Business & Entrepreneurship
GOLD - Sebastian Navarro
SILVER - Ximena Salinas-Ayala
BRONZE - Nicole Wiggins
Community Service
GOLD - Ashley Silva Martinez
SILVER - Carolina Fontanez
BRONZE - Jennifer Guevara
Education
GOLD - Javier Rodriguez
SILVER - Chaley Robb
BRONZE - Amber Ramirez
Engineering
GOLD - Byren Hernandez
SILVER - Isabella Stamato
BRONZE - Isaac Leon
Healthcare & Science
GOLD - Allison Delgado
SILVER - Hannah Evans
BRONZE - Alan Morales
Media & Entertainment
GOLD - Aidan Quintana
SILVER - Kyla Foreman-Andrade
BRONZE - Saul Sosa
Public Service & Social Justice
GOLD - Sabrina Ferrer
SILVER - Sherlyn Ramos
BRONZE - Keegan Figueroa
Sports & Fitness
GOLD - Sydney Young
SILVER - Christopher Mendez Ulloa
BRONZE - Sanders Zendejas Leon
Sustainability (Green)
GOLD - Kimberly Leiva-Sorto
SILVER - Nicole Beltran-Trejo
BRONZE - Hailey Rodriguez
Technology
GOLD - Jimmy Saldana
SILVER - Anthony Holleran
BRONZE - Ally Zendejas
Business & Entrepreneurship
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Sebastian Navarro
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
High School: Carrboro High School
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
In business endeavors, Sebastian Navarro looks to those who came before him as inspiring role models, specifically, his grandfather Daniel, who owned a tailoring shop in Alicante, Spain. Following in his family’s footsteps, the young and ambitious third-generation entrepreneur, is already demonstrating a strong work ethic.
“My grandfather’s principles of customer relations and morality in business serve as the foundation to the ethical business that I am currently building,” says Sebastian, who runs service companies in the window washing and car detailing industry in his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A natural leader known for taking initiative, Sebastian plans to cultivate his business knowledge and skills even more, sharing, “My businesses are viable and growing because of the priority I place on my education.”
As for his most significant achievement to date, Sebastian is most proud of the car washing and detailing business he created during the height of the pandemic. Despite facing obstacles, such as managing customers and a demanding workload, he thrived as an entrepreneur, working alongside a partner to achieve financial stability, greater independence, and business experience while also creating new jobs and developing employees, who were also local teens. Of the experience, Sebastian says that he looks forward to “making a greater social impact by creating more job opportunities after completing college.”
Sebastian’s Hispanic heritage has helped to shape his approach as a multicultural business leader. Specifically, his background allows him to leverage relationships with Hispanic markets, diversify his customer base, build relationships, and create an authentic community. In interactions, it is not uncommon for him to speak Spanish, and customers appreciate that he speaks in their native tongue.
Within the Hispanic community, Sebastian sees educational inequity as the most significant issue. Witnessing the disparity in his school district first-hand, he is aware of the achievement gap between English language learners and traditional students. As for a solution, he proposes pairing each student transferring out of English as a Second Language classes with a bilingual peer—that way, struggling students will feel less isolated and more comfortable asking questions and getting feedback, which will help to reduce the achievement gap.
Serving the community is a pursuit that Sebastian greatly values. Throughout his high school career, he participated in many service activities with organizations, such as Porch, Eco-action, and El Centro Hispano. However, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity gives him the best satisfaction, believing everyone should have fundamental access to food and shelter. While attending weekly builds, where he works on projects, installing doors, painting, and more, he sometimes meets future homeowners. One occasion stands out for Sebastian, who stepped in to assist a Guatemalan immigrant and a single mother of two children with a language barrier. He acknowledges that the moment was particularly moving for him as he heard her story of perseverance and overcoming adversity, adding that he hopes to find more opportunities to help make a difference in his community and get to a point in his business where he can implement philanthropic giving to drive sustainable change.
As Sebastian embarks on the next stage of his academic and entrepreneurial journey, he hopes his appreciation for different cultures and experiences will continue to open new and exciting challenges and environments for growth. Looking ahead, he plans on majoring in International Business and minoring in Economics at the University of Miami, Northeastern University, or American University. Until then, he continues to show a strong work ethic while making strides closer to home.
High School: Carrboro High School
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
In business endeavors, Sebastian Navarro looks to those who came before him as inspiring role models, specifically, his grandfather Daniel, who owned a tailoring shop in Alicante, Spain. Following in his family’s footsteps, the young and ambitious third-generation entrepreneur, is already demonstrating a strong work ethic.
“My grandfather’s principles of customer relations and morality in business serve as the foundation to the ethical business that I am currently building,” says Sebastian, who runs service companies in the window washing and car detailing industry in his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A natural leader known for taking initiative, Sebastian plans to cultivate his business knowledge and skills even more, sharing, “My businesses are viable and growing because of the priority I place on my education.”
As for his most significant achievement to date, Sebastian is most proud of the car washing and detailing business he created during the height of the pandemic. Despite facing obstacles, such as managing customers and a demanding workload, he thrived as an entrepreneur, working alongside a partner to achieve financial stability, greater independence, and business experience while also creating new jobs and developing employees, who were also local teens. Of the experience, Sebastian says that he looks forward to “making a greater social impact by creating more job opportunities after completing college.”
Sebastian’s Hispanic heritage has helped to shape his approach as a multicultural business leader. Specifically, his background allows him to leverage relationships with Hispanic markets, diversify his customer base, build relationships, and create an authentic community. In interactions, it is not uncommon for him to speak Spanish, and customers appreciate that he speaks in their native tongue.
Within the Hispanic community, Sebastian sees educational inequity as the most significant issue. Witnessing the disparity in his school district first-hand, he is aware of the achievement gap between English language learners and traditional students. As for a solution, he proposes pairing each student transferring out of English as a Second Language classes with a bilingual peer—that way, struggling students will feel less isolated and more comfortable asking questions and getting feedback, which will help to reduce the achievement gap.
Serving the community is a pursuit that Sebastian greatly values. Throughout his high school career, he participated in many service activities with organizations, such as Porch, Eco-action, and El Centro Hispano. However, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity gives him the best satisfaction, believing everyone should have fundamental access to food and shelter. While attending weekly builds, where he works on projects, installing doors, painting, and more, he sometimes meets future homeowners. One occasion stands out for Sebastian, who stepped in to assist a Guatemalan immigrant and a single mother of two children with a language barrier. He acknowledges that the moment was particularly moving for him as he heard her story of perseverance and overcoming adversity, adding that he hopes to find more opportunities to help make a difference in his community and get to a point in his business where he can implement philanthropic giving to drive sustainable change.
As Sebastian embarks on the next stage of his academic and entrepreneurial journey, he hopes his appreciation for different cultures and experiences will continue to open new and exciting challenges and environments for growth. Looking ahead, he plans on majoring in International Business and minoring in Economics at the University of Miami, Northeastern University, or American University. Until then, he continues to show a strong work ethic while making strides closer to home.
SILVER - Ximena Salinas-Ayala
Hometown: Monroe, NC
High School: Porter Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Who knew that watching Emily in Paris on Netflix would be the catalyst for figuring out your professional calling? For Ximena Salinas-Ayala, an aspiring marketer with Mexican roots, what started as watching scenes of social media and marketing come into play, soon became a reality.
Shortly after, Ximena, still in high school, signed up for classes in the business pathway at her community college through dual-enrollment, taking a range of courses from Introduction to Business to Principles of Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, and more. On the experience, Ximena says, “I took these classes to see if I would enjoy this type of career, and I really do.”
Since then, Ximena, who plans on majoring in Business Administration and Marketing and minoring in Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, or Wake Forest University, has put her interest in business and entrepreneurship and coursework into practical use. She started a Scott Clark Accelerator for Leadership and Education (SCALE) digital marketing internship for Scott Clark Toyota. In this hands-on role, Ximena does everything from making videos and graphics for social media and billboards to supporting marketing efforts for their nonprofit organizations by creating flyers and pitch decks for The Community Kitchen and Riley’s Catch, and creating ads for media partners, such as iHeartRadio.
After learning and accomplishing many milestones at the internship, Ximena takes great satisfaction and pride in seeing her efforts making an impact. “My proudest achievement is creating their tire sale ad videos for social media. I am proud that because of my work, we were number one in tire sales, demonstrating that marketing does make a difference in the business world,” she remarks.
Ximena points to her Latinx background as an influence in her approach to Business & Entrepreneurship. Not only does her upbringing allow her to see the world from a different point of view, but she also says that when making ads, she always thinks about creating versions in Spanish so that Spanish speakers can understand them and learn more about the offerings and drive sales. As she continues on her professional journey, she knows that being bilingual benefits the workforce because she can communicate with Spanish-speaking customers and clients no matter the business.
As part of the Latinx community, Ximena, whose first language is not English hopes to improve the lack of resources for education. Growing up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, she noticed that many parents were not involved in their children's education because they felt they did not get enough schooling or because of the language barrier. As a result, these students tend to perform worse in school. According to Ximena, one solution is offering information sessions in Spanish so parents can better support their children in school and creating a mentorship program that pushes children to excel.
An active participant in her community, Ximena says, “Just any little act of kindness could turn around someone’s day.” She does her part by serving and volunteering at the Common Heart Food pantry and organizing clothes at Second Chance Boutique by Turning Point, helping others in need. “When people in my community are getting the support they need, they have one less thing to worry about,” she affirms.
Ximena is looking forward to what the future brings and hopes to one day create an organization to help kids in her community thrive.
High School: Porter Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Who knew that watching Emily in Paris on Netflix would be the catalyst for figuring out your professional calling? For Ximena Salinas-Ayala, an aspiring marketer with Mexican roots, what started as watching scenes of social media and marketing come into play, soon became a reality.
Shortly after, Ximena, still in high school, signed up for classes in the business pathway at her community college through dual-enrollment, taking a range of courses from Introduction to Business to Principles of Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, and more. On the experience, Ximena says, “I took these classes to see if I would enjoy this type of career, and I really do.”
Since then, Ximena, who plans on majoring in Business Administration and Marketing and minoring in Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, or Wake Forest University, has put her interest in business and entrepreneurship and coursework into practical use. She started a Scott Clark Accelerator for Leadership and Education (SCALE) digital marketing internship for Scott Clark Toyota. In this hands-on role, Ximena does everything from making videos and graphics for social media and billboards to supporting marketing efforts for their nonprofit organizations by creating flyers and pitch decks for The Community Kitchen and Riley’s Catch, and creating ads for media partners, such as iHeartRadio.
After learning and accomplishing many milestones at the internship, Ximena takes great satisfaction and pride in seeing her efforts making an impact. “My proudest achievement is creating their tire sale ad videos for social media. I am proud that because of my work, we were number one in tire sales, demonstrating that marketing does make a difference in the business world,” she remarks.
Ximena points to her Latinx background as an influence in her approach to Business & Entrepreneurship. Not only does her upbringing allow her to see the world from a different point of view, but she also says that when making ads, she always thinks about creating versions in Spanish so that Spanish speakers can understand them and learn more about the offerings and drive sales. As she continues on her professional journey, she knows that being bilingual benefits the workforce because she can communicate with Spanish-speaking customers and clients no matter the business.
As part of the Latinx community, Ximena, whose first language is not English hopes to improve the lack of resources for education. Growing up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, she noticed that many parents were not involved in their children's education because they felt they did not get enough schooling or because of the language barrier. As a result, these students tend to perform worse in school. According to Ximena, one solution is offering information sessions in Spanish so parents can better support their children in school and creating a mentorship program that pushes children to excel.
An active participant in her community, Ximena says, “Just any little act of kindness could turn around someone’s day.” She does her part by serving and volunteering at the Common Heart Food pantry and organizing clothes at Second Chance Boutique by Turning Point, helping others in need. “When people in my community are getting the support they need, they have one less thing to worry about,” she affirms.
Ximena is looking forward to what the future brings and hopes to one day create an organization to help kids in her community thrive.
BRONZE - Nicole Wiggins
Hometown: Auburn, AL
High School: Auburn High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Nicole Wiggins naturally gravitated to business pursuits. For Nicole, who is of Mexican descent, watching her parents successfully grow their company, which specializes in real estate, working together to build, renovate and rent and sell houses, provides tremendous inspiration. “My parents’ perseverance and business mindset have inspired me to begin thinking about starting my own business,” says Nicole, who currently works as a leasing assistant at a property management company and plans on majoring in Accounting while minoring in Spanish at Samford University, Auburn University, or Vanderbilt University, and working in real estate investment in the future.
As a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) program at her high school, Nicole is vice president of membership and social media. In this role, she was tasked with creating a business or service-related idea and competed in a Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) event. For this initiative, Nicole produced a nutrition and fitness guide for teens who want to get into exercising and managing their habits.
On her proudest business and entrepreneurship achievement, Nicole says it was winning an economics business idea challenge. Her concept, Who Run the World Fitness, a female-only fitness studio, won first place in her class for having the best financial portfolio and most original idea. Nicole successfully created a presentation on the startup costs and overhead costs to convince potential investors it is a wise investment.
As she continues on her professional journey, Nicole hopes to challenge stereotypes around Hispanics being only capable of manual labor and use her resources to invest in higher education and increase her knowledge of business and financial literacy. She dreams of being the second woman in her family to attend university and succeed in building her future as a Latina in America.
Another area where Nicole would like to impact change is addressing racism and exclusion in her Latinx community. In her high school, she noticed that students only socialize with those similar in skin color, language, and financial status. At lunch and sporting events, everyone remains in their social circles and refrains from mixing with other friend groups, an issue particularly difficult for the Hispanic community because they are a minority. On her own, she has made it a goal to reach out to other social circles and create new friendships outside of her typical group, an effort which she says has “…helped bridge the gap between Hispanic friends and non-Hispanic friends” and a larger group of friends with many stories and diverse backgrounds.
A bright student with a strong work ethic, Nicole is also active in her community. Along with being vice president of FCCLA, she volunteers at elementary schools, reading stories to children and working on arts and crafts projects. She has also volunteered at her church, the East Alabama Food Bank, and her high school’s weekly coffee pop-up shop, Tiger Mochas, run by students with learning disabilities and volunteers.
Proactive and full of promise, Nicole is well-prepared for her next chapter in Business & Entrepreneurship.
High School: Auburn High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Nicole Wiggins naturally gravitated to business pursuits. For Nicole, who is of Mexican descent, watching her parents successfully grow their company, which specializes in real estate, working together to build, renovate and rent and sell houses, provides tremendous inspiration. “My parents’ perseverance and business mindset have inspired me to begin thinking about starting my own business,” says Nicole, who currently works as a leasing assistant at a property management company and plans on majoring in Accounting while minoring in Spanish at Samford University, Auburn University, or Vanderbilt University, and working in real estate investment in the future.
As a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) program at her high school, Nicole is vice president of membership and social media. In this role, she was tasked with creating a business or service-related idea and competed in a Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) event. For this initiative, Nicole produced a nutrition and fitness guide for teens who want to get into exercising and managing their habits.
On her proudest business and entrepreneurship achievement, Nicole says it was winning an economics business idea challenge. Her concept, Who Run the World Fitness, a female-only fitness studio, won first place in her class for having the best financial portfolio and most original idea. Nicole successfully created a presentation on the startup costs and overhead costs to convince potential investors it is a wise investment.
As she continues on her professional journey, Nicole hopes to challenge stereotypes around Hispanics being only capable of manual labor and use her resources to invest in higher education and increase her knowledge of business and financial literacy. She dreams of being the second woman in her family to attend university and succeed in building her future as a Latina in America.
Another area where Nicole would like to impact change is addressing racism and exclusion in her Latinx community. In her high school, she noticed that students only socialize with those similar in skin color, language, and financial status. At lunch and sporting events, everyone remains in their social circles and refrains from mixing with other friend groups, an issue particularly difficult for the Hispanic community because they are a minority. On her own, she has made it a goal to reach out to other social circles and create new friendships outside of her typical group, an effort which she says has “…helped bridge the gap between Hispanic friends and non-Hispanic friends” and a larger group of friends with many stories and diverse backgrounds.
A bright student with a strong work ethic, Nicole is also active in her community. Along with being vice president of FCCLA, she volunteers at elementary schools, reading stories to children and working on arts and crafts projects. She has also volunteered at her church, the East Alabama Food Bank, and her high school’s weekly coffee pop-up shop, Tiger Mochas, run by students with learning disabilities and volunteers.
Proactive and full of promise, Nicole is well-prepared for her next chapter in Business & Entrepreneurship.
Community Service
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Ashley Silva Martinez
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
High School: Early College of Forsyth County
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Guatemalan
A spark for serving others started in the fifth grade for Winston-Salem, North Carolina student, Ashley Silva Martinez. In elementary school, she would spend time with preschoolers and her former preschool teacher, gathering craft supplies, coloring, and playing games with the youngsters during recess. Unknowingly, this early venture would establish a steadfast commitment to volunteering. “Since then, I have volunteered at my local hospital for approximately 245 hours, tutored kids through nonprofit organizations, and helped at my local library,” says Ashley, a promising student of Mexican heritage at Early College of Forsyth County.
A student council officer and member of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, Ashley has been highly involved in providing service to others, assisting in school cleanups, soup kitchens, and local gardens. However, out of her many community service experiences, she says her proudest achievement is her role and impact through Virtual in-Person Tutoring or ViP. Ashley has supported the nonprofit organization, founded in 2020, to ensure youth in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community have access to opportunities to improve their academic advancement and overall quality of life.
Specifically, Ashley served as the Hispanic student outreach coordinator for ViP and more recently assumed the deputy director of operations role. Drawing on her Hispanic heritage and culture, she participates in various projects, such as translating documents from English to Spanish, accommodating families needing assistance that may not be fluent in English, and matching students with tutors. As a result of these efforts, through ViP Tutoring, Ashley was nominated and received the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Award.
