Diana Torres recently won the George B. Ogden Prize, awarded annually to the Kenyon student who produces the year's best essay. The essay put a feminist spin on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Torres thanks Associate Professor of English Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky for pushing her to write at a higher level. "Professor Lobanov-Rostovsky is a fabulous teacher," says Torres. "That essay was my first 'A' at Kenyon and it gave me a lot of confidence."

Asked to name other memorable professors, she pauses: "There are so many," she says. Marla Kohlman, an assistant professor of sociology, has been a mentor: "Professor Kohlman is a tough cookie, but she accepts and supports you for who you are," says Torres. Torres, who hails from Queens, New York, enjoys a friendship with Associate Professor of English Theodore Mason based in part on a mutual affection for New York cheesecake.

A dual major in English and sociology, Torres is especially proud of her performance in Professor of Sociology Howard Sacks's Contemporary Social Theory class. Says Torres, "It's the most difficult class the department offers. But Professor Sacks made all of the material clear."

Torres found her way to Kenyon College in part because of an excellent financial aid package. "My father is a welder and my mother is a housekeeper, so we're not rich. Kenyon worked hard to help my family," says Torres. "I'm very loyal to Kenyon."

Asked what's next, Torres is matter-of-fact: "Law school. Maybe I'll go into criminal law," she says. "But I'll base that decision on what my strengths turn out to be."