Business & Finance
Education
Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Healthcare & Science
Media & Entertainment
Public Service
Social Justice
Technology
Business & Finance
Gold - Cindy Ledezma
Major: International Business Management with a minor in Spanish
GPA: 4.0
High School: Springdale High School
Heritage: Mexican
Cindy excels as a leader, both in her community and, most significantly, at home, as the oldest daughter and right-hand to her father in her single-parent family. She had an early introduction to the business world while growing up, as she assisted her dad through the humble beginnings of his car detailing company. That is where she began to hone her accounting skills, fine-tuned her customer service abilities, and became a time-management pro. Evidence of her superior time-management is her ability to maintain a 4.0 GPA while completing her school’s most academically challenging program, taking part in its IT Academy, working two jobs (three in the summer), caring for her siblings, and giving back to her community by carrying out service projects. At 17 years old, she already runs two businesses of her own, one where she makes and sells baked goods and the second through which she designs websites for small businesses in her city. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and Future Business Leaders of America, has been honored by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, and has also received awards for her Business abilities. Cindy plans on pursuing a degree in Business Management and a minor in Spanish at the University of Arkansas or the University of Central Arkansas.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Springdale High School
Heritage: Mexican
Cindy excels as a leader, both in her community and, most significantly, at home, as the oldest daughter and right-hand to her father in her single-parent family. She had an early introduction to the business world while growing up, as she assisted her dad through the humble beginnings of his car detailing company. That is where she began to hone her accounting skills, fine-tuned her customer service abilities, and became a time-management pro. Evidence of her superior time-management is her ability to maintain a 4.0 GPA while completing her school’s most academically challenging program, taking part in its IT Academy, working two jobs (three in the summer), caring for her siblings, and giving back to her community by carrying out service projects. At 17 years old, she already runs two businesses of her own, one where she makes and sells baked goods and the second through which she designs websites for small businesses in her city. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and Future Business Leaders of America, has been honored by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, and has also received awards for her Business abilities. Cindy plans on pursuing a degree in Business Management and a minor in Spanish at the University of Arkansas or the University of Central Arkansas.
Silver - Óscar Nava-Sainz
Major: Finance with a minor in Entrepreneurship
GPA: 4.0
High School: Tuscaloosa County High School
Heritage: Mexican
To prepare for a career in Finance, Oscar has taken an array of AP courses, including several rigorous mathematics classes. He has also had the chance to gain a more in-depth, hands-on understanding of the stock market via a virtual stock market game for which he was selected to participate during his junior year. Oscar’s teacher describes him as an exemplary young man, dedicated and driven. Among the many motivations for Oscar to push himself, is the fact he is an immigrant. “Not everyone has the same opportunity I had,” he says, so he has made it his mission to be successful and not take for granted the opportunities immigrating to this country has given him. This determination has led him to academic excellence and to his faithful commitment to community service. Whether he is in the classroom or engaged in extracurricular activities, he is always willing to face any challenge and is not discouraged or slowed down by hard work. He has a 4.0 cumulative GPA and plans to attend the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, or the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he will major in Finance and minor in Entrepreneurship.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Tuscaloosa County High School
Heritage: Mexican
To prepare for a career in Finance, Oscar has taken an array of AP courses, including several rigorous mathematics classes. He has also had the chance to gain a more in-depth, hands-on understanding of the stock market via a virtual stock market game for which he was selected to participate during his junior year. Oscar’s teacher describes him as an exemplary young man, dedicated and driven. Among the many motivations for Oscar to push himself, is the fact he is an immigrant. “Not everyone has the same opportunity I had,” he says, so he has made it his mission to be successful and not take for granted the opportunities immigrating to this country has given him. This determination has led him to academic excellence and to his faithful commitment to community service. Whether he is in the classroom or engaged in extracurricular activities, he is always willing to face any challenge and is not discouraged or slowed down by hard work. He has a 4.0 cumulative GPA and plans to attend the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, or the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he will major in Finance and minor in Entrepreneurship.
Bronze - Steicy López
Major: International Business with a concentration in Marketing
GPA: 3.90
High School: Don Tyson School of Innovation
Heritage: Mexican
The idea of social entrepreneurship and the opportunity to contribute to creatively solving unmet needs in society are what most attract Steicy to pursue a career in Business. “I'm most motivated when I know I am helping others,” she says. She started her own 3D printing company with this in mind, and realizing the potential 3D printing has to improve the lives of those around her, she did not stop just there. She continued on to establish and lead her school’s 3D department. She trained her fellow schoolmates and went on to help other schools set up and maintain their own 3D printers. Earlier on in the pandemic, she used her personal 3D printer to make and donate 100 face shields and 100 ear reliefs to St. Luke's Hospital. Her role in her school’s Education Accelerated by Service and Technology, or EAST, program, a program that equips students with the latest technology and tasks them with implementing it to solve problems affecting their communities, has allowed Steicy to lead and innovate in impactful ways. Her involvement with her school’s DECA chapter and Debate club has also given her the chance to further develop and practice skills, such as managing, selling, and branding, that will serve her well in her future career. Recently, she led her team of 5 in designing and creating wearable space technology and on to become the National Champions of NASA’s Wear competition. Beyond all this, Steicy is a dedicated student and maintains a 3.9 GPA with a schedule filled with Honors and AP courses. She will attend the University of Arkansas or Pittsburg State University, where she plans on earning a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business with a concentration in Marketing.
GPA: 3.90
High School: Don Tyson School of Innovation
Heritage: Mexican
The idea of social entrepreneurship and the opportunity to contribute to creatively solving unmet needs in society are what most attract Steicy to pursue a career in Business. “I'm most motivated when I know I am helping others,” she says. She started her own 3D printing company with this in mind, and realizing the potential 3D printing has to improve the lives of those around her, she did not stop just there. She continued on to establish and lead her school’s 3D department. She trained her fellow schoolmates and went on to help other schools set up and maintain their own 3D printers. Earlier on in the pandemic, she used her personal 3D printer to make and donate 100 face shields and 100 ear reliefs to St. Luke's Hospital. Her role in her school’s Education Accelerated by Service and Technology, or EAST, program, a program that equips students with the latest technology and tasks them with implementing it to solve problems affecting their communities, has allowed Steicy to lead and innovate in impactful ways. Her involvement with her school’s DECA chapter and Debate club has also given her the chance to further develop and practice skills, such as managing, selling, and branding, that will serve her well in her future career. Recently, she led her team of 5 in designing and creating wearable space technology and on to become the National Champions of NASA’s Wear competition. Beyond all this, Steicy is a dedicated student and maintains a 3.9 GPA with a schedule filled with Honors and AP courses. She will attend the University of Arkansas or Pittsburg State University, where she plans on earning a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business with a concentration in Marketing.