Along with helping her connect with others in the community, Ashley says that her Latinx background has immensely shaped her approach to community service and helping others. “Two specific values that have been passed down to me by my culture are empathy and dedication,” says Ashley, who also received tutoring at one point, an experience she says enhances her interactions with students today. “Most importantly, my Hispanic background allows me to help others like myself,” she adds. As someone who has felt underappreciated and has been a victim of racial and gender bias, Ashley chooses to volunteer with organizations that work toward equality.
In the Latinx community, Ashley cites several issues that need addressing, including underrepresentation and oppression, which lead to economic disparities and a lack of opportunities. While solving these problems is no easy feat, she sincerely believes it is possible to make progress little by little. A good start, she suggests, is to better prepare members of the Hispanic community for the real world by providing Hispanic students with more opportunities to fund their education and offering information on how the college application process works.
Helping others is inherent in Ashley’s nature, and what drives Ashley to continue her community service work is the results, positive feedback, and gratitude she receives from others. While she has helped patients in hospitals, found books for kids in libraries, and planted trees, her most meaningful volunteer experience is tutoring. When she helps students with their homework or concepts they don’t understand, she says that she is giving them the biggest weapon known to man, and that is knowledge. Through these interactions with others, Ashley believes that she is more connected with the community and more aware of a world other than her own.
As for the next chapter in her journey, Ashley will continue her commitment to community service and is looking forward to majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or East Carolina University.
High School: Early College of Forsyth County
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Guatemalan
A spark for serving others started in the fifth grade for Winston-Salem, North Carolina student, Ashley Silva Martinez. In elementary school, she would spend time with preschoolers and her former preschool teacher, gathering craft supplies, coloring, and playing games with the youngsters during recess. Unknowingly, this early venture would establish a steadfast commitment to volunteering. “Since then, I have volunteered at my local hospital for approximately 245 hours, tutored kids through nonprofit organizations, and helped at my local library,” says Ashley, a promising student of Mexican heritage at Early College of Forsyth County.
A student council officer and member of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, Ashley has been highly involved in providing service to others, assisting in school cleanups, soup kitchens, and local gardens. However, out of her many community service experiences, she says her proudest achievement is her role and impact through Virtual in-Person Tutoring or ViP. Ashley has supported the nonprofit organization, founded in 2020, to ensure youth in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community have access to opportunities to improve their academic advancement and overall quality of life.
Specifically, Ashley served as the Hispanic student outreach coordinator for ViP and more recently assumed the deputy director of operations role. Drawing on her Hispanic heritage and culture, she participates in various projects, such as translating documents from English to Spanish, accommodating families needing assistance that may not be fluent in English, and matching students with tutors. As a result of these efforts, through ViP Tutoring, Ashley was nominated and received the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Award.
Along with helping her connect with others in the community, Ashley says that her Latinx background has immensely shaped her approach to community service and helping others. “Two specific values that have been passed down to me by my culture are empathy and dedication,” says Ashley, who also received tutoring at one point, an experience she says enhances her interactions with students today. “Most importantly, my Hispanic background allows me to help others like myself,” she adds. As someone who has felt underappreciated and has been a victim of racial and gender bias, Ashley chooses to volunteer with organizations that work toward equality.
In the Latinx community, Ashley cites several issues that need addressing, including underrepresentation and oppression, which lead to economic disparities and a lack of opportunities. While solving these problems is no easy feat, she sincerely believes it is possible to make progress little by little. A good start, she suggests, is to better prepare members of the Hispanic community for the real world by providing Hispanic students with more opportunities to fund their education and offering information on how the college application process works.
Helping others is inherent in Ashley’s nature, and what drives Ashley to continue her community service work is the results, positive feedback, and gratitude she receives from others. While she has helped patients in hospitals, found books for kids in libraries, and planted trees, her most meaningful volunteer experience is tutoring. When she helps students with their homework or concepts they don’t understand, she says that she is giving them the biggest weapon known to man, and that is knowledge. Through these interactions with others, Ashley believes that she is more connected with the community and more aware of a world other than her own.
As for the next chapter in her journey, Ashley will continue her commitment to community service and is looking forward to majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or East Carolina University.
SILVER - Carolina Fontanez
Hometown: Metairie, LA
High School: Isidore Newman School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
“Helping others is all I have ever known because of my brother. This skill has led me to want to create an inclusive community,” says Carolina Fontanez, a rising student of Puerto Rican heritage who learned valuable lessons while growing up with an older sibling on the autism spectrum. From an early age, the pair were extremely close, and Carolina always understood his condition and felt a need to take care of him.
Through these circumstances, Carolina learned how to use her voice for someone who could not use his own, and that same conviction drives her to impact the community around her and be a leader for change. An active participant in the community, Carolina has volunteered countless hours, working with underprivileged youth at Girls Hope New Orleans, serving meals to the homeless at Covenant House, and being an advocate for children with autism.
Along with these endeavors, Carolina is also the three-year president of ACTIONS, a community and inclusion committee at her school, where she created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Film Festival, a one-day event dedicated to viewing films about all identities. Of all her accomplishments, Carolina says this initiative makes her the proudest. Working hard to bring it to fruition, Carolina wanted the film festival to start conversations about differences and inclusion and broaden perspectives at her privileged school in a conservative state. She says that despite their beliefs, everyone in her high school left that day with new insights into how identity shapes people’s lives. According to Carolina, the film festival, now an annual event at the school in its third year, made her realize that learning through films can have just as big of an impact as protesting on the streets.
As for her ties to Puerto Rico, Carolina would visit her grandmother in the town of Lares in the summer and winter months. While there, she grew up learning about El Grito de Lares, an influential rebellion in Puerto Rican history and a symbol of anti-colonialism, and would often reflect on the meaning of the town’s legacy. Advocating for independence and rights is a part of Puerto Rican history, and Carolina considers it very much part of her identity and influential in her motivation for change-making. Through a Latinx upbringing, she learned to care for her community, respect others and love everyone despite their differences. She says, “I have stood for these values, and just like my ancestors before me, I have protested for what is right.”
Conscientious and compassionate Carolina seems to have a calling in service and social justice. One area that she hopes to see a solution for is a response to the private real estate investors building developments on the beaches of her beloved Puerto Rico, negatively impacting the quality of life for locals. She proposes that jobs and investments be given to Puerto Ricans rather than outsiders, and insists on the need to inform others of these issues so that change can occur.
Closer to home in New Orleans, Carolina says that disasters, poverty, injustice, and homelessness are all harsh realities of the city she loves, and she will continue to do her part in volunteering with organizations such as Covenant House and Ground Krewe and dedicate her time to community service to make a lasting difference.
The future for Carolina certainly looks bright as she embarks on her educational pursuits—majoring in Political Science at Pomona College, Pitzer College, or the University of San Diego while continuing her community service and advocacy efforts along the way.
High School: Isidore Newman School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
“Helping others is all I have ever known because of my brother. This skill has led me to want to create an inclusive community,” says Carolina Fontanez, a rising student of Puerto Rican heritage who learned valuable lessons while growing up with an older sibling on the autism spectrum. From an early age, the pair were extremely close, and Carolina always understood his condition and felt a need to take care of him.
Through these circumstances, Carolina learned how to use her voice for someone who could not use his own, and that same conviction drives her to impact the community around her and be a leader for change. An active participant in the community, Carolina has volunteered countless hours, working with underprivileged youth at Girls Hope New Orleans, serving meals to the homeless at Covenant House, and being an advocate for children with autism.
Along with these endeavors, Carolina is also the three-year president of ACTIONS, a community and inclusion committee at her school, where she created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Film Festival, a one-day event dedicated to viewing films about all identities. Of all her accomplishments, Carolina says this initiative makes her the proudest. Working hard to bring it to fruition, Carolina wanted the film festival to start conversations about differences and inclusion and broaden perspectives at her privileged school in a conservative state. She says that despite their beliefs, everyone in her high school left that day with new insights into how identity shapes people’s lives. According to Carolina, the film festival, now an annual event at the school in its third year, made her realize that learning through films can have just as big of an impact as protesting on the streets.
As for her ties to Puerto Rico, Carolina would visit her grandmother in the town of Lares in the summer and winter months. While there, she grew up learning about El Grito de Lares, an influential rebellion in Puerto Rican history and a symbol of anti-colonialism, and would often reflect on the meaning of the town’s legacy. Advocating for independence and rights is a part of Puerto Rican history, and Carolina considers it very much part of her identity and influential in her motivation for change-making. Through a Latinx upbringing, she learned to care for her community, respect others and love everyone despite their differences. She says, “I have stood for these values, and just like my ancestors before me, I have protested for what is right.”
Conscientious and compassionate Carolina seems to have a calling in service and social justice. One area that she hopes to see a solution for is a response to the private real estate investors building developments on the beaches of her beloved Puerto Rico, negatively impacting the quality of life for locals. She proposes that jobs and investments be given to Puerto Ricans rather than outsiders, and insists on the need to inform others of these issues so that change can occur.
Closer to home in New Orleans, Carolina says that disasters, poverty, injustice, and homelessness are all harsh realities of the city she loves, and she will continue to do her part in volunteering with organizations such as Covenant House and Ground Krewe and dedicate her time to community service to make a lasting difference.
The future for Carolina certainly looks bright as she embarks on her educational pursuits—majoring in Political Science at Pomona College, Pitzer College, or the University of San Diego while continuing her community service and advocacy efforts along the way.
BRONZE - Jennifer Guevara
Hometown: Metairie, LA
High School: Mount Carmel Academy
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Jennifer is among the people who derive genuine happiness from making a positive impact on someone else’s life; hence, her passion for community service. She believes that goals can be more easily achieved when people work together and that seeing efficient teamwork inspires others to do the same.
Even as a little kid, she helped her mother collect toys and sent them back to less fortunate families in her mother’s home country of Honduras. She grew up with the value of being thankful for her good fortune and sharing her blessings with others, to ensure that they also get a chance to enjoy the small treats of life.
As far back as elementary school, Jennifer was already helping her teachers with administration in her religion class, learning very quickly that helping others was what made her happy and fulfilled. Before eighth grade, she participated in a community service group to organize boxes of donated food, ran events for elderly homes, and picked up litter around the school.
She always did extra service hours, like working as a camp counselor for a few weeks and helping people in need in Louisiana. She also helped homeless children as part of Box of Joy, painted houses for low-income families with Habitat for Humanity, and volunteered at interpreting stations for Conservation Krewe at Audubon Nature Institute.
Her selfless hard work was rewarded when she was awarded her school’s Sister Angelle Sadlier, O. Carm. Award. This award is given to students at Mount Carmel Academy who complete between 100 and 174 service hours in the entire school year, a fine testament to her exhaustive work serving as a camp counselor and taking care of kids, in addition to her many other volunteering endeavors. For Jennifer, the exhaustion she feels after a long day of working to serve others is only matched by the satisfaction that making a positive impact in her community brings. “That exhaustion becomes worth it when I realize that I am doing this to help others and make sure that they have a good day,” she remarks. Receiving an award for what she loves doing is the icing on the cake.
Jennifer is an active member of her school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. These organizations have provided the Metairie, Louisiana resident with even more opportunities to give back to her community within her school and at large.
Jennifer has completed multiple STEM-based summer camps over the years, like the summer scholars program for Environmental Science at Tulane University, where she studied the important relationship between animals and their ecosystems. Fascinated with the biological environment in which she is surrounded and the animals that inhabit it, she hopes to major in Veterinary Medicine with a minor in Illustration from Louisiana State University, Tulane University, or the University of New Orleans.
High School: Mount Carmel Academy
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Jennifer is among the people who derive genuine happiness from making a positive impact on someone else’s life; hence, her passion for community service. She believes that goals can be more easily achieved when people work together and that seeing efficient teamwork inspires others to do the same.
Even as a little kid, she helped her mother collect toys and sent them back to less fortunate families in her mother’s home country of Honduras. She grew up with the value of being thankful for her good fortune and sharing her blessings with others, to ensure that they also get a chance to enjoy the small treats of life.
As far back as elementary school, Jennifer was already helping her teachers with administration in her religion class, learning very quickly that helping others was what made her happy and fulfilled. Before eighth grade, she participated in a community service group to organize boxes of donated food, ran events for elderly homes, and picked up litter around the school.
She always did extra service hours, like working as a camp counselor for a few weeks and helping people in need in Louisiana. She also helped homeless children as part of Box of Joy, painted houses for low-income families with Habitat for Humanity, and volunteered at interpreting stations for Conservation Krewe at Audubon Nature Institute.
Her selfless hard work was rewarded when she was awarded her school’s Sister Angelle Sadlier, O. Carm. Award. This award is given to students at Mount Carmel Academy who complete between 100 and 174 service hours in the entire school year, a fine testament to her exhaustive work serving as a camp counselor and taking care of kids, in addition to her many other volunteering endeavors. For Jennifer, the exhaustion she feels after a long day of working to serve others is only matched by the satisfaction that making a positive impact in her community brings. “That exhaustion becomes worth it when I realize that I am doing this to help others and make sure that they have a good day,” she remarks. Receiving an award for what she loves doing is the icing on the cake.
Jennifer is an active member of her school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. These organizations have provided the Metairie, Louisiana resident with even more opportunities to give back to her community within her school and at large.
Jennifer has completed multiple STEM-based summer camps over the years, like the summer scholars program for Environmental Science at Tulane University, where she studied the important relationship between animals and their ecosystems. Fascinated with the biological environment in which she is surrounded and the animals that inhabit it, she hopes to major in Veterinary Medicine with a minor in Illustration from Louisiana State University, Tulane University, or the University of New Orleans.
Education
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Javier Rodriguez
Hometown: Bluffton, SC
High School: Bluffton High School
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
Bluffton, South Carolina resident Javier Rodriguez credits his experience growing up as a Boy Scout for fortuitously motivating his interest in the field of education. Thanks to his scouting leaders, who served as role models and teachers for him over the course of his almost ten years as a scout, this young Cuban-American cultivated a number of skills that will help him in his future career as an educator. “I have learned the skills of time management, leadership, patience, flexibility, and appreciation for the uniqueness of each person,” he shares.
Javier served as his troop’s senior patrol leader. This position made him the primary link between his troop and their adult leaders and put him in charge of leading troop meetings, activities, service projects, and annual program planning conferences, as well as assisting their scoutmaster in conducting troop leadership training. Being senior patrol leader also gave him the chance to further develop his interpersonal skills. “My experiences have allowed me to have positive interactions with Scouts in our troop [on the autism spectrum], with younger scouts, with scouts who may have learning differences, as well as teaching me how to interact with the adults leading our troop,” elaborates Javier.
By virtue of the opportunities scouting has provided Javier, this Bluffton High School student discovered just how much he enjoyed teaching and helping others. This realization prompted him to enroll in his school’s dual-enrollment Teacher Cadet course, a course designed to introduce promising students to the teaching profession. Through this course, Javier served as a teacher assistant, working side by side with a third-grade teacher and even leading small group instruction with the children in his class. This experience cemented his interest in becoming a teacher. “I realized the hard work, dedication, and importance of organization and time management in being a teacher. I also realized that this is my passion. Teaching is my calling and where I am meant to be to make a difference,” he asserts.
Having grown up following the Scout Oath to “help other people at all times,” being of service has played a central role in Javier’s upbringing. He is involved with a number of service organizations both in and out of school, including his school’s student council, its chapter of the Interact Club, Jr. High Youth Group, and Teens for Healthy Youth.
Driven and focused, next fall, Javier will attend the College of Charleston, the University of North Florida, or Flagler College. With plans of becoming an elementary school teacher, he will pursue a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education.
High School: Bluffton High School
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
Bluffton, South Carolina resident Javier Rodriguez credits his experience growing up as a Boy Scout for fortuitously motivating his interest in the field of education. Thanks to his scouting leaders, who served as role models and teachers for him over the course of his almost ten years as a scout, this young Cuban-American cultivated a number of skills that will help him in his future career as an educator. “I have learned the skills of time management, leadership, patience, flexibility, and appreciation for the uniqueness of each person,” he shares.
Javier served as his troop’s senior patrol leader. This position made him the primary link between his troop and their adult leaders and put him in charge of leading troop meetings, activities, service projects, and annual program planning conferences, as well as assisting their scoutmaster in conducting troop leadership training. Being senior patrol leader also gave him the chance to further develop his interpersonal skills. “My experiences have allowed me to have positive interactions with Scouts in our troop [on the autism spectrum], with younger scouts, with scouts who may have learning differences, as well as teaching me how to interact with the adults leading our troop,” elaborates Javier.
By virtue of the opportunities scouting has provided Javier, this Bluffton High School student discovered just how much he enjoyed teaching and helping others. This realization prompted him to enroll in his school’s dual-enrollment Teacher Cadet course, a course designed to introduce promising students to the teaching profession. Through this course, Javier served as a teacher assistant, working side by side with a third-grade teacher and even leading small group instruction with the children in his class. This experience cemented his interest in becoming a teacher. “I realized the hard work, dedication, and importance of organization and time management in being a teacher. I also realized that this is my passion. Teaching is my calling and where I am meant to be to make a difference,” he asserts.
Having grown up following the Scout Oath to “help other people at all times,” being of service has played a central role in Javier’s upbringing. He is involved with a number of service organizations both in and out of school, including his school’s student council, its chapter of the Interact Club, Jr. High Youth Group, and Teens for Healthy Youth.
Driven and focused, next fall, Javier will attend the College of Charleston, the University of North Florida, or Flagler College. With plans of becoming an elementary school teacher, he will pursue a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education.
SILVER - Chaley Robb
Hometown: Monetta, SC
High School: Ridge Spring Monetta High School
Hispanic Heritage: Panamanian
Mrs. Rodgers, Chaley Robb’s English teacher during her first two years of high school, is who inspired the young Latina of Panamanian descent to want to pursue a career in education. “Mrs. Rodgers was such a vibrant individual, and I could tell she loved each and every one of her students,” shares Chaley, who, since her freshman year, has aspired to one day create, in her own classroom, the same lively and caring atmosphere that Mrs. Rodgers creates in her classes.
