Business & Entrepreneurship
Community Service
Education
Engineering
Healthcare & Science
Media & Entertainment
Public Service & Social Justice
Sports & Fitness
Sustainability (Green)
Technology
Business & Entrepreneurship
GOLD - Dario Anaya
Hometown: Merrillville, IN
High School: Andrean High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican & Mexican
Puerto Rican Mexican America Dario is a co-founder of Pupil, a social networking platform and app that provides students with opportunities and guidance towards their future career goals. Designed with underrepresented and underserved youth in mind, Pupil tailor matches students with mentors according to shared interests in a school, major, or career pathway, to guide them through high school into college. Growing up in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, as a first-generation, under-resourced student of color, Dario has experienced first-hand the inequities of the education system. He has seen how many members of his community fail to thrive academically and professionally due to a lack of guidance, not of potential. "My mentors were instrumental in my transformation. I was the comedian in the classroom and trouble maker in the hallways. I was consistently underestimated. But, not until my sophomore year did I find a mentor to help me realize my potential," shares Dario. His mentor pushed him to do better, to think differently, and try. He helped him see what he was capable of doing. Thanks to his mentor, Dario went from a struggling student to having research assistantships at Harvard University and Princeton University. "After realizing my mentors' role in shaping my opportunities, I started thinking about the untapped potential in other low-income youth in my community," remarks Dario. That is the motivation behind Pupil and what propelled this inspiring Latino to help people like him, in his community and beyond, break into their untapped potential. Last year, Pupil was chosen as one of StartEd's Edtech Week Youth Career Technology Challenge finalists. EdTech Week is a free week-long conference for the education innovation community, hosted and produced by StartEd—an accelerator firm that seeks to support companies from the education technology sector. As finalists, they were given the opportunity to participate in Edtech Week's Youth Career Technology Shark Tank, where they pitched their company on a world-class stage, competing against New York University and Wharton students. Through their pitch presentation, not only did Pupil win the competition—which secured them $5,000 in funding and granted them entry into the StartEd Accelerator, one of the top EdTech accelerators in the country—it also earned them the support of institutions like New Your Univesity, Cornell University, and Santa Clara University, which expressed their interest in helping further Pupil's work. Over the last few years, in addition to his work with Pupil, Dario has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to serving some of the most marginalized communities in the nation. Last summer, he recruited over 200 students of diverse backgrounds from across the country to participate in a virtual data science bootcamp he co-founded with Harvard University faculty with the goal to "[t]each as many kids who are willing to challenge themselves, free of charge," furthering his mission to help students uncover their full potential. This remarkable Latino leader will continue carrying on this mission while attending Cornell University, New York University, or Indiana University Bloomington. He plans to major in Applied Economics and Management and minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
High School: Andrean High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican & Mexican
Puerto Rican Mexican America Dario is a co-founder of Pupil, a social networking platform and app that provides students with opportunities and guidance towards their future career goals. Designed with underrepresented and underserved youth in mind, Pupil tailor matches students with mentors according to shared interests in a school, major, or career pathway, to guide them through high school into college. Growing up in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, as a first-generation, under-resourced student of color, Dario has experienced first-hand the inequities of the education system. He has seen how many members of his community fail to thrive academically and professionally due to a lack of guidance, not of potential. "My mentors were instrumental in my transformation. I was the comedian in the classroom and trouble maker in the hallways. I was consistently underestimated. But, not until my sophomore year did I find a mentor to help me realize my potential," shares Dario. His mentor pushed him to do better, to think differently, and try. He helped him see what he was capable of doing. Thanks to his mentor, Dario went from a struggling student to having research assistantships at Harvard University and Princeton University. "After realizing my mentors' role in shaping my opportunities, I started thinking about the untapped potential in other low-income youth in my community," remarks Dario. That is the motivation behind Pupil and what propelled this inspiring Latino to help people like him, in his community and beyond, break into their untapped potential. Last year, Pupil was chosen as one of StartEd's Edtech Week Youth Career Technology Challenge finalists. EdTech Week is a free week-long conference for the education innovation community, hosted and produced by StartEd—an accelerator firm that seeks to support companies from the education technology sector. As finalists, they were given the opportunity to participate in Edtech Week's Youth Career Technology Shark Tank, where they pitched their company on a world-class stage, competing against New York University and Wharton students. Through their pitch presentation, not only did Pupil win the competition—which secured them $5,000 in funding and granted them entry into the StartEd Accelerator, one of the top EdTech accelerators in the country—it also earned them the support of institutions like New Your Univesity, Cornell University, and Santa Clara University, which expressed their interest in helping further Pupil's work. Over the last few years, in addition to his work with Pupil, Dario has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to serving some of the most marginalized communities in the nation. Last summer, he recruited over 200 students of diverse backgrounds from across the country to participate in a virtual data science bootcamp he co-founded with Harvard University faculty with the goal to "[t]each as many kids who are willing to challenge themselves, free of charge," furthering his mission to help students uncover their full potential. This remarkable Latino leader will continue carrying on this mission while attending Cornell University, New York University, or Indiana University Bloomington. He plans to major in Applied Economics and Management and minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Silver - Samantha Lezama
Hometown: Chicago, IL
GPA: 3.80
High School: DeVry University Advantage Academy
Heritage: Mexican
Chicago, Illinois resident Samantha, was inspired to pursue a career in business when thinking about her goals and her future. “My passion for the world of business grew when I envisioned myself buying my mother a house,” she shares. To prepare herself for her career of choice, last year, she decided to transfer schools in order to enroll at the DeVry University Advantage Academy (DUAA). DUAA is a dual-enrollment, dual-credit high school that offers an accelerated curriculum and provides highly motivated students like Samantha a career and postsecondary advantage by enabling them to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. “It was a leap that I knew would come with hard work, but the thought of graduating high school with an associates and diploma drives me every single day to keep going strong,” shares Samantha. In a matter of months, she will receive her Associate of Applied Science in Business degree upon her high school graduation. In school, Samantha is known by her teachers and peers as a creative and insightful student. Her Critical Thinking, English Composition, and Speech professor, Prof. Murphy, has seen her grow from a quiet, capable leader to a confident one. She considers Samantha to be one of the academically talented students she has met throughout her ten years teaching at the DUAA. “Her work stands out among her class of exceptionally academically-motivated students,” remarks Prof. Murphy. A self-described “Southside hustler,” Samantha opened up a small online business to sell her original artwork in early 2020. After running a marketing campaign and promotion through her Instagram account, she started growing her audience and began getting commissions. As she worked to expand her network, she met mentors out in her city and even as far out as California, who have helped this young entrepreneur by offering their input and guidance. She has also been able to apply some of the concepts she has learned at DUAA to help run and grow her business. For this Mexican American Latina, giving back to her community has been an important part of her high school experience. “It is easy for me to find a way to get involved in my community,” she says. She is inspired to give back by the mentors she has had that have motivated her to push beyond her comfort zone and helped her see what she is capable of achieving. She gives back so she, too, can help someone like her younger self grow and reach their full potential. Samantha will attend Loyola University Chicago, Elmhurst University, or Illinois State University. She is considering majoring in Business and minoring in Graphic or Studio Art.
GPA: 3.80
High School: DeVry University Advantage Academy
Heritage: Mexican
Chicago, Illinois resident Samantha, was inspired to pursue a career in business when thinking about her goals and her future. “My passion for the world of business grew when I envisioned myself buying my mother a house,” she shares. To prepare herself for her career of choice, last year, she decided to transfer schools in order to enroll at the DeVry University Advantage Academy (DUAA). DUAA is a dual-enrollment, dual-credit high school that offers an accelerated curriculum and provides highly motivated students like Samantha a career and postsecondary advantage by enabling them to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. “It was a leap that I knew would come with hard work, but the thought of graduating high school with an associates and diploma drives me every single day to keep going strong,” shares Samantha. In a matter of months, she will receive her Associate of Applied Science in Business degree upon her high school graduation. In school, Samantha is known by her teachers and peers as a creative and insightful student. Her Critical Thinking, English Composition, and Speech professor, Prof. Murphy, has seen her grow from a quiet, capable leader to a confident one. She considers Samantha to be one of the academically talented students she has met throughout her ten years teaching at the DUAA. “Her work stands out among her class of exceptionally academically-motivated students,” remarks Prof. Murphy. A self-described “Southside hustler,” Samantha opened up a small online business to sell her original artwork in early 2020. After running a marketing campaign and promotion through her Instagram account, she started growing her audience and began getting commissions. As she worked to expand her network, she met mentors out in her city and even as far out as California, who have helped this young entrepreneur by offering their input and guidance. She has also been able to apply some of the concepts she has learned at DUAA to help run and grow her business. For this Mexican American Latina, giving back to her community has been an important part of her high school experience. “It is easy for me to find a way to get involved in my community,” she says. She is inspired to give back by the mentors she has had that have motivated her to push beyond her comfort zone and helped her see what she is capable of achieving. She gives back so she, too, can help someone like her younger self grow and reach their full potential. Samantha will attend Loyola University Chicago, Elmhurst University, or Illinois State University. She is considering majoring in Business and minoring in Graphic or Studio Art.
Bronze - Gage Lockley
Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Rolling Meadows High School
Heritage: Mexican & Filipino
Filipino Mexican American student, Gage, has been a member of his school’s DECA club since his freshman year. Beginning with his Introduction to Business class in ninth grade, he has been interested in learning about the world of business and has taken business-related elective classes all four years of his high school career. However, it was not until his junior year, when he signed up to take his school’s College Entrepreneurship dual-credit course, that he became inspired to pursue a business career. This course engaged Gage in the everyday business of creating ideas and building companies. As part of a class project, he came up with the concept for Nightscape, a portable floodlight he designed with the lightning necessities of athletic fields in mind. Working with a team of other students in his class, he fine-tuned his design, continually worked on improving his product, and devised a business plan for his company. “Our teacher helped us apply basic business concepts to develop our small business. We also collaborated with our mentor, a representative from the Bosch Corporation, to improve our product,” shares Gage. After months of brainstorming, considering the real-world application of what they were learning in class, and maintaining a critical eye to consistently improve their project, they pitched their business to an expert panel of judges in a district-wide event where they competed against teams from all students enrolled in his College Entrepreneurship class across his school district. The event, District 214’s Startup Showcase, is an annual event that highlights the work of students in his school district’s—District 214—Entrepreneurship Program. Gage’s team’s presentation and pitch won over the judges, leading them to be declared winners of the event. Motivated by his team’s win, Gage submitted his project for consideration to pitch his business and compete for funding at a national level at the INCubatoredu National Pitch contest. His work on Nightscape helped Gage advance all the way to the contest’s quarter-finals. This future businessman has also been participating in DECA competitions since ninth grade and has been serving as the club’s president since his junior year. Earlier this year, he was declared state champion in the Team Entrepreneurship category at the Illinois DECA State competition. Gage has demonstrated that he is capable of balancing academics, extracurricular activities, personal interests, and family responsibilities with ease. A student-athlete, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and routinely seeks opportunities for growth within the classroom and on the athletic field. He is a member of his school’s varsity soccer team and a member of its chapters of the National English Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society. Gage will attend Indiana University, Case Western Reserve University, or John Carroll University and plans to major in Entrepreneurship and International Business.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Rolling Meadows High School
Heritage: Mexican & Filipino
Filipino Mexican American student, Gage, has been a member of his school’s DECA club since his freshman year. Beginning with his Introduction to Business class in ninth grade, he has been interested in learning about the world of business and has taken business-related elective classes all four years of his high school career. However, it was not until his junior year, when he signed up to take his school’s College Entrepreneurship dual-credit course, that he became inspired to pursue a business career. This course engaged Gage in the everyday business of creating ideas and building companies. As part of a class project, he came up with the concept for Nightscape, a portable floodlight he designed with the lightning necessities of athletic fields in mind. Working with a team of other students in his class, he fine-tuned his design, continually worked on improving his product, and devised a business plan for his company. “Our teacher helped us apply basic business concepts to develop our small business. We also collaborated with our mentor, a representative from the Bosch Corporation, to improve our product,” shares Gage. After months of brainstorming, considering the real-world application of what they were learning in class, and maintaining a critical eye to consistently improve their project, they pitched their business to an expert panel of judges in a district-wide event where they competed against teams from all students enrolled in his College Entrepreneurship class across his school district. The event, District 214’s Startup Showcase, is an annual event that highlights the work of students in his school district’s—District 214—Entrepreneurship Program. Gage’s team’s presentation and pitch won over the judges, leading them to be declared winners of the event. Motivated by his team’s win, Gage submitted his project for consideration to pitch his business and compete for funding at a national level at the INCubatoredu National Pitch contest. His work on Nightscape helped Gage advance all the way to the contest’s quarter-finals. This future businessman has also been participating in DECA competitions since ninth grade and has been serving as the club’s president since his junior year. Earlier this year, he was declared state champion in the Team Entrepreneurship category at the Illinois DECA State competition. Gage has demonstrated that he is capable of balancing academics, extracurricular activities, personal interests, and family responsibilities with ease. A student-athlete, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and routinely seeks opportunities for growth within the classroom and on the athletic field. He is a member of his school’s varsity soccer team and a member of its chapters of the National English Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society. Gage will attend Indiana University, Case Western Reserve University, or John Carroll University and plans to major in Entrepreneurship and International Business.
Community Service
GOLD - Brianna Gray
Hometown: Swansea, IL
GPA: 3.93
High School: Belleville East High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican, Dominican & Spanish
For Swansea, Illinois resident Brianna, community service is how she shows others that she cares enough to contribute to making their lives a little better. Coming from a family of faith, serving her community has been a part of her life since she was a child. She remembers her mother's wise words to her when, at around four years old, while helping her prepare some of her toys for donation to their local orphanage, she began to wonder how come she had toys, but the children at the orphanage did not. In response, her mother told her: "Breezy, it's not important why they do not have toys. Or the fact that you do not like that [they do not]. What is important is: what are you going to do about it?" Her mother's words have shaped Brianna's community service philosophy. Her reason for giving back to her community is simple: "I help because I can," she remarks. Throughout her life, she has looked for ways to serve those around her in any way she can. "At 4, I didn't have a lot of resources, but I could give away my toys to kids who didn't have any," shares Brianna. "At 10, I didn't have a lot of money, but I had the time to organize food drives and fundraisers," she adds. Now, at 17, having grown up as a leader, she uses her different platforms—like her school's Student Council, where she is an executive officer, or her school's Christian club, First Priority, which Brianna leads as club president—to make an impact in her community. Over the course of her high school career, she has served numerous organizations and causes around her town at varying capacities, including being a volunteer for March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and Meals on Wheels, and for a local a domestic violence care facility. She has also served as the marketing chair for Paws for a Cause, coordinated several Veterans Day Drives, musically entertained eldercare facilities, organized care packages for our troops overseas, and helped tutor children struggling in school, to name a few more of the ways in which she has given back to her community. "My volunteering is simply a part of who I am," remarks Brianna. Academics have been another priority in the life of this Latina of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Spanish descent. "Brianna is an outstanding student. [She] is among the very best of the honors students I have taught in my 31 years at Belleville East High School," shares her English teacher. Adding that she is not only academically exceptional; she also inspires other students to excel. Brianna will continue her commitment to contributing to her community wherever she goes, whether that be Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she plans to follow the Pre-Law track and minor in Music.
