated by a sorority of 200 incredible women is truly humbling because of the admiration I have for them. Their kindness to all and dedication to what they are passionate about is so inspiring to me, and being recognized by them means so much to me. It also means a lot to my family, as my mom and brother are both Georgia Tech alumni. It would especially be meaningful to my mom, who found her footing at Tech shortly after immigrating here from Iran. It's an honor to be recognized for giving back to the community that has played a pivotal role in both of their journeys."
Involvement:
Persian American Resource Society
IISE – Philanthropy/Board Bonding Chair, Professional Development Officer
Ramblin' Reck Club - 2023 Homecoming Sub-chair
Alpha Phi – 2022 Homecoming Chair, 2023 Panhellenic Delegate, 2024 Chapter President
MATH 1553 TA
GT Boxing Club
Wreck Camp Counselor 2023, 2024
Stephanie Vagelos
"It is an incredible honor to be nominated for Ramblin' Royalty by my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. To have the support of 200 amazing women on this campus means an incredible amount to me. Ever since I started at Tech as a GT Cheerleader, I have fallen in love with this campus and its rich traditions. From running 100 yards during The Horse to being quizzed on the Alma Matter, I have taken these traditions in stride to embrace the culture of GT. I love to joke and tell people I "bleed White and Gold," but I truly am Georgia Tech's biggest fan! I am so thankful that I have continued to spread this school spirit over that past 4 years, and I hope to continue fostering these amazing traditions on campus and representing this incredible school as Ramblin' Royalty."
Involvement:
Student Aid for Georgia Tech Sports Medicine
2021 Georgia Tech Cheerleader
Alpha Chi Omega – President
Cell and Molecular Biology Lab and Genetics TA, Singh Lab
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Peer Advisor
Suraya John
"I was nominated for Ramblin’ Royalty by the Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers (GTSBE), an organization that I owe many of my leadership and professional accomplishments to. Because of what GTSBE has done for me the second I stepped foot on campus, I have devoted my years here to supporting its members. To receive the honor that is their nomination still leaves me speechless. It shows that they identify me as a figurehead in their community and they chose me to represent them to the rest of campus. Not only is this an opportunity to show off my own greatness but I will also use this to showcase all that GTSBE has poured into me to make this happen."
Involvement:
Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers - Service Chair and Programs Chair, current Vice President
Ramblin’ Reck Club - former Traditions Night Festival Sub-chair, Traditions Night Chair, and T-Book Campus Life Co-Editor
Fall 2023 initiate of the Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - Vice President
Vic Paulson
"Being nominated for Ramblin' Royalty is a deeply meaningful recognition for me. It represents my resilience and how far I’ve come from being in crisis housing and relying on Klemis Kitchen, Georgia Tech’s food pantry, during a time when I wasn’t sure if I would even graduate. To now be in a position where I’m pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering, serving as an analog astronaut, and becoming a pilot is a testament to the transformational power of Georgia Tech and the incredible support I’ve received. It’s an honor to represent this institution, which has played such a crucial role in my journey."
Involvement:
DramaTech
Pride Alliance - former Vice President
Sailing, Debate, and Board Game clubs - former Marketing Chair
Women in Engineering - Program Mentor
Ramblin Puppy Raisers