Education
Gold - Cristal González-Valdez
Major: Mathematics Education
GPA: 3.70
High School: Pitt County Schools Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My math teachers from high school instilled in me a love for all things related to numbers,” says Cristal, who wants to become a high school math teacher herself in order to do for her students what her teachers did for her: “teach [them] to enjoy math, remove [their] math associated anxiety,” and “put an end to [thinking they are] not smart enough or the theory is too difficult.” Cristal confirmed she wanted to dedicate her life to giving back to her community through teaching, while working with AmeriCorps. She completed AmeriCorps’ Partners in Learning Success and STEM-Corps East programs and also volunteered as a tutor for her local Boys and Girls Club, thanks to their partnership with AmeriCorps. Her dedication to her community is such, that throughout her high school career and beyond her work with AmeriCorps, Cristal has completed over 600 hours of community service. She will undoubtedly continue to enrich those around her as an educator and as a devoted community member while she pursues a degree in Mathematics Education at Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, or North Carolina State University.
GPA: 3.70
High School: Pitt County Schools Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My math teachers from high school instilled in me a love for all things related to numbers,” says Cristal, who wants to become a high school math teacher herself in order to do for her students what her teachers did for her: “teach [them] to enjoy math, remove [their] math associated anxiety,” and “put an end to [thinking they are] not smart enough or the theory is too difficult.” Cristal confirmed she wanted to dedicate her life to giving back to her community through teaching, while working with AmeriCorps. She completed AmeriCorps’ Partners in Learning Success and STEM-Corps East programs and also volunteered as a tutor for her local Boys and Girls Club, thanks to their partnership with AmeriCorps. Her dedication to her community is such, that throughout her high school career and beyond her work with AmeriCorps, Cristal has completed over 600 hours of community service. She will undoubtedly continue to enrich those around her as an educator and as a devoted community member while she pursues a degree in Mathematics Education at Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, or North Carolina State University.
Silver - Brenda Chávez Soriano
Major: Middle School Education
GPA: 3.70
High School: Chatham Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
To complete her community service requirement as a member of her middle school’s Junior Beta Club, Brenda decided to tutor students after school at her local YMCA. Little did she know this experience would lead her to discover how much she enjoyed teaching young students, getting to know them, and assisting them in any school subject in which they may be struggling. Once in high school, Brenda participated in the Upward Bound Program at the University of North Carolina and took advantage of the opportunities offered by the program to reach out and speak to professors from the education departments at a number of colleges and learn more about the field of education. Brenda is an asset to her school and her community and is steadfast in her commitment to serve them, even during these challenging and ever-evolving times. Through her work with her school’s chapter of SkillsUSA, she is responsible for organizing the solicitation, collection, and disbursement of over 2000 pounds of food to date. Her hard work and diligent service have garnered her top recognitions and honors, including at National Career and Technical Education Student Organizations’ competitive events. She is an active member of her school’s National Beta Club and National Technical Honor Society and currently serves as president of its GoRED! culinary club. She plans to study Middle School Education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or East Carolina University in order to become a middle school Social Studies teacher.
GPA: 3.70
High School: Chatham Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
To complete her community service requirement as a member of her middle school’s Junior Beta Club, Brenda decided to tutor students after school at her local YMCA. Little did she know this experience would lead her to discover how much she enjoyed teaching young students, getting to know them, and assisting them in any school subject in which they may be struggling. Once in high school, Brenda participated in the Upward Bound Program at the University of North Carolina and took advantage of the opportunities offered by the program to reach out and speak to professors from the education departments at a number of colleges and learn more about the field of education. Brenda is an asset to her school and her community and is steadfast in her commitment to serve them, even during these challenging and ever-evolving times. Through her work with her school’s chapter of SkillsUSA, she is responsible for organizing the solicitation, collection, and disbursement of over 2000 pounds of food to date. Her hard work and diligent service have garnered her top recognitions and honors, including at National Career and Technical Education Student Organizations’ competitive events. She is an active member of her school’s National Beta Club and National Technical Honor Society and currently serves as president of its GoRED! culinary club. She plans to study Middle School Education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or East Carolina University in order to become a middle school Social Studies teacher.
Bronze - Hannia Amaro-Zambrano
Major: Early Childhood Education
GPA: 3.90
High School: Holt High School
Heritage: Mexican
For Hannia, the way to empower, inspire, and guide this and future generations of Latinos is by serving our communities and working to become role models. Since 2018, she has been working as a Teen Leader for the Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa after being selected from a competitive pool of applicants. She credits her career choice to her work at the museum. “It helped me realize that I want to work with children,” she says. As a reward for her diligence, commitment, and the countless hours she has dedicated, the museum awarded Hannia with the highest recognition they offer to Teen Leaders, the “Tim Parker Leadership Award.” She has been involved with the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America since her freshman year and has represented her school at their competitions at the state level, where her team earned gold for their work on a child development project focused on children in Hispanic households. Hannia has a 3.9 GPA and is applying to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama, and the University of Mobile, where she will study Early Childhood Education.
GPA: 3.90
High School: Holt High School
Heritage: Mexican
For Hannia, the way to empower, inspire, and guide this and future generations of Latinos is by serving our communities and working to become role models. Since 2018, she has been working as a Teen Leader for the Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa after being selected from a competitive pool of applicants. She credits her career choice to her work at the museum. “It helped me realize that I want to work with children,” she says. As a reward for her diligence, commitment, and the countless hours she has dedicated, the museum awarded Hannia with the highest recognition they offer to Teen Leaders, the “Tim Parker Leadership Award.” She has been involved with the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America since her freshman year and has represented her school at their competitions at the state level, where her team earned gold for their work on a child development project focused on children in Hispanic households. Hannia has a 3.9 GPA and is applying to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama, and the University of Mobile, where she will study Early Childhood Education.
Engineering
Gold - Fabiola Fabian Plascencia
Major: Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering or Computer Programming
GPA: 4.0
High School: Rocky Mount High School
Heritage: Mexican
Ever since middle school, when Fabiola was a member of her school’s STEM club and her team placed second in her school’s Sumo Robotics tournament, she has been certain that she wanted to study Engineering. She is the head of her high school’s STEM club and has led her peers through the design and execution of several projects. Seeing the effects caused by the passing of Hurricane Florence inspired her proudest project to date: designing a flood-proof house. “It emphasized for me how engineering can be used to improve the lives of others, and helping others is my main concern when thinking about my possible career,” she says. In the 21-year history of the IB program at her school, Fabiola is the ONLY student that has managed to balance the rigorous demands of her IB courses while also playing in her school’s marching band, competing in two varsity sports, participating in a number of other extracurricular activities, and working a job. She also spends a great deal of time tutoring and helping her peers, sometimes even at the expense of sleep, because she has a sense of duty when it comes to serving others and derives great pleasure from doing so. With a 4.0 GPA, Fabiola is ranked number one out of 265 students in her senior class. She will be attending North Carolina State University, Duke University, or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and will major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Electrical Engineering or Computer Programming.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Rocky Mount High School
Heritage: Mexican
Ever since middle school, when Fabiola was a member of her school’s STEM club and her team placed second in her school’s Sumo Robotics tournament, she has been certain that she wanted to study Engineering. She is the head of her high school’s STEM club and has led her peers through the design and execution of several projects. Seeing the effects caused by the passing of Hurricane Florence inspired her proudest project to date: designing a flood-proof house. “It emphasized for me how engineering can be used to improve the lives of others, and helping others is my main concern when thinking about my possible career,” she says. In the 21-year history of the IB program at her school, Fabiola is the ONLY student that has managed to balance the rigorous demands of her IB courses while also playing in her school’s marching band, competing in two varsity sports, participating in a number of other extracurricular activities, and working a job. She also spends a great deal of time tutoring and helping her peers, sometimes even at the expense of sleep, because she has a sense of duty when it comes to serving others and derives great pleasure from doing so. With a 4.0 GPA, Fabiola is ranked number one out of 265 students in her senior class. She will be attending North Carolina State University, Duke University, or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and will major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Electrical Engineering or Computer Programming.
