Congratulations to our 2024 Scholarship Recipients!

Get to Know TJ: TJ currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Westminster Christian Academy, and has a passion for academics, sports, and for helping in his community. Throughout high school, he achieved a 4.6 GPA, was a National Merit Finalist, and received the College Board African-American Recognition Award. TJ played three varsity sports, making the all-region football team and reaching the state semifinals. In track and field, he qualified for the state competition multiple times. TJ will continue his academic journey at Randolph-Macon College, studying engineering while continuing to play football, blending his academic strengths with his passion for athletics and community involvement.

Get to Know Jacob: Jacob is a passionate student who loves to play all sports, long-distance biking, and solving real-world problems through programming. One of proudest accomplishments was achieving valedictorian status at his high school, while actively participating in lacrosse and baseball teams and contributing to his community through volunteering. Another significant accomplishment was Jacob’s acceptance into a NASA competition at Virginia Tech, where he helped build and write software for a high-powered rocket. This year, his team designed a payload that autonomously lands after being released from the rocket. This fall, Jacob will use his scholarship to support his third semester at Virginia Tech, where he is studying computer science with a minor in cybersecurity. He is excited to participate in the NASA competition for a second year, continuing to contribute to his team's success while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge in his field.

Get to Know Isabella: Isabella looks forward to beginning her college career at Virginia Tech in the fall. Although she is currently undecided on a major within the Liberal Arts program, she is considering a major in Political Science alongside a minor in Arabic. In addition to her academic interests, Isabella is a pickleball enthusiast and loves to spend time outdoors.  Isabella moved to Amman, Jordan in 2020 where she spent her freshman, sophomore, and junior years at the American Community School in Amman.  While in Jordan, she studied Arabic to connect to her community and explore Jordanian culture in a new way.    At Virginia Tech, she looks forward to exploring her interests in political systems and languages, while also engaging in the vibrant campus community in Blacksburg. Go Hokies!

Get to Know Jack: Jack, a Junior at Purdue University, is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on communications, consistently earning Dean’s list recognition for his academic achievements. In his free time, Jack is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) on the Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) team, a member of a fraternity, and helps others through service. In IEEE he works toward developing his knowledge of wireless technology. In his fraternity he holds a leadership position where he mentors members to live more balanced lives and holds them accountable to fraternity rules. Jack’s work contributes toward the health and academic success of the top cumulative GPA fraternity on campus. Any free time he has, he tries to fill with service to his community, often through Habitat for Humanity.  This fall, Jack will be continuing his education at Purdue funded with the help of this scholarship. Jack will apply for graduate school, continue to serve his community, and lead others toward success.   

Get to Know Danya: Danya has been passionate about business and finance and how they contribute to our lives since her childhood. Over the past year, with the support of her parents and teachers, she was able to explore this passion by taking a course in business and making business-related research projects, such as the impact of large-scale shocks on the disruption of businesses. Danya aspires to pursue a career as a banker, guiding her clients through important financial decisions that enhances their lives, like buying a car or a house or saving up for college. With this scholarship, she will reach a dream come true this fall by taking the first step to learning about finance and building research and work experience at the University of Virginia.

Get to Know Norah: Norah is a dedicated student at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, pursuing a major in psychology with a concentration in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights at Haverford College. Norah has participated in multiple community-oriented roles, including the Students of the Year (SOY) fundraising campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during which she worked with peers to raise money for blood cancer research Norah has also served as a Congressional Communications and Programs intern at the Library of Congress, where she gained insights into legislative processes. Her research experience includes working as a developmental psychology research assistant, investigating children's perceptions of social groups and hierarchies. Currently, Norah contributes as a Policy and Legislative intern at Meals on Wheels America, furthering her understanding of policy impacts on community well-being. Her diverse experiences underscore her dedication to community support and research-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing individual welfare, a focus she intends to deepen in her psychology studies this coming fall. Further, as a reporter for her college newspaper, she hopes to support her community by providing informative and reliable information.