To prepare for her future career, Chaley enrolled in her school’s Teacher Cadet class, taught by none other than the teacher who had influenced her interest in the field in the first place, Mrs. Rodgers. Through this class, Chaley delved into learning about what it takes to be an educator. She learned about effective teaching practices, gained insight into critical issues in education, and got to teach her first class while completing her field experience requirement.
For her field experience, this Monetta, South Carolina resident assisted in teaching a first-grade class how to read and write. “I absolutely loved it. It was so rewarding to see the concepts of syllables, pronunciation, and compound words click in their heads,” declares Chaley.
This Ridge Spring Monetta High School student is an active member of her school community as well as her community at large. Most notably, Chaley serves as the president of her school’s Senior Beta Club, an organization that prides itself on serving others. She continually seeks and plans activities for the club’s members, so they too can get involved in helping their school and community. Her positions as a member of the National English Honor Society and vice president of the Ridge Spring Monetta Student Body provide Chaley with even more opportunities to give back and be of service to those around her. Moreover, she donates her time while working as an intern for Monetta Head Start, a local child development and care center, where she also gets to continue nurturing skills that will assist her in her prospective profession.
“[Chaley] has always been at the top of her class, not only academically, but [also] in character, attitude, work ethic, behavior, and morals,” remarks Mrs. Rodgers. This diligent Panamanian-American student maintains a 3.96 GPA through a demanding schedule filled with rigorous courses in addition to all of her extracurricular commitments.
Purposefully advancing towards making her dream of becoming a teacher a reality, Chaley will major in History and minor in Teacher Education 9-12 at Presbyterian College, Anderson University, or the University of South Carolina Aiken. Despite growing up in a diverse community, she never had a Hispanic teacher and wants to change that for other Hispanic students in her town. “When I become a teacher, I will bring diversity to schools in my area,” declares this future Latina educator.
High School: Ridge Spring Monetta High School
Hispanic Heritage: Panamanian
Mrs. Rodgers, Chaley Robb’s English teacher during her first two years of high school, is who inspired the young Latina of Panamanian descent to want to pursue a career in education. “Mrs. Rodgers was such a vibrant individual, and I could tell she loved each and every one of her students,” shares Chaley, who, since her freshman year, has aspired to one day create, in her own classroom, the same lively and caring atmosphere that Mrs. Rodgers creates in her classes.
To prepare for her future career, Chaley enrolled in her school’s Teacher Cadet class, taught by none other than the teacher who had influenced her interest in the field in the first place, Mrs. Rodgers. Through this class, Chaley delved into learning about what it takes to be an educator. She learned about effective teaching practices, gained insight into critical issues in education, and got to teach her first class while completing her field experience requirement.
For her field experience, this Monetta, South Carolina resident assisted in teaching a first-grade class how to read and write. “I absolutely loved it. It was so rewarding to see the concepts of syllables, pronunciation, and compound words click in their heads,” declares Chaley.
This Ridge Spring Monetta High School student is an active member of her school community as well as her community at large. Most notably, Chaley serves as the president of her school’s Senior Beta Club, an organization that prides itself on serving others. She continually seeks and plans activities for the club’s members, so they too can get involved in helping their school and community. Her positions as a member of the National English Honor Society and vice president of the Ridge Spring Monetta Student Body provide Chaley with even more opportunities to give back and be of service to those around her. Moreover, she donates her time while working as an intern for Monetta Head Start, a local child development and care center, where she also gets to continue nurturing skills that will assist her in her prospective profession.
“[Chaley] has always been at the top of her class, not only academically, but [also] in character, attitude, work ethic, behavior, and morals,” remarks Mrs. Rodgers. This diligent Panamanian-American student maintains a 3.96 GPA through a demanding schedule filled with rigorous courses in addition to all of her extracurricular commitments.
Purposefully advancing towards making her dream of becoming a teacher a reality, Chaley will major in History and minor in Teacher Education 9-12 at Presbyterian College, Anderson University, or the University of South Carolina Aiken. Despite growing up in a diverse community, she never had a Hispanic teacher and wants to change that for other Hispanic students in her town. “When I become a teacher, I will bring diversity to schools in my area,” declares this future Latina educator.
BRONZE - Amber Ramirez
Hometown: Beechgrove, TN
High School: Coffee County Central High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“I have known I wanted to be an elementary school teacher for as long as I can remember,” affirms Amber Ramirez, a student at Coffee County Central High School. Knowing what she wanted to dedicate her life to from such a young age, helped Amber seek opportunities to learn about the field and gain first-hand experience as a teacher early on.
Three years ago, this Latina who grew up in a Mexican-American household, began to donate her time by volunteering for the after-school program at a local elementary school. At first, Amber wanted to ensure that working with children and teaching them new skills would live up to her expectations. “I wanted to make sure that I actually liked working and teaching kids,” she shares. It did not take long for Amber to confirm that working with elementary school students would be something she would enjoy doing for years to come.
In her quest to continue growing as an educator, Amber has also been following her school’s education career pathway by enrolling in its Teaching as a Profession and Work-Based Learning (WBL) courses since her sophomore year. Through this pathway, she has gotten a more in-depth perspective of what it takes to work in the field, like learning how to plan and prepare effective lessons, as well as applying these lessons in real-world situations across different educational settings. For example, as a senior, Amber now has the opportunity to leave school early and dedicate her last period to teaching at an elementary school as part of her WBL class. “I have been able to work with the kids one-on-one, in small groups, and as a whole class,” details Amber.
Among some of this Beechgrove, Tennessee resident’s proudest achievements is helping one of her struggling second-grade students learn how to add and subtract. Working with the young student throughout the year, implementing different teaching techniques and tools, seeing how hard he worked and progressively improved over time, proved to be most reassuring to Amber that she was in the correct line of work. “By the end of the year, he could do a whole math worksheet all by himself. As I sat there and watched him [complete a] worksheet, I smiled because I helped him be able to do that. I helped him achieve that skill and that made me so happy,” she remarks with pride.
With an admirable work ethic and a genuine curiosity for learning, Amber will continue on her dedicated path toward her career goal of becoming a teacher. She plans on attending Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, or Motlow Community College and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.
High School: Coffee County Central High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“I have known I wanted to be an elementary school teacher for as long as I can remember,” affirms Amber Ramirez, a student at Coffee County Central High School. Knowing what she wanted to dedicate her life to from such a young age, helped Amber seek opportunities to learn about the field and gain first-hand experience as a teacher early on.
Three years ago, this Latina who grew up in a Mexican-American household, began to donate her time by volunteering for the after-school program at a local elementary school. At first, Amber wanted to ensure that working with children and teaching them new skills would live up to her expectations. “I wanted to make sure that I actually liked working and teaching kids,” she shares. It did not take long for Amber to confirm that working with elementary school students would be something she would enjoy doing for years to come.
In her quest to continue growing as an educator, Amber has also been following her school’s education career pathway by enrolling in its Teaching as a Profession and Work-Based Learning (WBL) courses since her sophomore year. Through this pathway, she has gotten a more in-depth perspective of what it takes to work in the field, like learning how to plan and prepare effective lessons, as well as applying these lessons in real-world situations across different educational settings. For example, as a senior, Amber now has the opportunity to leave school early and dedicate her last period to teaching at an elementary school as part of her WBL class. “I have been able to work with the kids one-on-one, in small groups, and as a whole class,” details Amber.
Among some of this Beechgrove, Tennessee resident’s proudest achievements is helping one of her struggling second-grade students learn how to add and subtract. Working with the young student throughout the year, implementing different teaching techniques and tools, seeing how hard he worked and progressively improved over time, proved to be most reassuring to Amber that she was in the correct line of work. “By the end of the year, he could do a whole math worksheet all by himself. As I sat there and watched him [complete a] worksheet, I smiled because I helped him be able to do that. I helped him achieve that skill and that made me so happy,” she remarks with pride.
With an admirable work ethic and a genuine curiosity for learning, Amber will continue on her dedicated path toward her career goal of becoming a teacher. She plans on attending Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, or Motlow Community College and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.
Engineering
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Byren Hernandez
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
High School: South Mecklenburg High School
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan
Four-time repeating yearly A-Honor roll student at South Mecklenburg High School and ranking 11th out of 677 with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Byren Hernandez is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based senior on a mission: “to choose a career where [he can] plan on constructing towns and cities—where families [can] live instead of suffering with no shelter.” This is why he turned to Civil Engineering.
Based on first-hand experience of poor living conditions he saw during a family trip to Guatemala, 12-year-old Byren was able to comprehend and empathize with the struggles of others, but identify their needs and understand his capacity to help. He explains, “I saw streets filled with homeless families, broken-down stores, and houses that were barely standing… I knew in my heart that I had to do something not just for myself but for those unable to do something for themselves.”
A senior with his eyes on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology, Byren works as president of his local Spanish honor society, where he mentors middle-school ESL students. He combats food scarcity in his community through Loaves and Fishes, the primary Meals on Wheels program for Mecklenburg County, and through Urban Promises, he provides a positive faith-based influence to other young people in his area.
When asked about his proudest achievement in engineering, he mentions the final project in his Honors Project Lead the Way Intro to Engineering Design class. This project tested his skill and took many valuable hours from his busy schedule, but he wanted to prove his capability, not to anyone else—but to himself. "When it was time to turn it in, I remember feeling more confident than nervous because I knew that as long as I gave it my all, I would be proud of myself,” he remarks. His hard work payed off when his teacher used his completed project as an example in class. His school counselor, Stephanie Vargas, describes him as intelligent, hard-working, and willing to help others. She praises his determination and drive as he tackles AP and Honors classes - while being dual-enrolled in Central Piedmont Community College for college-level engineering courses.
As a young Hispanic man, Byren is aware of the lack of cultural representation in STEM and suggests that with a more diverse talent pool, the engineering world would be better able to design a world from different perspectives.
Byren serves as the president of his school's chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. Recognizing the powerful impact that mentoring and tutoring can have on the lives of young students and wanting to do his part to help bridge the Hispanic gap in STEM, he rallied the members of his organization to join him in serving their community. Together, they took weekly trips to their local elementary school, where they helped mentor and tutor Spanish-speaking ESL students. Through this work, he soon realized that helping others was the key to unlocking their potential for learning and growth. "Helping fellow Hispanics to have the ability to grow and improve for the future is what inspires me to keep going every day . . . That is what Hispanic culture is all about; being able to help one another and one day become a motivation for others," declares Byren.
High School: South Mecklenburg High School
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan
Four-time repeating yearly A-Honor roll student at South Mecklenburg High School and ranking 11th out of 677 with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Byren Hernandez is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based senior on a mission: “to choose a career where [he can] plan on constructing towns and cities—where families [can] live instead of suffering with no shelter.” This is why he turned to Civil Engineering.
Based on first-hand experience of poor living conditions he saw during a family trip to Guatemala, 12-year-old Byren was able to comprehend and empathize with the struggles of others, but identify their needs and understand his capacity to help. He explains, “I saw streets filled with homeless families, broken-down stores, and houses that were barely standing… I knew in my heart that I had to do something not just for myself but for those unable to do something for themselves.”
A senior with his eyes on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology, Byren works as president of his local Spanish honor society, where he mentors middle-school ESL students. He combats food scarcity in his community through Loaves and Fishes, the primary Meals on Wheels program for Mecklenburg County, and through Urban Promises, he provides a positive faith-based influence to other young people in his area.
When asked about his proudest achievement in engineering, he mentions the final project in his Honors Project Lead the Way Intro to Engineering Design class. This project tested his skill and took many valuable hours from his busy schedule, but he wanted to prove his capability, not to anyone else—but to himself. "When it was time to turn it in, I remember feeling more confident than nervous because I knew that as long as I gave it my all, I would be proud of myself,” he remarks. His hard work payed off when his teacher used his completed project as an example in class. His school counselor, Stephanie Vargas, describes him as intelligent, hard-working, and willing to help others. She praises his determination and drive as he tackles AP and Honors classes - while being dual-enrolled in Central Piedmont Community College for college-level engineering courses.
As a young Hispanic man, Byren is aware of the lack of cultural representation in STEM and suggests that with a more diverse talent pool, the engineering world would be better able to design a world from different perspectives.
Byren serves as the president of his school's chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. Recognizing the powerful impact that mentoring and tutoring can have on the lives of young students and wanting to do his part to help bridge the Hispanic gap in STEM, he rallied the members of his organization to join him in serving their community. Together, they took weekly trips to their local elementary school, where they helped mentor and tutor Spanish-speaking ESL students. Through this work, he soon realized that helping others was the key to unlocking their potential for learning and growth. "Helping fellow Hispanics to have the ability to grow and improve for the future is what inspires me to keep going every day . . . That is what Hispanic culture is all about; being able to help one another and one day become a motivation for others," declares Byren.
SILVER - Isabella Stamato
Hometown: Florence, SC
High School: Trinity Collegiate School
Hispanic Heritage: Brazilian
“I’m going to work here one day.” That’s what Isabella Stamato told herself the first time she visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center, when her dream of designing spacecraft and advancing human discovery was born. It’s a dream she’s held onto, using her challenges as fuel to propel her forward. She hopes to become a role model for Latinx youth as she pursues a STEM career focused on Aerospace Engineering and Biology.
A dedicated scholar at Trinity Collegiate School, Isabella boasts an unweighted GPA of 4.0, proving her abilities and dedication through multiple AP courses, volunteer work, and extra-curricular activities. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the National and MENSA Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society and has garnered multiple awards and recognitions, including being recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar. Isabella has filled her educational career with AP classes in Physics, Calculus, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Statistics, and Computer Science Principles. She chose these AP courses to prepare for college, better understand the world around her, and learn new skills, like Java, a computer programming language she used to code a space-themed game as one of her final projects. In AP Environmental Science, she realized her responsibility as a future engineer to be mindful of how current and future technologies can impact the environment.
Isabella participated in Junior Leadership Florence County, a nine-month 4-H program where high school sophomores and juniors are empowered to become active members of the Florence County community. As part of this program, she volunteered with multiple nonprofit organizations within her county. During the holidays, as she packed Thanksgiving food baskets and wrapped Christmas presents, Isabella experienced overwhelming gratitude towards her fellow volunteers, the gravity of their work, and the importance of caring for your community.
Trinity’s Director of College Placement, Jessica Iseman, has worked with Isabella since the beginning of her seventh grade year and has advised her during her application process to Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida and Wofford College. Jessica praises Isabella’s ability to balance her many interests. Being involved in volleyball, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai kickboxing keeps her physically active, while piano lessons and participation in local theater strengthen her appreciation of the arts. Isabella also volunteers at Help 4 Kids, a local organization that assists children experiencing food insecurity, and has independently organized food drives at her school for high-demand items. Summers are spent as a vacation bible school volunteer and taking special-interest classes, like photography and writing. Last school year, she dual-enrolled in Spanish and economics classes through Francis Marion University.
Isabella advocates for stricter anti-discrimination laws and mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion courses for employers to ensure equal consideration in the hiring process. She believes variety and diversity will force innovation in the STEM field. In her own words, “[STEM is] always changing and evolving, so the people working on these subjects should be evolving as well.”
High School: Trinity Collegiate School
Hispanic Heritage: Brazilian
“I’m going to work here one day.” That’s what Isabella Stamato told herself the first time she visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center, when her dream of designing spacecraft and advancing human discovery was born. It’s a dream she’s held onto, using her challenges as fuel to propel her forward. She hopes to become a role model for Latinx youth as she pursues a STEM career focused on Aerospace Engineering and Biology.
A dedicated scholar at Trinity Collegiate School, Isabella boasts an unweighted GPA of 4.0, proving her abilities and dedication through multiple AP courses, volunteer work, and extra-curricular activities. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the National and MENSA Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society and has garnered multiple awards and recognitions, including being recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar. Isabella has filled her educational career with AP classes in Physics, Calculus, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Statistics, and Computer Science Principles. She chose these AP courses to prepare for college, better understand the world around her, and learn new skills, like Java, a computer programming language she used to code a space-themed game as one of her final projects. In AP Environmental Science, she realized her responsibility as a future engineer to be mindful of how current and future technologies can impact the environment.
Isabella participated in Junior Leadership Florence County, a nine-month 4-H program where high school sophomores and juniors are empowered to become active members of the Florence County community. As part of this program, she volunteered with multiple nonprofit organizations within her county. During the holidays, as she packed Thanksgiving food baskets and wrapped Christmas presents, Isabella experienced overwhelming gratitude towards her fellow volunteers, the gravity of their work, and the importance of caring for your community.
Trinity’s Director of College Placement, Jessica Iseman, has worked with Isabella since the beginning of her seventh grade year and has advised her during her application process to Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida and Wofford College. Jessica praises Isabella’s ability to balance her many interests. Being involved in volleyball, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai kickboxing keeps her physically active, while piano lessons and participation in local theater strengthen her appreciation of the arts. Isabella also volunteers at Help 4 Kids, a local organization that assists children experiencing food insecurity, and has independently organized food drives at her school for high-demand items. Summers are spent as a vacation bible school volunteer and taking special-interest classes, like photography and writing. Last school year, she dual-enrolled in Spanish and economics classes through Francis Marion University.
Isabella advocates for stricter anti-discrimination laws and mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion courses for employers to ensure equal consideration in the hiring process. She believes variety and diversity will force innovation in the STEM field. In her own words, “[STEM is] always changing and evolving, so the people working on these subjects should be evolving as well.”
BRONZE - Isaac Leon
Hometown: Marrero, LA
High School: Archbishop Rummel High School
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Helping people comes naturally to Isaac Leon. For this senior at Archbishop Rummel High School, knowing he can help someone is something he looks forward to doing as a civil engineer. "I always wanted to learn more about how [to build] bridges, buildings, and roads. We use them so much . . . we tend to forget the effort it takes to build them and make sure they work.”
