Brain on wheels

By Connor Tracy
Mayfield High School

“I’m Elias Eells, I’m from Oldham County High School, and I’m training to bike across Iowa.”
It was the June 19, the first night of introductions in Elias’s dormitory hall and this quiet statement from a tall, skinny with glasses brought responses like, “What?” “Wow!” “Really?” The students, all incoming high school seniors who had been selected by the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program for a five-week residency at Bellarmine University in Louisville.
So maybe they were expecting Elias to talk about his academic achievements. But a grueling bicycle ride across the state of Iowa? Really? They weren’t totally wrong, but there was this other side of him.
"Elias at first seemed introverted,” said Renee Laurent, a classmate from Caldwell County High School, “but as time went on, he became one of the most social people in our seminar"
Governor’s Scholars is an intensive course of academic and personal development that keeps the 358 scholars at Bellarmine busy seven days a week. So during their precious time off, most scholars spend their free time hanging with new friends, playing cards, throwing Frisbees or learning new things in the many clubs formed by GSP staff. Some scholars work out at Bellarmine’s sports training facility. The athletes come and go, but one fellow seems to be there constantly, riding a stationary bike back in the corner of the room. Elias Eells is almost a fixture there, riding for two to three hours per visit.
Elias expects to be inducted into Governor’s Scholars on July 23, Graduation Day. His big race in Iowa will begin on July 24. Elias is looking forward to catching up with his family, and the ride will be a perfect opportunity for this. This is his third year of being involved with the race, called Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It’s a week-long trip that usually averages around 472 miles.
“RAGBRAI is like a community on wheels,” Elias said. “At the end of the ride everyone is dirty, sweaty, and tired, but they always come back…. “This is so wonderful, and the experience sticks with you.”
GSP Executive Director Aris Cedeño says, “The goal is every single scholar goes back home having a role model.” Many people wouldn’t expect to find this role model in a fellow student but Elias Eells demonstrates qualities that have inspired those who know him.
In addition to his dedication to sport, he is fully engaged in the GSP experience of intellectual growth and service to society. He currently has a 4.19 weighted grade point average and plans to take five AP classes in his senior year. His activities include the Louisville Youth Choir, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Young Democrats.
But for now he is 100 percent bike rider, and he’d like to have company.
“I strongly encourage participation in RAGBRAI,” he said,” and I would love to see more folks from Kentucky out there.”
Well, maybe next year….