Get to Know Nayla: Nayla will continue her education at the College of William & Mary double majoring in Public Health and Policy this fall. As the daughter of Ecuadorian- Bolivian immigrants, her passion to continue to learn more about how cultural aspects and social inequities play a role in health access for marginalized communities inspired her to pursue a career in public service.  At Justice High School, Nayla was an active member in her community organizing the first school health fair for uninsured families. Additionally, she was an active member of Hispanic Honors Society as President, UNICEF Vice President, Varsity Cross Country runner. Nayla is also a leading Public Health Youth Ambassador with Fairfax County Health Department receiving recognition from the US Minority Health Office. She received many recognitions for her outstanding efforts such as the Resiliency Award from Fairfax County. Outside of school, Nayla continues to volunteer in her recreation center’s Adapted Aquatics Program.

Get to Know Karla: Karla's profound fascination with the human body has been a driving force in both her academic pursuits and personal interests. She has dedicated herself to studying biology, physiology, biomechanics, and exercise science through extensive reading of books, articles, and research papers. Outside of academics, Karla is an avid weightlifter, further demonstrating her passion for understanding and improving human physical capabilities.  Karla plans to attend VCU this fall, majoring in nursing to continue to share her knowledge of the human body with those around her.  This scholarship will provide resources necessary for Karla to access specialized training programs to expand her capabilities to become a nurse.

Get to Know Bernabela: Bernabela, a February 2024 graduate at Bryant High School, plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College this fall, where she will embark on a journey towards a career in nursing. Alongside her classes, she will be working part-time. Bernabela is extremely grateful to her parents, brother, and teachers whose support has been integral in making her educational aspirations a reality. This scholarship is helping Bernabela reach her passion of being in the nursing field and helping others through sharing her story. 

Get to Know Luis: Luis is passionate about both sports and computer technology, finding joy in playing and watching sports as well as building and fixing computers. During his Senior year in High School, Luis delved deeper into his interest by taking a Cyber Systems Tech class, earning multiple computer certifications. His enthusiasm for computer engineering led him to independently research and successfully build his own PC at home. As a first-generation college student in his family, Luis is set to begin his academic journey at Northern Virginia Community College this fall, where he will pursue his studies in Computer Engineering. His dedication to mastering technology and his proactive approach to learning exemplify his determination to succeed in this field.

Get to Know Kimberly: Kimberly is passionate about going into law and studying to become a lawyer to provide  families by providing legal advice, guidance and problem-solving. Overcoming challenges with social anxiety since seventh grade, she deeply appreciates the unwavering support of her family, friends, and therapist throughout her journey. This fall, Kimberly will begin her studies at Northern Virginia Community College, initially focusing on nursing classes. Her long-term goal is to transition into pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer.

Get to Know Julissa: Julissa is a daughter of veteran parents, growing up primarily in Virginia.  She has dreamed of becoming a nurse since childhood.  Alongside her academic pursuits, Julissa has excelled as a volleyball player, earning accolades such as First Team All-District in 2023, Second Team All-Region in 2023, and Honorable Mention in 2022. Her commitment to the sport was further recognized when she was awarded Best Camp Counselor at a high school volleyball camp in 2022. Julissa’s proudest accomplishment has been acceptance into the competitive Certified Nursing Assistant program this year. She is one of 17 students from seven high schools in her county accepted into the program.  This fall, Julissa will attend the nursing program at Hampton University on their pre-nursing and professional-nursing path. 

Get to Know Sherlin: Sherlin first arrived in the USA when she was 14 years old, did not speak English, and immediately started public high school.  She is passionate about studying to become a flight attendant and will attend Northern Virginia Community College in the fall to work toward her degree in Hospitality Management.  Her long-term goal is to transfer to George Mason University to complete a degree in Tourism and Event Management.  Sherlin hopes to travel the world, learn about planes, safety, and be a part of someone’s journey while traveling for work, personal reasons, vacations, and more. She wants to set a good example for her 2-year-old sister.  Sherlin will be the first-generation student in her family to attend college.  She wants her sister to see her achieve her dreams so her sister can grow up and be as passionate as Sherlin is.