His main inspiration for pursuing Civil Engineering and Physical Therapy goes to his uncle, a civil engineer himself. Having a positive role model to look up to, his natural curiosity was encouraged and cultivated. He feels the Hispanic community has not been noticed, appreciated, or celebrated within the STEM field and plans to work hard to ensure things change. “[I believe] people don’t give [Hispanics] enough credit for their creations or ideas. They always seem to be overshadowed or put to the side by others. I want to change that, and it starts with me.”
As for his proudest engineering achievement thus far, Isaac would say it was creating a miniature onager catapult that he and his team built for an in-class competition. The rules were simple: whichever team could launch a ping pong ball the farthest distance would be victorious. However, the mission proved to be trickier than the instructions led them to believe. Isaac and his teammates had to work as a team, exchanging ideas back and forth, to figure out the best construction materials and design for their catapult.
By analyzing the design and performance of onager catapults of the past, Isaac's team noticed that with the original design, the upward trajectory of the object being catapulted was longer than the horizontal distance it traveled. With this in mind, they came up with a design of their own that changed the angle at which the ping pong ball would be released to ensure that it would travel farther than it would rise up. Built out of paint stirrers, large popsicle sticks, rubber bands, a spoon, duct tape, and hot glue, Isaac's team's ingeniously designed catapult outperformed all the other catapults in class.
"The group and I ended up getting first place," recalls Isaac. While winning was his desired outcome all along, he felt most accomplished by the creative approach and concerted effort of his team towards a common goal.
His Biology II (Human Anatomy and Physiology) teacher, Matthew Reynolds, describes Isaac as one of his most gifted students, with more drive and work ethic than most students he has come across in his high-school teaching career. Mr. Reynolds is confident Isaac will be a positive force for change as Isaac sets his sights on Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, and the University of New Orleans.
Through his high school engineering program, Isaac has met new people, been introduced to new ways of thought, and stepped out of his comfort zone. “I want to show the world that the Hispanic community is capable of creating [talented] Engineers and that those Engineers can be different from the rest,” he remarks.
Active in his community, Isaac tutors at a local elementary school. This is where he met little Luis, a recent immigrant from Honduras, on his second day of grade school. With time, patience and understanding, he helped bring Luis out of his shell, learn English and build confidence. After months of working together, Isaac walked in to see Luis laughing and interacting with other children, no longer needing his help with homework. “When he told me that, I felt an immense sense of joy. I believe I was a positive influence on Luis' life and helped him get out of his shell,” shares the future engineer.
High School: Archbishop Rummel High School
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Helping people comes naturally to Isaac Leon. For this senior at Archbishop Rummel High School, knowing he can help someone is something he looks forward to doing as a civil engineer. "I always wanted to learn more about how [to build] bridges, buildings, and roads. We use them so much . . . we tend to forget the effort it takes to build them and make sure they work.”
His main inspiration for pursuing Civil Engineering and Physical Therapy goes to his uncle, a civil engineer himself. Having a positive role model to look up to, his natural curiosity was encouraged and cultivated. He feels the Hispanic community has not been noticed, appreciated, or celebrated within the STEM field and plans to work hard to ensure things change. “[I believe] people don’t give [Hispanics] enough credit for their creations or ideas. They always seem to be overshadowed or put to the side by others. I want to change that, and it starts with me.”
As for his proudest engineering achievement thus far, Isaac would say it was creating a miniature onager catapult that he and his team built for an in-class competition. The rules were simple: whichever team could launch a ping pong ball the farthest distance would be victorious. However, the mission proved to be trickier than the instructions led them to believe. Isaac and his teammates had to work as a team, exchanging ideas back and forth, to figure out the best construction materials and design for their catapult.
By analyzing the design and performance of onager catapults of the past, Isaac's team noticed that with the original design, the upward trajectory of the object being catapulted was longer than the horizontal distance it traveled. With this in mind, they came up with a design of their own that changed the angle at which the ping pong ball would be released to ensure that it would travel farther than it would rise up. Built out of paint stirrers, large popsicle sticks, rubber bands, a spoon, duct tape, and hot glue, Isaac's team's ingeniously designed catapult outperformed all the other catapults in class.
"The group and I ended up getting first place," recalls Isaac. While winning was his desired outcome all along, he felt most accomplished by the creative approach and concerted effort of his team towards a common goal.
His Biology II (Human Anatomy and Physiology) teacher, Matthew Reynolds, describes Isaac as one of his most gifted students, with more drive and work ethic than most students he has come across in his high-school teaching career. Mr. Reynolds is confident Isaac will be a positive force for change as Isaac sets his sights on Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, and the University of New Orleans.
Through his high school engineering program, Isaac has met new people, been introduced to new ways of thought, and stepped out of his comfort zone. “I want to show the world that the Hispanic community is capable of creating [talented] Engineers and that those Engineers can be different from the rest,” he remarks.
Active in his community, Isaac tutors at a local elementary school. This is where he met little Luis, a recent immigrant from Honduras, on his second day of grade school. With time, patience and understanding, he helped bring Luis out of his shell, learn English and build confidence. After months of working together, Isaac walked in to see Luis laughing and interacting with other children, no longer needing his help with homework. “When he told me that, I felt an immense sense of joy. I believe I was a positive influence on Luis' life and helped him get out of his shell,” shares the future engineer.
Healthcare & Science
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Allison Delgado
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
High School: Early College of Forsyth County
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Explaining her inspiration for a career in Healthcare and Science, Allison Delgado says, "Much of what draws people to public health comes down to caring for your community and wanting to make those changes in the disparities you see. Public health is personally enticing in its consideration, care, and capacity for meaningful change.”
A hopeful for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown, and Yale University, Allison has been feeding her love of STEM since her first class year at the Early College of Forsyth County. When she walked into her freshman Honors Biology class, her teacher, Leigh McDowell, was blown away by the driving force Allison has toward learning. Described as "a change maker with [the] intellect and eagerness to move mountains,” Allison Delgado has proven herself quite ready, very willing, and more than able to advance her knowledge and experience in Public Health and Medical Anthology.
On top of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Chemistry Education Research, this Winston-Salem, Nor Carolina resident also has the North Carolina STEM Alliance and Fellowship, and Morehead Planetarium’s North Carolina Science Festival programs under her belt. Allison's proudest achievement has been placing among a national pool of applicants as a research scholar for the Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Collective (YBDIC) Research Symposium. During this three-day conference, she presented results of research she had conducted at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that had led to an article in the Journal of Chemistry Education.
With an array of AP, IB, and Honor courses covering subjects like Chemistry, Calculus, Sociology, and Psychology, Allison is on the Forsyth Tech Community College President's List and is a 2021 Graduation Marshall, as well as a member of the North Carolina STEM Alliance through Forsyth Tech Community College.
For Allison, there is no end in the quest for curiosity. You can run into her as she volunteers at Kaleidium Downton—her local children's science museum—works in her office as editor-in-chief for The Loose Leaf Paper—a bi-weekly student newspaper—or hostessing part-time to help support her household. Allison has volunteered at science camps, libraries, and elementary schools and co-authored a children's book on traditional Chinese medicine with other student authors from around the world.
As a Peruvian Quechua, Allison is well-acquainted with the complex homogenization Latinx and indigenous communities experience. She approaches a career in public health with the hope that more Latinx kids can cultivate aspirations in the STEM fields through community service, as she did; embarking on the transition from a student without confidence in their ability to being a science communicator praised for her eloquence and self-assurance.
High School: Early College of Forsyth County
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Explaining her inspiration for a career in Healthcare and Science, Allison Delgado says, "Much of what draws people to public health comes down to caring for your community and wanting to make those changes in the disparities you see. Public health is personally enticing in its consideration, care, and capacity for meaningful change.”
A hopeful for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown, and Yale University, Allison has been feeding her love of STEM since her first class year at the Early College of Forsyth County. When she walked into her freshman Honors Biology class, her teacher, Leigh McDowell, was blown away by the driving force Allison has toward learning. Described as "a change maker with [the] intellect and eagerness to move mountains,” Allison Delgado has proven herself quite ready, very willing, and more than able to advance her knowledge and experience in Public Health and Medical Anthology.
On top of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Chemistry Education Research, this Winston-Salem, Nor Carolina resident also has the North Carolina STEM Alliance and Fellowship, and Morehead Planetarium’s North Carolina Science Festival programs under her belt. Allison's proudest achievement has been placing among a national pool of applicants as a research scholar for the Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Collective (YBDIC) Research Symposium. During this three-day conference, she presented results of research she had conducted at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that had led to an article in the Journal of Chemistry Education.
With an array of AP, IB, and Honor courses covering subjects like Chemistry, Calculus, Sociology, and Psychology, Allison is on the Forsyth Tech Community College President's List and is a 2021 Graduation Marshall, as well as a member of the North Carolina STEM Alliance through Forsyth Tech Community College.
For Allison, there is no end in the quest for curiosity. You can run into her as she volunteers at Kaleidium Downton—her local children's science museum—works in her office as editor-in-chief for The Loose Leaf Paper—a bi-weekly student newspaper—or hostessing part-time to help support her household. Allison has volunteered at science camps, libraries, and elementary schools and co-authored a children's book on traditional Chinese medicine with other student authors from around the world.
As a Peruvian Quechua, Allison is well-acquainted with the complex homogenization Latinx and indigenous communities experience. She approaches a career in public health with the hope that more Latinx kids can cultivate aspirations in the STEM fields through community service, as she did; embarking on the transition from a student without confidence in their ability to being a science communicator praised for her eloquence and self-assurance.
SILVER - Hannah Evans
Hometown: Madison, AL
High School: Bob Jones High School
Hispanic Heritage: Filipino
“It all started with a shirt,” says Filipino-American student Hannah Evans. After noticing a student wearing a shirt that read “HOSA Future Health Professionals” in eighth grade, she became curious to learn more. By the next school year, she was participating in the HOSA State Qualifying Event for Medical Terminology and making it all the way to the Alabama state competition as a freshman. After eventually being elected president of her local HOSA Future Health Professionals chapter, Hannah began setting up a new middle-school chapter in her school district, ran a canned food drive contest at her school for the Food Bank of North Alabama, organized a school blood drive with LifeSouth, a nonprofit blood bank, and met with other nonprofits like LuvMichael, an organization dedicated to training, educating, and employing autistic adults.
A student at Bob Jones High School, Hannah is currently working towards completing her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam and has recently begun an Introduction to Pharmacy course to help her become a certified pharmacy technician. She is part of her school’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program (PLTW BMP), which offers a four-course national curriculum series for students interested in careers in the healthcare industry and covers Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations.
Kathryn Taylor Teare, a teacher in the Bob Jones Medical Academy, met Hannah when she was a student in her Honors PLTW BMP classes. Mrs. Teare commends Hannah for her ability to "relate normal anatomy and physiology to the pathophysiology of disease and determine appropriate medical interventions that address the abnormality," and remarks on how much Hannah's laboratory skills have grown. Mrs. Teare also commends the senior student on her grace and leadership abilities as she and her team presented an Emergency Room concept to other students for the Biomedical Innovations class.
During her junior year, Hannah became involved with Invent2Prevent (I2P), a learning program and competition that challenges students to address acts of targeted violence, hate, or terrorism in their communities. Her I2P team created the BJConnect Initiative, a social hour to mitigate social isolation and foster student connections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative advocated for mental health and offered students a safe space to interact and socialize. After qualifying as one of the top-three national teams with their initiative, Hannah’s team traveled to Washington D.C. and presented their project findings at the Department of Homeland Security this past June. Placing third, they won $1,000 to continue their project and had the opportunity to network with teams from across the nation. Through this experience, Hannah feels she learned firsthand the value of community impact and the importance of receiving adequate support systems for mental health.
When it comes to issues affecting her community, Hannah is concerned about the lack of health equity due to health disparities. Proud of her Filipino heritage, she advocates for the multicultural aspects of the Filipino identity to be fully recognized, instead of being grouped under the “Asian” umbrella, which erases the richness of their ethnicity and, most critically, fails to address health risks that exclusively threaten Filipino-Americans, like hypertension and diabetes, which are not health risks associated with the Asian-American community at large.
With the goal of sharing her Filipino culture and exposing the Bob Jones community to new cultural experiences, Hannah co-founded her school’s Filipino-American Culture Club.
Since that fateful moment in eighth grade that started it all for Hannah, it has been her dream to work in a hospital or her own private practice. “It is with optimism and excitement that I seek a future in medicine,” she shares. The next step in her plans is to attend Berry College, the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Emory University where she plans to major in Biology and minor in Psychology in preparation for her future career in healthcare.
High School: Bob Jones High School
Hispanic Heritage: Filipino
“It all started with a shirt,” says Filipino-American student Hannah Evans. After noticing a student wearing a shirt that read “HOSA Future Health Professionals” in eighth grade, she became curious to learn more. By the next school year, she was participating in the HOSA State Qualifying Event for Medical Terminology and making it all the way to the Alabama state competition as a freshman. After eventually being elected president of her local HOSA Future Health Professionals chapter, Hannah began setting up a new middle-school chapter in her school district, ran a canned food drive contest at her school for the Food Bank of North Alabama, organized a school blood drive with LifeSouth, a nonprofit blood bank, and met with other nonprofits like LuvMichael, an organization dedicated to training, educating, and employing autistic adults.
A student at Bob Jones High School, Hannah is currently working towards completing her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam and has recently begun an Introduction to Pharmacy course to help her become a certified pharmacy technician. She is part of her school’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program (PLTW BMP), which offers a four-course national curriculum series for students interested in careers in the healthcare industry and covers Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations.
Kathryn Taylor Teare, a teacher in the Bob Jones Medical Academy, met Hannah when she was a student in her Honors PLTW BMP classes. Mrs. Teare commends Hannah for her ability to "relate normal anatomy and physiology to the pathophysiology of disease and determine appropriate medical interventions that address the abnormality," and remarks on how much Hannah's laboratory skills have grown. Mrs. Teare also commends the senior student on her grace and leadership abilities as she and her team presented an Emergency Room concept to other students for the Biomedical Innovations class.
During her junior year, Hannah became involved with Invent2Prevent (I2P), a learning program and competition that challenges students to address acts of targeted violence, hate, or terrorism in their communities. Her I2P team created the BJConnect Initiative, a social hour to mitigate social isolation and foster student connections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative advocated for mental health and offered students a safe space to interact and socialize. After qualifying as one of the top-three national teams with their initiative, Hannah’s team traveled to Washington D.C. and presented their project findings at the Department of Homeland Security this past June. Placing third, they won $1,000 to continue their project and had the opportunity to network with teams from across the nation. Through this experience, Hannah feels she learned firsthand the value of community impact and the importance of receiving adequate support systems for mental health.
When it comes to issues affecting her community, Hannah is concerned about the lack of health equity due to health disparities. Proud of her Filipino heritage, she advocates for the multicultural aspects of the Filipino identity to be fully recognized, instead of being grouped under the “Asian” umbrella, which erases the richness of their ethnicity and, most critically, fails to address health risks that exclusively threaten Filipino-Americans, like hypertension and diabetes, which are not health risks associated with the Asian-American community at large.
With the goal of sharing her Filipino culture and exposing the Bob Jones community to new cultural experiences, Hannah co-founded her school’s Filipino-American Culture Club.
Since that fateful moment in eighth grade that started it all for Hannah, it has been her dream to work in a hospital or her own private practice. “It is with optimism and excitement that I seek a future in medicine,” she shares. The next step in her plans is to attend Berry College, the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Emory University where she plans to major in Biology and minor in Psychology in preparation for her future career in healthcare.
BRONZE - Alan Morales
Hometown: Conover, NC
High School: Bunker Hill High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
On March 8th, 2022, Alan Morales saved a life. While sitting in the cafeteria of Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, NC, a friend across the table started choking on their lunch. He rushed over and performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food from their throat—allowing them to breathe again. "[My] decision to attend [a] medical camp the summer before . . . impacted [a] life [that day]". The medical camp in question was the High School Summer Program sponsored by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, which Alan attended the summer before his junior year of high school. During this week-long camp, Alan and other high-schoolers had an in-depth look at the many facets of medical career paths, visited a local medical school, and became OSHA and CPR certified. With his sights set on Appalachian State University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, this Biology-major-hopeful has spent his high school career nurturing an interest in Healthcare & Science.
As a first-generation Mexican-American, Alan Morales understands the intricacies and unique dynamics of Hispanic families. He comments that as physical fitness and prioritizing personal health are not always top-priority for the Hispanic community, he desires to bring comfort and inclusive understanding to his community. Prioritizing his physical health and wellness has been a personal journey. After being encouraged by his father to join his middle-school’s cross-country team, he began working on his stamina and overall physical fitness. Not being much of a runner before, Alan describes the process; "I [started] exercising frequently and eating healthier. I ran [on days didn’t feel like it] and kept myself positive when I didn’t do well in my first season . . . I went from being one of the slowest runners on the team to one of the top five runners on my high school cross-country team.”
Being an integral part of his local community is very important to Alan, as is seen through his various recreational activities and volunteer positions. Active in his church youth group since seventh grade, he also volunteers through his school's group, SheepDogs, by donating his time at a local soup kitchen. Having been invited to be a member of the Jr. Beta Club in middle school, he is now part of his school’s chapter of the National Beta Club, an organization dedicated to "promoting the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership, and service among elementary and secondary school students." His high school's Beta Club participated in a Backpack Buddies program through Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a member of Feeding America. This program provides elementary school students with a backpack filled with enough healthy, nutritious food to eat four meals over the weekend. "Packing backpacks with food that I know will help families deal with - increasing [prices] brings me joy.”
Ready for the next step in his journey, Alan, who aspires to become a doctor, believes STEM professionals with diverse backgrounds are critical to successfully reaching out to the community and inspiring others to go into this field. “I hope that having a medical professional with a Hispanic last name and even a basic understanding of the Spanish language will give comfort to those in the community that look for inclusivity,” remarks this future Latino MD.
