Business & Entrepreneurship
Community Service
Education
Engineering
Healthcare & Science
Media & Entertainment
Public Service & Social Justice
Sports & Fitness
Sustainability (Green)
Technology
Business & Entrepreneurship
GOLD - OliviA Owens
Hometown: White Plains, NY
GPA: 3.70
High School: Woodlands Middle High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
“A lot of my experiences have taught me that using my voice can make a difference. One must lead himself or herself before they can truly lead others,” says Woodlands Middle High School student Olivia Owens. As the oldest child of five, she began developing and shining as a leader from a young age. What sets her apart from among her peers? A firm dedication to her community together with a strong work ethic and remarkable interpersonal skills. Olivia is part of her school’s cross country and track teams, as well as its marching and concert bands. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Furthermore, she has been involved with several additional clubs and organizations, including her school’s Gay/Straight Alliance Club, Black Student Union, Key Club, and newspaper. Olivia has also worked as a camp counselor and has given back and learned more about herself and her community through charitable service projects. “All of these experiences have kept me grounded while helping me learn the importance of leadership, prioritizing, and responsibility,” she shares. Beyond her impressive array of extracurricular activities, Olivia has maintained a solid academic record with a 3.70 GPA and numerous AP and IB classes under her belt. “Business is part of almost everything we do,” affirms Olivia, which is why she plans on studying Business at Binghamton University, Hampton University, or Howard University.
GPA: 3.70
High School: Woodlands Middle High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
“A lot of my experiences have taught me that using my voice can make a difference. One must lead himself or herself before they can truly lead others,” says Woodlands Middle High School student Olivia Owens. As the oldest child of five, she began developing and shining as a leader from a young age. What sets her apart from among her peers? A firm dedication to her community together with a strong work ethic and remarkable interpersonal skills. Olivia is part of her school’s cross country and track teams, as well as its marching and concert bands. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Furthermore, she has been involved with several additional clubs and organizations, including her school’s Gay/Straight Alliance Club, Black Student Union, Key Club, and newspaper. Olivia has also worked as a camp counselor and has given back and learned more about herself and her community through charitable service projects. “All of these experiences have kept me grounded while helping me learn the importance of leadership, prioritizing, and responsibility,” she shares. Beyond her impressive array of extracurricular activities, Olivia has maintained a solid academic record with a 3.70 GPA and numerous AP and IB classes under her belt. “Business is part of almost everything we do,” affirms Olivia, which is why she plans on studying Business at Binghamton University, Hampton University, or Howard University.
Silver - Devion Mulet-Soltren
Hometown: New York, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: East Side Community High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Examining Devion’s academic trajectory along with his record of community involvement over the years, it becomes clear that this young man of Puerto Rican descent distinctly understands the value of education, of helping those around him, and of continuously seeking ways in which to challenge himself. Despite how the last couple of years have tested many of us, Devion found opportunities to adapt and grow. He enrolled in College Now classes (College Now is a program from the City University of New York in collaboration with the New York City secondary public school system that offers dual enrollment and college-readiness programs), attended virtual author visits outside of school hours, worked setting up classrooms at his school for COVID preparedness and, as a testament to his resolve, exemplified what it means to be resilient by carrying on and continuing to excel undeterred by the circumstances. He was selected to be part of the Morgan Stanley Mentorship Program during his junior and senior years. Devion worked with a mentor through the program, learned about the finance industry, and gained skills to help him with interview preparation and the job recruitment process. Most notably, his participation in the program opened his eyes to the importance of financial literacy and money management education, particularly when it comes to communities of color and families with limited resources and income. Dedicated to giving back, Devion has been active both at his school and his community at large. He has kept himself engaged by repainting murals, volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at his local church, and helping equip younger students with the confidence and skills needed to succeed academically through his involvement with the GO Project (the GO Project is a nonprofit organization with the mission to educate and empower children of underprivileged families in New York City to ensure they are prepared to thrive in school and beyond), among other acts of service. Reflecting on what inspires him to give back, Devion insightfully and intuitively concludes: “If we don’t help one another, who will?” After graduating, Devion plans to attend Binghamton University, Gettysburg College, or Stony Brook University. He is considering pursuing degrees in Business and Finance.