GPA: 3.93
High School: Belleville East High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican, Dominican & Spanish
For Swansea, Illinois resident Brianna, community service is how she shows others that she cares enough to contribute to making their lives a little better. Coming from a family of faith, serving her community has been a part of her life since she was a child. She remembers her mother's wise words to her when, at around four years old, while helping her prepare some of her toys for donation to their local orphanage, she began to wonder how come she had toys, but the children at the orphanage did not. In response, her mother told her: "Breezy, it's not important why they do not have toys. Or the fact that you do not like that [they do not]. What is important is: what are you going to do about it?" Her mother's words have shaped Brianna's community service philosophy. Her reason for giving back to her community is simple: "I help because I can," she remarks. Throughout her life, she has looked for ways to serve those around her in any way she can. "At 4, I didn't have a lot of resources, but I could give away my toys to kids who didn't have any," shares Brianna. "At 10, I didn't have a lot of money, but I had the time to organize food drives and fundraisers," she adds. Now, at 17, having grown up as a leader, she uses her different platforms—like her school's Student Council, where she is an executive officer, or her school's Christian club, First Priority, which Brianna leads as club president—to make an impact in her community. Over the course of her high school career, she has served numerous organizations and causes around her town at varying capacities, including being a volunteer for March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and Meals on Wheels, and for a local a domestic violence care facility. She has also served as the marketing chair for Paws for a Cause, coordinated several Veterans Day Drives, musically entertained eldercare facilities, organized care packages for our troops overseas, and helped tutor children struggling in school, to name a few more of the ways in which she has given back to her community. "My volunteering is simply a part of who I am," remarks Brianna. Academics have been another priority in the life of this Latina of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Spanish descent. "Brianna is an outstanding student. [She] is among the very best of the honors students I have taught in my 31 years at Belleville East High School," shares her English teacher. Adding that she is not only academically exceptional; she also inspires other students to excel. Brianna will continue her commitment to contributing to her community wherever she goes, whether that be Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she plans to follow the Pre-Law track and minor in Music.
Silver - Michelle Valencia
Hometown: Chicago, IL
GPA: 3.90
High School: John Hancock High School
Heritage: Mexican
“From a young age, I had a passion for involving myself in activities to improve my community,” shares Chicago, Illinois resident Michelle. Upon entering high school, she joined her school’s Culinary Club, “not necessarily for the reasons one might think,” she says. “Yes, I enjoy eating the mouthwatering food we cook,” clarifies Michelle, but what she loves most about Culinary Club is that it provides her with opportunities to serve her community. Michelle grew up witnessing the disparity in food resources between different Chicago neighborhoods, which motivated her to take action to address this inequality. She worked with her school’s Culinary Club to create a food bank for areas with restricted access to food in her city. “These food banks will help individuals who have limited financial resources obtain nutritious food at no cost,” explains Michelle. As Vice President of the club, she has coordinated trips to homeless shelters and the Ronald McDonald House to cook for those experiencing hardships. In addition to cooking for her community, she also learned how to knit and has donated some of her handmade knitwear to organizations that help the underresourced in her city. When many people in her community lost the incentive to care for their health earlier in the pandemic and seeing many of her peers resorting to buying fast food rather than taking a homemade lunch to school or eating the lunch provided by her school, Michelle wanted to do her part to motivate her community to be mindful of their health and the food they ate. After noticing that her community would routinely use her school’s garden for special occasions but, unlike other local schools, never used the fertile land to grow crops, she worked with a group of her schoolmates to address the issues she had seen and spoke with administrators at her school to develop plans to build a food garden on her school’s grounds. Although the process took a lot of planning, Michelle succeeded in her efforts. Now her school has a garden that helps decrease malnourishment and aids families that lack financial resources to buy nutritious food in her community. “Participating in volunteering events in high school has contributed to making my high school experience meaningful; I know that what I do will have lasting impacts beyond my graduation,” she remarks. “I know that I will continue engaging in community service wherever I go in life because helping others makes me feel fulfilled,” adds Michelle. This compassionate Latina has been an exemplary student at her school, consistently demonstrating that she is fully committed to her endeavors and pushing herself through a demanding academic program, including multiple AP courses. Among the top students in her school, she is ranked 12th out of 252 students in her graduating class. Her academic achievements and contributions to her community have earned this Mexican American leader numerous awards and recognitions, including being selected as a QuestBridge National College Match finalist. She will attend the University of Notre Dame, the Illinois Institute of Technology, or the University of St. Francis and plans to major in Sociology.
GPA: 3.90
High School: John Hancock High School
Heritage: Mexican
“From a young age, I had a passion for involving myself in activities to improve my community,” shares Chicago, Illinois resident Michelle. Upon entering high school, she joined her school’s Culinary Club, “not necessarily for the reasons one might think,” she says. “Yes, I enjoy eating the mouthwatering food we cook,” clarifies Michelle, but what she loves most about Culinary Club is that it provides her with opportunities to serve her community. Michelle grew up witnessing the disparity in food resources between different Chicago neighborhoods, which motivated her to take action to address this inequality. She worked with her school’s Culinary Club to create a food bank for areas with restricted access to food in her city. “These food banks will help individuals who have limited financial resources obtain nutritious food at no cost,” explains Michelle. As Vice President of the club, she has coordinated trips to homeless shelters and the Ronald McDonald House to cook for those experiencing hardships. In addition to cooking for her community, she also learned how to knit and has donated some of her handmade knitwear to organizations that help the underresourced in her city. When many people in her community lost the incentive to care for their health earlier in the pandemic and seeing many of her peers resorting to buying fast food rather than taking a homemade lunch to school or eating the lunch provided by her school, Michelle wanted to do her part to motivate her community to be mindful of their health and the food they ate. After noticing that her community would routinely use her school’s garden for special occasions but, unlike other local schools, never used the fertile land to grow crops, she worked with a group of her schoolmates to address the issues she had seen and spoke with administrators at her school to develop plans to build a food garden on her school’s grounds. Although the process took a lot of planning, Michelle succeeded in her efforts. Now her school has a garden that helps decrease malnourishment and aids families that lack financial resources to buy nutritious food in her community. “Participating in volunteering events in high school has contributed to making my high school experience meaningful; I know that what I do will have lasting impacts beyond my graduation,” she remarks. “I know that I will continue engaging in community service wherever I go in life because helping others makes me feel fulfilled,” adds Michelle. This compassionate Latina has been an exemplary student at her school, consistently demonstrating that she is fully committed to her endeavors and pushing herself through a demanding academic program, including multiple AP courses. Among the top students in her school, she is ranked 12th out of 252 students in her graduating class. Her academic achievements and contributions to her community have earned this Mexican American leader numerous awards and recognitions, including being selected as a QuestBridge National College Match finalist. She will attend the University of Notre Dame, the Illinois Institute of Technology, or the University of St. Francis and plans to major in Sociology.
Bronze - David Hamilton
Hometown: Waite Hill, OH
GPA: 3.56
High School: Hawken School
Heritage: Mexican & Iranian
“Community service has been a cornerstone of [my] family life since I can remember,” shares Hawken School student David. The proud son of a Mexican father and an Iranian mother, he credits his parents for instilling in him and his family the value of serving his community. Both of his parents immigrated to the United States as adults with no means and worked hard to raise him and my sister and provide a better life for them. “My parents always told us that it was the community that helped them be able to stand on their own feet after they arrived in the United States with no means and very little knowledge of the English language,” he remarks. What inspires him to give back is the sense of knowing that he is giving others a helping hand in their time of need, the way his community helped his parents when they needed help. Along with his family, David spent many hours at St. Bernard Church every week. Located in downtown Akron, Ohio, St. Bernard is the only church around the area with Spanish mass on Sundays. With his mother organizing many of the church’s Latino activities, including the soup kitchen, folkloric dances, Spanish choir, holidays toy drive, and more, his family was regularly involved, helping his mother ensure everything worked as planned. “I was always there to help in the kitchen, serving people and any other ways I could help,” recalls David. Although they moved away from Akron and now live too far to help at St. Bernard Church, having that family experience giving back to his community while growing up, shaped David’s character. “I have continued this mission throughout my life, working many hours [at] Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, HOLA Ohio, and other charity organizations,” he shares. (Family Promise of Greater Cleveland is a local nonprofit organization that provides 24-hour shelter, meals, social services, and compassionate assistance to families without a home. HOLA Ohio is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of the members of the Latino community in Ohio through outreach, education, entrepreneurship, and skills development.) In 2018, David traveled to Xalapa, Mexico—his mother’s hometown—to help his sister in her “Cuida tu Corazon” campaign, which emphasizes the importance of healthy hearts and STEMM education. This experience had a lasting impact on David. He became more aware of the disparity in education across countries and recognized the privilege he had to have access to a better education and life while living in the US. This is what inspired David to found Helping Hands Foundation Without Borders, a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life and education of under-resourced and underrepresented youth groups and communities around the world. When it comes to school, David has continuously sought out ways to challenge himself and has taken a rigorous curriculum in every discipline, maxing out on allowable honors and AP courses each year. Moving on to the next chapter in his academic career, this diligent community leader will attend the University of Michigan, New York University, or Washington University in St. Louis. He will follow a pre-medicine track in preparation for his plans to become a medical doctor.
GPA: 3.56
High School: Hawken School
Heritage: Mexican & Iranian
“Community service has been a cornerstone of [my] family life since I can remember,” shares Hawken School student David. The proud son of a Mexican father and an Iranian mother, he credits his parents for instilling in him and his family the value of serving his community. Both of his parents immigrated to the United States as adults with no means and worked hard to raise him and my sister and provide a better life for them. “My parents always told us that it was the community that helped them be able to stand on their own feet after they arrived in the United States with no means and very little knowledge of the English language,” he remarks. What inspires him to give back is the sense of knowing that he is giving others a helping hand in their time of need, the way his community helped his parents when they needed help. Along with his family, David spent many hours at St. Bernard Church every week. Located in downtown Akron, Ohio, St. Bernard is the only church around the area with Spanish mass on Sundays. With his mother organizing many of the church’s Latino activities, including the soup kitchen, folkloric dances, Spanish choir, holidays toy drive, and more, his family was regularly involved, helping his mother ensure everything worked as planned. “I was always there to help in the kitchen, serving people and any other ways I could help,” recalls David. Although they moved away from Akron and now live too far to help at St. Bernard Church, having that family experience giving back to his community while growing up, shaped David’s character. “I have continued this mission throughout my life, working many hours [at] Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, HOLA Ohio, and other charity organizations,” he shares. (Family Promise of Greater Cleveland is a local nonprofit organization that provides 24-hour shelter, meals, social services, and compassionate assistance to families without a home. HOLA Ohio is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of the members of the Latino community in Ohio through outreach, education, entrepreneurship, and skills development.) In 2018, David traveled to Xalapa, Mexico—his mother’s hometown—to help his sister in her “Cuida tu Corazon” campaign, which emphasizes the importance of healthy hearts and STEMM education. This experience had a lasting impact on David. He became more aware of the disparity in education across countries and recognized the privilege he had to have access to a better education and life while living in the US. This is what inspired David to found Helping Hands Foundation Without Borders, a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life and education of under-resourced and underrepresented youth groups and communities around the world. When it comes to school, David has continuously sought out ways to challenge himself and has taken a rigorous curriculum in every discipline, maxing out on allowable honors and AP courses each year. Moving on to the next chapter in his academic career, this diligent community leader will attend the University of Michigan, New York University, or Washington University in St. Louis. He will follow a pre-medicine track in preparation for his plans to become a medical doctor.