High School: Bunker Hill High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
On March 8th, 2022, Alan Morales saved a life. While sitting in the cafeteria of Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, NC, a friend across the table started choking on their lunch. He rushed over and performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food from their throat—allowing them to breathe again. "[My] decision to attend [a] medical camp the summer before . . . impacted [a] life [that day]". The medical camp in question was the High School Summer Program sponsored by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, which Alan attended the summer before his junior year of high school. During this week-long camp, Alan and other high-schoolers had an in-depth look at the many facets of medical career paths, visited a local medical school, and became OSHA and CPR certified. With his sights set on Appalachian State University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, this Biology-major-hopeful has spent his high school career nurturing an interest in Healthcare & Science.
As a first-generation Mexican-American, Alan Morales understands the intricacies and unique dynamics of Hispanic families. He comments that as physical fitness and prioritizing personal health are not always top-priority for the Hispanic community, he desires to bring comfort and inclusive understanding to his community. Prioritizing his physical health and wellness has been a personal journey. After being encouraged by his father to join his middle-school’s cross-country team, he began working on his stamina and overall physical fitness. Not being much of a runner before, Alan describes the process; "I [started] exercising frequently and eating healthier. I ran [on days didn’t feel like it] and kept myself positive when I didn’t do well in my first season . . . I went from being one of the slowest runners on the team to one of the top five runners on my high school cross-country team.”
Being an integral part of his local community is very important to Alan, as is seen through his various recreational activities and volunteer positions. Active in his church youth group since seventh grade, he also volunteers through his school's group, SheepDogs, by donating his time at a local soup kitchen. Having been invited to be a member of the Jr. Beta Club in middle school, he is now part of his school’s chapter of the National Beta Club, an organization dedicated to "promoting the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership, and service among elementary and secondary school students." His high school's Beta Club participated in a Backpack Buddies program through Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a member of Feeding America. This program provides elementary school students with a backpack filled with enough healthy, nutritious food to eat four meals over the weekend. "Packing backpacks with food that I know will help families deal with - increasing [prices] brings me joy.”
Ready for the next step in his journey, Alan, who aspires to become a doctor, believes STEM professionals with diverse backgrounds are critical to successfully reaching out to the community and inspiring others to go into this field. “I hope that having a medical professional with a Hispanic last name and even a basic understanding of the Spanish language will give comfort to those in the community that look for inclusivity,” remarks this future Latino MD.
Media & Entertainment
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Aidan Quintana
Hometown: Davidson, NC
High School: University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Growing up in Madrid, Aidan Quintana was inspired by the talented Spanish-Puerto Rican musician and artist, Pablo Casals, as depicted in his favorite book Pequeña Historia de Pau Casals. This admiration fueled Aidan's desire to pursue a career in music, particularly because of his family background steeped in musical tradition. With a grandmother who studied piano and a father who studied classical guitar, Aidan grew up appreciating a rich and varied repertoire of music.
At a young age, Aidan had access to piano and cello lessons, thanks to his supportive family and musically inclined family. Attending the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts (UNCSA) Piano Performance program in high school was a turning point in Aidan's musical journey. Surrounded by like-minded peers and talented faculty, he was able to explore the arts through various performances, competitions, collaborations, and festivals.
In 2022, and only a junior, Aidan was selected as one of the ten finalists in the UNCSA Concerto Competition. He chose to perform Mozart's demanding Piano Concerto No. 20 and took the challenge to create his own cadenza, an improvised section that he would insert into the concerto—cadenzas are similar to the original composition but still show the performing pianists' originality. Despite initial criticism of his early efforts being too “Disney-like,” Aidan persevered and eventually wrote a cadenza that he believes Mozart would approve of. Despite not winning, the competition remains one of his proudest moments because of the sense of achievement and pride he felt in his work.
Aidan's musical talent has earned him multiple awards and recognitions, including first place in the UNCSA Piano Week Competition and the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs in 2020, honorable mention at the North Carolina Music Teachers Association Piano Competition in 2021, and being a finalist in the UNCSA Concerto Competition in 2022.
Aidan values diversity in his education, believing that cultural diversity enriches his music and makes it more beautiful. He is also concerned about the future of art education and the funding of the arts, and aims to promote and improve art education in public schools. His prior experience of giving free private lessons to a local family highlights his commitment to making art accessible to all.
Next for Aidan is pursuing a Piano Performance degree with a minor in Music Education while attending Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, or Lynn University. This Latino musician of Puerto Rican and Czech descent recognizes the privilege and opportunities that his family has provided him, and as he advances in his career, he intends to do everything in his power to ensure that others have access to the same opportunities.
High School: University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Growing up in Madrid, Aidan Quintana was inspired by the talented Spanish-Puerto Rican musician and artist, Pablo Casals, as depicted in his favorite book Pequeña Historia de Pau Casals. This admiration fueled Aidan's desire to pursue a career in music, particularly because of his family background steeped in musical tradition. With a grandmother who studied piano and a father who studied classical guitar, Aidan grew up appreciating a rich and varied repertoire of music.
At a young age, Aidan had access to piano and cello lessons, thanks to his supportive family and musically inclined family. Attending the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts (UNCSA) Piano Performance program in high school was a turning point in Aidan's musical journey. Surrounded by like-minded peers and talented faculty, he was able to explore the arts through various performances, competitions, collaborations, and festivals.
In 2022, and only a junior, Aidan was selected as one of the ten finalists in the UNCSA Concerto Competition. He chose to perform Mozart's demanding Piano Concerto No. 20 and took the challenge to create his own cadenza, an improvised section that he would insert into the concerto—cadenzas are similar to the original composition but still show the performing pianists' originality. Despite initial criticism of his early efforts being too “Disney-like,” Aidan persevered and eventually wrote a cadenza that he believes Mozart would approve of. Despite not winning, the competition remains one of his proudest moments because of the sense of achievement and pride he felt in his work.
Aidan's musical talent has earned him multiple awards and recognitions, including first place in the UNCSA Piano Week Competition and the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs in 2020, honorable mention at the North Carolina Music Teachers Association Piano Competition in 2021, and being a finalist in the UNCSA Concerto Competition in 2022.
Aidan values diversity in his education, believing that cultural diversity enriches his music and makes it more beautiful. He is also concerned about the future of art education and the funding of the arts, and aims to promote and improve art education in public schools. His prior experience of giving free private lessons to a local family highlights his commitment to making art accessible to all.
Next for Aidan is pursuing a Piano Performance degree with a minor in Music Education while attending Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, or Lynn University. This Latino musician of Puerto Rican and Czech descent recognizes the privilege and opportunities that his family has provided him, and as he advances in his career, he intends to do everything in his power to ensure that others have access to the same opportunities.
SILVER - Kyla Foreman-Andrade
Hometown: Harrisburg, NC
High School: Hickory Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
In the summer of 2021, Kyla Foreman-Andrade attended North Carolina Governor's School for Choral Music. During her 5-week stay, she took advantage of the opportunity to create a short film of her experiences. "[I] realized I loved making a story come to life, even if it meant standing in the hot sun, refilming the same scene 20 times.”
At the end of her junior year, when her high school dropped the choral program where she participated as section leader and concertmaster, Kyla switched her focus to film. In 2022, she tasked herself with creating her first indie film. Over several months she wrote a script, designed costumes, filmed, and edited a short film entitled me, myself, and you, which deals with topics of loneliness, routine, and the importance of relationships. “I poured so much of myself into this film, so it made it all the more special. This experience has given me the motivation to fully pursue film and has shown me that I am capable of being a filmmaker. I am excited to share my film with the world and create more in the future,” remarks the budding filmmaker.
Kyla wants to increase diverse representation in media. Growing up, I didn't see a lot of Hispanic representation [in media]. If there was representation, it was very stereotypical and only represented the background and culture of one Hispanic group and not the others,” she notes. This has made Kyla strive to make films that showcase diversity with a more authentic and comprehensive approach, one that is truer to the different perspectives that make up the varied identities within the Hispanic community.
Kyla suggests that by increasing the highlighting of Hispanic culture and impactful community figures through media, we can help fight ignorance, prejudice, and stereotyping. She regards the portrayal of figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the media, as well as depictions in shows like On My Block and films like In the Heights, as helpful in depicting Hispanic culture in an approachable, accessible, and, most importantly, accurate manner.
Giving back plays a central role in Kyla’s experience. She regards it as a “crucial part in being a good citizen and having a great community.” Practicing what she preaches, Kyla has been active as part of her town's Youth Council. Through the council, she has been able to volunteer at several events across her community of Harrisburg, North Carolina, including their annual Christmas tree lightings and multicultural festivals, 5K runs, local concerts, and more.
“Kyla is outstanding,” shares Mrs. Janine LaPatriello, Kyla’s French teacher. “She is a bright, cheerful, and positive young woman.” With an impressive academic record, a 4.0 GPA and recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor, Kyla is a candidate for New York University, Columbia University, and Emerson College and plans to pursue a Film Production major and a French minor.
High School: Hickory Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
In the summer of 2021, Kyla Foreman-Andrade attended North Carolina Governor's School for Choral Music. During her 5-week stay, she took advantage of the opportunity to create a short film of her experiences. "[I] realized I loved making a story come to life, even if it meant standing in the hot sun, refilming the same scene 20 times.”
At the end of her junior year, when her high school dropped the choral program where she participated as section leader and concertmaster, Kyla switched her focus to film. In 2022, she tasked herself with creating her first indie film. Over several months she wrote a script, designed costumes, filmed, and edited a short film entitled me, myself, and you, which deals with topics of loneliness, routine, and the importance of relationships. “I poured so much of myself into this film, so it made it all the more special. This experience has given me the motivation to fully pursue film and has shown me that I am capable of being a filmmaker. I am excited to share my film with the world and create more in the future,” remarks the budding filmmaker.
Kyla wants to increase diverse representation in media. Growing up, I didn't see a lot of Hispanic representation [in media]. If there was representation, it was very stereotypical and only represented the background and culture of one Hispanic group and not the others,” she notes. This has made Kyla strive to make films that showcase diversity with a more authentic and comprehensive approach, one that is truer to the different perspectives that make up the varied identities within the Hispanic community.
Kyla suggests that by increasing the highlighting of Hispanic culture and impactful community figures through media, we can help fight ignorance, prejudice, and stereotyping. She regards the portrayal of figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the media, as well as depictions in shows like On My Block and films like In the Heights, as helpful in depicting Hispanic culture in an approachable, accessible, and, most importantly, accurate manner.
Giving back plays a central role in Kyla’s experience. She regards it as a “crucial part in being a good citizen and having a great community.” Practicing what she preaches, Kyla has been active as part of her town's Youth Council. Through the council, she has been able to volunteer at several events across her community of Harrisburg, North Carolina, including their annual Christmas tree lightings and multicultural festivals, 5K runs, local concerts, and more.
“Kyla is outstanding,” shares Mrs. Janine LaPatriello, Kyla’s French teacher. “She is a bright, cheerful, and positive young woman.” With an impressive academic record, a 4.0 GPA and recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor, Kyla is a candidate for New York University, Columbia University, and Emerson College and plans to pursue a Film Production major and a French minor.
BRONZE - Saul Sosa
Hometown: Springdale, AR
High School: Springdale Senior High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"Every time I’m on stage, my heart palpitates with adrenaline and the need to express my emotions . . . Art allows me to escape this world . . . and create a world I feel in control of everything, unlike the sometimes harsh and contrastingly unpredictable world we live in," reflects first-generation Mexican-American Saul Sosa, who has connected with his history and heritage through art and music. Hailing from a long line of musicians, his grandfather, sister, and mother's love of music and performing have helped shape him into the thriving musician he is today.
During freshman year, Saul struggled to play tuba in his school’s band, but his director knew how to motivate him: by telling Saul he didn't believe in him. Saul was inspired to prove his band director wrong. When the day of the All-Region Band auditions arrived, he persevered through a headache and fever, making second band first chair. "I realized how it felt to succeed . . . [even through] pressure and sickness, my grit and will push[ed] me through.”
Now a senior at Springdale High School, Saul leads his school band as a drum major and has achieved All-Region Orchestra tuba, All-Region Band tuba, and All-Region Choir bass. He has utilized his musical talents to participate in and provide musical support for numerous productions over the years, such as musicals, choir, and solo presentations. For his talents, Saul has received several awards and recognitions, including Best Drum Major recognition in 2021.
Melanie Thresher, Saul’s English instructor, describes him as "erudite and articulate“ and praises his ability to balance his academic responsibilities and AP classwork with his leadership in extracurricular activities. “[Saul] approaches everything with immense and genuine interest . . . I think his future success will come not only from his intellectual abilities, but also, from his positive attitude,” remarks Ms. Thresher.
Motivated by his desire to see himself and his community thrive and succeed, and through his involvement as vice president of the Springdale Senior High School student council, Saul has helped organize and participated in school pep rallies, parades, baseball game pre-shows, teacher assistance programs, and church choir. “I love my community,” says the resident of Springdale, Arizona who feels an urge to contribute to building and strengthening his Springdale community to better serve generations to come. For Saul, working to create a pathway for the children in his community to succeed and be inspired to aspire for more is a moral duty born out of his desire for having had someone like that while growing up. "[My] hope [is] to build a more inclusive future for many generations of Latinx youth,” he shares. “I have the vision, talents, and work ethic to ensure [others] in [the] community who feel like me as a child will not face the same hardships,” adds Saul.
With eyes toward his future, this gifted Latino musician plans to pursue a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or North Carolina State University.
High School: Springdale Senior High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"Every time I’m on stage, my heart palpitates with adrenaline and the need to express my emotions . . . Art allows me to escape this world . . . and create a world I feel in control of everything, unlike the sometimes harsh and contrastingly unpredictable world we live in," reflects first-generation Mexican-American Saul Sosa, who has connected with his history and heritage through art and music. Hailing from a long line of musicians, his grandfather, sister, and mother's love of music and performing have helped shape him into the thriving musician he is today.
During freshman year, Saul struggled to play tuba in his school’s band, but his director knew how to motivate him: by telling Saul he didn't believe in him. Saul was inspired to prove his band director wrong. When the day of the All-Region Band auditions arrived, he persevered through a headache and fever, making second band first chair. "I realized how it felt to succeed . . . [even through] pressure and sickness, my grit and will push[ed] me through.”
Now a senior at Springdale High School, Saul leads his school band as a drum major and has achieved All-Region Orchestra tuba, All-Region Band tuba, and All-Region Choir bass. He has utilized his musical talents to participate in and provide musical support for numerous productions over the years, such as musicals, choir, and solo presentations. For his talents, Saul has received several awards and recognitions, including Best Drum Major recognition in 2021.
Melanie Thresher, Saul’s English instructor, describes him as "erudite and articulate“ and praises his ability to balance his academic responsibilities and AP classwork with his leadership in extracurricular activities. “[Saul] approaches everything with immense and genuine interest . . . I think his future success will come not only from his intellectual abilities, but also, from his positive attitude,” remarks Ms. Thresher.
Motivated by his desire to see himself and his community thrive and succeed, and through his involvement as vice president of the Springdale Senior High School student council, Saul has helped organize and participated in school pep rallies, parades, baseball game pre-shows, teacher assistance programs, and church choir. “I love my community,” says the resident of Springdale, Arizona who feels an urge to contribute to building and strengthening his Springdale community to better serve generations to come. For Saul, working to create a pathway for the children in his community to succeed and be inspired to aspire for more is a moral duty born out of his desire for having had someone like that while growing up. "[My] hope [is] to build a more inclusive future for many generations of Latinx youth,” he shares. “I have the vision, talents, and work ethic to ensure [others] in [the] community who feel like me as a child will not face the same hardships,” adds Saul.
With eyes toward his future, this gifted Latino musician plans to pursue a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or North Carolina State University.
Public Service & Social Justice
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Sabrina Ferrer
Hometown: Lakeland, TN
High School: Arlington High School
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
Born in Venezuela, Sabrina Ferrer came to the United States as an asylum seeker and quickly learned firsthand about the mistreatment that many immigrants experience daily. Her experiences as a woman and an immigrant spurred her into action and inspired her advocacy for equal rights and gender equality, thus sparking her interest in Public Service and Social Justice.
Over the years, Sabrina has sought to educate herself to empower her activism and advocacy efforts. Through researching on social media, scholarly articles, and participating in the 2022 ACLU Advocacy Institute, she has grown her understanding of how she can further educate others and contribute to rectifying the injustices caused by discrimination due to xenophobia, racism, classism, and other systemic forms of oppression. She believes that education is the solution to such problems and has dedicated herself to understanding the mechanisms that can alleviate misconceptions that motivate hate. By doing so, she hopes to challenge traditional norms that often surround such biases and inspire love and respect across different cultures.
Eager to share her culture and raise cultural awareness, last spring, she organized an event at her school where she taught non-Latinx students how to dance merengue and bachata while teaching them the origin and significance of these dances and addressing the importance of cultural awareness. The event became a space for students from all walks of life to feel comfortable sharing and celebrating their cultural differences. “Within less than ten minutes, people knew how to move their hips and appreciate a culture that was not theirs. I was proud to see people from a different background dancing to the music I grew up listening to,” shares Sabrina.
Sabrina’s thirst for justice rivals her academic prowess. One of the rare sophomores in her AP Spanish Language and Culture class, she was the top student, earning the maximum grade possible on her AP exam. She also took Spanish III Honors in ninth grade, an unusual achievement for a freshman at Arlington High School. She strives to continuously improve her mastery of the Spanish language, pushing herself to be a sophisticated, eloquent speaker skilled in discussing complex topics in Spanish-speaking regions.
An AP scholar, Sabrina’s record includes an array of several other AP courses where she has equally demonstrated her brilliance, such as AP Seminar, AP US History, and AP Human Geography.
Active in her school community, in 2021, she ran for and won the role of president in her school’s chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. As president, she played an integral role in reinstating a program for tutoring ESL students to further improve the language skills of immigrant and other students learning English at her school.
Ready to continue making a difference and broadening her fight for justice, Sabrina now seeks a major in International Affairs with a minor in Economics at Dartmouth College, Princeton University, or Yale University.