GPA: 4.00
High School: East Side Community High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Examining Devion’s academic trajectory along with his record of community involvement over the years, it becomes clear that this young man of Puerto Rican descent distinctly understands the value of education, of helping those around him, and of continuously seeking ways in which to challenge himself. Despite how the last couple of years have tested many of us, Devion found opportunities to adapt and grow. He enrolled in College Now classes (College Now is a program from the City University of New York in collaboration with the New York City secondary public school system that offers dual enrollment and college-readiness programs), attended virtual author visits outside of school hours, worked setting up classrooms at his school for COVID preparedness and, as a testament to his resolve, exemplified what it means to be resilient by carrying on and continuing to excel undeterred by the circumstances. He was selected to be part of the Morgan Stanley Mentorship Program during his junior and senior years. Devion worked with a mentor through the program, learned about the finance industry, and gained skills to help him with interview preparation and the job recruitment process. Most notably, his participation in the program opened his eyes to the importance of financial literacy and money management education, particularly when it comes to communities of color and families with limited resources and income. Dedicated to giving back, Devion has been active both at his school and his community at large. He has kept himself engaged by repainting murals, volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at his local church, and helping equip younger students with the confidence and skills needed to succeed academically through his involvement with the GO Project (the GO Project is a nonprofit organization with the mission to educate and empower children of underprivileged families in New York City to ensure they are prepared to thrive in school and beyond), among other acts of service. Reflecting on what inspires him to give back, Devion insightfully and intuitively concludes: “If we don’t help one another, who will?” After graduating, Devion plans to attend Binghamton University, Gettysburg College, or Stony Brook University. He is considering pursuing degrees in Business and Finance.
Bronze - Karolina Horn
Hometown: Rockaway Park, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: The Scholars Academy
Heritage: Filipino
When it comes to her future, Karolina is on a mission: to become a successful businesswoman who applies her creativity and skills to improve the world around her. In preparation for this, she has sought ways to immerse herself in the world of business and learn firsthand about marketing, entrepreneurship, and the hospitality industry. Through her involvement with her school’s Business Club, she has had the opportunity to work in collaboration with her peers to come up with new gadgets and innovative strategies to improve the lives of others. As part of a project in her Economics class, Karolina has been participating in the Stock Market Game, an educational program and simulation game that provides the framework for students to learn about personal finance, investing, and economics. Thanks to strategic and well-researched risk-taking, her team is currently ranked number two in her grade. Diligent in all her pursuits, Karolina has maintained an impeccable 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career while challenging herself with an assortment of honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-enrollment courses. “However, [she] is more than her grades and challenging courses,” remarks one of her teachers, Ms. Quintana. She “is the epitome of what it means to be a scholar and genuine human being,” a “dedicated student who is compassionate and insightful in everything she does,” she avows. She is set to continue her bright path while attending Boston College, Fordham University, or Northeastern University, where she will major in Business Management and minor in Marketing.
GPA: 4.00
High School: The Scholars Academy
Heritage: Filipino
When it comes to her future, Karolina is on a mission: to become a successful businesswoman who applies her creativity and skills to improve the world around her. In preparation for this, she has sought ways to immerse herself in the world of business and learn firsthand about marketing, entrepreneurship, and the hospitality industry. Through her involvement with her school’s Business Club, she has had the opportunity to work in collaboration with her peers to come up with new gadgets and innovative strategies to improve the lives of others. As part of a project in her Economics class, Karolina has been participating in the Stock Market Game, an educational program and simulation game that provides the framework for students to learn about personal finance, investing, and economics. Thanks to strategic and well-researched risk-taking, her team is currently ranked number two in her grade. Diligent in all her pursuits, Karolina has maintained an impeccable 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career while challenging herself with an assortment of honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-enrollment courses. “However, [she] is more than her grades and challenging courses,” remarks one of her teachers, Ms. Quintana. She “is the epitome of what it means to be a scholar and genuine human being,” a “dedicated student who is compassionate and insightful in everything she does,” she avows. She is set to continue her bright path while attending Boston College, Fordham University, or Northeastern University, where she will major in Business Management and minor in Marketing.