Education
GOLD - Juliany Salazar
Hometown: Des Plaines, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Maine East High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My little sister Ana Sofia, who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome, and her therapists opened me to a pathway toward education, psychology, and child development,” shares Mexican American student, Juliany. When she was younger, she would often be welcomed home from school by her sister’s various therapists, who were there for therapy nearly every day. Some of Ana Sofia’s therapists were kind enough to let Juliany join them in their sessions and help them. “It was an enriching learning experience. As time passed, I felt myself looking forward to coming home more and more every day to participate in therapy with my sister,” remembers Juliany. As is the case with many first-generation Americans, although she was born in the US, Juliany’s first language was her parent’s first language, Spanish. Because there was a slight language barrier for Juliany, she struggled with her reading when she was in fourth grade. She relied on tutoring lessons to help her improve her English and become a stronger reader. “Those who helped me improve my reading skills made me feel comfortable since I was embarrassed by my broken English,” recalls Juliany. Her childhood and past experiences have inspired a lot of her service work, like her tutoring work, for example. Inspired by the help she received when working on her reading and her experience helping her sister through her therapy sessions, Juliany tutored an elementary student with dyslexia, which she found to be both a challenging and rewarding experience and not unlike her experiences with her sister. Wanting to make sure her student felt comfortable working towards her academic goals with her, she constantly made sure she was creating a welcoming learning environment. Although she encountered situations where her student felt frustrated and unmotivated when reading, she encouraged her to keep going with positive reinforcement and assistance. “Seeing my student’s growth made me happy; I felt like I was truly having an impact through our work together,” she shares. Last summer, Juliany participated in Brown University’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program. Through the program, she had the opportunity to take Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology, a course that aims to provide an overview of psychological disorders in childhood and adolescence. The course captivated Juliany and confirmed her passion for learning about child psychology. “Having a loved one with a disability is not easy, but I know from first-hand experience that it can be an amazing roller coaster ride,” she remarks. She finds joy in “playing school” with Ana Sofia and making homemade flashcards for her. One of her favorite pastimes is reading her sister’s American Sign Language while they learn and practice together. Juliany will attend Macalester College, DePaul University, or DePauw University. She is considering majoring in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Education. She has worked tirelessly throughout her high school career, motivated by the goal of going to college. This fall, this dedicated Latina will make her parents proud as she becomes the first one in her family to attend college.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Maine East High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My little sister Ana Sofia, who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome, and her therapists opened me to a pathway toward education, psychology, and child development,” shares Mexican American student, Juliany. When she was younger, she would often be welcomed home from school by her sister’s various therapists, who were there for therapy nearly every day. Some of Ana Sofia’s therapists were kind enough to let Juliany join them in their sessions and help them. “It was an enriching learning experience. As time passed, I felt myself looking forward to coming home more and more every day to participate in therapy with my sister,” remembers Juliany. As is the case with many first-generation Americans, although she was born in the US, Juliany’s first language was her parent’s first language, Spanish. Because there was a slight language barrier for Juliany, she struggled with her reading when she was in fourth grade. She relied on tutoring lessons to help her improve her English and become a stronger reader. “Those who helped me improve my reading skills made me feel comfortable since I was embarrassed by my broken English,” recalls Juliany. Her childhood and past experiences have inspired a lot of her service work, like her tutoring work, for example. Inspired by the help she received when working on her reading and her experience helping her sister through her therapy sessions, Juliany tutored an elementary student with dyslexia, which she found to be both a challenging and rewarding experience and not unlike her experiences with her sister. Wanting to make sure her student felt comfortable working towards her academic goals with her, she constantly made sure she was creating a welcoming learning environment. Although she encountered situations where her student felt frustrated and unmotivated when reading, she encouraged her to keep going with positive reinforcement and assistance. “Seeing my student’s growth made me happy; I felt like I was truly having an impact through our work together,” she shares. Last summer, Juliany participated in Brown University’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program. Through the program, she had the opportunity to take Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology, a course that aims to provide an overview of psychological disorders in childhood and adolescence. The course captivated Juliany and confirmed her passion for learning about child psychology. “Having a loved one with a disability is not easy, but I know from first-hand experience that it can be an amazing roller coaster ride,” she remarks. She finds joy in “playing school” with Ana Sofia and making homemade flashcards for her. One of her favorite pastimes is reading her sister’s American Sign Language while they learn and practice together. Juliany will attend Macalester College, DePaul University, or DePauw University. She is considering majoring in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Education. She has worked tirelessly throughout her high school career, motivated by the goal of going to college. This fall, this dedicated Latina will make her parents proud as she becomes the first one in her family to attend college.
Silver - Isabella Laird
Hometown: Columbia, MO
GPA: 3.99
High School: David Hickman High School
Heritage: Ecuadorian
Ecuadorian American student, Isabella, has known that she would become an educator since she was a young girl. Growing up, she would often attempt to give her brother worksheets that she found and printed off the internet for him to fill out. She would then read to him and go over the day's weather. Isabell's name for this home activity was simply "School." She could only convince her brother to participate in her game of School if she would take up one of his chores, which she always happily agreed to do. Now in high school, Isabella has held onto the dream of becoming a teacher. She has done this by enrolling in her school's teaching professions courses. This year, her teaching professions class has led Isabella to gain field experience and build relationships with students and teachers by interning in local classrooms, including a kindergarten and middle school French classroom. Thanks to these classes, Isabella has not only begun to learn about the requirements of becoming a teacher; she has also gained more experience teaching by also starting to tutor. The teaching professions classes she has taken have also been an excellent way for her to further confirm her passion for education. Through her school's math organization, Isabella has been working with a young girl from her town of Columbia, Missouri, tutoring her twice a week. When she first began working with her tutoring student two winters ago, her student was a kindergartner getting used to the ropes of school and the subject of math. Close to a year and a half later, Isabella has noticed exceptional improvement with her student, as she has grown her confidence in solving math problems and dissecting word problems. Assisting daily in classrooms and tutoring after-school have also been ways for Isabella to continue learning about and gaining experience about her future career of choice. Serving her community has been an important part of Isabella's high school experience. Starting in her freshman year, she has been involved in one volunteering organization or another every year in her high school career. Some of her school's service organizations through which she has actively given back to her community are Key Club, Interact Club, and this year, Trireme, an all-senior girls volunteer club where she currently serves as president. Isabella has also spent every summer in high school volunteering at school or local organizations. One summer, she served as a junior counselor at her local French immersion school. The following year, she volunteered weekly at her local food pantry. Last fall alone, she volunteered to help run the concession stands at a number of her school's sporting events. This future educator is among the top students in her class and holds a near-perfect 3.99 GPA. She maintains the highest level of academic performance while working a job, excelling in her extracurricular activities, and serving others in her community. Isabella will attend Middlebury College, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, or the University of Kansas. She plans on majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in French.
GPA: 3.99
High School: David Hickman High School
Heritage: Ecuadorian
Ecuadorian American student, Isabella, has known that she would become an educator since she was a young girl. Growing up, she would often attempt to give her brother worksheets that she found and printed off the internet for him to fill out. She would then read to him and go over the day's weather. Isabell's name for this home activity was simply "School." She could only convince her brother to participate in her game of School if she would take up one of his chores, which she always happily agreed to do. Now in high school, Isabella has held onto the dream of becoming a teacher. She has done this by enrolling in her school's teaching professions courses. This year, her teaching professions class has led Isabella to gain field experience and build relationships with students and teachers by interning in local classrooms, including a kindergarten and middle school French classroom. Thanks to these classes, Isabella has not only begun to learn about the requirements of becoming a teacher; she has also gained more experience teaching by also starting to tutor. The teaching professions classes she has taken have also been an excellent way for her to further confirm her passion for education. Through her school's math organization, Isabella has been working with a young girl from her town of Columbia, Missouri, tutoring her twice a week. When she first began working with her tutoring student two winters ago, her student was a kindergartner getting used to the ropes of school and the subject of math. Close to a year and a half later, Isabella has noticed exceptional improvement with her student, as she has grown her confidence in solving math problems and dissecting word problems. Assisting daily in classrooms and tutoring after-school have also been ways for Isabella to continue learning about and gaining experience about her future career of choice. Serving her community has been an important part of Isabella's high school experience. Starting in her freshman year, she has been involved in one volunteering organization or another every year in her high school career. Some of her school's service organizations through which she has actively given back to her community are Key Club, Interact Club, and this year, Trireme, an all-senior girls volunteer club where she currently serves as president. Isabella has also spent every summer in high school volunteering at school or local organizations. One summer, she served as a junior counselor at her local French immersion school. The following year, she volunteered weekly at her local food pantry. Last fall alone, she volunteered to help run the concession stands at a number of her school's sporting events. This future educator is among the top students in her class and holds a near-perfect 3.99 GPA. She maintains the highest level of academic performance while working a job, excelling in her extracurricular activities, and serving others in her community. Isabella will attend Middlebury College, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, or the University of Kansas. She plans on majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in French.
Bronze - Jasmin Pérez
Hometown: Elgin , IL
GPA: 3.98
High School: Elgin High School
Heritage: Mexican
Elgin, Illinois resident Jasmin, realized she wanted to be a teacher when she began to help her little brother with school work. She took on the responsibility of helping him with his school assignments during the day while her parents were at work. Her parents have always worked hard, often around the clock, to be able to provide for their family. Wanting to do her part to help, Jasmin was happy to care for her little brother and help him with his assignments once he became old enough to go to school. “In the process of taking care of him and teaching him not only how to do simple math addition and but also other life lessons, I learned that I really enjoyed [teaching],” shares Jasmin. To prepare for her future career, she has taken classes in childhood education and child development and has volunteered at local elementary schools. Jasmin also signed up to be a freshman mentor at her school and began tutoring struggling students to gain one-on-one teaching experience. These opportunities to teach have also helped her confirm that education is the right career path for her. Jasmin is inspired by the idea of being able to help shape future generations into successful people. Her passion for wanting to be an educator and teaching is rooted in her desire to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. This desire to contribute positively to those around her is not limited to her future career plans. For this Latina of Mexican descent, helping her community and playing a role in its progress and growth has been central to her high school experience. She has made an effort to help in as many opportunities as have been presented to her, including volunteering as an assistant teacher at local elementary schools, tutoring students at her school, volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, helping at community events through her township’s community center, and helping with after school programs at her old elementary school. Jasmin has been recognized for her commitment to serving her community by being named recipient of the Hanover Township Volunteer Leadership Award. As dedicated as she has been to her community, she has applied the same dedication to her academics. She is one of the top students in her class and maintains a 3.98 GPA. Jasmin is driven by a deep desire to succeed. This has pushed her to challenge herself with a rigorous program of studies, which includes several AP and dual credit classes. She will continue on her path to success when she attends Brown University, New York University, or the University of California, Los Angeles, this fall. Jasmin will pursue a major in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education and a minor in Spanish. She wants to be a secondary school math teacher. Through mathematics, she wants to help her students develop their confidence with problem-solving and help teach them to persist through difficult problems with the hopes that developing these character traits will contribute to their future success in and out of school.
GPA: 3.98
High School: Elgin High School
Heritage: Mexican
Elgin, Illinois resident Jasmin, realized she wanted to be a teacher when she began to help her little brother with school work. She took on the responsibility of helping him with his school assignments during the day while her parents were at work. Her parents have always worked hard, often around the clock, to be able to provide for their family. Wanting to do her part to help, Jasmin was happy to care for her little brother and help him with his assignments once he became old enough to go to school. “In the process of taking care of him and teaching him not only how to do simple math addition and but also other life lessons, I learned that I really enjoyed [teaching],” shares Jasmin. To prepare for her future career, she has taken classes in childhood education and child development and has volunteered at local elementary schools. Jasmin also signed up to be a freshman mentor at her school and began tutoring struggling students to gain one-on-one teaching experience. These opportunities to teach have also helped her confirm that education is the right career path for her. Jasmin is inspired by the idea of being able to help shape future generations into successful people. Her passion for wanting to be an educator and teaching is rooted in her desire to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. This desire to contribute positively to those around her is not limited to her future career plans. For this Latina of Mexican descent, helping her community and playing a role in its progress and growth has been central to her high school experience. She has made an effort to help in as many opportunities as have been presented to her, including volunteering as an assistant teacher at local elementary schools, tutoring students at her school, volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, helping at community events through her township’s community center, and helping with after school programs at her old elementary school. Jasmin has been recognized for her commitment to serving her community by being named recipient of the Hanover Township Volunteer Leadership Award. As dedicated as she has been to her community, she has applied the same dedication to her academics. She is one of the top students in her class and maintains a 3.98 GPA. Jasmin is driven by a deep desire to succeed. This has pushed her to challenge herself with a rigorous program of studies, which includes several AP and dual credit classes. She will continue on her path to success when she attends Brown University, New York University, or the University of California, Los Angeles, this fall. Jasmin will pursue a major in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education and a minor in Spanish. She wants to be a secondary school math teacher. Through mathematics, she wants to help her students develop their confidence with problem-solving and help teach them to persist through difficult problems with the hopes that developing these character traits will contribute to their future success in and out of school.
Engineering
GOLD - Charles Hernández
Hometown: Chicago, IL
GPA: 3.92
High School: Whitney M Young Magnet High School
Heritage: Mexican
Legos formed the foundation of the engineering journey of Chicago, Illinois, resident Charles. "As a young boy, I would methodically separate the pieces in a circle around me, and everything melted away, even the wooden floor beneath me," remembers Charles. His instinctual love for building continued as he built his first computer and published an app in seventh grade. It persisted as he began repairing phones, building his own bike, and designing and constructing drones. His interests have guided Charles to explore various engineering disciplines at different points in his life. "Yet, none have ever sustained the joy I experience when designing and building rockets and quadcopters or the satisfaction of flight," he reveals. He has led his high school's Aerospace Team as vice president all four years of high school. He has guided his team as they have competed in The American Rocketry Challenge since his freshman year. That year, they placed among the top 20 teams in the nation and qualified for the NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI) program for two years—the maximum eligible time for teams to participate in the program. SLI gives students hands-on practical experience in managing aerospace and engineering projects similar to those found in a professional environment through an engineering project. The project challenges them to design, build, and launch high-power rockets and experimental payloads to meet a set of complex criteria specified by NASA. Both years, his team's proposal had to be accepted by NASA in order for them to continue the extensive process of designing and implementing their project. Throughout the experience, Charles and his team wrote eight or more comprehensive engineering papers about design and construction. They also engaged in teleconferences with NASA engineers at various checkpoints to discuss and receive critiques of their progress. For his senior project, last year, Charles and a teammate started a partnership with the Jet Propulsion Lab at Purdie University. They spent time daily designing, manufacturing, and eventually testing, a methane-powered liquid rocket engine. Charles is a natural engineer with an unparalleled grit for learning and working through challenges. He is also a kind leader who shares his unbounded passion for learning with others through community service. One of the most memorable ways he has given back to his community was when he led his school's Aerospace Club to organize and conduct an activity for about 200 seventh and eighth graders, where they helped them build and launch their own rockets. "Spreading my love for rocketry to so many young minds was a pure feeling of joy I had never experienced before," remarks Charles. He has been volunteering at his local library's summer reading program for the last six years and has also volunteered at the Chicago Marathon, the Chicago Food Depository, and even during vacation in Sayulita, Mexico, where he helped clean and repair a public play area and volunteers at a recycling center. An outstanding and exemplary student, Charles has shined in all of his academic pursuits. He has not met a hurdle he could not clear over the course of his high school career. The sum of his experiences in high school have led Charles to decide to pursue Aerospace Engineering as his potential future career. He will attend Purdue University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the University of Southern California and major in Aerospace Engineering.