Silver - Christian Nazario-Quirindongo
Major: Architecture and Civil Engineering
GPA: 3.96
High School: JL Mann High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
As part of his school's Project Lead the Way Engineering Program, Christian has taken multiple engineering classes throughout his high school career. These have included Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Design and Development. His experience with Project Lead the Way has offered Christian an introduction to the rigor, discipline, and scope of the field of engineering. It has also allowed him to investigate other careers in STEM, all while teaching him about the design process and helping him develop strong teamwork, communication, organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. During the last few summers, he has enrolled in the Architecture curriculum at Duke University's Talent Identification Program, a program designed with gifted students in mind. Christian is an active member of his community and enjoys volunteering at his local Humane Society and through organizations like Trees Upstate. An athlete and an academic, Christian has a 3.96 GPA and is captain of his school's varsity basketball team. He will pursue degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, or the University of Virginia.
GPA: 3.96
High School: JL Mann High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
As part of his school's Project Lead the Way Engineering Program, Christian has taken multiple engineering classes throughout his high school career. These have included Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Design and Development. His experience with Project Lead the Way has offered Christian an introduction to the rigor, discipline, and scope of the field of engineering. It has also allowed him to investigate other careers in STEM, all while teaching him about the design process and helping him develop strong teamwork, communication, organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. During the last few summers, he has enrolled in the Architecture curriculum at Duke University's Talent Identification Program, a program designed with gifted students in mind. Christian is an active member of his community and enjoys volunteering at his local Humane Society and through organizations like Trees Upstate. An athlete and an academic, Christian has a 3.96 GPA and is captain of his school's varsity basketball team. He will pursue degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, or the University of Virginia.
Bronze - Elizabeth Miller
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 3.84
High School: Fontainbleau High School
Heritage: Honduran and American
Elizabeth wants to dedicate her life to improving the lives of cancer patients by researching, developing, and contributing to the advancement of the medical devices and procedures implemented in their treatment and care. She has been exploring STEM fields since middle school, beginning with the construction of her first remotely operated submersible robot at the age of 12. For the past three years, she has attended STEM camps, seminars, and programs organized by the U.S. Naval Academy, Oregon State University, the Society of American Military Engineers, and the Ochsner Health System in Louisiana. Elizabeth gives back to her community, both in school and at large. She has served as Class President since her freshman year. She is a Life Group Leader at her church, which has allowed her to serve as a role model to many 7th grade students at her church. She is a member of High Impact at her school, a Christian-based club that aims to help teens incorporate faith into their daily lives. She is also a member of Bulldog Buddies, a club that provides opportunities for all students to be included and participate socially at her school by assigning peers to students with special needs. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Hispanic Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society for high school and two-year college students. Elizabeth is licensed as an Emergency Medical Responder and as a Student Pilot. She will continue her education at the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or Texas A&M University, where she will major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Mechanical Engineering.
GPA: 3.84
High School: Fontainbleau High School
Heritage: Honduran and American
Elizabeth wants to dedicate her life to improving the lives of cancer patients by researching, developing, and contributing to the advancement of the medical devices and procedures implemented in their treatment and care. She has been exploring STEM fields since middle school, beginning with the construction of her first remotely operated submersible robot at the age of 12. For the past three years, she has attended STEM camps, seminars, and programs organized by the U.S. Naval Academy, Oregon State University, the Society of American Military Engineers, and the Ochsner Health System in Louisiana. Elizabeth gives back to her community, both in school and at large. She has served as Class President since her freshman year. She is a Life Group Leader at her church, which has allowed her to serve as a role model to many 7th grade students at her church. She is a member of High Impact at her school, a Christian-based club that aims to help teens incorporate faith into their daily lives. She is also a member of Bulldog Buddies, a club that provides opportunities for all students to be included and participate socially at her school by assigning peers to students with special needs. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Hispanic Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society for high school and two-year college students. Elizabeth is licensed as an Emergency Medical Responder and as a Student Pilot. She will continue her education at the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or Texas A&M University, where she will major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Mechanical Engineering.
Entrepreneurship
Gold - Raúl López Torres
Major: Industrial Design or Graphic Design
GPA: 3.88
High School: McDowell High School
Heritage: Mexican
Through graphic and industrial design, Raul has found a way to merge his computer savvy and his interest in the arts. Art has permeated throughout his academic career. He has completed art course after art course, including Honors courses in fine arts and dual-enrollment classes in graphic design. These have provided him with a unique perspective on the field and have allowed him to develop a personal style. Besides the art assignments he is given in class, Raul always makes time to work on projects of his own, submitting designs and sketches to online forums and requesting feedback to improve his work and technical skills. In the summer of 2019, Raul opened up his own design business, Lopz_Arts, through which he offers high-quality services as a freelance illustrator, fulfilling a wide variety of client requests and giving detailed artistic form to his client’s ideas for robots, gadgets, logos, and others. “I feel very fortunate to have discovered how my skills can translate into a rewarding career,” says Raul. He will continue expanding his knowledge base and fine-tuning his skills by pursuing a degree in Industrial or Graphic Design at North Carolina State University, Appalachian State University, or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
GPA: 3.88
High School: McDowell High School
Heritage: Mexican
Through graphic and industrial design, Raul has found a way to merge his computer savvy and his interest in the arts. Art has permeated throughout his academic career. He has completed art course after art course, including Honors courses in fine arts and dual-enrollment classes in graphic design. These have provided him with a unique perspective on the field and have allowed him to develop a personal style. Besides the art assignments he is given in class, Raul always makes time to work on projects of his own, submitting designs and sketches to online forums and requesting feedback to improve his work and technical skills. In the summer of 2019, Raul opened up his own design business, Lopz_Arts, through which he offers high-quality services as a freelance illustrator, fulfilling a wide variety of client requests and giving detailed artistic form to his client’s ideas for robots, gadgets, logos, and others. “I feel very fortunate to have discovered how my skills can translate into a rewarding career,” says Raul. He will continue expanding his knowledge base and fine-tuning his skills by pursuing a degree in Industrial or Graphic Design at North Carolina State University, Appalachian State University, or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Silver - Connor Ávila
Major: Pre-Entrepreneurship with a minor in Communication
GPA: 3.43
High School: Wade Hampton High School
Heritage: Mexican
On a good weekend, Connor is at work. His office is a driveway. His job? Cleaning and detailing cars. This past summer, he launched Precision Details, his own car detailing service. Running a business has taught him the inner workings of managing a successful operation. While his business is doing well and growing, and he has already learned plenty, Connor recognizes his limitations: “I found out very quickly I did not know how to grow [my business] from a small one-man operation,” he says. In order to grow his venture and start the many others he has in mind, Connor wants to pursue a career in business. Aside from contributing to his community through the work he does in his business, Connor also gives back by volunteering and donating his time to help raise money for a myriad of causes. Most notably, he played an important role in helping his school’s student council raise over $360,000 to help fund charities in his town. He will be attending the University of Southern Florida, Florida Atlantic University, or the University of Central Florida, where he will study Pre-Entrepreneurship and may minor in Communication.