High School: Arlington High School
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
Born in Venezuela, Sabrina Ferrer came to the United States as an asylum seeker and quickly learned firsthand about the mistreatment that many immigrants experience daily. Her experiences as a woman and an immigrant spurred her into action and inspired her advocacy for equal rights and gender equality, thus sparking her interest in Public Service and Social Justice.
Over the years, Sabrina has sought to educate herself to empower her activism and advocacy efforts. Through researching on social media, scholarly articles, and participating in the 2022 ACLU Advocacy Institute, she has grown her understanding of how she can further educate others and contribute to rectifying the injustices caused by discrimination due to xenophobia, racism, classism, and other systemic forms of oppression. She believes that education is the solution to such problems and has dedicated herself to understanding the mechanisms that can alleviate misconceptions that motivate hate. By doing so, she hopes to challenge traditional norms that often surround such biases and inspire love and respect across different cultures.
Eager to share her culture and raise cultural awareness, last spring, she organized an event at her school where she taught non-Latinx students how to dance merengue and bachata while teaching them the origin and significance of these dances and addressing the importance of cultural awareness. The event became a space for students from all walks of life to feel comfortable sharing and celebrating their cultural differences. “Within less than ten minutes, people knew how to move their hips and appreciate a culture that was not theirs. I was proud to see people from a different background dancing to the music I grew up listening to,” shares Sabrina.
Sabrina’s thirst for justice rivals her academic prowess. One of the rare sophomores in her AP Spanish Language and Culture class, she was the top student, earning the maximum grade possible on her AP exam. She also took Spanish III Honors in ninth grade, an unusual achievement for a freshman at Arlington High School. She strives to continuously improve her mastery of the Spanish language, pushing herself to be a sophisticated, eloquent speaker skilled in discussing complex topics in Spanish-speaking regions.
An AP scholar, Sabrina’s record includes an array of several other AP courses where she has equally demonstrated her brilliance, such as AP Seminar, AP US History, and AP Human Geography.
Active in her school community, in 2021, she ran for and won the role of president in her school’s chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. As president, she played an integral role in reinstating a program for tutoring ESL students to further improve the language skills of immigrant and other students learning English at her school.
Ready to continue making a difference and broadening her fight for justice, Sabrina now seeks a major in International Affairs with a minor in Economics at Dartmouth College, Princeton University, or Yale University.
SILVER - Sherlyn Ramos
Hometown: Greenville, SC
High School: Berea High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Seeing little Hispanic representation in leadership roles while growing up in South Carolina, Sherlyn Ramos had resigned to not seeing people that looked like her taking on positions of power. After attending a PWI her freshman year where she struggled to get her voice heard, she knew it was time for things to take a turn. “I decided I would become the change I wanted to see,” shares Sherlyn. She switched schools and began to position herself and open more opportunities that encouraged her personal growth and development.
Not long after, she started connecting with influential Latinx adults in her community of Greenville. Looking to advocate for the Latinx population in her town, Sherlyn became involved with the Hispanic Alliance, a local nonprofit that works to build community while connecting Latinx residents of the South Carolina Upstate region with quality resources. “I fell in love with helping others reach their full potential and decided this would be the path I chose,” remarks Sherlyn.
Now an activist and role model for her community, her passion to serve has earned her a position in the Hispanic Alliance’s highly competitive leadership program, the Student DREAMer Alliance, as well as the honor of being personally invited by her district’s director of staff and leadership to take part in the Greenville County School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stakeholders panel, where she discussed how to minimize the barriers that limit the access of students in her district to higher education.
A student at Berea High School, Sherlyn is equally active in school as she is in her community at large. Serving as student body president, she is an active member and head photographer of her school’s yearbook team, a member of the International Heritage Society, school improvement council, art club, multiple service clubs, and its women’s varsity soccer team. “Sherlyn is a champion for her organizations and encourages her friends and peers to take risks and seek out clubs they are passionate about,” shares José Morales-Martinez, Sherlyn’s mentor for the past two years.
Continuing her spirit of advocacy, Sherlyn believes in an inclusive student body and acknowledges that over 40% of the students in her school are new to the US and only speak Spanish. Because of this, she translates every single announcement into Spanish to accommodate these students and serve them by helping them understand the opportunities that they have.
In her spare time, she dedicates herself even more to community service and works with organizations like her school’s Key Club, Beta Club, and National Honors Society to serve her community at events all over her town, such as volunteering at her city’s fall and art festivals—Fall for Greenville and Arisphere.
Sherlyn aspires to change perceptions of the Latinx community from both the inside and out. In the future, she hopes to continue advocating and helping her community by serving as a government official or nonprofit director. In preparation for this, she plans to pursue a major in Political Science and minors in Digital Media and Graphic Design at New York University, Furman University, or Clemson University.
High School: Berea High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Seeing little Hispanic representation in leadership roles while growing up in South Carolina, Sherlyn Ramos had resigned to not seeing people that looked like her taking on positions of power. After attending a PWI her freshman year where she struggled to get her voice heard, she knew it was time for things to take a turn. “I decided I would become the change I wanted to see,” shares Sherlyn. She switched schools and began to position herself and open more opportunities that encouraged her personal growth and development.
Not long after, she started connecting with influential Latinx adults in her community of Greenville. Looking to advocate for the Latinx population in her town, Sherlyn became involved with the Hispanic Alliance, a local nonprofit that works to build community while connecting Latinx residents of the South Carolina Upstate region with quality resources. “I fell in love with helping others reach their full potential and decided this would be the path I chose,” remarks Sherlyn.
Now an activist and role model for her community, her passion to serve has earned her a position in the Hispanic Alliance’s highly competitive leadership program, the Student DREAMer Alliance, as well as the honor of being personally invited by her district’s director of staff and leadership to take part in the Greenville County School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stakeholders panel, where she discussed how to minimize the barriers that limit the access of students in her district to higher education.
A student at Berea High School, Sherlyn is equally active in school as she is in her community at large. Serving as student body president, she is an active member and head photographer of her school’s yearbook team, a member of the International Heritage Society, school improvement council, art club, multiple service clubs, and its women’s varsity soccer team. “Sherlyn is a champion for her organizations and encourages her friends and peers to take risks and seek out clubs they are passionate about,” shares José Morales-Martinez, Sherlyn’s mentor for the past two years.
Continuing her spirit of advocacy, Sherlyn believes in an inclusive student body and acknowledges that over 40% of the students in her school are new to the US and only speak Spanish. Because of this, she translates every single announcement into Spanish to accommodate these students and serve them by helping them understand the opportunities that they have.
In her spare time, she dedicates herself even more to community service and works with organizations like her school’s Key Club, Beta Club, and National Honors Society to serve her community at events all over her town, such as volunteering at her city’s fall and art festivals—Fall for Greenville and Arisphere.
Sherlyn aspires to change perceptions of the Latinx community from both the inside and out. In the future, she hopes to continue advocating and helping her community by serving as a government official or nonprofit director. In preparation for this, she plans to pursue a major in Political Science and minors in Digital Media and Graphic Design at New York University, Furman University, or Clemson University.
BRONZE - Keegan Figueroa
Hometown: Mooreville, MS
High School: Mooreville High School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican-American student, Keegan Figueroa, remembers how his middle school classmates would use things he could not change about himself to shame him and make him feel powerless. Due to this, he struggled with self-confidence and self-esteem issues for years. These challenges have led Keegan to a greater sense of self-awareness and to grow into a young adult wiser beyond his years.
Strongly influenced by his Latinx background, Keegan finds support in his diverse community to provide an open mind and broader perspectives for his endeavors. With a more intimate understanding of the inner workings of surging communities like the migrant Latinx community, with which he shares similar struggles and triumphs, Keegan feels well-equipped to be able to provide assistance and advocate for people of diverse backgrounds.
Deeply rooted in his Puerto Rican background, Keegan sprang into action when Hurricane Maria struck the island a few years ago, leaving destruction in its wake. He rallied for assistance at his school, local businesses, pharmacies, and major retail chains, collecting thousands of donated items totaling 30,000 lbs of supplies and necessities.
Recruiting the assistance of American Airlines to deliver this extraordinary volume of critical aid, Keegan and his dad headed straight to Puerto Rico and were on the ground delivering as many supplies as they could to all the far-flung, rural areas in desperate need of aid.
Keegan’s wholehearted dedication to helping others and serving his community has helped him amass over a whopping 900 hours of community service hours.
In addition to his service commitments and efforts, with a 4.0 GPA, a slew of rigorous courses, and several scholastic awards, this exceptional Latino has also proven himself as an academic force. “I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he is one of the hardest-working and most talented students with whom I have had the opportunity to work . . . He is exceptionally intelligent and creative, consistently exceeding what is expected of him,” shares Patti Williams, Keegan’s ninth-grade Computer Science teacher, who is also the faculty sponsor of the Mooreville High School student council, where Keegan has served all through high school.
In addition to Keegan’s remarkable academic success, he is also active in various school organizations and athletic teams, including varsity cross-country, track, soccer, and football.
Keegan is acutely aware of the challenges that come with being part of an underrepresented community and hopes that in time, there will be an increase in cultural awareness, greater acceptance, and less segregation in society.
Once failing to defend himself, he has taken the responsibility onto his young shoulders to passionately fight for those in vulnerable positions unable to do so for themselves. Through a path lit for him by his negative childhood experience, he now plans on majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology at Vanderbilt University, the University of Alabama, or the University of Mississippi, and ultimately, becoming an attorney to spare others from injustice and defend them like he wishes he could have done for himself. “I desire to become an attorney so that others do not have to feel like I did in the past. Hopelessly failing to defend myself back then has opened my eyes to the fact that some people need a passionate person to defend their values and truth,” shares Keegan. He aims to be a reassuring anchor for individuals that do not have the know-how to stand up for themselves.
High School: Mooreville High School
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican-American student, Keegan Figueroa, remembers how his middle school classmates would use things he could not change about himself to shame him and make him feel powerless. Due to this, he struggled with self-confidence and self-esteem issues for years. These challenges have led Keegan to a greater sense of self-awareness and to grow into a young adult wiser beyond his years.
Strongly influenced by his Latinx background, Keegan finds support in his diverse community to provide an open mind and broader perspectives for his endeavors. With a more intimate understanding of the inner workings of surging communities like the migrant Latinx community, with which he shares similar struggles and triumphs, Keegan feels well-equipped to be able to provide assistance and advocate for people of diverse backgrounds.
Deeply rooted in his Puerto Rican background, Keegan sprang into action when Hurricane Maria struck the island a few years ago, leaving destruction in its wake. He rallied for assistance at his school, local businesses, pharmacies, and major retail chains, collecting thousands of donated items totaling 30,000 lbs of supplies and necessities.
Recruiting the assistance of American Airlines to deliver this extraordinary volume of critical aid, Keegan and his dad headed straight to Puerto Rico and were on the ground delivering as many supplies as they could to all the far-flung, rural areas in desperate need of aid.
Keegan’s wholehearted dedication to helping others and serving his community has helped him amass over a whopping 900 hours of community service hours.
In addition to his service commitments and efforts, with a 4.0 GPA, a slew of rigorous courses, and several scholastic awards, this exceptional Latino has also proven himself as an academic force. “I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he is one of the hardest-working and most talented students with whom I have had the opportunity to work . . . He is exceptionally intelligent and creative, consistently exceeding what is expected of him,” shares Patti Williams, Keegan’s ninth-grade Computer Science teacher, who is also the faculty sponsor of the Mooreville High School student council, where Keegan has served all through high school.
In addition to Keegan’s remarkable academic success, he is also active in various school organizations and athletic teams, including varsity cross-country, track, soccer, and football.
Keegan is acutely aware of the challenges that come with being part of an underrepresented community and hopes that in time, there will be an increase in cultural awareness, greater acceptance, and less segregation in society.
Once failing to defend himself, he has taken the responsibility onto his young shoulders to passionately fight for those in vulnerable positions unable to do so for themselves. Through a path lit for him by his negative childhood experience, he now plans on majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology at Vanderbilt University, the University of Alabama, or the University of Mississippi, and ultimately, becoming an attorney to spare others from injustice and defend them like he wishes he could have done for himself. “I desire to become an attorney so that others do not have to feel like I did in the past. Hopelessly failing to defend myself back then has opened my eyes to the fact that some people need a passionate person to defend their values and truth,” shares Keegan. He aims to be a reassuring anchor for individuals that do not have the know-how to stand up for themselves.
Sports & Fitness
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Sydney Young
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
High School: C.E. Byrd High School
Hispanic Heritage: Brazilian
Many things come in threes for Brazilian-American student, Sydney Young: she speaks three languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), plays three sports (tennis, volleyball, and basketball), and is part of a triplet trio with her two sisters, Bella and Morgan.
Sydney has been growing as an athlete since the age of five, when she and her sisters began to play tennis. Not long after, with their father as their coach, the Young sisters started playing basketball, and in eighth grade, inspired by their mother, who was a talented collegiate-level volleyball player, the trio also dove full-speed into volleyball. Sydney has been traveling to tournaments across her state and adding accomplishments to her records in all three sports from the start.
For the last four years, this Latina has been working hard to leave a mark at her school. She contributed to setting her school’s record for wins on the varsity volleyball team and, alongside her sister Morgan, became district and regional girls’ doubles champion. In 2021 and 2022, she cruised into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I girls' doubles state tennis championship tournament, advanced to semifinals, and took home third place. She has won All-State Tennis and All-District Volleyball awards and currently leads her school’s varsity basketball team as co-captain.
“Sydney is truly remarkable. She is one of the most responsible, caring, thoughtful, smart, determined, and talented individuals I know,” affirms Meredith Duncan, Sydney’s basketball coach. Yet, through all her athletic achievements, Sydney has remained most humble. “I don't think I am that great of an athlete . . . I'm not the tallest, fastest, or strongest, but I won't back down from anyone or anything,” she shares. For Sydney, her proudest successes have not been her championships or awards; they have been working hard to overcome her limitations and gaining confidence in her own self.
Beyond sports, Sydney is also an exemplary student. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and stands among the top students in her class while juggling a demanding array of honors and dual-enrollment courses. In 2023, this Shreveport, Louisiana resident will begin her college career at Louisiana State University. She plans to double major in Kinesiology and Education while pursuing minors in Exercise Science and Social Work.
High School: C.E. Byrd High School
Hispanic Heritage: Brazilian
Many things come in threes for Brazilian-American student, Sydney Young: she speaks three languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), plays three sports (tennis, volleyball, and basketball), and is part of a triplet trio with her two sisters, Bella and Morgan.
Sydney has been growing as an athlete since the age of five, when she and her sisters began to play tennis. Not long after, with their father as their coach, the Young sisters started playing basketball, and in eighth grade, inspired by their mother, who was a talented collegiate-level volleyball player, the trio also dove full-speed into volleyball. Sydney has been traveling to tournaments across her state and adding accomplishments to her records in all three sports from the start.
For the last four years, this Latina has been working hard to leave a mark at her school. She contributed to setting her school’s record for wins on the varsity volleyball team and, alongside her sister Morgan, became district and regional girls’ doubles champion. In 2021 and 2022, she cruised into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I girls' doubles state tennis championship tournament, advanced to semifinals, and took home third place. She has won All-State Tennis and All-District Volleyball awards and currently leads her school’s varsity basketball team as co-captain.
“Sydney is truly remarkable. She is one of the most responsible, caring, thoughtful, smart, determined, and talented individuals I know,” affirms Meredith Duncan, Sydney’s basketball coach. Yet, through all her athletic achievements, Sydney has remained most humble. “I don't think I am that great of an athlete . . . I'm not the tallest, fastest, or strongest, but I won't back down from anyone or anything,” she shares. For Sydney, her proudest successes have not been her championships or awards; they have been working hard to overcome her limitations and gaining confidence in her own self.
Beyond sports, Sydney is also an exemplary student. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and stands among the top students in her class while juggling a demanding array of honors and dual-enrollment courses. In 2023, this Shreveport, Louisiana resident will begin her college career at Louisiana State University. She plans to double major in Kinesiology and Education while pursuing minors in Exercise Science and Social Work.
SILVER - Christopher Mendez Ulloa
Hometown: Durham, NC
High School: Cedar Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Christopher Mendez Ulloa, also known as Chris, has had a passion for soccer since he was seven years old and has always been involved in one soccer league or another, whether it's his school's team or various club leagues. He is the captain of his high school's varsity soccer team. Being a captain is challenging enough when you are on state championship teams, but it is even harder when you are responsible for motivating a team that doesn't make the playoffs. Nevertheless, Chris' soccer talent and ability have not gone unnoticed. He has been named to both the all-conference and all-region teams. In addition, on his club teams, he has won numerous awards and tournaments.
While his high school's soccer team is currently out of season, Chris is still consumed with his love for soccer and has been busy organizing a charity soccer event. He knows that he would not be able to give up his love for soccer anytime soon, which is why he has career aspirations and has already taken courses at his high school that revolve around sports, fitness, and other classes he would need to take as a future Exercise Science major. So far, Chris has started the two-year IB courses in Sports Exercise and Health Science, IB Chemistry, IB Math Analysis & Approaches, Health Honors, and Honors Pre-Calc, where he has received all A's. In addition, as Chris is already fluent in Spanish, he is also taking advanced French courses, which will make him fluent in three languages by the time he graduates. Being trilingual will certainly help him as he wants to be a sports trainer and understands the importance of being able to communicate in multiple languages with patients so that they feel confident that they are being understood, not only in explaining what symptoms they are having, but also in understanding diagnosis and treatment. This compassion for others was noted by his teachers, who stated that Christopher's positive attitude greatly impacts the classroom. He is the first to comfort and encourage a peer who may be struggling with the material and is highly conscientious of his impact on others; all traits that will make Christopher a phenomenal trainer.