GPA: 3.92
High School: Whitney M Young Magnet High School
Heritage: Mexican
Legos formed the foundation of the engineering journey of Chicago, Illinois, resident Charles. "As a young boy, I would methodically separate the pieces in a circle around me, and everything melted away, even the wooden floor beneath me," remembers Charles. His instinctual love for building continued as he built his first computer and published an app in seventh grade. It persisted as he began repairing phones, building his own bike, and designing and constructing drones. His interests have guided Charles to explore various engineering disciplines at different points in his life. "Yet, none have ever sustained the joy I experience when designing and building rockets and quadcopters or the satisfaction of flight," he reveals. He has led his high school's Aerospace Team as vice president all four years of high school. He has guided his team as they have competed in The American Rocketry Challenge since his freshman year. That year, they placed among the top 20 teams in the nation and qualified for the NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI) program for two years—the maximum eligible time for teams to participate in the program. SLI gives students hands-on practical experience in managing aerospace and engineering projects similar to those found in a professional environment through an engineering project. The project challenges them to design, build, and launch high-power rockets and experimental payloads to meet a set of complex criteria specified by NASA. Both years, his team's proposal had to be accepted by NASA in order for them to continue the extensive process of designing and implementing their project. Throughout the experience, Charles and his team wrote eight or more comprehensive engineering papers about design and construction. They also engaged in teleconferences with NASA engineers at various checkpoints to discuss and receive critiques of their progress. For his senior project, last year, Charles and a teammate started a partnership with the Jet Propulsion Lab at Purdie University. They spent time daily designing, manufacturing, and eventually testing, a methane-powered liquid rocket engine. Charles is a natural engineer with an unparalleled grit for learning and working through challenges. He is also a kind leader who shares his unbounded passion for learning with others through community service. One of the most memorable ways he has given back to his community was when he led his school's Aerospace Club to organize and conduct an activity for about 200 seventh and eighth graders, where they helped them build and launch their own rockets. "Spreading my love for rocketry to so many young minds was a pure feeling of joy I had never experienced before," remarks Charles. He has been volunteering at his local library's summer reading program for the last six years and has also volunteered at the Chicago Marathon, the Chicago Food Depository, and even during vacation in Sayulita, Mexico, where he helped clean and repair a public play area and volunteers at a recycling center. An outstanding and exemplary student, Charles has shined in all of his academic pursuits. He has not met a hurdle he could not clear over the course of his high school career. The sum of his experiences in high school have led Charles to decide to pursue Aerospace Engineering as his potential future career. He will attend Purdue University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the University of Southern California and major in Aerospace Engineering.
Silver - Mia Mikolajczak
Hometown: Long Grove, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Heritage: Argentine
When Long Grove, Illinois resident Mia, was challenged with an open-ended research paper her junior year, she chose to learn more about her school’s elements of sustainable design. This research introduced her to the field of Materials Science & Engineering. Mia became fascinated by how her school building’s small, unobtrusive solutions created exponential impacts. At the time, her Civil & Architectural engineering class connected her with lead sustainability architects who had been involved with constructing her school. “I discovered how changes in insulation material to our living plant wall’s substrate contributed to net-zero energy (and to a year’s worth of surplus power for our community),” shares Mia. For her Project Lead the Way (PLTW) capstone Engineering Design and Development class, Mia and her team have chosen to work on creating a solution to tackle discrepancies and stressors faced by young students with diabetes. Her team’s product is still in its early steps; however, they have already begun designing prototypes backed by months of research and criteria-setting. “Like in a workplace, my two teammates have different expertise to contribute to our final product. I share my fluency with 3-D modeling on Autodesk Inventor with robotics team members and integrated manufacturing lovers,” says Mia. These research experiences, along with what she has learned in the PLTW engineering classes she has taken over her high school years, have inspired Mia to become an engineer and have impacted the way she sees the world and approaches complex problems. This Latina of Argentine descent has been a model of academic excellence at her school. She maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and has an impressive array of AP and Honors classes to her name. She will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, or the University of Michigan and plans to study Materials Science & Engineering.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Heritage: Argentine
When Long Grove, Illinois resident Mia, was challenged with an open-ended research paper her junior year, she chose to learn more about her school’s elements of sustainable design. This research introduced her to the field of Materials Science & Engineering. Mia became fascinated by how her school building’s small, unobtrusive solutions created exponential impacts. At the time, her Civil & Architectural engineering class connected her with lead sustainability architects who had been involved with constructing her school. “I discovered how changes in insulation material to our living plant wall’s substrate contributed to net-zero energy (and to a year’s worth of surplus power for our community),” shares Mia. For her Project Lead the Way (PLTW) capstone Engineering Design and Development class, Mia and her team have chosen to work on creating a solution to tackle discrepancies and stressors faced by young students with diabetes. Her team’s product is still in its early steps; however, they have already begun designing prototypes backed by months of research and criteria-setting. “Like in a workplace, my two teammates have different expertise to contribute to our final product. I share my fluency with 3-D modeling on Autodesk Inventor with robotics team members and integrated manufacturing lovers,” says Mia. These research experiences, along with what she has learned in the PLTW engineering classes she has taken over her high school years, have inspired Mia to become an engineer and have impacted the way she sees the world and approaches complex problems. This Latina of Argentine descent has been a model of academic excellence at her school. She maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and has an impressive array of AP and Honors classes to her name. She will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, or the University of Michigan and plans to study Materials Science & Engineering.
Bronze - Benjamín González
Hometown: Mokena, IL
GPA: 3.75
High School: Lincoln-Way Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
“I have always been fascinated by technology,” says Mokena, Illinois resident, Benjamin. As a young child, he played with programmable LEGO sets, learned about basic programming with a Raspberry Pi computer, and helped his teachers in school when they needed help troubleshooting their computers. Benjamin enjoys learning programming languages through online tutorials and experimentation. He has built upon and developed a lot of his programming expertise by himself, guided by curiosity and his desire to challenge and maintain himself continuously learning. “I envision myself as an engineer,” shares Benjamin. He sees a career in engineering as an opportunity for him to combine his passion for technology and science to find solutions to challenges affecting the world. Over his high school career, Benjamin has sought opportunities that have helped him prepare for his future career, like taking engineering and computer science classes at his local community college and serving as a programmer on his school’s Robotic Team. The experiences of competing at regional competitions against other high school robotics teams have been some of Benjamin’s favorite experiences in high school. The summer before his sophomore year, he was accepted to attend a Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program summer camp at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering. During the week-long program, Benjamin had the opportunity to experience advanced engineering curricula at one of the best engineering schools in the nation. Through the program, he explored and learned about different engineering fields via demonstrations, classroom presentations, and hands-on activities. “The electrical engineering and programming activities were my favorite,” remembers Benjamin. This future Latino engineer is an active member of his community. Every week, he gives back to his community by donating his time as a volunteer at his local food pantry. Benjamin is a member of his school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. He plans to study Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the University of California, Berkeley.
GPA: 3.75
High School: Lincoln-Way Central High School
Heritage: Mexican
“I have always been fascinated by technology,” says Mokena, Illinois resident, Benjamin. As a young child, he played with programmable LEGO sets, learned about basic programming with a Raspberry Pi computer, and helped his teachers in school when they needed help troubleshooting their computers. Benjamin enjoys learning programming languages through online tutorials and experimentation. He has built upon and developed a lot of his programming expertise by himself, guided by curiosity and his desire to challenge and maintain himself continuously learning. “I envision myself as an engineer,” shares Benjamin. He sees a career in engineering as an opportunity for him to combine his passion for technology and science to find solutions to challenges affecting the world. Over his high school career, Benjamin has sought opportunities that have helped him prepare for his future career, like taking engineering and computer science classes at his local community college and serving as a programmer on his school’s Robotic Team. The experiences of competing at regional competitions against other high school robotics teams have been some of Benjamin’s favorite experiences in high school. The summer before his sophomore year, he was accepted to attend a Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program summer camp at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering. During the week-long program, Benjamin had the opportunity to experience advanced engineering curricula at one of the best engineering schools in the nation. Through the program, he explored and learned about different engineering fields via demonstrations, classroom presentations, and hands-on activities. “The electrical engineering and programming activities were my favorite,” remembers Benjamin. This future Latino engineer is an active member of his community. Every week, he gives back to his community by donating his time as a volunteer at his local food pantry. Benjamin is a member of his school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. He plans to study Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the University of California, Berkeley.
Healthcare & Science
GOLD - Gyan Farrell Caluag
Hometown: Macomb, MI
GPA: 4.00
High School: International Academy
Heritage: Filipino
Steling Heights, Michigan resident Gyan Farrell is passionate about music and fascinated by medicine. "My career goal is to become a medical doctor, give back to my community, and serve my fellow Michiganders," he shares. He has expanded his healthcare knowledge and grown his interest in medicine by taking Harvard University's online Human Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Cases course and earning his American Redcross Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Both of Gyan Farrell's parents are physical therapists. While many of his peers were fortunate to shadow a professional in their chosen career, Gyan Farrell was blessed to have experienced what his future career would be like by watching his parents since he was a child. Active observation of what his parents do at work, helping them, asking questions, and having discussions with his parents about matters concerning their career has been an important source of medical information for Gyan Farrell. Growing up, he has had numerous opportunities to get a different perspective into what being a doctor is like. One of these occasions was when his late great-grandmother and late grandfather were sick. Seeing his parents being able to use their profession to help their family in times of need and share their knowledge with others in his family so they could care for their sick relatives when his parents were away gave Gyan Farrell a perspective into his future profession that not many get. "I realized the sense of purpose it made my parents feel and how rewarding it must have been," he remarks. Seeing his parents working and the sense of pride and accomplishment they feel from helping their patients has inspiered Gyan Farrell, as has their compassion, dedication, and care for people with physical limitations. "[It] has given me the drive to do something as impactful as performing physical therapy on people with disabilities and limitations," he shares. Serving his community is important to this young Filipino American. Inspired by his parent's work, his future career, and his love of music, last year, he organized a benefit concert to raise money for Giving Songs, a nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the lives of Southeastern Michigan families with children with disabilities who use wheelchairs. Gyan Farrell is a gifted and accomplished musician with a long list of awards in recognition of his talents. He is also an exceptional student and maintains a 4.0 GPA through a demanding schedule and numerous IB courses. He is a member of his school's chapters of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He will attend Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, or Harvard University. He will follow the Pre-Medicine track while majoring in Kinesiology, Movement & Exercise Science, Human Biology or Biology and minoring in Music.
GPA: 4.00
High School: International Academy
Heritage: Filipino
Steling Heights, Michigan resident Gyan Farrell is passionate about music and fascinated by medicine. "My career goal is to become a medical doctor, give back to my community, and serve my fellow Michiganders," he shares. He has expanded his healthcare knowledge and grown his interest in medicine by taking Harvard University's online Human Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Cases course and earning his American Redcross Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Both of Gyan Farrell's parents are physical therapists. While many of his peers were fortunate to shadow a professional in their chosen career, Gyan Farrell was blessed to have experienced what his future career would be like by watching his parents since he was a child. Active observation of what his parents do at work, helping them, asking questions, and having discussions with his parents about matters concerning their career has been an important source of medical information for Gyan Farrell. Growing up, he has had numerous opportunities to get a different perspective into what being a doctor is like. One of these occasions was when his late great-grandmother and late grandfather were sick. Seeing his parents being able to use their profession to help their family in times of need and share their knowledge with others in his family so they could care for their sick relatives when his parents were away gave Gyan Farrell a perspective into his future profession that not many get. "I realized the sense of purpose it made my parents feel and how rewarding it must have been," he remarks. Seeing his parents working and the sense of pride and accomplishment they feel from helping their patients has inspiered Gyan Farrell, as has their compassion, dedication, and care for people with physical limitations. "[It] has given me the drive to do something as impactful as performing physical therapy on people with disabilities and limitations," he shares. Serving his community is important to this young Filipino American. Inspired by his parent's work, his future career, and his love of music, last year, he organized a benefit concert to raise money for Giving Songs, a nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the lives of Southeastern Michigan families with children with disabilities who use wheelchairs. Gyan Farrell is a gifted and accomplished musician with a long list of awards in recognition of his talents. He is also an exceptional student and maintains a 4.0 GPA through a demanding schedule and numerous IB courses. He is a member of his school's chapters of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He will attend Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, or Harvard University. He will follow the Pre-Medicine track while majoring in Kinesiology, Movement & Exercise Science, Human Biology or Biology and minoring in Music.
Silver - Emily Ovando
Hometown: Berwyn , IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Trinity High School
Heritage: Mexican
Emily's mother inspired her interest in healthcare when she was a young girl. "My mom works as an Ophthalmic Technician and since her hospital was located across the street from my elementary school, I would often wait in the waiting room after school until the end of her workday," remembers Emily. What for other children may have been a long wait was a time of fascination and wonder for young Emily. Medicine and the science behind what her mother and the people working alongside her did, intrigued Emily. However, what inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare, was witnessing her mother at work and seeing the relationship she had with her patients and how she cared for them. Once Emily knew she wanted to work in healthcare, she researched different related careers to try to find the one that interested her the most by gaining a better perspective of what each career entailed. "Nursing stood out the most due to the direct patient care and their meaningful connections with patients," she shares. Emily has planned out her professional goals. First on her list is becoming a nurse, for which she plans on obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. After working in her field and gaining professional experience, she plans on pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Nurse-Midwifery specialization to become a nurse-midwife. To prepare herself for her career, Emily has taken numerous STEM and healthcare courses, including IB Biology, IB Psychology, and Anatomy and Physiology. She has become involved with the Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) Infant Welfare Society by joining its Circle 80 chapter. The OPRF Infant Welfare Society is a nonprofit organization that provides medical attention and resources to children and families in need in the greater Oak Park and River Forest area. As a part of Circle 80, Emily collaborates with other high school students to organize and host parties, fundraisers, and events for the families the organization serves. A student at Trinity High School in River Forest, Illinois, Emily has been an active member of her school community. She has been serving as a student ambassador at her school since the ninth grade and is a member of her school's chapters of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. A student-athlete, she is part of her school's Cross Country and Track and Field teams. For her academic excellence over her high school career last year, Emily was recognized as a 2022 Illinois State Scholar. She plans on attending Oberlin College, Marquette University, or Loyola
GPA: 4.00
High School: Trinity High School
Heritage: Mexican
Emily's mother inspired her interest in healthcare when she was a young girl. "My mom works as an Ophthalmic Technician and since her hospital was located across the street from my elementary school, I would often wait in the waiting room after school until the end of her workday," remembers Emily. What for other children may have been a long wait was a time of fascination and wonder for young Emily. Medicine and the science behind what her mother and the people working alongside her did, intrigued Emily. However, what inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare, was witnessing her mother at work and seeing the relationship she had with her patients and how she cared for them. Once Emily knew she wanted to work in healthcare, she researched different related careers to try to find the one that interested her the most by gaining a better perspective of what each career entailed. "Nursing stood out the most due to the direct patient care and their meaningful connections with patients," she shares. Emily has planned out her professional goals. First on her list is becoming a nurse, for which she plans on obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. After working in her field and gaining professional experience, she plans on pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Nurse-Midwifery specialization to become a nurse-midwife. To prepare herself for her career, Emily has taken numerous STEM and healthcare courses, including IB Biology, IB Psychology, and Anatomy and Physiology. She has become involved with the Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) Infant Welfare Society by joining its Circle 80 chapter. The OPRF Infant Welfare Society is a nonprofit organization that provides medical attention and resources to children and families in need in the greater Oak Park and River Forest area. As a part of Circle 80, Emily collaborates with other high school students to organize and host parties, fundraisers, and events for the families the organization serves. A student at Trinity High School in River Forest, Illinois, Emily has been an active member of her school community. She has been serving as a student ambassador at her school since the ninth grade and is a member of her school's chapters of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. A student-athlete, she is part of her school's Cross Country and Track and Field teams. For her academic excellence over her high school career last year, Emily was recognized as a 2022 Illinois State Scholar. She plans on attending Oberlin College, Marquette University, or Loyola
Bronze - Aunica Williams
Hometown: Detroit , MI
GPA: 3.82
High School: Renaissance High School
Heritage: Mexican
Detroit, Michigan resident Aunica, became curious about the changes that she noticed in her body as she grew up. Learning about the experiences of other young women in her middle school, she became aware that being uninformed about what was happening to her and the female anatomy was not unique to her. "Over time, I discovered that many women are not well informed about their bodies, often because people make it awkward to discuss," recalls Aunica. This realization inspired her desire to dismantle the taboo that exists around discussions of women's health; it made her strive to educate herself and others to learn about women's health and want to be a part of the change needed to end health disparities affecting women of color. These desires and goals revolving around advocacy for women's health have fueled Aunica's decision to obtain a Psychology degree as the first step in her pursuit toward a career as an obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob/Gyn). This young Mexican American has been an advocate for women's health since middle school. She has been a voice for women in her community, advocating for education about women's anatomy, reproductive health, and sexuality. Because of her work, she has become known as someone women can go to for help, whether they are searching for information or someone to talk to about personal problems or issues affecting women. Aunica has been serving her community by working as a volunteer at Henry Ford Hospital. "Despite living in a pandemic, I did not grasp how or why COVID has been detrimental to women's health until I started volunteering with Henry Ford Hospital Long-Covid Research Team," she Aunica. The research team's focus is to identify why long-COVID affects males and females differently. While COVID can have long-term effects on both sexes, pregnant women deliver babies prematurely. As a future Ob/Gyn, she considers COVID's impact on women and their reproductive system. Aunica has also participated in the University of Michigan's 2021 Health Sciences Summer Institute, where she explored health and medicine, and completed an inquiry-based capstone project on how to be an ally to marginalized groups, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. This remarkable Latina community leader strives to excel in everything she does. She will attend Howard University, Cornell University, or the University of California, Los Angeles, and is considering degrees in Psychology and Biology and minors in Women's Studies and Spanish.