GPA: 3.43
High School: Wade Hampton High School
Heritage: Mexican
On a good weekend, Connor is at work. His office is a driveway. His job? Cleaning and detailing cars. This past summer, he launched Precision Details, his own car detailing service. Running a business has taught him the inner workings of managing a successful operation. While his business is doing well and growing, and he has already learned plenty, Connor recognizes his limitations: “I found out very quickly I did not know how to grow [my business] from a small one-man operation,” he says. In order to grow his venture and start the many others he has in mind, Connor wants to pursue a career in business. Aside from contributing to his community through the work he does in his business, Connor also gives back by volunteering and donating his time to help raise money for a myriad of causes. Most notably, he played an important role in helping his school’s student council raise over $360,000 to help fund charities in his town. He will be attending the University of Southern Florida, Florida Atlantic University, or the University of Central Florida, where he will study Pre-Entrepreneurship and may minor in Communication.
Bronze - Tyler GuptoN
Major: Business and Marine Biology
GPA: 3.38
High School: Halifax Academy
Heritage: Guatemalan
Of Guatemalan heritage, Tyler is certified as an advanced open water rescue and SCUBA diver. He serves as a volunteer SCUBA diver and touch pool interpreter at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. "The aquarium's purpose is to improve people's knowledge of biodiversity and conservation issues. It provides educational programs encouraging people to engage in more sustainable lifestyles," explains Tyler. He makes a difference by supporting the aquarium's mission and teaching and inspiring others about the oceans and the importance of protecting and redeveloping them. Tyler's main goals for the future are to become a leader in his community and a successful entrepreneur and to open up his own aquarium and dive business. To help with the latter, he is currently working to earn certification as a Master Diver. To develop leadership and business skills, he has participated in several activities and programs, including completing the Leadership Challenge Camp at North Carolina State University and volunteering as a counselor in training at the East Carolina University Coastal Studies Institute Camps. Tyler has challenged himself throughout his high school career by enrolling in his school's most rigorous courses. He is a quick thinker who often is the leader in class discussions and participation. His teachers describe him as a conscientious, persistent, and motivated student, eager to learn and always striving for excellence. He will attend East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, or North Carolina State University, where he will major in Business and Marine Biology.
GPA: 3.38
High School: Halifax Academy
Heritage: Guatemalan
Of Guatemalan heritage, Tyler is certified as an advanced open water rescue and SCUBA diver. He serves as a volunteer SCUBA diver and touch pool interpreter at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. "The aquarium's purpose is to improve people's knowledge of biodiversity and conservation issues. It provides educational programs encouraging people to engage in more sustainable lifestyles," explains Tyler. He makes a difference by supporting the aquarium's mission and teaching and inspiring others about the oceans and the importance of protecting and redeveloping them. Tyler's main goals for the future are to become a leader in his community and a successful entrepreneur and to open up his own aquarium and dive business. To help with the latter, he is currently working to earn certification as a Master Diver. To develop leadership and business skills, he has participated in several activities and programs, including completing the Leadership Challenge Camp at North Carolina State University and volunteering as a counselor in training at the East Carolina University Coastal Studies Institute Camps. Tyler has challenged himself throughout his high school career by enrolling in his school's most rigorous courses. He is a quick thinker who often is the leader in class discussions and participation. His teachers describe him as a conscientious, persistent, and motivated student, eager to learn and always striving for excellence. He will attend East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, or North Carolina State University, where he will major in Business and Marine Biology.
Healthcare & Science
Gold - Mariana Vásquez Gallardo
Major: Nursing
GPA: 3.86
High School: Yadkin Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariana is the proud daughter of two farm-workers. She has been volunteering at her local free clinic for the past three years. Wanting to help and be a voice for the underrepresented, she realized how important her work was once she learned that the clinic had no other Spanish-speaking volunteers when she first began to work there. So she taught herself everything, from medical terms, to how to fill prescriptions and run a pharmacy. She now serves as a Spanish interpreter and Pharmacy Technician at the clinic and advocates for patients, ensuring they receive the care they need. Mariana knows that people in the Latinx community deserve proper health care and treatment, regardless of their legal or socio-economic status, just like anyone else. In the future, she wants to open her own practice as a Nurse Practitioner or a doctor to cater to the needs of her community. Last year, she was selected to be on the list of LatinexEd’s “20 Under 20,” an honor reserved for the best and the brightest young Latino leaders in her state of North Carolina. Later this year, she will graduate with two associate degrees and an interpreter certificate in addition to her high school diploma. This dedicated Latina will study Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wingate University, or Queens University of Charlotte.
GPA: 3.86
High School: Yadkin Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariana is the proud daughter of two farm-workers. She has been volunteering at her local free clinic for the past three years. Wanting to help and be a voice for the underrepresented, she realized how important her work was once she learned that the clinic had no other Spanish-speaking volunteers when she first began to work there. So she taught herself everything, from medical terms, to how to fill prescriptions and run a pharmacy. She now serves as a Spanish interpreter and Pharmacy Technician at the clinic and advocates for patients, ensuring they receive the care they need. Mariana knows that people in the Latinx community deserve proper health care and treatment, regardless of their legal or socio-economic status, just like anyone else. In the future, she wants to open her own practice as a Nurse Practitioner or a doctor to cater to the needs of her community. Last year, she was selected to be on the list of LatinexEd’s “20 Under 20,” an honor reserved for the best and the brightest young Latino leaders in her state of North Carolina. Later this year, she will graduate with two associate degrees and an interpreter certificate in addition to her high school diploma. This dedicated Latina will study Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wingate University, or Queens University of Charlotte.
Silver - María Cano-Torres
Major: Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Optometry
GPA: 3.96
High School: Stanhope Elmore High School
Heritage: Mexican
Maria is fascinated by the human body and the complex manner in which all its structures and systems work together flawlessly to help it function. Because of this, medicine has always been an area of interest for her. But it was not until her junior year, when she took a Medical Science and Emergency Services class, that she confirmed she wanted to dedicate her life to the field. Now a senior, she is working on getting certified as a Patient Care and a Pharmacy Technician. Last year, the University of Alabama selected Maria to participate in a 5-week program as a Rural Health Scholar at its College of Community Health Sciences. She serves as Vice President of her school’s chapters of the National Science Honor Society and Beta Club, Secretary of its National English Honors Society and Spanish club. She is also an active member of its Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Civitan, and Health Occupations Students of America chapters. Her teachers describe her as a stellar and exemplary student with a remarkable sense of work ethic. With a 3.96 GPA, Maria is ranked 3rd out of a class of over 250 students. She plans on studying Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Washington, or Auburn University.