Community Service
GOLD - Angela Cavalieri
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Saint Joseph Hill Academy
Heritage: Cuban, Puerto Rican, & Italian
Taught by her late grandmother, who she lovingly called “Mema,” Angela learned early on to be proud of her culture and allow the values instilled in her to shine through. “My Hispanic roots have given me diligence and strength in everything I do and inspire me daily to never give up,” says this future nurse of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Italian descent. From among those values and inspired by her mother, being of service has been a focal point throughout Angela’s high school career. “Growing up, [my mother’s] courage to fight to give me the best life possible inspired me to give back to others and try to create a better life for them,” shares Angela. Most frequently, she devotes her time volunteering for her local parish’s Project Hospitality, which provides meals and more for anyone in need. Additionally, she volunteers as a “Sandwich Angel” through her school. “Sandwich Angels” started as a collaborative effort for students to continue providing community service despite pandemic regulations. The “Angels” prepare 600 sandwiches for Project Hospitality each week. She also regularly volunteers for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and providing support for veterans, military members, and first responders. As a National Honor Society scholar, she volunteers as a tutor for first- and second-year students at her school. For all her work and dedication, she will have received all three medals of the Congressional Award, the US Congress’s highest honor for youth civilians, recognizing initiative, service, and achievement, by the time she graduates. Beyond her volunteering, she is a formidable student, athlete, and leader and serves as captain of her school’s varsity soccer, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track teams. Angela will study Nursing while attending Pace University–Westchester Campus, Quinnipiac University, or Sacred Heart University. She plans on being an advocate for continued and increased Latino representation in the nursing field.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Saint Joseph Hill Academy
Heritage: Cuban, Puerto Rican, & Italian
Taught by her late grandmother, who she lovingly called “Mema,” Angela learned early on to be proud of her culture and allow the values instilled in her to shine through. “My Hispanic roots have given me diligence and strength in everything I do and inspire me daily to never give up,” says this future nurse of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Italian descent. From among those values and inspired by her mother, being of service has been a focal point throughout Angela’s high school career. “Growing up, [my mother’s] courage to fight to give me the best life possible inspired me to give back to others and try to create a better life for them,” shares Angela. Most frequently, she devotes her time volunteering for her local parish’s Project Hospitality, which provides meals and more for anyone in need. Additionally, she volunteers as a “Sandwich Angel” through her school. “Sandwich Angels” started as a collaborative effort for students to continue providing community service despite pandemic regulations. The “Angels” prepare 600 sandwiches for Project Hospitality each week. She also regularly volunteers for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and providing support for veterans, military members, and first responders. As a National Honor Society scholar, she volunteers as a tutor for first- and second-year students at her school. For all her work and dedication, she will have received all three medals of the Congressional Award, the US Congress’s highest honor for youth civilians, recognizing initiative, service, and achievement, by the time she graduates. Beyond her volunteering, she is a formidable student, athlete, and leader and serves as captain of her school’s varsity soccer, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track teams. Angela will study Nursing while attending Pace University–Westchester Campus, Quinnipiac University, or Sacred Heart University. She plans on being an advocate for continued and increased Latino representation in the nursing field.