GPA: 3.82
High School: Renaissance High School
Heritage: Mexican
Detroit, Michigan resident Aunica, became curious about the changes that she noticed in her body as she grew up. Learning about the experiences of other young women in her middle school, she became aware that being uninformed about what was happening to her and the female anatomy was not unique to her. "Over time, I discovered that many women are not well informed about their bodies, often because people make it awkward to discuss," recalls Aunica. This realization inspired her desire to dismantle the taboo that exists around discussions of women's health; it made her strive to educate herself and others to learn about women's health and want to be a part of the change needed to end health disparities affecting women of color. These desires and goals revolving around advocacy for women's health have fueled Aunica's decision to obtain a Psychology degree as the first step in her pursuit toward a career as an obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob/Gyn). This young Mexican American has been an advocate for women's health since middle school. She has been a voice for women in her community, advocating for education about women's anatomy, reproductive health, and sexuality. Because of her work, she has become known as someone women can go to for help, whether they are searching for information or someone to talk to about personal problems or issues affecting women. Aunica has been serving her community by working as a volunteer at Henry Ford Hospital. "Despite living in a pandemic, I did not grasp how or why COVID has been detrimental to women's health until I started volunteering with Henry Ford Hospital Long-Covid Research Team," she Aunica. The research team's focus is to identify why long-COVID affects males and females differently. While COVID can have long-term effects on both sexes, pregnant women deliver babies prematurely. As a future Ob/Gyn, she considers COVID's impact on women and their reproductive system. Aunica has also participated in the University of Michigan's 2021 Health Sciences Summer Institute, where she explored health and medicine, and completed an inquiry-based capstone project on how to be an ally to marginalized groups, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. This remarkable Latina community leader strives to excel in everything she does. She will attend Howard University, Cornell University, or the University of California, Los Angeles, and is considering degrees in Psychology and Biology and minors in Women's Studies and Spanish.
Media & Entertainment
GOLD - Janessa Mosqueda
Hometown: La Grange, IL
GPA: 3.93
High School: Lyons Township High School
Heritage: Mexican
La Grange, Illinois resident Janessa, is a news and multimedia editor for LION Newspaper, her school’s student-run newspaper. “We are the main source of media within our school, and along with our print issues, we create online material,” shares Janessa. Her work for the publication has garnered her a number of awards and recognitions, including earning Blue Ribbon in the Photo Gallery/Slide Show category of the 2021 Northern Illinois Press Association Newspaper contest and taking first place in the Best Multimedia Story Package category of the 2021 statewide Illinois Journalism Education contest. Last year, along with a fellow staff member, Janessa created a podcast mini-series for LION Newspaper about the achievement gap at her school. Throughout this process, they learned about podcast production and we were able to reach listeners outside of just the school population. “I wanted to help create better opportunities for my fellow Latinos at school, and I wanted to fight for us because there were blatant injustices happening within the school,” remarks Janessa. This Mexican American student is a leader in her community. She is the founder and co-president of Latinos Juntos, a leadership-based organization at her school “dedicated to promoting excellence amongst Latinx youth and cultivating an environment of inclusivity and lifelong learning.” Through Latinos Unidos, Janessa led efforts at her school to establish “Care Space,” a community space designed to support the needs of students at her school. It helps provide daily resources, like school supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food items, and clothing, among other necessities. The idea for “Care Space” was born with the intention of helping under-resourced students who may not have access to these necessary items at home, but it is open to all. This inspiring Latina will be leaving her mark in her school community. One of her goals is to pursue a career that will allow her to create opportunities to benefit Latinxs communities around the nation. She will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Chicago. She plans to major in Psychology and minor in Spanish and Journalism.
GPA: 3.93
High School: Lyons Township High School
Heritage: Mexican
La Grange, Illinois resident Janessa, is a news and multimedia editor for LION Newspaper, her school’s student-run newspaper. “We are the main source of media within our school, and along with our print issues, we create online material,” shares Janessa. Her work for the publication has garnered her a number of awards and recognitions, including earning Blue Ribbon in the Photo Gallery/Slide Show category of the 2021 Northern Illinois Press Association Newspaper contest and taking first place in the Best Multimedia Story Package category of the 2021 statewide Illinois Journalism Education contest. Last year, along with a fellow staff member, Janessa created a podcast mini-series for LION Newspaper about the achievement gap at her school. Throughout this process, they learned about podcast production and we were able to reach listeners outside of just the school population. “I wanted to help create better opportunities for my fellow Latinos at school, and I wanted to fight for us because there were blatant injustices happening within the school,” remarks Janessa. This Mexican American student is a leader in her community. She is the founder and co-president of Latinos Juntos, a leadership-based organization at her school “dedicated to promoting excellence amongst Latinx youth and cultivating an environment of inclusivity and lifelong learning.” Through Latinos Unidos, Janessa led efforts at her school to establish “Care Space,” a community space designed to support the needs of students at her school. It helps provide daily resources, like school supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food items, and clothing, among other necessities. The idea for “Care Space” was born with the intention of helping under-resourced students who may not have access to these necessary items at home, but it is open to all. This inspiring Latina will be leaving her mark in her school community. One of her goals is to pursue a career that will allow her to create opportunities to benefit Latinxs communities around the nation. She will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Chicago. She plans to major in Psychology and minor in Spanish and Journalism.
Silver - Jenna Juárez
Hometown: Fremont, OH
GPA: 3.88
High School: Lakota High School
Heritage: Mexican & German
Mexican German American Jenna remembers how when she was in third grade, her teacher gave each student in her class an award for what they excelled at over the course of the year. She handed out awards such as "best artist" and "future mechanic." When Jenna received her award, her teacher gave her a pink laminated paper—that decorates one of her walls to this day—with one word written on it: "WRITER." "It wasn't until then that I realized that writing could become more than just the short stories I write for school projects," shares Jenna. "She let me know that I had a talent and the potential to develop my skills into something that could become a major part of my life," she adds. When Jenna was in eighth grade, her school moved her and other students in her English class up one level into a ninth-grade English course. Her new teacher set high expectations for her students. "Her style of grading and expectations for our writing were extreme compared to the three sentence paragraphs we had been writing months prior," recalls Jenna. She found the challenge exciting and allowed her writing skills to flourish under the new pressure exerted by her teacher. At the end of that year, at 14 years old, Jenna began her first college. Since then, she has written dozens of college-level essays and will be graduating with an associate degree this spring. "It is a non-negotiable for me that I need to utilize my writing in the media field. I believe that I have the potential to write exceptional journalistic pieces," remarks this gifted Latina. Jenna is a member of the Women's Leadership Council at her school, a group focused on finding ways to improve her school and community through active, hands-on projects. Last year, the Council was chosen by the international organization Hat Not Hate to be the midwest headquarters for their anti-bullying campaign that raises awareness of the gravity of bullying and encourages a message of kindness by distributing handmade, blue hats to schools across the country. Jenna helped organize over 1200 hats that were distributed to every student, teacher, custodian, bus driver, and administrator in her school district. "Seeing everyone wear their blue hats was a much more emotional experience than I had anticipated," says Jenna. "Seeing that everyone was united with a simple hat but still unique, in that the hats were all different shades of blue and different styles, symbolized that we are all united despite our differences." Jenna has been an exemplary community leader and student at her school. She is ranked fifth out of 78 students in her graduating class. She is a member of her school's chapter of the National Honor Society and is the drum major for her school's marching band. In recognition of her academic achievements and contributions to her community, last year, Jenna was one of the two recipients in her state of the Heisman High School Scholarship. Jenna will attend Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, or Cleveland State University and plans to major in Convergent Media.
GPA: 3.88
High School: Lakota High School
Heritage: Mexican & German
Mexican German American Jenna remembers how when she was in third grade, her teacher gave each student in her class an award for what they excelled at over the course of the year. She handed out awards such as "best artist" and "future mechanic." When Jenna received her award, her teacher gave her a pink laminated paper—that decorates one of her walls to this day—with one word written on it: "WRITER." "It wasn't until then that I realized that writing could become more than just the short stories I write for school projects," shares Jenna. "She let me know that I had a talent and the potential to develop my skills into something that could become a major part of my life," she adds. When Jenna was in eighth grade, her school moved her and other students in her English class up one level into a ninth-grade English course. Her new teacher set high expectations for her students. "Her style of grading and expectations for our writing were extreme compared to the three sentence paragraphs we had been writing months prior," recalls Jenna. She found the challenge exciting and allowed her writing skills to flourish under the new pressure exerted by her teacher. At the end of that year, at 14 years old, Jenna began her first college. Since then, she has written dozens of college-level essays and will be graduating with an associate degree this spring. "It is a non-negotiable for me that I need to utilize my writing in the media field. I believe that I have the potential to write exceptional journalistic pieces," remarks this gifted Latina. Jenna is a member of the Women's Leadership Council at her school, a group focused on finding ways to improve her school and community through active, hands-on projects. Last year, the Council was chosen by the international organization Hat Not Hate to be the midwest headquarters for their anti-bullying campaign that raises awareness of the gravity of bullying and encourages a message of kindness by distributing handmade, blue hats to schools across the country. Jenna helped organize over 1200 hats that were distributed to every student, teacher, custodian, bus driver, and administrator in her school district. "Seeing everyone wear their blue hats was a much more emotional experience than I had anticipated," says Jenna. "Seeing that everyone was united with a simple hat but still unique, in that the hats were all different shades of blue and different styles, symbolized that we are all united despite our differences." Jenna has been an exemplary community leader and student at her school. She is ranked fifth out of 78 students in her graduating class. She is a member of her school's chapter of the National Honor Society and is the drum major for her school's marching band. In recognition of her academic achievements and contributions to her community, last year, Jenna was one of the two recipients in her state of the Heisman High School Scholarship. Jenna will attend Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, or Cleveland State University and plans to major in Convergent Media.
Bronze - Javier García
Hometown: West Chicago, IL
GPA: 3.90
High School: West Chicago Community High School
Heritage: Mexican
Mexican-native Javier has been fascinated by movie and video production since he was a young child. His interest led him to produce his own videos, which started with him first making "silly videos on [his] phone," transitioned into Javier producing mini-blogs, and eventually moved to him making Lego-based videos which he would upload to his YouTube channel. Javier's evolution with creating videos did not end there. "After that, I really wanted to push myself and create content that would bring emotion into my audience, but still have that energy I had in my older videos," he shares. This led to him signing up for his first broadcasting class so he could3 learn the basics of the film production process. His junior year, Javier signed up to take another broadcast production class, which helped him improve his video editing skills. This class further inspired his passion for creating entertaining content and video editing. "I want to major in Film & Television production to bring forward my ideas and dreams and put them onto the big screen one day," reveals Javier. Serving his community has been a value instilled in this creative Latino since he was little. "My parents raised me to always help out to those that need it," he shares. "Helping others has always been part of who I am." He has contributed to his community by volunteering at different local organizations and causes through the years. He is most active as a volunteer at his church. Javier is a member of his school's National Honor Society chapter and is an exemplary student. He maintains a 3.90 GPA, has made High Honor Roll time after time over the course of his high school career, and stands among the top students in his class. He will attend DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and plans to major in Film & Television Production.
GPA: 3.90
High School: West Chicago Community High School
Heritage: Mexican
Mexican-native Javier has been fascinated by movie and video production since he was a young child. His interest led him to produce his own videos, which started with him first making "silly videos on [his] phone," transitioned into Javier producing mini-blogs, and eventually moved to him making Lego-based videos which he would upload to his YouTube channel. Javier's evolution with creating videos did not end there. "After that, I really wanted to push myself and create content that would bring emotion into my audience, but still have that energy I had in my older videos," he shares. This led to him signing up for his first broadcasting class so he could3 learn the basics of the film production process. His junior year, Javier signed up to take another broadcast production class, which helped him improve his video editing skills. This class further inspired his passion for creating entertaining content and video editing. "I want to major in Film & Television production to bring forward my ideas and dreams and put them onto the big screen one day," reveals Javier. Serving his community has been a value instilled in this creative Latino since he was little. "My parents raised me to always help out to those that need it," he shares. "Helping others has always been part of who I am." He has contributed to his community by volunteering at different local organizations and causes through the years. He is most active as a volunteer at his church. Javier is a member of his school's National Honor Society chapter and is an exemplary student. He maintains a 3.90 GPA, has made High Honor Roll time after time over the course of his high school career, and stands among the top students in his class. He will attend DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and plans to major in Film & Television Production.