GPA: 3.96
High School: Stanhope Elmore High School
Heritage: Mexican
Maria is fascinated by the human body and the complex manner in which all its structures and systems work together flawlessly to help it function. Because of this, medicine has always been an area of interest for her. But it was not until her junior year, when she took a Medical Science and Emergency Services class, that she confirmed she wanted to dedicate her life to the field. Now a senior, she is working on getting certified as a Patient Care and a Pharmacy Technician. Last year, the University of Alabama selected Maria to participate in a 5-week program as a Rural Health Scholar at its College of Community Health Sciences. She serves as Vice President of her school’s chapters of the National Science Honor Society and Beta Club, Secretary of its National English Honors Society and Spanish club. She is also an active member of its Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Civitan, and Health Occupations Students of America chapters. Her teachers describe her as a stellar and exemplary student with a remarkable sense of work ethic. With a 3.96 GPA, Maria is ranked 3rd out of a class of over 250 students. She plans on studying Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Washington, or Auburn University.
Bronze - Sydni Díaz
Major: Genetics and Genome Sciences
GPA: 3.96
High School: Decatur High School
Heritage: Mexican
"I have always known I wanted to go into the medical field," says Sydni, who has been enrolled in her school's Health Science Pathway since her freshman year. Her involvement with this program has allowed her to explore an array of subjects and aspects involved in the medical field through courses like Foundations of Health Sciences, Human Body Structures and Functions, and Therapeutic Services. Last year, thanks to her outstanding achievements and performance in the courses offered through this Pathway, Sydni was selected by her school to serve as a medical intern at a local hospital. This would have given her the chance to work in a hospital setting, shadow healthcare professionals, and gain first-hand experience working with patients. However, due to COVID-19, her internship has been postponed for the time being. Hopeful the situation will improve soon, she is looking at the postponement as an opportunity to continue learning and perfecting her skills. Sydni serves on the executive board of her school's faith and service-based sorority, Delta Omega. With several awards for academic excellence, a full roster of AP courses, and a 3.96 GPA, she stands in the top 5 percent of her class. She plans on studying Genetics and Genome Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Alabama, or Mississippi State University.
GPA: 3.96
High School: Decatur High School
Heritage: Mexican
"I have always known I wanted to go into the medical field," says Sydni, who has been enrolled in her school's Health Science Pathway since her freshman year. Her involvement with this program has allowed her to explore an array of subjects and aspects involved in the medical field through courses like Foundations of Health Sciences, Human Body Structures and Functions, and Therapeutic Services. Last year, thanks to her outstanding achievements and performance in the courses offered through this Pathway, Sydni was selected by her school to serve as a medical intern at a local hospital. This would have given her the chance to work in a hospital setting, shadow healthcare professionals, and gain first-hand experience working with patients. However, due to COVID-19, her internship has been postponed for the time being. Hopeful the situation will improve soon, she is looking at the postponement as an opportunity to continue learning and perfecting her skills. Sydni serves on the executive board of her school's faith and service-based sorority, Delta Omega. With several awards for academic excellence, a full roster of AP courses, and a 3.96 GPA, she stands in the top 5 percent of her class. She plans on studying Genetics and Genome Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Alabama, or Mississippi State University.
Media & Entertainment
Gold - Anahis Luna
Major: Visual Arts
GPA: 4.0
High School: White Station High School
Heritage: Mexican
Beatles obsessed Anahis is a Questbridge Match Scholarship recipient. She is a watercolor artist whose work has been recognized nationwide. “I love watercolors,” says Anahis. “A single brush stroke can define an entire microcosm, crispen the edges of rugged earth, feather the softness of pale skin,” she adds. She has spent the last years of her life delving into watercolors, exploring their vast nuances and intricate techniques. She has exhibited her work at museums and airports and competed in a variety of local and national competitions. She is editor-in-chief of her high school’s literary magazine, as well as a contributor and editorial board coordinator for the online magazine KidSpirit. She is the founder and director of Undocufund Mid-South, a COVID-19 Relief Fund dedicated to raising funds for undocumented workers affected by the pandemic across the Mid-South. Anahis has served in her county’s Youth Council and its Juvenile Court. She has been President of her school’s Key Club and is the co-fundraising manager of her school’s recycling club, the Green Team. This extraordinary Latina has an impeccable 4.0 GPA and will study Visual Arts at Brown University.
GPA: 4.0
High School: White Station High School
Heritage: Mexican
Beatles obsessed Anahis is a Questbridge Match Scholarship recipient. She is a watercolor artist whose work has been recognized nationwide. “I love watercolors,” says Anahis. “A single brush stroke can define an entire microcosm, crispen the edges of rugged earth, feather the softness of pale skin,” she adds. She has spent the last years of her life delving into watercolors, exploring their vast nuances and intricate techniques. She has exhibited her work at museums and airports and competed in a variety of local and national competitions. She is editor-in-chief of her high school’s literary magazine, as well as a contributor and editorial board coordinator for the online magazine KidSpirit. She is the founder and director of Undocufund Mid-South, a COVID-19 Relief Fund dedicated to raising funds for undocumented workers affected by the pandemic across the Mid-South. Anahis has served in her county’s Youth Council and its Juvenile Court. She has been President of her school’s Key Club and is the co-fundraising manager of her school’s recycling club, the Green Team. This extraordinary Latina has an impeccable 4.0 GPA and will study Visual Arts at Brown University.
Silver - Delaney Rodríguez
Major: Musical Theater with a minor in Hispanic Studies
GPA: 4.0
High School: Smoky Mountain High School
Heritage: Mexican
Talented and charismatic, Delaney devotes much of her time to musical theater. She has been part of her school’s band and choir every year, beginning in middle school. She has taken dance lessons in styles ranging from ballet to Mexican folkloric. She discovered her niche the Spring semester of her freshman year. That is when she joined the dance ensemble and got a minor role in her school’s production of “Anything Goes.” Her growth as a performer became apparent when, the following year, Delaney became part of the lead dance group and the understudy to the lead in “Mamma Mia!” Continuing her upward trajectory, she took on the role as a solo dancer and dance captain for “The Wizard of Oz” her junior year. Most recently, she was selected to participate in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s Virtual Conservatory. In this exclusive online intensive and immersive performing arts training program, she learned Broadway-level singing, acting, and dancing techniques and gained more insight into processes that take place in the industry on and off stage. A model student, Delaney maintains a 4.0 GPA. She excels academically and continuously seeks additional and more challenging educational opportunities. She intends on majoring in Musical Theater and minoring in Hispanic Studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or Western Carolina University.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Smoky Mountain High School
Heritage: Mexican
Talented and charismatic, Delaney devotes much of her time to musical theater. She has been part of her school’s band and choir every year, beginning in middle school. She has taken dance lessons in styles ranging from ballet to Mexican folkloric. She discovered her niche the Spring semester of her freshman year. That is when she joined the dance ensemble and got a minor role in her school’s production of “Anything Goes.” Her growth as a performer became apparent when, the following year, Delaney became part of the lead dance group and the understudy to the lead in “Mamma Mia!” Continuing her upward trajectory, she took on the role as a solo dancer and dance captain for “The Wizard of Oz” her junior year. Most recently, she was selected to participate in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s Virtual Conservatory. In this exclusive online intensive and immersive performing arts training program, she learned Broadway-level singing, acting, and dancing techniques and gained more insight into processes that take place in the industry on and off stage. A model student, Delaney maintains a 4.0 GPA. She excels academically and continuously seeks additional and more challenging educational opportunities. She intends on majoring in Musical Theater and minoring in Hispanic Studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or Western Carolina University.