Silver - Viki Fernández
Hometown: New York, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Hunter College High School
Heritage: Chinese & Argentine
Driven, diligent, and compassionate, Viki’s trademark, according to her school counselor, is that beyond the way she uses her skills to help and teach others, she is able to listen and learn from them in unexpected ways. “Contributing to the communities that I belong to is very important to me—it is a core value with which I was brought up,” explains Viki; this is among the reasons she finds joy when she is of service. One of the ways in which she has done this is through her school’s Hunter’s Teens Teach program. Since 10th grade, thanks to the program, Viki has been working with students at an under-resourced school in Harlem, teaching them math and helping them with their schoolwork 2-3 times a week. “I find that being able to speak Spanish helps create connections between some of the students and myself and makes them more eager to learn,” she remarks. She also makes use of her Spanish skills through her volunteer work with Seattle-based organization Casa Latina, a nonprofit with the mission of empowering Latino immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing. Once a week, via Casa Latina, Viki teaches virtual English lessons to Spanish-speaking adult immigrants living in Seattle. She has also had the opportunity to volunteer to redesign and improve the website of the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP). CSLAP is a nonprofit organization that works to expand educational opportunities in the Texas Rio Grande Valley through college access events and one-on-one mentoring with the aim of empowering high school students and increasing college enrollment and completion rates. Viki’s academic record is equally as impressive as her community involvement. She maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA with an unusually demanding schedule full of AP courses. Her exceptional academic performance has earned her a spot in Columbia University’s Science Honors Program as well as admittance into the highly selective Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory’s Radar Introduction for Student Engineers course. She has served as her school’s student government recording secretary and administrative vice president. She is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. She will attend Princeton University, Columbia University, or the University of Michigan, where she is considering majoring in Applied Mathematics.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Hunter College High School
Heritage: Chinese & Argentine
Driven, diligent, and compassionate, Viki’s trademark, according to her school counselor, is that beyond the way she uses her skills to help and teach others, she is able to listen and learn from them in unexpected ways. “Contributing to the communities that I belong to is very important to me—it is a core value with which I was brought up,” explains Viki; this is among the reasons she finds joy when she is of service. One of the ways in which she has done this is through her school’s Hunter’s Teens Teach program. Since 10th grade, thanks to the program, Viki has been working with students at an under-resourced school in Harlem, teaching them math and helping them with their schoolwork 2-3 times a week. “I find that being able to speak Spanish helps create connections between some of the students and myself and makes them more eager to learn,” she remarks. She also makes use of her Spanish skills through her volunteer work with Seattle-based organization Casa Latina, a nonprofit with the mission of empowering Latino immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing. Once a week, via Casa Latina, Viki teaches virtual English lessons to Spanish-speaking adult immigrants living in Seattle. She has also had the opportunity to volunteer to redesign and improve the website of the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP). CSLAP is a nonprofit organization that works to expand educational opportunities in the Texas Rio Grande Valley through college access events and one-on-one mentoring with the aim of empowering high school students and increasing college enrollment and completion rates. Viki’s academic record is equally as impressive as her community involvement. She maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA with an unusually demanding schedule full of AP courses. Her exceptional academic performance has earned her a spot in Columbia University’s Science Honors Program as well as admittance into the highly selective Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory’s Radar Introduction for Student Engineers course. She has served as her school’s student government recording secretary and administrative vice president. She is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. She will attend Princeton University, Columbia University, or the University of Michigan, where she is considering majoring in Applied Mathematics.