Public Service & Social Justice
GOLD - Isabela Karina Ávila
Hometown: Chicago, IL
GPA: 3.77
High School: Lane Tech College Prep High School
Heritage: Mexican
Chicago, Illinois resident Isabela has made the most out of her involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations and local programs by using her platforms to be critical of public policy and advocate for change and against civil rights issues affecting her communities. "I found that I want to study more than just how systems work and instead critically discuss who they work for, who they've failed, and what have been the consequences of their structure," shares Isabela. She has come to understand—and has seen firsthand, by being a young woman of color growing up in an immigrant household—that identity plays a massive role in the way political systems are arranged. Isabela's civic engagement started outside of school and allowed her to cultivate and grow her interest to study government. Becoming a youth commissioner for the Mayor of Chicago presented her with the opportunity to serve the youth of Chicago by bringing in her passion for social justice. As Isabela met with policy-makers to discuss city initiatives, she made sure to represent the youth voice in city-wide decision making. She also did her part to ensure youth were aware of the work in the Mayor's Office and were civically engaged by organizing youth-centered events and supporting youth outreach and communications campaigns. This impressive Latina was able to make sure future classes of commissioners understand the importance of their work by writing part of the charter that they are expected to uphold. "As I served the city, I realized that representing the youth voice while working towards creating a more equitable Chicago became most important to me," remarks Isabella. This remarkable community leader has contributed to several initiatives and programs that support the undocumented community, particularly undocumented students, in Chicago. She is co-founder and president of the Coalition of Advocates for Undocumented Students' Education (CAUSE). CAUSE is a student-led initiative that brings together several undocumented student clubs from various high schools across her district. Isabela has been instrumental in the design and development of the Chicago Public Schools Undocumented Student Resource Guide, which is intended to help school counselors and staff provide resources to immigrant students and families; the Chicago Undocumented Champion Credential, training designed to build knowledge about immigrant-related legislation, post-secondary options, and trusted sources of information; the Dream Fund Scholarship, which assists talented Undocumented Students and DREAMers in their quest to pursue post-secondary education; and the Network for Undocumented Scholarship Access. As a result of her direct contribution, she was able to further strengthen these collaboratives, increase the dollar amount in the scholarship fund, and expand student support services. Isabela is a fierce advocate for underserved communities across Chicago and a role model for other Latinx students, especially young Latinas. She will attend the University of Chicago, Loyola Marymount University, or Middlebury College and plans to major in Political Science and minor in Spanish or Chicano/Latin American Studies.
GPA: 3.77
High School: Lane Tech College Prep High School
Heritage: Mexican
Chicago, Illinois resident Isabela has made the most out of her involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations and local programs by using her platforms to be critical of public policy and advocate for change and against civil rights issues affecting her communities. "I found that I want to study more than just how systems work and instead critically discuss who they work for, who they've failed, and what have been the consequences of their structure," shares Isabela. She has come to understand—and has seen firsthand, by being a young woman of color growing up in an immigrant household—that identity plays a massive role in the way political systems are arranged. Isabela's civic engagement started outside of school and allowed her to cultivate and grow her interest to study government. Becoming a youth commissioner for the Mayor of Chicago presented her with the opportunity to serve the youth of Chicago by bringing in her passion for social justice. As Isabela met with policy-makers to discuss city initiatives, she made sure to represent the youth voice in city-wide decision making. She also did her part to ensure youth were aware of the work in the Mayor's Office and were civically engaged by organizing youth-centered events and supporting youth outreach and communications campaigns. This impressive Latina was able to make sure future classes of commissioners understand the importance of their work by writing part of the charter that they are expected to uphold. "As I served the city, I realized that representing the youth voice while working towards creating a more equitable Chicago became most important to me," remarks Isabella. This remarkable community leader has contributed to several initiatives and programs that support the undocumented community, particularly undocumented students, in Chicago. She is co-founder and president of the Coalition of Advocates for Undocumented Students' Education (CAUSE). CAUSE is a student-led initiative that brings together several undocumented student clubs from various high schools across her district. Isabela has been instrumental in the design and development of the Chicago Public Schools Undocumented Student Resource Guide, which is intended to help school counselors and staff provide resources to immigrant students and families; the Chicago Undocumented Champion Credential, training designed to build knowledge about immigrant-related legislation, post-secondary options, and trusted sources of information; the Dream Fund Scholarship, which assists talented Undocumented Students and DREAMers in their quest to pursue post-secondary education; and the Network for Undocumented Scholarship Access. As a result of her direct contribution, she was able to further strengthen these collaboratives, increase the dollar amount in the scholarship fund, and expand student support services. Isabela is a fierce advocate for underserved communities across Chicago and a role model for other Latinx students, especially young Latinas. She will attend the University of Chicago, Loyola Marymount University, or Middlebury College and plans to major in Political Science and minor in Spanish or Chicano/Latin American Studies.
Silver - Luka Heidari
Hometown: Glenview, IL
GPA: 3.89
High School: Glenbrook South High School
Heritage: Bolivian & Iranian
Glenview, Illinois resident Luka has devoted himself to the movement for public service and social justice, across a spectrum of spaces, in hopes of sparking progress and sociopolitical evolution. As a member of the High School Democrats of America Latinx Caucus, he organizes events and advocates for representation within the Democratic party. Luka is a founding member of his school's Student Equity Team and serves as president of his school's Unidos Club, its Students Organized Against Racism organization, and its Chicano College Bowl. His leadership roles in these organizations have given Luka a platform to coordinate grassroots movements and campaigns for his school's 3000+ students and surrounding Chicago suburbs. He initiates engagement meetings with politicians for the Illinois League of Women Voters Emerging Leaders Corp, and has had the opportunity to deliver informational presentations to students at local libraries throughout the 2020 election campaign period. In 2020, Luka also interned for Illinois State Representative Gong-Gershowitz's campaign, making 700+ individual phone banking calls across 5 Chicagoland suburbs and participating in election strategy and grassroots politicking lectures. Following her reelection, he was the only student offered a seat on her Citizens Advisory Council, where he now advises the Representative on legislation. Last year, Luka was selected to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's R2L NextGen program on service and community development. "Besides dialoguing with Hispanic Congresspeople, we researched and ultimately presented civic action proposals—in hopes of addressing the needs of the Latinx community," shares Luka about his R2L NextGen experience. Service and justice have been foundational to the aspirations of this Bolivian Iranian American. "[A]s I go forward, I hope to continue filling spaces of activism with passion and commitment," he remarks. Luka will attend Brown University, Tufts University, or the University of Michigan. He plans to major in Latinx Studies or Political Science and minor in International Relations.
GPA: 3.89
High School: Glenbrook South High School
Heritage: Bolivian & Iranian
Glenview, Illinois resident Luka has devoted himself to the movement for public service and social justice, across a spectrum of spaces, in hopes of sparking progress and sociopolitical evolution. As a member of the High School Democrats of America Latinx Caucus, he organizes events and advocates for representation within the Democratic party. Luka is a founding member of his school's Student Equity Team and serves as president of his school's Unidos Club, its Students Organized Against Racism organization, and its Chicano College Bowl. His leadership roles in these organizations have given Luka a platform to coordinate grassroots movements and campaigns for his school's 3000+ students and surrounding Chicago suburbs. He initiates engagement meetings with politicians for the Illinois League of Women Voters Emerging Leaders Corp, and has had the opportunity to deliver informational presentations to students at local libraries throughout the 2020 election campaign period. In 2020, Luka also interned for Illinois State Representative Gong-Gershowitz's campaign, making 700+ individual phone banking calls across 5 Chicagoland suburbs and participating in election strategy and grassroots politicking lectures. Following her reelection, he was the only student offered a seat on her Citizens Advisory Council, where he now advises the Representative on legislation. Last year, Luka was selected to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's R2L NextGen program on service and community development. "Besides dialoguing with Hispanic Congresspeople, we researched and ultimately presented civic action proposals—in hopes of addressing the needs of the Latinx community," shares Luka about his R2L NextGen experience. Service and justice have been foundational to the aspirations of this Bolivian Iranian American. "[A]s I go forward, I hope to continue filling spaces of activism with passion and commitment," he remarks. Luka will attend Brown University, Tufts University, or the University of Michigan. He plans to major in Latinx Studies or Political Science and minor in International Relations.
Bronze - Tomás Melgoza III
Hometown: Naperville, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Benet Academy
Heritage: Mexican
Tomas’s passion for advocating for change has marked his high school experience. “I can never seem to stop my inner desire to help shape the future of my community and school,” he shares. A student at Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois, Tomas is devoted to the fight for social justice. This fact has added challenges to his high school experience as a gay Latino young man attending a predominantly white, conservative Catholic school during a time of heightened polarization and bigotry. In many cases, he has found himself as the lone dissenting voice in his classrooms, on his teams, or at the lunch table. The experience has been very alienating for Tomas. Assimilating and blending in as another thread of the school’s homogenous fabric is what most high school students yearn for. However, hearing racially charged comments and seeing offensive actions taken by his classmates, he felt moved to educate them about misconceptions regarding Latinxs and the LGBTQ+ community. Impassioned by the opportunity to educate and create a knowledgeable, inclusive community, Tomas dove headfirst into running for student council, becoming editor of his school newspaper, and leading its Diversity Leadership Council as president. His involvement in each organization was rooted in a communal goal: to ensure diverse voices were not only heard, but also empowered. Reflecting upon his high school years, Tomas remarks: “I may not have changed every heart and mind, but I believe Benet Academy is a better place for those holding marginalized identities than it was three years ago. It is now a place to advocate, educate, and mobilize.” This remarkable Latino leader is an outstanding student and maintains a 4.0 GPA through a rigorous academic program. He will attend Yale University, Colgate University, or Loyola University Chicago and plans to major in Political Science, English, or Film Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Benet Academy
Heritage: Mexican
Tomas’s passion for advocating for change has marked his high school experience. “I can never seem to stop my inner desire to help shape the future of my community and school,” he shares. A student at Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois, Tomas is devoted to the fight for social justice. This fact has added challenges to his high school experience as a gay Latino young man attending a predominantly white, conservative Catholic school during a time of heightened polarization and bigotry. In many cases, he has found himself as the lone dissenting voice in his classrooms, on his teams, or at the lunch table. The experience has been very alienating for Tomas. Assimilating and blending in as another thread of the school’s homogenous fabric is what most high school students yearn for. However, hearing racially charged comments and seeing offensive actions taken by his classmates, he felt moved to educate them about misconceptions regarding Latinxs and the LGBTQ+ community. Impassioned by the opportunity to educate and create a knowledgeable, inclusive community, Tomas dove headfirst into running for student council, becoming editor of his school newspaper, and leading its Diversity Leadership Council as president. His involvement in each organization was rooted in a communal goal: to ensure diverse voices were not only heard, but also empowered. Reflecting upon his high school years, Tomas remarks: “I may not have changed every heart and mind, but I believe Benet Academy is a better place for those holding marginalized identities than it was three years ago. It is now a place to advocate, educate, and mobilize.” This remarkable Latino leader is an outstanding student and maintains a 4.0 GPA through a rigorous academic program. He will attend Yale University, Colgate University, or Loyola University Chicago and plans to major in Political Science, English, or Film Studies.
Sports & Fitness
GOLD - Christopher Cortez
Hometown: Arlington, OH
GPA: 4.00
High School: Arlington High School
Heritage: Mexican & German
Christopher Cortez is an all-around exceptional student-athlete, and is held in high regard by his peers. He is currently Arlington High School’s Senior Class President, President of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and is also a member of the French Honor Society. His teachers highlight his eagerness to learn, but also his compassion in assisting his classmates who struggle to understand the material. Chris’ thirst for knowledge, especially when it comes to sciences, means that he has already taken and mastered all the college preparatory science courses that are offered at his high school. His work ethic and courteous nature led his teacher to describe him as one of the best students she has had the privilege to teach in her twenty-one years of experience. Chris is not just hard working in the classroom; he has also been a dedicated football player since the fourth grade. He shares his love for football with his father who taught him the art of being a lineman. His dedication to the sport taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, a skill that he has carried over to his success in the classroom. Chris lives by the motto “quitters never win, and winners never quit” motivating him to always strive to be the best he can be. He attributes all his success on and off the field from the life lessons that he learned from practicing the game he loves with his dad in the back yard all those years ago. Despite the challenging course work and football practices, Chris also makes time for community service. He has been in the Scouts since kindergarten, even achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He has completed many community service projects, including the creation of the conservation lab for his school’s science department, trauma kits for the County Conservation league, mission bags for a local church, and building a local community playground and a veteran’s memorial. Before he graduates from high school, Christopher will already have taken numerous college-credit courses in English, math and science, and achieved an impressive 4.0 GPA. Of Mexican and German descent, Christopher hopes to attend either Bowling Green University, Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati to study education with the hopes of becoming a science teacher and football coach.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Arlington High School
Heritage: Mexican & German
Christopher Cortez is an all-around exceptional student-athlete, and is held in high regard by his peers. He is currently Arlington High School’s Senior Class President, President of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and is also a member of the French Honor Society. His teachers highlight his eagerness to learn, but also his compassion in assisting his classmates who struggle to understand the material. Chris’ thirst for knowledge, especially when it comes to sciences, means that he has already taken and mastered all the college preparatory science courses that are offered at his high school. His work ethic and courteous nature led his teacher to describe him as one of the best students she has had the privilege to teach in her twenty-one years of experience. Chris is not just hard working in the classroom; he has also been a dedicated football player since the fourth grade. He shares his love for football with his father who taught him the art of being a lineman. His dedication to the sport taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, a skill that he has carried over to his success in the classroom. Chris lives by the motto “quitters never win, and winners never quit” motivating him to always strive to be the best he can be. He attributes all his success on and off the field from the life lessons that he learned from practicing the game he loves with his dad in the back yard all those years ago. Despite the challenging course work and football practices, Chris also makes time for community service. He has been in the Scouts since kindergarten, even achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He has completed many community service projects, including the creation of the conservation lab for his school’s science department, trauma kits for the County Conservation league, mission bags for a local church, and building a local community playground and a veteran’s memorial. Before he graduates from high school, Christopher will already have taken numerous college-credit courses in English, math and science, and achieved an impressive 4.0 GPA. Of Mexican and German descent, Christopher hopes to attend either Bowling Green University, Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati to study education with the hopes of becoming a science teacher and football coach.