Bronze - Mia Escalera
Major: English with a minor in Nutrition
GPA: 3.79
High School: John T. Hoggard High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Any chance she gets, Mia finds herself creating. She is an artist, a painter, a sculptor. She is a self-taught musician and an inspired writer. Her artwork has been displayed at the Wilmington Community Center Art Show. She writes music and intuitively plays guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and piano. What she enjoys doing, above all, is writing. "My whole life has revolved around writing," says Mia, who has been an avid writer from the moment she could combine letters into words. Over the years, her writings have earned Mia recognition from her peers and teachers, from editors of literary magazines, from judges at scholastic writing competitions. Mia is interested in becoming a journalist. "The idea of my own words taking refuge in someone's mind, making them question and converse, is what has always fueled my love of writing," she says. "As a journalist, people from all over would read my work, and my voice could rest in the minds of thousands of readers," Mia adds. She plans to attend Lees-McRae College or Appalachian State University and major in English and minor in Nutrition.
GPA: 3.79
High School: John T. Hoggard High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Any chance she gets, Mia finds herself creating. She is an artist, a painter, a sculptor. She is a self-taught musician and an inspired writer. Her artwork has been displayed at the Wilmington Community Center Art Show. She writes music and intuitively plays guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and piano. What she enjoys doing, above all, is writing. "My whole life has revolved around writing," says Mia, who has been an avid writer from the moment she could combine letters into words. Over the years, her writings have earned Mia recognition from her peers and teachers, from editors of literary magazines, from judges at scholastic writing competitions. Mia is interested in becoming a journalist. "The idea of my own words taking refuge in someone's mind, making them question and converse, is what has always fueled my love of writing," she says. "As a journalist, people from all over would read my work, and my voice could rest in the minds of thousands of readers," Mia adds. She plans to attend Lees-McRae College or Appalachian State University and major in English and minor in Nutrition.
Public Service
Gold - Astrid Salinas Reyes
Major: Public Policy and Economics
GPA: 3.84
High School: Charlotte Catholic High School
Heritage: Mexican and Colombian
"If I'm not given a seat at the table, I'll pull one up," says Astrid, a notable student leader in her community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Recognizing her leadership abilities, her high school's administration and faculty selected her to represent her school on her district's Superintendent's Student Advisory Board. Astrid advises the top educational leaders in her community on many student issues, including how best they can cope with these unprecedented times in education. Her sophomore year, she was the sole faculty-nominated student in her class to attend the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Summer Seminar. That summer, her participation at the Leadership Seminar on a local level in North Carolina led to her being selected to join the forum on an international level at the World Leadership Congress in Chicago. There, she expanded her knowledge on the true meaning of leadership and was awarded an internship opportunity with Mediator's Beyond Borders International. She is the youngest intern ever in the history of the non-profit. Astrid has a passion for public policy. With her work, she has created a legacy of positive change and impact in her community. She wants to continue being an instrument of change and a voice for the disenfranchised and bring change on a national level by influencing, writing, and co-sponsoring bills in Congress. "If lawmakers won't recognize our worth, then we get up there ourselves and pass legislation that benefits all of our communities," she proclaims. This remarkable Latina of Colombian and Mexican descent will study Public Policy and Economics at Columbia University, Georgetown University, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
GPA: 3.84
High School: Charlotte Catholic High School
Heritage: Mexican and Colombian
"If I'm not given a seat at the table, I'll pull one up," says Astrid, a notable student leader in her community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Recognizing her leadership abilities, her high school's administration and faculty selected her to represent her school on her district's Superintendent's Student Advisory Board. Astrid advises the top educational leaders in her community on many student issues, including how best they can cope with these unprecedented times in education. Her sophomore year, she was the sole faculty-nominated student in her class to attend the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Summer Seminar. That summer, her participation at the Leadership Seminar on a local level in North Carolina led to her being selected to join the forum on an international level at the World Leadership Congress in Chicago. There, she expanded her knowledge on the true meaning of leadership and was awarded an internship opportunity with Mediator's Beyond Borders International. She is the youngest intern ever in the history of the non-profit. Astrid has a passion for public policy. With her work, she has created a legacy of positive change and impact in her community. She wants to continue being an instrument of change and a voice for the disenfranchised and bring change on a national level by influencing, writing, and co-sponsoring bills in Congress. "If lawmakers won't recognize our worth, then we get up there ourselves and pass legislation that benefits all of our communities," she proclaims. This remarkable Latina of Colombian and Mexican descent will study Public Policy and Economics at Columbia University, Georgetown University, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Silver - Xavier Amaro
Major: Political Science and Race, Ethnicity and Migration
GPA: 3.98
High School: Millbrook High School
Heritage: Mexican
Xavier is the highest-ranking Latino student in his high school's 98-year history. He is President of his school's Mu Alpha Theta chapter. He is an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. He serves in high-profile positions in his community and uses those platforms to impact change. For instance, he used his student government position to organize activities for and awareness of Hispanic Heritage month and started a campaign to normalize pronoun preferences at his school. Xavier constantly evaluates circumstances to determine who is being left out of the conversation and challenges others to evaluate their own understanding and privilege. "My position gives me a platform to create lasting social change and leave something more than myself… I want to not only make a difference now. I want to (and will) leave my legacy wherever I go," he declares. With a GPA of 3.98, Xavier is an exceptional student, but he is an even more exceptional human being. He will be a first-generation college student and hopes to pursue a career in immigration law. He will attend Yale University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University, where he will concentrate his studies on Political Science and Race, Ethnicity, and Migration.
GPA: 3.98
High School: Millbrook High School
Heritage: Mexican
Xavier is the highest-ranking Latino student in his high school's 98-year history. He is President of his school's Mu Alpha Theta chapter. He is an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. He serves in high-profile positions in his community and uses those platforms to impact change. For instance, he used his student government position to organize activities for and awareness of Hispanic Heritage month and started a campaign to normalize pronoun preferences at his school. Xavier constantly evaluates circumstances to determine who is being left out of the conversation and challenges others to evaluate their own understanding and privilege. "My position gives me a platform to create lasting social change and leave something more than myself… I want to not only make a difference now. I want to (and will) leave my legacy wherever I go," he declares. With a GPA of 3.98, Xavier is an exceptional student, but he is an even more exceptional human being. He will be a first-generation college student and hopes to pursue a career in immigration law. He will attend Yale University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University, where he will concentrate his studies on Political Science and Race, Ethnicity, and Migration.