Get to Know Noah: Noah is graduating as Valedictorian from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County. Noah plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville pursuing a major in Nuclear Engineering. Noah was on the Principal’s Honors list for his entire high school career, and he received the AP Scholar Award. He was a member of McDonough’s “It’s Academic” team, which placed first in the county tournament in 2021 and 2023 and was a quarterfinalist in the WETA-TV tournament last year. As a member of the National Honor Society, Noah served terms as the McDonough chapter’s president and vice president. He played varsity golf and varsity tennis, receiving Minds in Motion Scholar Athlete awards in both sports. In his community, Noah volunteered with Ainsley’s Angels of America to organize a running race to spread inclusion. He has taught Sunday school for children at his church, and he held a book drive to establish a personal library for a special education classroom in a local middle school.

Get to Know Elizabeth: Elizabeth graduated high school this past spring as an IB diploma candidate and 3-sport varsity athlete. She held memberships and leadership roles in various honor societies throughout high school. During a summer internship with Fairfax County in the Department of Information Technology, she was responsible for computer imaging, hard drive removal and PC replacement among other daily tasks.  She enjoyed working with both hardware and software aspects of technology.  Looking ahead, Elizabeth will be studying computer engineering at Virginia Tech as a freshman this fall. She plans to be involved in campus ministry in addition to other clubs and organizations.  She also hopes to become a part of the university's equestrian club and/or team. 

Get to Know Jacob: Balancing academics and extracurriculars, Jacob is recognized for his dedication to community service through a nomination to Latinos In Action. Furthermore, he holds a seat in the North Fort Myers High School Philharmonic Orchestra as well as being an integral member of the Sydney Berne-Davis Orchestral Quartet. In the summer, he volunteers at numerous Summer Strings Camps for K-8 students, showcasing his passion for music education and sharing his love for tennis by coaching K-8 students.  Jacob’s career aspirations are rooted in business management.  With this scholarship, he aspires to earn a four-year degree in Business Management, followed by a Master of Business Administration, ultimately aiming to manage (or create) a business that supports his community and state. 

Get to Know MacKenzie: MacKenzie will be attending James Madison University in the fall of 2024. During high school, she was actively engaged in various service projects and volunteer organizations, accumulating over 100 service hours. She was a student athlete and captain of the varsity volleyball team for two years. As a college student, MacKenzie is excited to continue her service in the community, while also studying and pursuing her passions. MacKenzie will major in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology.

Get to Know Tily: Tily is an upcoming senior at Clemson University, majoring in Plant and Environmental Science with a minor in Biological Sciences. This summer, she participated in the University of Tennessee's SMaRT Program, a prestigious 10-week internship in partnership with Oak Ridge National Lab. Her past experiences include interning at Montgomery Medical Center in Onley, Maryland, and receiving prestigious scholarships such as the Maryland State Delegate Scholarship, IPTAY out-of-state scholarship, Joe B. Douthit Memorial Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship, and Gateway to Clemson Scholarship. These milestones have contributed to her recognition as the recipient of the Clemson 2024 Outstanding Senior in Soil & Water Science Award, along with making the Dean’s List in previous years.    Tily is excited to continue her active involvement on Clemson's campus, playing a role in Clemson Student Government’s Council of Diversity Affairs, leading freshman orientation activities, holding a position on Clemson’s African Student Association's executive board, and fulfilling her responsibilities as a College of Agricultural, Forestry, and Life Sciences Student Ambassador.

Get to Know Charles: Charlie is a graduate of Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA.  He participated in the Spanish Immersion Dual Language Program and graduated with the Immersion Diploma.  He was also a proud member of the Future Business Leaders of America, History Club, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.  In the summer of 2022, Charlie participated in the Virgnia Youth Conservation Corps, a month-long service program for teens from Virginia, working together to clean, restore, and preserve their assigned park.  He was assigned to Shenandoah River State Park. Charlie will attend Virginia Tech in the fall and will be in the Corp of Cadets with Army ROTC, studying Spanish and Sports Media and Analytics.  Upon college graduation, he plans to be commissioned into the Army.  After Charlie finishes his service obligation, his goal is to become a Major League Baseball translator for Spanish speaking players. 