Silver - Jacob Tovar-Murray
Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
GPA: 3.90
High School: Rochester High School
Heritage: Mexican
There was a time in Jacob’s life when he was restricted from playing sports and relied on a wheelchair to move around. This Rochester Hills, Michigan resident began experiencing severe leg cramps when he was in elementary school. The pain was so intense for Jacob that eventually, he ended up at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago to receive specialized care. At the hospital, the doctors found that the tendons and ligaments in his legs were not growing at the same rate as his bones. Because his bones were growing at a faster rate, they were stretching his tendons so severely that the doctors used the analogy of a rubber band being stretched to the point of snapping to illustrate what was happening with Jacob’s tendons. Under medical advice, to prevent further injury, he was instructed that he would need to use a wheelchair whenever he needed to walk for long stretches. This also meant that Jacob could not run in gym class or at the playground, and sports were not an option. In order to stop needing a wheelchair, Jacob had to complete a lot of physical therapy. “Something that I loved, being active, playing sports on the playground, was suddenly taken away,” remembers Jacob. It took years of therapy and healing for his tendons to stop hurting. He has never since taken for granted his ability to move freely. Jacob was introduced to cross country when he was in sixth grade. He loved no longer being restricted, and cross country allowed him to run for longer distances than he had ever run, even before the problem with his tendons began. He was introduced to competitive track and basketball in the ninth grade and immediately wanted to compete. Jacob has been in team sports throughout his high school career, including basketball, cross country, and track, and has been committed to conditioning his body over the years. “I learned at an early age how valuable sports and fitness can be,” shares Jacob. “Now, I am strong, healthy, and have several varsity letters. I will never take for granted sports and fitness,” he adds. Jacob is a hardworking, determined young man that is motivated and driven in and out of the classroom. He holds a 3.90 GPA and has proven his ability to consistently perform at a high academic level. On top of being an excellent student, Jacob maintains himself involved in his community at school and at large. For the past four years, he has been a member of his school’s student government, representing his class and organizing school events and fundraisers. Jacob will attend Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, or DePaul University and is considering majors in Biology and Business.
GPA: 3.90
High School: Rochester High School
Heritage: Mexican
There was a time in Jacob’s life when he was restricted from playing sports and relied on a wheelchair to move around. This Rochester Hills, Michigan resident began experiencing severe leg cramps when he was in elementary school. The pain was so intense for Jacob that eventually, he ended up at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago to receive specialized care. At the hospital, the doctors found that the tendons and ligaments in his legs were not growing at the same rate as his bones. Because his bones were growing at a faster rate, they were stretching his tendons so severely that the doctors used the analogy of a rubber band being stretched to the point of snapping to illustrate what was happening with Jacob’s tendons. Under medical advice, to prevent further injury, he was instructed that he would need to use a wheelchair whenever he needed to walk for long stretches. This also meant that Jacob could not run in gym class or at the playground, and sports were not an option. In order to stop needing a wheelchair, Jacob had to complete a lot of physical therapy. “Something that I loved, being active, playing sports on the playground, was suddenly taken away,” remembers Jacob. It took years of therapy and healing for his tendons to stop hurting. He has never since taken for granted his ability to move freely. Jacob was introduced to cross country when he was in sixth grade. He loved no longer being restricted, and cross country allowed him to run for longer distances than he had ever run, even before the problem with his tendons began. He was introduced to competitive track and basketball in the ninth grade and immediately wanted to compete. Jacob has been in team sports throughout his high school career, including basketball, cross country, and track, and has been committed to conditioning his body over the years. “I learned at an early age how valuable sports and fitness can be,” shares Jacob. “Now, I am strong, healthy, and have several varsity letters. I will never take for granted sports and fitness,” he adds. Jacob is a hardworking, determined young man that is motivated and driven in and out of the classroom. He holds a 3.90 GPA and has proven his ability to consistently perform at a high academic level. On top of being an excellent student, Jacob maintains himself involved in his community at school and at large. For the past four years, he has been a member of his school’s student government, representing his class and organizing school events and fundraisers. Jacob will attend Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, or DePaul University and is considering majors in Biology and Business.
Bronze - Julia Jennings
Hometown: Beecher, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Beecher High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican & Polish
One quick look at the record of Beecher, Illinois resident Julia is enough to see that sports have played an important role in her high school career. From earning Athletic Scholar awards for volleyball, track & field, and cross country, to being named most valuable player on her bowling and track & field teams, Julia has proven her athletic prowess over the years. However, what makes this Latina athlete stand out from among her peers is not only her proven athletic abilities; it is the way she challenges and dedicates herself to all her endeavors, be they academic, extracurricular, or volunteer work. "For a student to be so involved in extracurricular activities yet so equally focused on her own academic success, all while maintaining such a kind disposition, is truly what has made Julia shine all these years," shares Julia's English teacher. Not only that, but Julia has consistently made time to volunteer her support for both school clubs and volunteer opportunities in her community. An aspiring anesthesiologist, she is the founder and president of her school's Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapter and has worked hard as chapter leader to provide opportunities for the members of her organization to gain experience and learn as much as possible about the healthcare field. Contributing to her community is important to this Puerto Rican Polish American. One of the ways in which she has given back is by donating her time while sharing her faith as a camp counselor helping run Christian youth camps. Julia is a leader both in her community at large and at school. In addition to serving as HOSA president, she is also class president and team captain for her school's volleyball and track & field teams. She has demonstrated her ability to balance her time maturely and wisely through all her commitments, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and currently ranking fourth out of 106 students in her graduating class. Julia will continue her athletic career while playing volleyball for Olivet Nazarene University. She plans on majoring in Nursing and minoring in Biology.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Beecher High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican & Polish
One quick look at the record of Beecher, Illinois resident Julia is enough to see that sports have played an important role in her high school career. From earning Athletic Scholar awards for volleyball, track & field, and cross country, to being named most valuable player on her bowling and track & field teams, Julia has proven her athletic prowess over the years. However, what makes this Latina athlete stand out from among her peers is not only her proven athletic abilities; it is the way she challenges and dedicates herself to all her endeavors, be they academic, extracurricular, or volunteer work. "For a student to be so involved in extracurricular activities yet so equally focused on her own academic success, all while maintaining such a kind disposition, is truly what has made Julia shine all these years," shares Julia's English teacher. Not only that, but Julia has consistently made time to volunteer her support for both school clubs and volunteer opportunities in her community. An aspiring anesthesiologist, she is the founder and president of her school's Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapter and has worked hard as chapter leader to provide opportunities for the members of her organization to gain experience and learn as much as possible about the healthcare field. Contributing to her community is important to this Puerto Rican Polish American. One of the ways in which she has given back is by donating her time while sharing her faith as a camp counselor helping run Christian youth camps. Julia is a leader both in her community at large and at school. In addition to serving as HOSA president, she is also class president and team captain for her school's volleyball and track & field teams. She has demonstrated her ability to balance her time maturely and wisely through all her commitments, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and currently ranking fourth out of 106 students in her graduating class. Julia will continue her athletic career while playing volleyball for Olivet Nazarene University. She plans on majoring in Nursing and minoring in Biology.
Sustainability (Green)
GOLD - Katherrin Billordo
Hometown: Chicago, IL
GPA: 4.00
High School: Northside College Preparatory
Heritage: Mexican & Argentine
"What influenced my interest in the Green Sustainability category was my mom's humble beginnings, my connection to nature, and my passion for making political commentary art," shares Chicago, Illinois resident, Katherrin. Growing up, Katherrin's mother faced many economic difficulties. She endured countless hardships, yet was always resourceful and creative. "She turned to the world around her and respected nature, which inspired me to do the same in my academic and personal pursuits," says Katherrin. When Katherrin was growing up, she spent her time after school diving into animal books, watching Discovery channel documentaries while taking notes, playing in nature, and going to all the math, art, and science museums around Chicago. This, she says, ignited her love and respect for environmental science and sustainability. Her deep interest in sustainability combined with her desire to learn all she can about the world around her and to use art to inspire conversations that lead to political and social change and awareness is what influenced Katherrin's passion for protecting our planet. This Latina of Mexican and Argentine descent has twice interned for Chicago's respected Adler Planetarium. The first time she interned at the Planetarium, Katherrin was a sophomore and worked analyzing and reverse engineering telescopes and other scientific equipment while learning more about Chicago night skies and planning community events. On her second opportunity as an intern, Katherrin was in her junior year and collaborated with engineers, researchers, and educators to collect and analyze urban light pollution data in neighborhoods around Chicago via sensor prototypes and online imaging programs. Katherrin creates art that targets several political issues; a couple often featured in her art and political criticism through art are climate change and environmental racism. This remarkable Latina has paved the way for her success with her outstanding academic ability, positive attitude, and strong work ethic and commitment to all she pursues. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a long list of awards and recognitions for her academic achievements and contributions to her community, including being selected as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and a Thrive Scholar. She will attend Harvard University and plans to major in Chemical Engineering and Business Management with a minor in Environmental Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Northside College Preparatory
Heritage: Mexican & Argentine
"What influenced my interest in the Green Sustainability category was my mom's humble beginnings, my connection to nature, and my passion for making political commentary art," shares Chicago, Illinois resident, Katherrin. Growing up, Katherrin's mother faced many economic difficulties. She endured countless hardships, yet was always resourceful and creative. "She turned to the world around her and respected nature, which inspired me to do the same in my academic and personal pursuits," says Katherrin. When Katherrin was growing up, she spent her time after school diving into animal books, watching Discovery channel documentaries while taking notes, playing in nature, and going to all the math, art, and science museums around Chicago. This, she says, ignited her love and respect for environmental science and sustainability. Her deep interest in sustainability combined with her desire to learn all she can about the world around her and to use art to inspire conversations that lead to political and social change and awareness is what influenced Katherrin's passion for protecting our planet. This Latina of Mexican and Argentine descent has twice interned for Chicago's respected Adler Planetarium. The first time she interned at the Planetarium, Katherrin was a sophomore and worked analyzing and reverse engineering telescopes and other scientific equipment while learning more about Chicago night skies and planning community events. On her second opportunity as an intern, Katherrin was in her junior year and collaborated with engineers, researchers, and educators to collect and analyze urban light pollution data in neighborhoods around Chicago via sensor prototypes and online imaging programs. Katherrin creates art that targets several political issues; a couple often featured in her art and political criticism through art are climate change and environmental racism. This remarkable Latina has paved the way for her success with her outstanding academic ability, positive attitude, and strong work ethic and commitment to all she pursues. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a long list of awards and recognitions for her academic achievements and contributions to her community, including being selected as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and a Thrive Scholar. She will attend Harvard University and plans to major in Chemical Engineering and Business Management with a minor in Environmental Studies.
Silver - Margarita Zambrano
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
GPA: 4.00
High School: Canterbury School
Heritage: Peruvian, Puerto Rican & Vietnamese
Fort Wayne, Indiana resident Margarita, found out what being a vegan was and learned some of the effects consuming animal products has on the environment when she was in sixth grade. After offering a cookie to a girl and being asked if it had eggs in it, a puzzled Margarita learned that her friend could not accept her cookie because she was vegan and her cookie had eggs. "I'm trying to help the Earth," she told Margarita, and asked: "Did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef?" At eleven years old, prior to this encounter, Margarita had no idea what it meant to be a vegan or what that had to do with the Earth. Although she is not a vegan, the weight of the random but hefty fact, wrapped in the form of a question, stayed with Margarita over the years. "I may not be vegan, but she inspired me to find my own ways of making sure we still have a beautiful planet in 50 years," she shares. Margarita started by recycling. When she entered high school, she joined her school's environmental club. One of the club's goals is to encourage the usage of reusable water bottles and get 100% of plastic bottles in recycling bins instead of trash cans at her school. By the end of her freshman year, more than 60% of her school's student body had stopped using plastic bottles. "[A]s I've gotten older, I've come to realize that recycling is not enough–it's just a temporary fix," remarks Margarita. Our next step as a society, she says, will require redesigning how we produce goods. She wants to combine her passions for environmentalism and engineering to make a permanent contribution to "leaving the Earth better than how [she] found it." In the meantime, Margarita likes to do what she can to make her community better by giving back. She grew up seeing her father, a doctor, give back to underserved communities and travel to Central and South America to provide care to those in need. Seeing the impact he made over the years and the joy he gets from these experiences inspired her to start her own service journey. Her father inspired her to join the Whalemobile, a program for teaching children about environmentalism. Wanting to continue sharing her love of learning, she began peer tutoring at her high school. She has also joined the service committee at her school, which she now co-chairs. Through the committee, Margarita has organized food, clothing, and blood drives that have helped hundreds of people in her community. These are just some of the ways in which Margarita has served her community. "[T]hroughout high school, service has allowed me to feel like I'm making a difference in the world with the skills and resources available to me," she shares. At school, Margarita is an academic force. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a lengthy resume of awards and prizes in recognition of her achievements, which include being named a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and a National Merit Semi-Finalist. Margarita will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, or Purdue University. She plans to major in Chemical Engineering and Business Management and minor in Environmental Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Canterbury School
Heritage: Peruvian, Puerto Rican & Vietnamese
Fort Wayne, Indiana resident Margarita, found out what being a vegan was and learned some of the effects consuming animal products has on the environment when she was in sixth grade. After offering a cookie to a girl and being asked if it had eggs in it, a puzzled Margarita learned that her friend could not accept her cookie because she was vegan and her cookie had eggs. "I'm trying to help the Earth," she told Margarita, and asked: "Did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef?" At eleven years old, prior to this encounter, Margarita had no idea what it meant to be a vegan or what that had to do with the Earth. Although she is not a vegan, the weight of the random but hefty fact, wrapped in the form of a question, stayed with Margarita over the years. "I may not be vegan, but she inspired me to find my own ways of making sure we still have a beautiful planet in 50 years," she shares. Margarita started by recycling. When she entered high school, she joined her school's environmental club. One of the club's goals is to encourage the usage of reusable water bottles and get 100% of plastic bottles in recycling bins instead of trash cans at her school. By the end of her freshman year, more than 60% of her school's student body had stopped using plastic bottles. "[A]s I've gotten older, I've come to realize that recycling is not enough–it's just a temporary fix," remarks Margarita. Our next step as a society, she says, will require redesigning how we produce goods. She wants to combine her passions for environmentalism and engineering to make a permanent contribution to "leaving the Earth better than how [she] found it." In the meantime, Margarita likes to do what she can to make her community better by giving back. She grew up seeing her father, a doctor, give back to underserved communities and travel to Central and South America to provide care to those in need. Seeing the impact he made over the years and the joy he gets from these experiences inspired her to start her own service journey. Her father inspired her to join the Whalemobile, a program for teaching children about environmentalism. Wanting to continue sharing her love of learning, she began peer tutoring at her high school. She has also joined the service committee at her school, which she now co-chairs. Through the committee, Margarita has organized food, clothing, and blood drives that have helped hundreds of people in her community. These are just some of the ways in which Margarita has served her community. "[T]hroughout high school, service has allowed me to feel like I'm making a difference in the world with the skills and resources available to me," she shares. At school, Margarita is an academic force. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a lengthy resume of awards and prizes in recognition of her achievements, which include being named a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and a National Merit Semi-Finalist. Margarita will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, or Purdue University. She plans to major in Chemical Engineering and Business Management and minor in Environmental Studies.