Giving back has always been extremely important to Chris. He has been an active member of his high school's Key Club since his junior year, when it re-opened after COVID-19 closure. With the club, Chris has been involved in diaper drives and cleaning up local parks, which he enjoys as it shows that even small gestures can have meaningful impact. Outside of the club, Chris also volunteers with his church, and on Sundays, he consistently volunteers by serving breakfast to the parishioners and helping maintain the church gardens.
Of Mexican descent, Chris has a 3.93 GPA and is ranked seventh in his graduating class. He will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, or Appalachian State University to major in Exercise & Sport Science and minor in French.
High School: Cedar Ridge High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Christopher Mendez Ulloa, also known as Chris, has had a passion for soccer since he was seven years old and has always been involved in one soccer league or another, whether it's his school's team or various club leagues. He is the captain of his high school's varsity soccer team. Being a captain is challenging enough when you are on state championship teams, but it is even harder when you are responsible for motivating a team that doesn't make the playoffs. Nevertheless, Chris' soccer talent and ability have not gone unnoticed. He has been named to both the all-conference and all-region teams. In addition, on his club teams, he has won numerous awards and tournaments.
While his high school's soccer team is currently out of season, Chris is still consumed with his love for soccer and has been busy organizing a charity soccer event. He knows that he would not be able to give up his love for soccer anytime soon, which is why he has career aspirations and has already taken courses at his high school that revolve around sports, fitness, and other classes he would need to take as a future Exercise Science major. So far, Chris has started the two-year IB courses in Sports Exercise and Health Science, IB Chemistry, IB Math Analysis & Approaches, Health Honors, and Honors Pre-Calc, where he has received all A's. In addition, as Chris is already fluent in Spanish, he is also taking advanced French courses, which will make him fluent in three languages by the time he graduates. Being trilingual will certainly help him as he wants to be a sports trainer and understands the importance of being able to communicate in multiple languages with patients so that they feel confident that they are being understood, not only in explaining what symptoms they are having, but also in understanding diagnosis and treatment. This compassion for others was noted by his teachers, who stated that Christopher's positive attitude greatly impacts the classroom. He is the first to comfort and encourage a peer who may be struggling with the material and is highly conscientious of his impact on others; all traits that will make Christopher a phenomenal trainer.
Giving back has always been extremely important to Chris. He has been an active member of his high school's Key Club since his junior year, when it re-opened after COVID-19 closure. With the club, Chris has been involved in diaper drives and cleaning up local parks, which he enjoys as it shows that even small gestures can have meaningful impact. Outside of the club, Chris also volunteers with his church, and on Sundays, he consistently volunteers by serving breakfast to the parishioners and helping maintain the church gardens.
Of Mexican descent, Chris has a 3.93 GPA and is ranked seventh in his graduating class. He will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, or Appalachian State University to major in Exercise & Sport Science and minor in French.
BRONZE - Sanders Zendejas Leon
Hometown: Gastonia, NC
High School: Ashbrook High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Sanders Zendejas Leon has been playing sports since he was 11 years old. A candidate for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and North Carolina State University, with plans to major in Exercise Science and minor in Biology, this student-athlete was recently named the Ashbrook High School winner of the Heismann High School Scholars Program.
Proud of his achievements on his school’s varsity football team and through his four years as part of its varsity soccer team, Sanders has grown as a student, an athlete, a teammate, and a leader. His proudest athletic achievement, he says, is being named captain of his soccer team. “Receiving that [honor] encouraged me to be the best leader I can be . . . It demonstrated my perseverance, my positivity, and my determination to lead and succeed as a team,” shares Sanders.
As part of the athletic training program at Ashbrook, Sanders served as an athletic trainer, assisting his school's designated trainer through sideline support, such as wrapping and helping other student-athletes stretch. This opportunity allowed him to learn more about athletics, discover the wide range of career paths available in the sports and exercise industry, and connect with players and fans. This has helped him build a community that transcends team or sports preferences.
For Sanders, a first-generation Mexican-American, connecting with others through sports provides him with a unique opportunity to build close bonds with athletes of diverse cultural backgrounds. For Sanders, diversity in Sports & Fitness fosters understanding while providing an opportunity to learn about different cultures and customs, leading to more connections and a greater appreciation for one another. While Hispanics across different countries and cultures share a lot in common, Sanders' concern is a lack of acceptance within our community. "[Seeing] people approaching life differently [than them] is hard for some to accept. I want to bring Hispanics together through their similarities so they can enjoy time together rather than criticizing their differences," he declares.
Ashley Rimmer, Sanders’ tenth-grade English Honors teacher, shares how Sanders impressed her with his “positive and thoughtful nature” and has continued to do so over the years with his maturity and dedication. “Sanders is a remarkable young man,” she remarks, adding that Sanders is “an excellent student [and athlete], even in the face of challenging odds.” Through an injury that took him out for several weeks, for example, she remembers how Sanders remained focused and optimistic.
Balancing a demanding schedule of sports, academics, and extracurriculars, with a 3.95 GPA, Sanders stands among the top students in his class. In a short time, through tenacity, hard work, and a commitment to succeed, he has proven to be an athletic and academic force of nature.
High School: Ashbrook High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Sanders Zendejas Leon has been playing sports since he was 11 years old. A candidate for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and North Carolina State University, with plans to major in Exercise Science and minor in Biology, this student-athlete was recently named the Ashbrook High School winner of the Heismann High School Scholars Program.
Proud of his achievements on his school’s varsity football team and through his four years as part of its varsity soccer team, Sanders has grown as a student, an athlete, a teammate, and a leader. His proudest athletic achievement, he says, is being named captain of his soccer team. “Receiving that [honor] encouraged me to be the best leader I can be . . . It demonstrated my perseverance, my positivity, and my determination to lead and succeed as a team,” shares Sanders.
As part of the athletic training program at Ashbrook, Sanders served as an athletic trainer, assisting his school's designated trainer through sideline support, such as wrapping and helping other student-athletes stretch. This opportunity allowed him to learn more about athletics, discover the wide range of career paths available in the sports and exercise industry, and connect with players and fans. This has helped him build a community that transcends team or sports preferences.
For Sanders, a first-generation Mexican-American, connecting with others through sports provides him with a unique opportunity to build close bonds with athletes of diverse cultural backgrounds. For Sanders, diversity in Sports & Fitness fosters understanding while providing an opportunity to learn about different cultures and customs, leading to more connections and a greater appreciation for one another. While Hispanics across different countries and cultures share a lot in common, Sanders' concern is a lack of acceptance within our community. "[Seeing] people approaching life differently [than them] is hard for some to accept. I want to bring Hispanics together through their similarities so they can enjoy time together rather than criticizing their differences," he declares.
Ashley Rimmer, Sanders’ tenth-grade English Honors teacher, shares how Sanders impressed her with his “positive and thoughtful nature” and has continued to do so over the years with his maturity and dedication. “Sanders is a remarkable young man,” she remarks, adding that Sanders is “an excellent student [and athlete], even in the face of challenging odds.” Through an injury that took him out for several weeks, for example, she remembers how Sanders remained focused and optimistic.
Balancing a demanding schedule of sports, academics, and extracurriculars, with a 3.95 GPA, Sanders stands among the top students in his class. In a short time, through tenacity, hard work, and a commitment to succeed, he has proven to be an athletic and academic force of nature.
Sustainability (Green)
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Kimberly Leiva-Sorto
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
High School: South Garner High School
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Kimberly Leiva-Sorto's interest in environmental affairs was piqued at the end of eighth grade when she enrolled in a summer program offered by North Carolina State University and the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, to learn about the implications of water quality on a community.
Through the program, she was exposed to various methods of research in the field and learned how to navigate a laboratory. This was her first exposure to climate research and the effects of climate change. The following year, wanting to continue her exploration as a freshman, she enrolled in Honors Biology to learn about our physical world and its role in the environment.
At the tail end of her first year of high school, Kimberly's Honors Biology teacher recommended her for the Youth Engaged in the Science of Resilience (YES-Resilience) program, a STEM program centered around the issue of climate change from the University of North Carolina in partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Kimberly's involvement with YES-Resilience marked a pivotal point in her life. Over the course of ten months, through the program, she expanded her understanding of climate change and how it affects our planet and communities.
During her time in YES-Resilience, Kimberly consistently highlighted the relationship between public health and climate change, helping other students see how the pressing issues related to their own interests and passions. Committed to contributing to the program and growing in her leadership, she took every opportunity to lead, run breakout rooms, moderate panels, and help other participants with their own projects.
Kimberly is keenly aware of how climate change affects us all. She is particularly concerned with how a disproportionately high number of Latinx and other communities of color are more likely to work in conditions where the effects of climate change are more apparent. Furthermore, she also worries about how geographical areas with a greater concentration of these communities often have poorer air quality and greater levels of environmental pollution, which can significantly contribute to chronic illnesses like asthma and respiratory distress. "I see [how] it affects my community, and that only pushes me to want to make a change," remarks Kimberly.
Concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for undocumented students and DREAMers, who often cannot afford the exorbitant out-of-state costs of attending a college, as one of the LatinxEd 20 Under 20, which celebrates young North Carolina leaders, Kimberly gave a speech to an audience including state legislators to raise awareness of these challenges and intends to continue using her voice to help DREAMers enjoy the educational opportunities they aspire to access.
"Community service is one of the most important things in my life," says Kimberly. The Honduran-American student volunteers at the Poe Center for Health Education, where she assesses the needs of her community and implements action projects. Aside from her work at Poe, she also donates her time and talents as the lead pianist for her church's worship ministry, spending several hours a week practicing piano and putting together chord sheets to prepare for Sunday services.
Looking to the future, next fall, Kimberly will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, or the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to major in Nursing and minor in Public Health.
High School: South Garner High School
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
Kimberly Leiva-Sorto's interest in environmental affairs was piqued at the end of eighth grade when she enrolled in a summer program offered by North Carolina State University and the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, to learn about the implications of water quality on a community.
Through the program, she was exposed to various methods of research in the field and learned how to navigate a laboratory. This was her first exposure to climate research and the effects of climate change. The following year, wanting to continue her exploration as a freshman, she enrolled in Honors Biology to learn about our physical world and its role in the environment.
At the tail end of her first year of high school, Kimberly's Honors Biology teacher recommended her for the Youth Engaged in the Science of Resilience (YES-Resilience) program, a STEM program centered around the issue of climate change from the University of North Carolina in partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Kimberly's involvement with YES-Resilience marked a pivotal point in her life. Over the course of ten months, through the program, she expanded her understanding of climate change and how it affects our planet and communities.
During her time in YES-Resilience, Kimberly consistently highlighted the relationship between public health and climate change, helping other students see how the pressing issues related to their own interests and passions. Committed to contributing to the program and growing in her leadership, she took every opportunity to lead, run breakout rooms, moderate panels, and help other participants with their own projects.
Kimberly is keenly aware of how climate change affects us all. She is particularly concerned with how a disproportionately high number of Latinx and other communities of color are more likely to work in conditions where the effects of climate change are more apparent. Furthermore, she also worries about how geographical areas with a greater concentration of these communities often have poorer air quality and greater levels of environmental pollution, which can significantly contribute to chronic illnesses like asthma and respiratory distress. "I see [how] it affects my community, and that only pushes me to want to make a change," remarks Kimberly.
Concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for undocumented students and DREAMers, who often cannot afford the exorbitant out-of-state costs of attending a college, as one of the LatinxEd 20 Under 20, which celebrates young North Carolina leaders, Kimberly gave a speech to an audience including state legislators to raise awareness of these challenges and intends to continue using her voice to help DREAMers enjoy the educational opportunities they aspire to access.
"Community service is one of the most important things in my life," says Kimberly. The Honduran-American student volunteers at the Poe Center for Health Education, where she assesses the needs of her community and implements action projects. Aside from her work at Poe, she also donates her time and talents as the lead pianist for her church's worship ministry, spending several hours a week practicing piano and putting together chord sheets to prepare for Sunday services.
Looking to the future, next fall, Kimberly will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, or the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to major in Nursing and minor in Public Health.
SILVER - Nicole Beltran-Trejo
Hometown: Hickory, NC
High School: Discovery High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Peruvian
When she was little, Nicole Beltran-Trejo's parents always wanted her to become a doctor. Though she wanted to make her parents happy, deep down Nicole knew that a career in healthcare was not in her path. She sought to follow her own dreams and pursue her passion: learning about the environment.
With a growing interest in environmental science, a spark was fueled when Nicole joined her school's Envirothon team and was assigned to study current environmental issues. She poured through technical and scientific content, annotated a 200-page packet, and remained captivated by what can be a dry subject for many students.
Participating in the regional Envirothon competition with her team, The New Wave, was one of the highlights of Nicole's high school experience. Though strangers at first, she and her teammates soon bonded over their shared interest in sustainability and worked diligently to prepare for the competition. Succeeding in their efforts, "The New Wave" placed 5th overall and qualified to compete at the state level. "It was incredible to see our hard work pay off," admits Nicole. She and her team continue to work and have their sights set on qualifying for the national Envirothon competition when they get the chance.
With a small Latinx community in her hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, Nicole attends Discovery High School, where she is one of the few Latinx students. Discontent with the lack of representation at her school, which was made even more evident when she contemplated the roster of students in leadership roles, Nicole became motivated to work toward promoting a more inclusive environment at school. She decided that if there were no Latinx leaders there, she would step up and be the leader with whom other Latinx students could identify, hoping this would also motivate them to become more involved.
Her efforts helped Nicole become the event committee chair in the Discovery student senate and the president of its Diversity Club. She now uses her positions to amplify the voices, ideas, and perspectives of students from all backgrounds at her school.
Her gentle demeanor often belies her fierce determination, and her incredibly strong convictions drive her to do what she sets her mind to do. "Considerate and quiet, she has the heart of a lion," says Deborah Kellogg, Nicole's mathematics instructor, who has seen Nicole grow into an effective leader and make substantial strides in her goal of increasing POC presence in student organizations.
With a heart of service, Nicole has volunteered with several organizations over the course of her high school career. She has donated her time serving in various roles, such as a swim teacher, an interpreter, an academic tutor, an English instructor for Ukrainian students, and, most memorably for her, a mentor for the Lego robotics team at her former elementary school.
Despite all the demands on her attention and time from her leadership roles, her service commitments, and her extracurriculars, Nicole maintains a 4.0 GPA through a challenging course load of AP and dual-enrollment courses and even an internship with The Observer News Enterprise.
With her interest in sustainability stronger than ever, this Latina leader of Mexican and Peruvian descent plans to attend Duke University, North Carolina State University, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She plans to major in Environmental Science and minor in Communication and Journalism.
High School: Discovery High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Peruvian
When she was little, Nicole Beltran-Trejo's parents always wanted her to become a doctor. Though she wanted to make her parents happy, deep down Nicole knew that a career in healthcare was not in her path. She sought to follow her own dreams and pursue her passion: learning about the environment.
With a growing interest in environmental science, a spark was fueled when Nicole joined her school's Envirothon team and was assigned to study current environmental issues. She poured through technical and scientific content, annotated a 200-page packet, and remained captivated by what can be a dry subject for many students.
Participating in the regional Envirothon competition with her team, The New Wave, was one of the highlights of Nicole's high school experience. Though strangers at first, she and her teammates soon bonded over their shared interest in sustainability and worked diligently to prepare for the competition. Succeeding in their efforts, "The New Wave" placed 5th overall and qualified to compete at the state level. "It was incredible to see our hard work pay off," admits Nicole. She and her team continue to work and have their sights set on qualifying for the national Envirothon competition when they get the chance.
With a small Latinx community in her hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, Nicole attends Discovery High School, where she is one of the few Latinx students. Discontent with the lack of representation at her school, which was made even more evident when she contemplated the roster of students in leadership roles, Nicole became motivated to work toward promoting a more inclusive environment at school. She decided that if there were no Latinx leaders there, she would step up and be the leader with whom other Latinx students could identify, hoping this would also motivate them to become more involved.
Her efforts helped Nicole become the event committee chair in the Discovery student senate and the president of its Diversity Club. She now uses her positions to amplify the voices, ideas, and perspectives of students from all backgrounds at her school.
Her gentle demeanor often belies her fierce determination, and her incredibly strong convictions drive her to do what she sets her mind to do. "Considerate and quiet, she has the heart of a lion," says Deborah Kellogg, Nicole's mathematics instructor, who has seen Nicole grow into an effective leader and make substantial strides in her goal of increasing POC presence in student organizations.
With a heart of service, Nicole has volunteered with several organizations over the course of her high school career. She has donated her time serving in various roles, such as a swim teacher, an interpreter, an academic tutor, an English instructor for Ukrainian students, and, most memorably for her, a mentor for the Lego robotics team at her former elementary school.
Despite all the demands on her attention and time from her leadership roles, her service commitments, and her extracurriculars, Nicole maintains a 4.0 GPA through a challenging course load of AP and dual-enrollment courses and even an internship with The Observer News Enterprise.
With her interest in sustainability stronger than ever, this Latina leader of Mexican and Peruvian descent plans to attend Duke University, North Carolina State University, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She plans to major in Environmental Science and minor in Communication and Journalism.
BRONZE - Hailey Rodriguez
Hometown: Angier, NC
High School: West Johnston High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“Ever since I was little, I have always loved being out in nature and being around animals,” tells us Angier, North Carolina resident Hailey Rodriguez. This continues to be one of the main motivators behind her interest in sustainability.
When she was in elementary school, fascinated with ladybugs and the role that they played in our ecosystem, Hailey realized there were none of these little critters in her backyard while there were “loads of ladybugs all around” at her school. On a mission, during recess one day, she collected ladybugs in a small container with the plan to bring them home and release them into her backyard. To this day, there is a healthy population of ladybugs living outside of Hailey’s home, where, besides adding color to their surroundings, they help keep the ant and pest population down.
Further cementing her passion, Hailey participated in the AgDiscovery summer program at North Carolina State University, where she met and learned from professionals who worked in the sustainability field. Her experience in the program opened her eyes to different career paths in environmental protection and conservation and inspired her to make a career out of her interest in protecting the environment and all the plants and animals that share the world with us.