Bronze - Ariel Hernández Gil
Major: Pre-Pediatric Dentistry track and Social Work
GPA: 3.60
High School: Columbia Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
As a woman, as a Latina, as the daughter of immigrants, Ariel feels it is her duty to advocate and fight for policy reform in the name of the underrepresented, the indigent, the forgotten, and the victims of abuse. She has spent the last year volunteering at a local women’s shelter. Interacting with the families at the shelter and with those working to support, defend, and uplift them, has inspired Ariel. Though she has grown up knowing she wants to be a pediatric dentist, her experience at the shelter has prompted her to also pursue a career in social work. She wants to influence policy reform in both fields, in order to fight for the protection and empowerment of women and children affected by domestic violence and ensure that all communities have access to appropriate and timely medical care, oral health included. She wants to study Social Work while pursuing the Pre-Pediatric Dentistry track at Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, or the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
GPA: 3.60
High School: Columbia Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
As a woman, as a Latina, as the daughter of immigrants, Ariel feels it is her duty to advocate and fight for policy reform in the name of the underrepresented, the indigent, the forgotten, and the victims of abuse. She has spent the last year volunteering at a local women’s shelter. Interacting with the families at the shelter and with those working to support, defend, and uplift them, has inspired Ariel. Though she has grown up knowing she wants to be a pediatric dentist, her experience at the shelter has prompted her to also pursue a career in social work. She wants to influence policy reform in both fields, in order to fight for the protection and empowerment of women and children affected by domestic violence and ensure that all communities have access to appropriate and timely medical care, oral health included. She wants to study Social Work while pursuing the Pre-Pediatric Dentistry track at Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, or the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Social Justice
Gold - Korina López
Major: Political Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Elkins High School
Heritage: Mexican
Korina believes that the best way to empower the Latino community is for us to stand together, show pride in our heritage, and help each other grow. And she leads by example. She is an active and valuable member of her community of Elkins, Arkansas, where she serves as State Vice President and as District President of the Future Business Leaders of America club. These positions put her in charge of planning and running her district’s Leadership Conferences. She uses her platform to be a voice and an advocate for the most underserved in her community. Most notably, she advocated for the creation of a mentorship program for elementary school children. Thus began the Guiding Elks through Mentorship Program, which pairs high school students with elementary school children who need support and guidance. “This program will always be one of the highlights of my high school experience because I had the chance to see the change I was making for these children,” says Korina. She wants to continue making a difference in the lives of others and hopes to one day have a hand in improving our nation’s immigration system. She wants to become an immigration lawyer and dedicate her life to advocating for and defending the rights of immigrants. “I want to be an immigration lawyer to empower the Latino community and help people have the opportunity to have a better life in [this country],” she says. At the top of her class with a 4.0 GPA, Korina will study Political Science at the University of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, or the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Elkins High School
Heritage: Mexican
Korina believes that the best way to empower the Latino community is for us to stand together, show pride in our heritage, and help each other grow. And she leads by example. She is an active and valuable member of her community of Elkins, Arkansas, where she serves as State Vice President and as District President of the Future Business Leaders of America club. These positions put her in charge of planning and running her district’s Leadership Conferences. She uses her platform to be a voice and an advocate for the most underserved in her community. Most notably, she advocated for the creation of a mentorship program for elementary school children. Thus began the Guiding Elks through Mentorship Program, which pairs high school students with elementary school children who need support and guidance. “This program will always be one of the highlights of my high school experience because I had the chance to see the change I was making for these children,” says Korina. She wants to continue making a difference in the lives of others and hopes to one day have a hand in improving our nation’s immigration system. She wants to become an immigration lawyer and dedicate her life to advocating for and defending the rights of immigrants. “I want to be an immigration lawyer to empower the Latino community and help people have the opportunity to have a better life in [this country],” she says. At the top of her class with a 4.0 GPA, Korina will study Political Science at the University of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, or the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
Silver - Yadira Paz-Martínez
Major: Political Science and Economics
GPA: 3.96
High School: Sampson Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
“A white man once told me ‘forget about politics, women do not make it far, and you are colored,’” recalls Yadira, who used those words as fuel. “Although the words stung, they didn’t bring me down. Rather, they encouraged me to act so other Latinas wouldn’t see themselves as worthless,” she explains. She wanted a solution; to stop racial injustice and for people of different genders, races, and ethnicities to allow their voices to be heard. Community service became a vehicle for her to motivate Latino students in her community. She took every opportunity she had to not only serve them, but to educate them about what they could also do for their communities through service projects and volunteering. The positions she has held as officials in her school’s Key Club, Beta Club, and Student Government Association and her involvement with migrant workers have provided Yadira with the opportunity to engage in issues of social justice. The more she learned about the issues surrounding her—poverty, xenophobia, discrimination—the more evident the failures of our system became. She wants to be a political champion for those that have been silenced in her community. Having witnessed and lived the discriminatory treatment of Latinos, she wants to fight so that no other human is treated unfairly. “The world expects us to lower our heads, but I will not,” says Yadira. “No man, no barrier, no obstacle [will] stop me from achieving equality in my community. They will know that being a successful brown woman is possible,” she declares. Yadira believes that the power to determine who we are and what we achieve as Latinos lies within ourselves. That it is we who must allow ourselves to be defined by the potential we possess rather than the barriers that try to hold us back. This exceptional Latina will be attending Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or the University of Michigan and majoring in Political Science and Economics.
GPA: 3.96
High School: Sampson Early College High School
Heritage: Mexican
“A white man once told me ‘forget about politics, women do not make it far, and you are colored,’” recalls Yadira, who used those words as fuel. “Although the words stung, they didn’t bring me down. Rather, they encouraged me to act so other Latinas wouldn’t see themselves as worthless,” she explains. She wanted a solution; to stop racial injustice and for people of different genders, races, and ethnicities to allow their voices to be heard. Community service became a vehicle for her to motivate Latino students in her community. She took every opportunity she had to not only serve them, but to educate them about what they could also do for their communities through service projects and volunteering. The positions she has held as officials in her school’s Key Club, Beta Club, and Student Government Association and her involvement with migrant workers have provided Yadira with the opportunity to engage in issues of social justice. The more she learned about the issues surrounding her—poverty, xenophobia, discrimination—the more evident the failures of our system became. She wants to be a political champion for those that have been silenced in her community. Having witnessed and lived the discriminatory treatment of Latinos, she wants to fight so that no other human is treated unfairly. “The world expects us to lower our heads, but I will not,” says Yadira. “No man, no barrier, no obstacle [will] stop me from achieving equality in my community. They will know that being a successful brown woman is possible,” she declares. Yadira believes that the power to determine who we are and what we achieve as Latinos lies within ourselves. That it is we who must allow ourselves to be defined by the potential we possess rather than the barriers that try to hold us back. This exceptional Latina will be attending Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or the University of Michigan and majoring in Political Science and Economics.
Bronze - Adeline Rios
Major: Immigration Law
GPA: 3.93
High School: Bluffton High School
Heritage: Spanish
Adeline wants to be an immigration lawyer. She wants to use her law degree to champion change and advocate to ensure everyone has a voice. In preparation for her career, she has become an AP Capstone Scholar. This program has helped Adeline develop her critical thinking, analytical research, communication, and problem-solving skills. It has also allowed her to immerse herself into topics in the realm of social justice, more specifically, systematic inequalities regarding race in the US. Adeline is driven and dedicated. Her teacher describes her as the perfect combination of strength, dedication, maturity, kindness, academic giftedness, hard work, and positivity. She is a class leader among her peers and a teacher advocate. With a 3.93 GPA, she is among the top 1% of her class. She stands out among similarly accomplished students because she intrinsically cares and is motivated by her own curiosities and drive to know and learn. She is a scholar-athlete and has served as captain of her school’s varsity soccer team. Adeline intends on studying Immigration Law at Harvard College, Emory University, or Cornell University.