Bronze - Emily Miranda
Hometown: Cary, IL
GPA: 3.89
High School: Cary Grove High School
Heritage: Peruvian
As a future civil engineer, Peruvian American Emily is concerned with the environmental impacts of the construction industry. She wants to learn about sustainability in civil engineering and environmentally friendly design and materials considerations to be an environmentally conscious and responsible engineer. She has always been interested in becoming an engineer, though narrowing down her options to determine what field of engineering to pursue was tricky for Emily. “I [ha]ve been an artist ever since I could draw, and since I was also good at math, adults suggested I should be an architect,” shares Emily. For a while, she convinced herself that pursuing architecture was the right career path for her. Things changed for Emily when she learned about civil engineering. “I realized that it was so much more than just designing,” she remembers. She reached out to a family friend that owns a construction management company for guidance, who arranged for Emily to meet with one of her civil engineers to give her a tour of her job. When they met, Emily got the opportunity to work with the civil engineer through an active construction site and got a peek into what a day as a civil engineer could look like, including what would be expected of her on a day-to-day basis. Emily learned that as a civil engineer, she would likely manage multiple projects at the same time and confer with other managers on a project to ensure things were progressing as planned and spending was within budget. “She sounded like the glue that kept the entire project together. That’s the job I want,” remarks Emily. A student at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois, Emily is an intelligent, artistic, and hard-working student. She stands out among her peers for her ambition, humility, and commitment to her work. Emily holds a 3.89 GPA and manages to excel academically and in all her extracurricular pursuits, even after working at a restaurant for up to 25 hours every week. She will attend Purdue University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or Northwestern University and plans to major in Civil Engineering.
GPA: 3.89
High School: Cary Grove High School
Heritage: Peruvian
As a future civil engineer, Peruvian American Emily is concerned with the environmental impacts of the construction industry. She wants to learn about sustainability in civil engineering and environmentally friendly design and materials considerations to be an environmentally conscious and responsible engineer. She has always been interested in becoming an engineer, though narrowing down her options to determine what field of engineering to pursue was tricky for Emily. “I [ha]ve been an artist ever since I could draw, and since I was also good at math, adults suggested I should be an architect,” shares Emily. For a while, she convinced herself that pursuing architecture was the right career path for her. Things changed for Emily when she learned about civil engineering. “I realized that it was so much more than just designing,” she remembers. She reached out to a family friend that owns a construction management company for guidance, who arranged for Emily to meet with one of her civil engineers to give her a tour of her job. When they met, Emily got the opportunity to work with the civil engineer through an active construction site and got a peek into what a day as a civil engineer could look like, including what would be expected of her on a day-to-day basis. Emily learned that as a civil engineer, she would likely manage multiple projects at the same time and confer with other managers on a project to ensure things were progressing as planned and spending was within budget. “She sounded like the glue that kept the entire project together. That’s the job I want,” remarks Emily. A student at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois, Emily is an intelligent, artistic, and hard-working student. She stands out among her peers for her ambition, humility, and commitment to her work. Emily holds a 3.89 GPA and manages to excel academically and in all her extracurricular pursuits, even after working at a restaurant for up to 25 hours every week. She will attend Purdue University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or Northwestern University and plans to major in Civil Engineering.
Technology
GOLD - Emily Dobao
Hometown: Livonia, MI
GPA: 3.99
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Heritage: Cuban & South Korean
“I’ll never forget the time I made my first ‘robotic’ arm,” says Cuban South Korean American Emily. She was around eleven years old and had been obsessed with watching YouTube videos of creators making their own miniature robots and working vending machines. An invention that caught her eye was a homemade robotic arm, which could have been found in WALL-E’s pile of scraps and collectibles. “Naturally, I absolutely had to make my own, so I gathered some pieces of cardboard and rubber bands and set myself to work,” remembers Emily. “The final product definitely wasn’t a masterpiece,” she adds. Although that was the case, her project showed Emily that new developments in technology would not be possible without involving creativity. She has since applied this perspective to different areas of interest, such as computer science and robotics, where she has learned to become a leader and role model. In high school, Emily joined her local Girls Who Code club, where she built her foundation in web development and coached a group of middle school members of the club. Through Girls Who Code, she learned about a summer program known as Kode With Klossy, which not only helped with expanding her coding knowledge but also helped her connect with other women who shared her interest in programming. “I’m still in touch with a lot of the scholars who participated in Kode With Klossy, some of whom live in my home state,” shares Emily. Kode With Klossy has been the highlight of Emily’s summers, helping her build a community and inspiring her to continue her pursuit of computer science and all of its related fields. Thanks to the connections she made through Kode With Klossy, Emily was able to secure her first job as a code coach. “I belong to a community of coders,” remarks Emily. “We are young women working together to spread creativity and innovation through code with the goal of showcasing the crucial role of women in technology.” Emily possesses inherent academic talents and a deeply rooted focus coupled with a sense of curiosity and exceptionally diligent work habits. She maintains a 3.99 GPA and is ranked fourth out of 425 students in her graduating class. Emily will attend the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Yale University. She plans to major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Computer Science.
GPA: 3.99
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Heritage: Cuban & South Korean
“I’ll never forget the time I made my first ‘robotic’ arm,” says Cuban South Korean American Emily. She was around eleven years old and had been obsessed with watching YouTube videos of creators making their own miniature robots and working vending machines. An invention that caught her eye was a homemade robotic arm, which could have been found in WALL-E’s pile of scraps and collectibles. “Naturally, I absolutely had to make my own, so I gathered some pieces of cardboard and rubber bands and set myself to work,” remembers Emily. “The final product definitely wasn’t a masterpiece,” she adds. Although that was the case, her project showed Emily that new developments in technology would not be possible without involving creativity. She has since applied this perspective to different areas of interest, such as computer science and robotics, where she has learned to become a leader and role model. In high school, Emily joined her local Girls Who Code club, where she built her foundation in web development and coached a group of middle school members of the club. Through Girls Who Code, she learned about a summer program known as Kode With Klossy, which not only helped with expanding her coding knowledge but also helped her connect with other women who shared her interest in programming. “I’m still in touch with a lot of the scholars who participated in Kode With Klossy, some of whom live in my home state,” shares Emily. Kode With Klossy has been the highlight of Emily’s summers, helping her build a community and inspiring her to continue her pursuit of computer science and all of its related fields. Thanks to the connections she made through Kode With Klossy, Emily was able to secure her first job as a code coach. “I belong to a community of coders,” remarks Emily. “We are young women working together to spread creativity and innovation through code with the goal of showcasing the crucial role of women in technology.” Emily possesses inherent academic talents and a deeply rooted focus coupled with a sense of curiosity and exceptionally diligent work habits. She maintains a 3.99 GPA and is ranked fourth out of 425 students in her graduating class. Emily will attend the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Yale University. She plans to major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Computer Science.
Silver - Marysofi Gutiérrez Pérez
Hometown: Waterloo, IA
GPA: 4.00
High School: Columbus Catholic High School
Heritage: Mexican
“Growing up during the technology era made something that was so integral to life grow into a passion,” shares Waterloo, Iowa resident Marysofi. For this Columbus Catholic High School student, a phone was more than just a device she could use to browse social media or communicate with others. For Marysofi, it was a problem-solving and innovation tool and was a device she could use to change the world. What this Latina enjoys the most about the field of technology is its solution-driven thinking and the fact it inspires in her a passion to dive deep into research. In eighth grade, she participated in a program called Code Crush. Code Crush invites females interested in STEM to the University of Omaha for a week to learn about different types of STEM careers. Her interest in STEM and her desire to pursue a career in one of its fields has increased since her experience with Code Crush. In high school, Marysofi has taken advantage of all the technology and mathematics courses her school has to offer. Her experience taking advanced math, science, and computer science classes has helped her realize what area of technology she wants to focus on. This year, she signed up to take Coding I, Coding II, and AP Computer Science and looks forward to growing her knowledge in this ever-changing field. Marysofi’s school has given her the opportunity to be active and give back to the community through various organizations like Medley Club, Waterloo Youth City Council, American Red Cross, Teen Trust, and the Humane Society. Marysofi is also an active member of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she has been an example of academic excellence throughout her high school career and has proven herself to be a dedicated learner with a willingness to be both a leader and a great team member. Marysofi will attend the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or the University of Chicago. She plans to major in Computer Engineering and minor in Cyber Security.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Columbus Catholic High School
Heritage: Mexican
“Growing up during the technology era made something that was so integral to life grow into a passion,” shares Waterloo, Iowa resident Marysofi. For this Columbus Catholic High School student, a phone was more than just a device she could use to browse social media or communicate with others. For Marysofi, it was a problem-solving and innovation tool and was a device she could use to change the world. What this Latina enjoys the most about the field of technology is its solution-driven thinking and the fact it inspires in her a passion to dive deep into research. In eighth grade, she participated in a program called Code Crush. Code Crush invites females interested in STEM to the University of Omaha for a week to learn about different types of STEM careers. Her interest in STEM and her desire to pursue a career in one of its fields has increased since her experience with Code Crush. In high school, Marysofi has taken advantage of all the technology and mathematics courses her school has to offer. Her experience taking advanced math, science, and computer science classes has helped her realize what area of technology she wants to focus on. This year, she signed up to take Coding I, Coding II, and AP Computer Science and looks forward to growing her knowledge in this ever-changing field. Marysofi’s school has given her the opportunity to be active and give back to the community through various organizations like Medley Club, Waterloo Youth City Council, American Red Cross, Teen Trust, and the Humane Society. Marysofi is also an active member of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she has been an example of academic excellence throughout her high school career and has proven herself to be a dedicated learner with a willingness to be both a leader and a great team member. Marysofi will attend the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or the University of Chicago. She plans to major in Computer Engineering and minor in Cyber Security.
Bronze - Johann Ortíz
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
GPA: 3.94
High School: Carmen High School Southeast Campus
Heritage: Mexican
What initially sparked the interest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident Johann for technology while growing up was watching one of his idols from the Marvel Universe: Iron Man. “It was amazing to see the things his robots and gadgets could do,” remarks Johann. One of the things that interested him the most was Iron Man’s artificial intelligence known as J.A.R.V.I.S (“Just A Really Very Intelligent System”). Iron Man was an inspiration to Johann because, with the use of technology, he managed to stop world threats and save the Earth multiple times—that is, “if you ignore all the damage he does to the city,” chimes in Johann. “I hope to [achieve] something similar with what I learn,” he shares. Since he was little, Johann has dreamed of one day being able to make his own sophisticated Iron Man-style gadgets. Johann grew up in an underresourced household, which made it difficult for him to access many engineering and robotics courses and activities he was interested in because they were not within his family’s economic reach. This did not dissuade Johann’s interest. He continued cultivating his passion for engineering and technology through film and the internet. His wish is to help find solutions to “some of humanity’s greatest problems” with the power of science and mathematics. At school, Johann has consistently been a leader, both in class and in his extracurricular pursuits, always seeking to further his knowledge and that of his fellow students. He has proven his academic abilities throughout high school, frequently completing assignments early and to a high level of quality, constantly asking for more challenging work, and seeking ways in which he could help his peers be more successful in class. “Johann is always the first to jump at whatever opportunity is given to him, and if it looks like there isn’t an opportunity, he will create one,” remarks his school’s dean of students and school culture. Last year, Johann started Getting Latin Americans Into College, an online project where he shares college admission tips and conducts interviews with Latinx college students on Instagram to help Latinx students grow confident and have access to the tools necessary as they navigate through the college application process. His drive, dedication, leadership, and care for others, have made him a pillar of his school community and have helped him create multiple support systems and opportunities for students around him. Johann will attend Princeton University, the University of Chicago, or Swarthmore College. He plans on majoring in Computer Science.
GPA: 3.94
High School: Carmen High School Southeast Campus
Heritage: Mexican
What initially sparked the interest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident Johann for technology while growing up was watching one of his idols from the Marvel Universe: Iron Man. “It was amazing to see the things his robots and gadgets could do,” remarks Johann. One of the things that interested him the most was Iron Man’s artificial intelligence known as J.A.R.V.I.S (“Just A Really Very Intelligent System”). Iron Man was an inspiration to Johann because, with the use of technology, he managed to stop world threats and save the Earth multiple times—that is, “if you ignore all the damage he does to the city,” chimes in Johann. “I hope to [achieve] something similar with what I learn,” he shares. Since he was little, Johann has dreamed of one day being able to make his own sophisticated Iron Man-style gadgets. Johann grew up in an underresourced household, which made it difficult for him to access many engineering and robotics courses and activities he was interested in because they were not within his family’s economic reach. This did not dissuade Johann’s interest. He continued cultivating his passion for engineering and technology through film and the internet. His wish is to help find solutions to “some of humanity’s greatest problems” with the power of science and mathematics. At school, Johann has consistently been a leader, both in class and in his extracurricular pursuits, always seeking to further his knowledge and that of his fellow students. He has proven his academic abilities throughout high school, frequently completing assignments early and to a high level of quality, constantly asking for more challenging work, and seeking ways in which he could help his peers be more successful in class. “Johann is always the first to jump at whatever opportunity is given to him, and if it looks like there isn’t an opportunity, he will create one,” remarks his school’s dean of students and school culture. Last year, Johann started Getting Latin Americans Into College, an online project where he shares college admission tips and conducts interviews with Latinx college students on Instagram to help Latinx students grow confident and have access to the tools necessary as they navigate through the college application process. His drive, dedication, leadership, and care for others, have made him a pillar of his school community and have helped him create multiple support systems and opportunities for students around him. Johann will attend Princeton University, the University of Chicago, or Swarthmore College. He plans on majoring in Computer Science.