One of Hailey's goals is to work toward providing children with more opportunities to enjoy and appreciate nature the way she does. Whether it be enjoying a sunset over a lake or listening to the forest sounds around them, she is concerned that children in the US might be deprived of the natural environment that she knows and loves.
When speaking about Hailey, one of her teachers at West Johnston High School, Amanda Fisher, describes her as a "rare gem," and a student who stands out for her "huge imagination and drive," adding that Hailey is a positive influence on her peers, helping to create a respectful environment at school and in her community at large
She has been an active member of her school's FBLA and DECA chapters throughout her high school career and has held leadership roles in both organizations. Currently, she serves as the president of FBLA. Through these organizations, Hailey has competed, placed, and won in various business competitions at the state and regional levels. She also serves as the co-editor and lead photographer of her school's yearbook.
Giving back to her community is important to this Latina of Mexican descent. "I'm inspired to give back because so many people have helped me to get where I am today and I want to be able to help others in the same way, to continue the cycle," she explains. In her free time, Hailey likes to volunteer for her school's chapter of the National Honors Society, serving as a Wildcat Ambassador to help new students at West Johnston become familiar with their school, and donating her time at her local food pantry. She finds joy in giving back and strives to bring her positive energy to make a difference in the lives of those around her.
On her path toward what is sure to be an exemplary career, Hailey plans to attend Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University. There, she plans to pursue a Conservation Biology degree with a minor in Creative Writing.
High School: West Johnston High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“Ever since I was little, I have always loved being out in nature and being around animals,” tells us Angier, North Carolina resident Hailey Rodriguez. This continues to be one of the main motivators behind her interest in sustainability.
When she was in elementary school, fascinated with ladybugs and the role that they played in our ecosystem, Hailey realized there were none of these little critters in her backyard while there were “loads of ladybugs all around” at her school. On a mission, during recess one day, she collected ladybugs in a small container with the plan to bring them home and release them into her backyard. To this day, there is a healthy population of ladybugs living outside of Hailey’s home, where, besides adding color to their surroundings, they help keep the ant and pest population down.
Further cementing her passion, Hailey participated in the AgDiscovery summer program at North Carolina State University, where she met and learned from professionals who worked in the sustainability field. Her experience in the program opened her eyes to different career paths in environmental protection and conservation and inspired her to make a career out of her interest in protecting the environment and all the plants and animals that share the world with us.
One of Hailey's goals is to work toward providing children with more opportunities to enjoy and appreciate nature the way she does. Whether it be enjoying a sunset over a lake or listening to the forest sounds around them, she is concerned that children in the US might be deprived of the natural environment that she knows and loves.
When speaking about Hailey, one of her teachers at West Johnston High School, Amanda Fisher, describes her as a "rare gem," and a student who stands out for her "huge imagination and drive," adding that Hailey is a positive influence on her peers, helping to create a respectful environment at school and in her community at large
She has been an active member of her school's FBLA and DECA chapters throughout her high school career and has held leadership roles in both organizations. Currently, she serves as the president of FBLA. Through these organizations, Hailey has competed, placed, and won in various business competitions at the state and regional levels. She also serves as the co-editor and lead photographer of her school's yearbook.
Giving back to her community is important to this Latina of Mexican descent. "I'm inspired to give back because so many people have helped me to get where I am today and I want to be able to help others in the same way, to continue the cycle," she explains. In her free time, Hailey likes to volunteer for her school's chapter of the National Honors Society, serving as a Wildcat Ambassador to help new students at West Johnston become familiar with their school, and donating her time at her local food pantry. She finds joy in giving back and strives to bring her positive energy to make a difference in the lives of those around her.
On her path toward what is sure to be an exemplary career, Hailey plans to attend Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University. There, she plans to pursue a Conservation Biology degree with a minor in Creative Writing.
Technology
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Jimmy Saldana
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
High School: Cato Middle College High School
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
One of Jimmy Saldana's first encounters with technology was in fifth grade, where he learned basic block coding through a website called the Hour of Code. He was instantly hooked, fascinated by how the site used simple video games to teach complex concepts in block coding.
In middle school, Jimmy fueled his interest by attending the IB TECH READY program at Johnson C. Smith University, where he was exposed to programming and learned how to create a website. Throughout the program, he learned HTML coding and worked as part of a team to create a website for his school. "The project allowed me to be creative, and the process of finding the code that worked was extremely rewarding," recalls Jimmy.
With a newfound creative outlet, he then went on to create an app, code a drone, and learn to make 3D models using Blender software. As an avid participant in the program, Jimmy discovered his passion for technology and hopes to use his knowledge to create applications that make a difference in people's lives.
At the end of tenth grade, as part of an open final project, Jimmy challenged himself with developing a video game. Through YouTube tutorials, trial and error, problem-solving, creativity and design, he created a game that made him proud.
He wants to use his tech know-how to offer support to the Latinx community and help bring more diversity to STEM. He envisions that with a more diverse STEM workforce, the STEM community will better understand and tackle problems affecting people across all cultures and ethnicities.
An issue that concerns Jimmy is the education gap and reduced prospects for the education of children of newly arrived immigrants. According to him, immigrant parents often face difficulty in speaking English, which hinders their ability to support their children's education and provide with access to quality education. He would like to see more organizations dedicated to helping immigrant parents provide their children with educational opportunities for growth and success.
A student at Cato Middle College High School, Jimmy is a dedicated student with great work ethics both in and out of the classroom. He is enrolled in college courses through Central Piedmont Community College and will complete his Associate of Arts degree by the time he graduates in a few months.
Outside of school, Jimmy is active in several initiatives, such as planting trees and packing shoeboxes with small gifts and necessities through his involvement with Servants with a Heart, Trees Charlotte, his school's service club, and Operation Christmas Child. He acknowledges his blessings and believes it is his moral obligation to give back and contribute to his community.
The creation of his first game helped Jimmy realize that he could accomplish anything if he set his mind to it. With this thought, the Peruvian-American student plans to major in Computer Science with a minor in Game Programming at the University of Advancing Technology, or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or the University of Southern California.
High School: Cato Middle College High School
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
One of Jimmy Saldana's first encounters with technology was in fifth grade, where he learned basic block coding through a website called the Hour of Code. He was instantly hooked, fascinated by how the site used simple video games to teach complex concepts in block coding.
In middle school, Jimmy fueled his interest by attending the IB TECH READY program at Johnson C. Smith University, where he was exposed to programming and learned how to create a website. Throughout the program, he learned HTML coding and worked as part of a team to create a website for his school. "The project allowed me to be creative, and the process of finding the code that worked was extremely rewarding," recalls Jimmy.
With a newfound creative outlet, he then went on to create an app, code a drone, and learn to make 3D models using Blender software. As an avid participant in the program, Jimmy discovered his passion for technology and hopes to use his knowledge to create applications that make a difference in people's lives.
At the end of tenth grade, as part of an open final project, Jimmy challenged himself with developing a video game. Through YouTube tutorials, trial and error, problem-solving, creativity and design, he created a game that made him proud.
He wants to use his tech know-how to offer support to the Latinx community and help bring more diversity to STEM. He envisions that with a more diverse STEM workforce, the STEM community will better understand and tackle problems affecting people across all cultures and ethnicities.
An issue that concerns Jimmy is the education gap and reduced prospects for the education of children of newly arrived immigrants. According to him, immigrant parents often face difficulty in speaking English, which hinders their ability to support their children's education and provide with access to quality education. He would like to see more organizations dedicated to helping immigrant parents provide their children with educational opportunities for growth and success.
A student at Cato Middle College High School, Jimmy is a dedicated student with great work ethics both in and out of the classroom. He is enrolled in college courses through Central Piedmont Community College and will complete his Associate of Arts degree by the time he graduates in a few months.
Outside of school, Jimmy is active in several initiatives, such as planting trees and packing shoeboxes with small gifts and necessities through his involvement with Servants with a Heart, Trees Charlotte, his school's service club, and Operation Christmas Child. He acknowledges his blessings and believes it is his moral obligation to give back and contribute to his community.
The creation of his first game helped Jimmy realize that he could accomplish anything if he set his mind to it. With this thought, the Peruvian-American student plans to major in Computer Science with a minor in Game Programming at the University of Advancing Technology, or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or the University of Southern California.
SILVER - Anthony Holleran
Hometown: Tamassee, SC
High School: Walhalla High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"My entire life I have been influenced by technology," says Anthony Holleran, reflecting on his early fascination with computers and robots. This interest also sparked a curiosity in him about how humans interact with technology, and motivated him to delve deeper into the field of computer science. Over the years, this drive has led Anthony to continuously seek new knowledge and experiences in the field.
One thing that boosted Anthony's interest in technology was his love for video games. This interest inspired him to start his programming journey at the age of eight by learning Scratch, a coding language and the largest coding community for children.
He has since added more programming languages to his repertoire and completed numerous programming projects. To date, Anthony has developed multiple apps for the Android platform and created user-friendly programs that most users can run without needing instructions. Some of his creations include a sports game simulator and a machine that can solve complex equations in seconds.
The academic successes of this young man are numerous. On the Honor Roll for all his years in high school with AP and dual-credit courses, Andrew is also a member of his school’s chapters of the Senior Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. His hard work has been rewarded with numerous awards, including being named a Presbyterian College Fellow, an Erskine Fellow, and an Upstate Junior Scholar.
The Tamassee, South Carolina resident is a versatile and well-rounded student who also excels in sports. An avid hockey player, he has been an integral part of several nationally-recognized hockey teams during the last six years. He plays for the Greater Greenville Hockey Association and was chosen as team captain in 2022.
Off the field, Anthony enjoys weightlifting and midnight biking with his family and friends. A young Latino of diverse interests, he also has a passion for the arts and plays various stringed instruments, including the ukulele and guitar.
Anthony is a community-oriented person and is actively involved in the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network, helping promote and organize events that empower women.
When speaking of Anthony, Walhalla High School mathematics teacher Tammy C. Fodor says, “At Walhalla High School, our motto is ‘Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It.’ Anthony exemplifies this slogan not only in his academic life, but in service to our school and community as well.” Ms. Fodor also commends him for his abilities, hard work, and dedication.
As Anthony prepares for the next chapter in his academic career, he is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Statistics with minors in Data Science, AI Technology, and Psychology. He is eager to use his creativity to make a positive impact in the tech industry and improve people's quality of life.
High School: Walhalla High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"My entire life I have been influenced by technology," says Anthony Holleran, reflecting on his early fascination with computers and robots. This interest also sparked a curiosity in him about how humans interact with technology, and motivated him to delve deeper into the field of computer science. Over the years, this drive has led Anthony to continuously seek new knowledge and experiences in the field.
One thing that boosted Anthony's interest in technology was his love for video games. This interest inspired him to start his programming journey at the age of eight by learning Scratch, a coding language and the largest coding community for children.
He has since added more programming languages to his repertoire and completed numerous programming projects. To date, Anthony has developed multiple apps for the Android platform and created user-friendly programs that most users can run without needing instructions. Some of his creations include a sports game simulator and a machine that can solve complex equations in seconds.
The academic successes of this young man are numerous. On the Honor Roll for all his years in high school with AP and dual-credit courses, Andrew is also a member of his school’s chapters of the Senior Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. His hard work has been rewarded with numerous awards, including being named a Presbyterian College Fellow, an Erskine Fellow, and an Upstate Junior Scholar.
The Tamassee, South Carolina resident is a versatile and well-rounded student who also excels in sports. An avid hockey player, he has been an integral part of several nationally-recognized hockey teams during the last six years. He plays for the Greater Greenville Hockey Association and was chosen as team captain in 2022.
Off the field, Anthony enjoys weightlifting and midnight biking with his family and friends. A young Latino of diverse interests, he also has a passion for the arts and plays various stringed instruments, including the ukulele and guitar.
Anthony is a community-oriented person and is actively involved in the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network, helping promote and organize events that empower women.
When speaking of Anthony, Walhalla High School mathematics teacher Tammy C. Fodor says, “At Walhalla High School, our motto is ‘Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It.’ Anthony exemplifies this slogan not only in his academic life, but in service to our school and community as well.” Ms. Fodor also commends him for his abilities, hard work, and dedication.
As Anthony prepares for the next chapter in his academic career, he is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Statistics with minors in Data Science, AI Technology, and Psychology. He is eager to use his creativity to make a positive impact in the tech industry and improve people's quality of life.
BRONZE - Ally Zendejas
Hometown: Concord, NC
High School: Cox Mill High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Inspired by the Academy of Information Technology at her high school, last summer, Ally Zendejas interned at Lenovo, showcasing her exceptional skills, creativity, and intelligence. Most significantly, she led Lenovo's Girls Belong In Technology Initiative, which she considers her proudest achievement to this day.
Scott Harsany, her internship sponsor, only has good things to say about Ally. He regards her as "exceptional," praising her creativity, self-motivation, professionalism, and overall excellence in all her endeavors at Lenovo. Harsany recalls their first encounter, impressed with how prepared Ally was. When asked to define the project she proposed to undertake during her internship, she presented a comprehensive and brilliant plan.
Her concept was to educate and inspire young women about the diverse range of careers in technology. To gain insight, she conducted interviews with women at Lenovo to gather information about the different roles in the field. With this knowledge, she proposed creating a comprehensive resource website featuring information on various tech careers, including descriptions of what each career entails and videos of women in these roles discussing a typical day at work. Additionally, she proposed a career quiz on the website, allowing young women to explore potential technical career paths based on their interests and skills.
To implement her plan, Ally worked with a partner and together they interviewed 24 female executives, managers, and engineers at Lenovo. Ally recalls, "As I interviewed women in countries across the world and spanning many sectors of the technology industry, I realized they had many things in common." All the women she interviewed were confident, hardworking, and dedicated to helping others, much like Ally herself.
Ally and her partner launched a multi-faceted initiative that included a national camp, website, and social media outreach. To spread the word about the event, they collaborated with North Carolina newspapers and attracted 200 girls from 19 states and Canada. The camp was designed to be informative and interactive, featuring guest speakers, a comprehensive careers presentation, fun games, and a Q&A session.
The duo's work quickly caught the attention of people outside Lenovo that wanted to help them expand their mission. The Concord, North Carolina resident and her initiative partner were featured in a CBS-17 Raleigh news segment and WBTV-Charlotte news article. They also contributed to an article in Education Weekly, a national education publisher, and were highlighted in a monthly Girls Who Code Newsletter. But despite the acknowledgment, what Ally still values the most is the impact she made on many young girls’ lives.
The young student of Mexican descent is deeply committed to making a difference and improving the lives of those around her. Through leadership roles in her school's student council, Senior Action Committee, Key Club, and Leadership class, she has demonstrated her ability to bring people together and organize events to give back to her community. Last year, she was selected as a member of Kannapolis City's inaugural youth council, serving as community service chair and historian. This year, she was elected co-chair, showcasing her exceptional leadership skills. In this role, she is determined to collaborate with her city council to bring positive change to areas of need in her community and make a lasting impact.
With her tenacity, passion, and steadfast dedication to serving her community and opening doors for women in STEM, this remarkable Latina is proud to represent Hispanic women who aspire to work in technology. She plans to pursue a Business major and minors in Computer Science and Marketing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, or Wake Forest University.
High School: Cox Mill High School
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Inspired by the Academy of Information Technology at her high school, last summer, Ally Zendejas interned at Lenovo, showcasing her exceptional skills, creativity, and intelligence. Most significantly, she led Lenovo's Girls Belong In Technology Initiative, which she considers her proudest achievement to this day.
Scott Harsany, her internship sponsor, only has good things to say about Ally. He regards her as "exceptional," praising her creativity, self-motivation, professionalism, and overall excellence in all her endeavors at Lenovo. Harsany recalls their first encounter, impressed with how prepared Ally was. When asked to define the project she proposed to undertake during her internship, she presented a comprehensive and brilliant plan.
Her concept was to educate and inspire young women about the diverse range of careers in technology. To gain insight, she conducted interviews with women at Lenovo to gather information about the different roles in the field. With this knowledge, she proposed creating a comprehensive resource website featuring information on various tech careers, including descriptions of what each career entails and videos of women in these roles discussing a typical day at work. Additionally, she proposed a career quiz on the website, allowing young women to explore potential technical career paths based on their interests and skills.
To implement her plan, Ally worked with a partner and together they interviewed 24 female executives, managers, and engineers at Lenovo. Ally recalls, "As I interviewed women in countries across the world and spanning many sectors of the technology industry, I realized they had many things in common." All the women she interviewed were confident, hardworking, and dedicated to helping others, much like Ally herself.
Ally and her partner launched a multi-faceted initiative that included a national camp, website, and social media outreach. To spread the word about the event, they collaborated with North Carolina newspapers and attracted 200 girls from 19 states and Canada. The camp was designed to be informative and interactive, featuring guest speakers, a comprehensive careers presentation, fun games, and a Q&A session.
The duo's work quickly caught the attention of people outside Lenovo that wanted to help them expand their mission. The Concord, North Carolina resident and her initiative partner were featured in a CBS-17 Raleigh news segment and WBTV-Charlotte news article. They also contributed to an article in Education Weekly, a national education publisher, and were highlighted in a monthly Girls Who Code Newsletter. But despite the acknowledgment, what Ally still values the most is the impact she made on many young girls’ lives.
The young student of Mexican descent is deeply committed to making a difference and improving the lives of those around her. Through leadership roles in her school's student council, Senior Action Committee, Key Club, and Leadership class, she has demonstrated her ability to bring people together and organize events to give back to her community. Last year, she was selected as a member of Kannapolis City's inaugural youth council, serving as community service chair and historian. This year, she was elected co-chair, showcasing her exceptional leadership skills. In this role, she is determined to collaborate with her city council to bring positive change to areas of need in her community and make a lasting impact.
With her tenacity, passion, and steadfast dedication to serving her community and opening doors for women in STEM, this remarkable Latina is proud to represent Hispanic women who aspire to work in technology. She plans to pursue a Business major and minors in Computer Science and Marketing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, or Wake Forest University.