Get to Know Madison: Madison graduated from Loudoun County High School with a cumulative GPA of 4.54. During that time, she serves as the Student Council President, French Club President, and Co-founder and Co-president of her school's Black Student Union. She is actively serving as an ambassador for Infinite Legacy, an organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation. She raised funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their Student Visionaries of the Year Program in 2023 and 2024. She also volunteers as an assistant volleyball coach, math tutor, and as secretary of the historic Douglass Community Center's community advisory board. She works as head coach for Tier One's U14s volleyball team, pool manager and lifeguard for Crystal Aquatics, and hostess at Tuscarora Mill. She is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Psychology at UVA in the fall. Her dream is to become a crime analyst and crime prevention specialist.

Get to Know Kellen: Kellen recently graduated from John Champe High School and will attend Bowling Green State University to study accounting. During his time at JCHS, Kellen was a member of National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta, participated in DECA and helped raise funds for special education programs.  Additionally, he founded a school club, “Knights for Christ” focused on Christianity, and played varsity football and lacrosse.  Kellen exemplified his leadership skills by establishing a mobile coffee service catering to school staff members.  Whether it’s helping a classmate study in the library, sitting with someone at lunch who needs a friend, or building rapport with teachers, Kellen’s aim is to help others, starting simply by putting a smith on their face.

Get to Know Sara: Sara enters the University of Virginia, where she will study International Relations on a pre-law track this fall. She grew up in Vienna, VA, with her twin brother and hopes to improve people's lives through her career.  During high school, Sara played on the Varsity Soccer team for all four years, served as the Historian and Vice President of the National Honors Society, and volunteered every week in the nursery at her church. She plans to continue to help the community through volunteer work in college. Her goal is to strengthen the bonds between the United States and foreign nations through diplomacy and pave a road to peace.

Get to Know Jacqueline: Jacqueline, the first in her family to attend college, brings a strong commitment to academics and community service to Northern Virginia Community College, where she is pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene. Growing up with five siblings has shaped her sense of responsibility, which she extends by tutoring friends in Math and Science. Her interests in music, scary movies, and sports—having played softball and managed her high school team—underscore her well-rounded nature. Active in the Ceramics and GirlsUP club, Jacqueline is dedicated to creative pursuits and community involvement. Recognizing a shortage of dental hygienists in her community, she is determined to make a difference by filling this gap. Starting her college journey with online classes this summer, Jacqueline is poised to achieve her goals of serving her community through healthcare and education.

 

Get to Know Olivia: Olivia is a disabled service dog handler, artist, advocate, Eagle Scout, and volunteer. Throughout high school, Jacqueline has shattered barriers by being part of the first female Boy Scout troop. Olivia is determined to defy limitations and persist in achieving her goals, showing a steadfast commitment to overcoming obstacles and making her mark. Olivia volunteered throughout High School tutoring kids and plans to keep up with her volunteer efforts.  Olivia will attend Wright State University this fall. Her plans align with her psychology degree that she will be working towards. Olivia’s goal is to become a Child Life Specialist and to continue her disability advocacy work. She will be serving the community by volunteering at 4Paws this fall and by joining disability outreach clubs.   

Get to Know Diego: Diego is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College, majoring in Computer Science.  He is working towards a career in coding and hopes to transfer to George Mason University. When he is not studying, Diego works at Target to earn money for his studies.  He works to support his education as well as his brothers who is currently a freshman at the College of William and Mary.  When Diego is not working or studying, he enjoys playing video games and creating artwork and has a strong passion for drawing.  Diego aspires to sell his artwork in the future, aiming to turn his passion for art into a career.

Get to Know Edwin: Edwin recently completed his freshman year at the University of Virginia where he is studying engineering.  During High School, Edwin earned his Eagle Scout and remained active earning 15 more merit badges than required.  He also studied cello and participated in both Regional Orchestra and the Tidewater Cello Ensemble and will continue to study cello for the remainder of college. Edwin is studying aerospace engineering. He is enrolled in an intensive Russian language course and has a goal to participate in a study abroad program. Edwin has a dream to take his work overseas.  He is interested in foreign cultures and is eager for the opportunity to learn how engineering is applied in different countries.  Furthermore, an overseas experience will allow him to communicate more effectively with other professionals who may not speak English. This Fall, Edwin plans to join engineering clubs such as Hoos Flying which creates a model plane to compete in national competitions. Giving back remains important to Edwin as he volunteers at a local food pantry in his community.