Bronze - Michaell Santos-Paulino
Hometown: Bronx, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice
Heritage: Dominican
“South Bronx, We Never Give Up” is printed in bold white letters across Michaell’s community service shirt. “It is the message that we carry around our community, and it is the perfect representation of why I give back,” shares this remarkable young Latino. In service, he has found a way to express himself and learn from and connect to his community and the people around him. An honest and profound interest in social rights and justice also motivates Michaell’s service work. He has been part of numerous efforts in his borough through his school and his involvement with buildOn, a nonprofit organization that runs youth service-learning programs. Some of these efforts have been serving food at homeless shelters, cleaning up parks, delivering food to people in need, and assisting at his local senior center. At his school, Michaell is a member of the student government and helps lead a council with his school’s principal. He has been able to effect changes in policies and administrative procedures to benefit his school’s student body. He has also made an impact farther away from home, as he did when he organized a project to send virtual letters to patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Or farther even, as he did in the rural indigenous community of Caserio Ponja, Guatemala, where he helped build the structural foundation of a school. Michael has also served as president of his school’s Spanish Honor Society and currently serves as a Student Advisory Board Member for the National Education Equity Lab, a nonprofit organization with the motto “talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not.” This organization provides access to classes at some of our nation’s top universities to high school students from traditionally underrepresented and underprivileged communities. This extraordinary young man has a 4.0 GPA, is a National Education Equity Lab Valedictorian, and an AP Scholar. He will be attending Yale University on a full ride as a Questbridge National College Match Scholarship recipient. He will be pursuing the pre-law track while completing degrees in Political Science and Public Policy. Central to his identity, being of service has inspired Michaell to want to dedicate his life to public service so he can continue “advocating for change and helping to enact policies that protect [the members of his] community.”
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice
Heritage: Dominican
“South Bronx, We Never Give Up” is printed in bold white letters across Michaell’s community service shirt. “It is the message that we carry around our community, and it is the perfect representation of why I give back,” shares this remarkable young Latino. In service, he has found a way to express himself and learn from and connect to his community and the people around him. An honest and profound interest in social rights and justice also motivates Michaell’s service work. He has been part of numerous efforts in his borough through his school and his involvement with buildOn, a nonprofit organization that runs youth service-learning programs. Some of these efforts have been serving food at homeless shelters, cleaning up parks, delivering food to people in need, and assisting at his local senior center. At his school, Michaell is a member of the student government and helps lead a council with his school’s principal. He has been able to effect changes in policies and administrative procedures to benefit his school’s student body. He has also made an impact farther away from home, as he did when he organized a project to send virtual letters to patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Or farther even, as he did in the rural indigenous community of Caserio Ponja, Guatemala, where he helped build the structural foundation of a school. Michael has also served as president of his school’s Spanish Honor Society and currently serves as a Student Advisory Board Member for the National Education Equity Lab, a nonprofit organization with the motto “talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not.” This organization provides access to classes at some of our nation’s top universities to high school students from traditionally underrepresented and underprivileged communities. This extraordinary young man has a 4.0 GPA, is a National Education Equity Lab Valedictorian, and an AP Scholar. He will be attending Yale University on a full ride as a Questbridge National College Match Scholarship recipient. He will be pursuing the pre-law track while completing degrees in Political Science and Public Policy. Central to his identity, being of service has inspired Michaell to want to dedicate his life to public service so he can continue “advocating for change and helping to enact policies that protect [the members of his] community.”
Education
GOLD - Isabella Youssef
Hometown: Arverne, NY
GPA: 3.70
High School: The Scholars' Academy
Heritage: Dominican & Egyptian
One of Isabella’s career aspirations is becoming a history teacher. “I love writing and storytelling,” shares this Latina of Dominican and Egyptian descent, which is why, she explains, history is her subject of choice. She wants to encourage wonder, joy, and fascination in her future students' learning through the tales of history. “The stories depicted throughout time indulge my interests, and teaching them to youth excites me,” she proclaims. In order to prepare for her future career, Isabella has sought opportunities that have given her a glimpse into what it is like to be an educator. In her sophomore year, she served as an assistant teacher for the 3rd grade class of her church’s Sunday school, where she aided with lesson plans and tutored the children if they encountered any difficulties. Currently, whenever time allows, she leads class working as a substitute teacher. “Teaching is such a beautiful aspect of life; I would love to influence the next generation in a positive and uplifting manner,” she says. Isabella is deeply committed to serving her community and peers. Most important to her as a person of faith is the work she has done while serving as an altar server for her church for the last five years and her role as one of the leaders of its youth group. As a mainstay of her church’s youth group, she participates in bi-weekly meetings, recruits members, and helps organize and oversee fundraisers, trips, and service projects. More an opportunity to serve, the youth group has offered her opportunities for growth and has tested her and proven that she is mature and capable beyond her years. Not surprising for someone who understands the value of education, Isabella maintains an impressive 3.7 GPA amid a consistently challenging course schedule that boasts various AP and dual-enrollment classes. She is also a talented illustrator and has had her artwork featured at her school’s art gallery and exhibited at the CUE Art Foundation as a member of the CUE Teen Collective. She plans to major in History Education and minor in Creative Writing while attending Hunter College, Stony Brook University, or Brooklyn College.