GPA: 3.93
High School: Bluffton High School
Heritage: Spanish
Adeline wants to be an immigration lawyer. She wants to use her law degree to champion change and advocate to ensure everyone has a voice. In preparation for her career, she has become an AP Capstone Scholar. This program has helped Adeline develop her critical thinking, analytical research, communication, and problem-solving skills. It has also allowed her to immerse herself into topics in the realm of social justice, more specifically, systematic inequalities regarding race in the US. Adeline is driven and dedicated. Her teacher describes her as the perfect combination of strength, dedication, maturity, kindness, academic giftedness, hard work, and positivity. She is a class leader among her peers and a teacher advocate. With a 3.93 GPA, she is among the top 1% of her class. She stands out among similarly accomplished students because she intrinsically cares and is motivated by her own curiosities and drive to know and learn. She is a scholar-athlete and has served as captain of her school’s varsity soccer team. Adeline intends on studying Immigration Law at Harvard College, Emory University, or Cornell University.
Technology
Gold - Yazmín Cosme Escobedo
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 3.88
High School: Haywood Early College
Heritage: Mexican
Yazmín has increasingly focused her interests in Computer Science and the tech industry throughout high school. In a world where technology is everywhere, she wants to learn how to use it to the advantage of society. To do that, she has pursued one of the most rigorous programs of study at her school, devoting her focus to computer science and math courses. Yazmín is constant with her curiosity and ambition to learn, regardless of the difficulty of a subject. She consistently demonstrates extraordinary aptitude and diligence in pursuing her studies and often helps other students when they struggle with challenging material. Her dedication and enthusiasm to learning set her well above her peers. She is self-motivated and highly proactive. She is currently teaching herself how to code through CodeAcademy and on a bot project that imitates her personality with the help of node.js and Visual Studio Code. Upon graduating this spring, she will receive an Associate of Science degree along with her high school diploma. To continue learning about her passion, Yazmín will major in Computer Science at Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University.
GPA: 3.88
High School: Haywood Early College
Heritage: Mexican
Yazmín has increasingly focused her interests in Computer Science and the tech industry throughout high school. In a world where technology is everywhere, she wants to learn how to use it to the advantage of society. To do that, she has pursued one of the most rigorous programs of study at her school, devoting her focus to computer science and math courses. Yazmín is constant with her curiosity and ambition to learn, regardless of the difficulty of a subject. She consistently demonstrates extraordinary aptitude and diligence in pursuing her studies and often helps other students when they struggle with challenging material. Her dedication and enthusiasm to learning set her well above her peers. She is self-motivated and highly proactive. She is currently teaching herself how to code through CodeAcademy and on a bot project that imitates her personality with the help of node.js and Visual Studio Code. Upon graduating this spring, she will receive an Associate of Science degree along with her high school diploma. To continue learning about her passion, Yazmín will major in Computer Science at Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or North Carolina State University.
Silver - Jordi Castro
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Rogers High School
Heritage: Spanish and Mexican
Almost immediately after his first computer programming lesson, Jordi got his teacher’s signature to drop the class. That was his sophomore year. Now, a senior, he is thankful he waited and opted for giving the class another chance. “Computer science grew on me,” he says, adding that now computers captivate him and have given him the ability to write unique code to solve real-world problems. For the last three years, he has worked on a multitude of programs in C++ and Java. For Jordi, his most memorable has been a recreation of the game Battleship, on which he worked for a scholarship supplement. He is currently designing “Kraken,” an original board game he will translate to code in Game Design. When he is not working on a programming project, Jordi is actively involved in his community. He enjoys giving back and sees community service as integral to a functioning society. He is a member of five community service organizations at his school, including the National Honor Society and the League of United Latin American Citizens. With an impressive academic record, a schedule packed with AP courses, and a 4.0 GPA, Jordi will attend Rice University, Stanford University, or the University of Arkansas. He will major in Computer Science.
GPA: 4.0
High School: Rogers High School
Heritage: Spanish and Mexican
Almost immediately after his first computer programming lesson, Jordi got his teacher’s signature to drop the class. That was his sophomore year. Now, a senior, he is thankful he waited and opted for giving the class another chance. “Computer science grew on me,” he says, adding that now computers captivate him and have given him the ability to write unique code to solve real-world problems. For the last three years, he has worked on a multitude of programs in C++ and Java. For Jordi, his most memorable has been a recreation of the game Battleship, on which he worked for a scholarship supplement. He is currently designing “Kraken,” an original board game he will translate to code in Game Design. When he is not working on a programming project, Jordi is actively involved in his community. He enjoys giving back and sees community service as integral to a functioning society. He is a member of five community service organizations at his school, including the National Honor Society and the League of United Latin American Citizens. With an impressive academic record, a schedule packed with AP courses, and a 4.0 GPA, Jordi will attend Rice University, Stanford University, or the University of Arkansas. He will major in Computer Science.
Bronze - Isis Vásquez
Major: Information Technology
GPA: 3.88
High School: Jay M. Robinson High School
Heritage: Mexican
Isis is captivated by the notion that while it may take a few simple clicks for us to navigate our phones and computers, what lies behind, the inner workings of the programs we use and the hardware of our devices are rather complex. Her interest in technology goes back to the first robotics class she took in middle school. But it was not until high school, when she took her first computer programing course, that she confirmed her love for the subject. "I felt so cool typing quickly into the computer and being able to make an idea come alive by simply telling the computer what I wanted it to do," she recalls. As a member of her school's VEX robotics club, Isis gets to experiment and learn through trial and error. Much of coding can be a game of creative problem-solving. The thrill of finding ways to get your program to do exactly what you need it to do is what Isis likes the most. She serves as president of her school's chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society. She is also a member of its Beta Club, Key Club, and Multicultural Club. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her involvement with these organizations and her academic achievements. Isis will pursue a degree in Information technology. She plans on attending Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or Rowan Cabarrus Community College.
GPA: 3.88
High School: Jay M. Robinson High School
Heritage: Mexican
Isis is captivated by the notion that while it may take a few simple clicks for us to navigate our phones and computers, what lies behind, the inner workings of the programs we use and the hardware of our devices are rather complex. Her interest in technology goes back to the first robotics class she took in middle school. But it was not until high school, when she took her first computer programing course, that she confirmed her love for the subject. "I felt so cool typing quickly into the computer and being able to make an idea come alive by simply telling the computer what I wanted it to do," she recalls. As a member of her school's VEX robotics club, Isis gets to experiment and learn through trial and error. Much of coding can be a game of creative problem-solving. The thrill of finding ways to get your program to do exactly what you need it to do is what Isis likes the most. She serves as president of her school's chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society. She is also a member of its Beta Club, Key Club, and Multicultural Club. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her involvement with these organizations and her academic achievements. Isis will pursue a degree in Information technology. She plans on attending Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or Rowan Cabarrus Community College.