GPA: 3.70
High School: The Scholars' Academy
Heritage: Dominican & Egyptian
One of Isabella’s career aspirations is becoming a history teacher. “I love writing and storytelling,” shares this Latina of Dominican and Egyptian descent, which is why, she explains, history is her subject of choice. She wants to encourage wonder, joy, and fascination in her future students' learning through the tales of history. “The stories depicted throughout time indulge my interests, and teaching them to youth excites me,” she proclaims. In order to prepare for her future career, Isabella has sought opportunities that have given her a glimpse into what it is like to be an educator. In her sophomore year, she served as an assistant teacher for the 3rd grade class of her church’s Sunday school, where she aided with lesson plans and tutored the children if they encountered any difficulties. Currently, whenever time allows, she leads class working as a substitute teacher. “Teaching is such a beautiful aspect of life; I would love to influence the next generation in a positive and uplifting manner,” she says. Isabella is deeply committed to serving her community and peers. Most important to her as a person of faith is the work she has done while serving as an altar server for her church for the last five years and her role as one of the leaders of its youth group. As a mainstay of her church’s youth group, she participates in bi-weekly meetings, recruits members, and helps organize and oversee fundraisers, trips, and service projects. More an opportunity to serve, the youth group has offered her opportunities for growth and has tested her and proven that she is mature and capable beyond her years. Not surprising for someone who understands the value of education, Isabella maintains an impressive 3.7 GPA amid a consistently challenging course schedule that boasts various AP and dual-enrollment classes. She is also a talented illustrator and has had her artwork featured at her school’s art gallery and exhibited at the CUE Art Foundation as a member of the CUE Teen Collective. She plans to major in History Education and minor in Creative Writing while attending Hunter College, Stony Brook University, or Brooklyn College.
Silver - Mónica Pérez
Hometown: Astoria, NY
GPA: 3.90
High School: St. John's Prep School
Heritage: Spanish
While all the children play-pretended different scenarios, Queens, New York resident Monica, without fail, would always choose to play teacher. “I have always been interested in education,” she recalls. Her father, an educator himself, inspired and helped nurture her interest early on. Over the years, she has honed and practiced her teaching skills, falling in love with the learning process from both perspectives; as the student and as the instructor. Playing the role of an educator has been a constant in Monica’s life. For example, she has taught children her love for Galician folk dance as an assistant dance teacher and has also worked as an assistant teacher at a camp held by the Queens Botanical Garden. At the Garden, she educated children on the environment and gardening and assisted them through activities. Starting last fall, she’s been working as a Discovery Guide for the Garden, engaging visitors and sharing her plant and environmental knowledge with them. Monica has also served as a Campus Ministry Leader at her school and has been a member of her school’s National Honor Society and Model United Nations chapters. These positions have allowed her the opportunity to work with her peers to organize retreats and service projects for younger classmen and serve as a mentor and a tutor for them. “There is something wonderful about knowing you are helping others in your community,” remarks Monica. Her dedication to service is further evidenced by her involvement with her school’s Junior Ladies of Charity organization. As a member, she has “pledged [herself] to the service of [those in need] in [her] community” and has upheld that pledge by helping the organization with a number of service activities, including organizing coat and food drives and volunteering at food banks and shelters. Monica does not shy away from hard work and is exemplary in her academics, boasting a stellar 3.90 GPA. She will study Education and Psychology at CUNY–Queens College, Fordham University, or the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
GPA: 3.90
High School: St. John's Prep School
Heritage: Spanish
While all the children play-pretended different scenarios, Queens, New York resident Monica, without fail, would always choose to play teacher. “I have always been interested in education,” she recalls. Her father, an educator himself, inspired and helped nurture her interest early on. Over the years, she has honed and practiced her teaching skills, falling in love with the learning process from both perspectives; as the student and as the instructor. Playing the role of an educator has been a constant in Monica’s life. For example, she has taught children her love for Galician folk dance as an assistant dance teacher and has also worked as an assistant teacher at a camp held by the Queens Botanical Garden. At the Garden, she educated children on the environment and gardening and assisted them through activities. Starting last fall, she’s been working as a Discovery Guide for the Garden, engaging visitors and sharing her plant and environmental knowledge with them. Monica has also served as a Campus Ministry Leader at her school and has been a member of her school’s National Honor Society and Model United Nations chapters. These positions have allowed her the opportunity to work with her peers to organize retreats and service projects for younger classmen and serve as a mentor and a tutor for them. “There is something wonderful about knowing you are helping others in your community,” remarks Monica. Her dedication to service is further evidenced by her involvement with her school’s Junior Ladies of Charity organization. As a member, she has “pledged [herself] to the service of [those in need] in [her] community” and has upheld that pledge by helping the organization with a number of service activities, including organizing coat and food drives and volunteering at food banks and shelters. Monica does not shy away from hard work and is exemplary in her academics, boasting a stellar 3.90 GPA. She will study Education and Psychology at CUNY–Queens College, Fordham University, or the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Bronze - Jasmine Isaac
Hometown: Bronx, NY
GPA: 3.70
High School: Academy of Mount St. Ursula
Heritage: Puerto Rican
When Jasmine began looking for ways to be of service at the start of her high school career, she took it as an opportunity to volunteer in a manner that would benefit the children in her community. You see, there is nothing in the world for Jasmine like working with young kids. After all, it is the joy she derives from working with children that she attributes for her decision to pursue a career in education. Her first teaching experience in high school was working with pre-k students at the after-school program of her former elementary school. “I realized [then] that I was passionate about working with children, not only because of how fun it [was], but because I was able to have a positive impact on all the students I worked with,” she shared. After completing her freshman year, she volunteered at a local middle school, assisting in their Summer Bridge Learning Program. While helping rising 6th-grade students prepare for their New York State standardized tests through the program, she got to teach from a new perspective and learn the difference of what entailed working with children of different ages. Opportunities like these, where she continued learning from and expanding her teaching experiences while giving back to her community, have been a constant for Jasmine these past four years. Last summer, for example, she worked with special education students and assisted in dance and movement classes while volunteering at The Bronx School for Continuous Learners. At the heart of Jasmine’s volunteer work and her desire to become a teacher is the reward she derives from being able to witness and play a role in her students’ growth and development. As dedicated as Jasmine is to serving the children in her community, she is equally involved and dedicated in her academics and school extracurricular activities. She maintains a 3.70 GPA while pursuing a rigorous curriculum filled with a number of Honors and AP courses. This future educator plans on attending CUNY-Hunter College, Pace University, or Fordham University. She will pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.
GPA: 3.70
High School: Academy of Mount St. Ursula
Heritage: Puerto Rican
When Jasmine began looking for ways to be of service at the start of her high school career, she took it as an opportunity to volunteer in a manner that would benefit the children in her community. You see, there is nothing in the world for Jasmine like working with young kids. After all, it is the joy she derives from working with children that she attributes for her decision to pursue a career in education. Her first teaching experience in high school was working with pre-k students at the after-school program of her former elementary school. “I realized [then] that I was passionate about working with children, not only because of how fun it [was], but because I was able to have a positive impact on all the students I worked with,” she shared. After completing her freshman year, she volunteered at a local middle school, assisting in their Summer Bridge Learning Program. While helping rising 6th-grade students prepare for their New York State standardized tests through the program, she got to teach from a new perspective and learn the difference of what entailed working with children of different ages. Opportunities like these, where she continued learning from and expanding her teaching experiences while giving back to her community, have been a constant for Jasmine these past four years. Last summer, for example, she worked with special education students and assisted in dance and movement classes while volunteering at The Bronx School for Continuous Learners. At the heart of Jasmine’s volunteer work and her desire to become a teacher is the reward she derives from being able to witness and play a role in her students’ growth and development. As dedicated as Jasmine is to serving the children in her community, she is equally involved and dedicated in her academics and school extracurricular activities. She maintains a 3.70 GPA while pursuing a rigorous curriculum filled with a number of Honors and AP courses. This future educator plans on attending CUNY-Hunter College, Pace University, or Fordham University. She will pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Engineering
GOLD - Sofía Odeh
Hometown: Hartsdale, NY
GPA: 3.80
High School: The Ursuline School
Heritage: Spanish
Sofia remembers how she would spend hours lost reading books from the space section at her library when she was just eight years old, “I had found my passion,” she explains. Since then, she has been constant in her pursuit and curiosity in preparation for her future career as an Aerospace Engineer. Rigorous science and math courses became the norm, as did opportunities to continue learning even when school was out. Most recently, for example, she attended the Manhattan College Summer Engineering Awareness Program as well as the Stevens Institute of Technology’s Engineering Bootcamp. At the Bootcamp, Sofia delved into different engineering disciplines and learned about what the study of each field entailed. She also led a team of her peers as they worked on an electrical engineering project where they developed a micro:bit robot. “The project paved a way for me to become a more empowered, eloquent, and patient leader,” admits Sofia. Of particular interest to her has been researching how innovative materials could be used in the field of aerospace engineering. Undeterred by the obstacle of being unable to find a mentor due to the pandemic, she has been conducting independent research on graphene and its applications in the field. Persistent and innovative, she has devised several experiments using homemade graphene during the course of her research. Sofia also puts her innovation and leadership skills to use when she guides student projects as the president of her school’s Engineering Club. Moreover, she values giving back and being active in her community. For Sofia, “volunteer work serves as medicine to both the giver and receiver of help.” Some of the ways in which she gives back are by tutoring English to first-generation students, sharing her culture as a Spanish teacher, and, as a chapter leader of her school’s chapter of the Letters for Rose Foundation, writing personalized letters to residents of local nursing homes. When it comes to academics, Sofia shines in all her subjects and is currently taking the maximum number of AP classes her school allows. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honor and has been admitted into the National Hispanic Recognition Program. She plans on furthering her Aerospace Engineering studies while attending Northeastern University, the University of Michigan, of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
GPA: 3.80
High School: The Ursuline School
Heritage: Spanish
Sofia remembers how she would spend hours lost reading books from the space section at her library when she was just eight years old, “I had found my passion,” she explains. Since then, she has been constant in her pursuit and curiosity in preparation for her future career as an Aerospace Engineer. Rigorous science and math courses became the norm, as did opportunities to continue learning even when school was out. Most recently, for example, she attended the Manhattan College Summer Engineering Awareness Program as well as the Stevens Institute of Technology’s Engineering Bootcamp. At the Bootcamp, Sofia delved into different engineering disciplines and learned about what the study of each field entailed. She also led a team of her peers as they worked on an electrical engineering project where they developed a micro:bit robot. “The project paved a way for me to become a more empowered, eloquent, and patient leader,” admits Sofia. Of particular interest to her has been researching how innovative materials could be used in the field of aerospace engineering. Undeterred by the obstacle of being unable to find a mentor due to the pandemic, she has been conducting independent research on graphene and its applications in the field. Persistent and innovative, she has devised several experiments using homemade graphene during the course of her research. Sofia also puts her innovation and leadership skills to use when she guides student projects as the president of her school’s Engineering Club. Moreover, she values giving back and being active in her community. For Sofia, “volunteer work serves as medicine to both the giver and receiver of help.” Some of the ways in which she gives back are by tutoring English to first-generation students, sharing her culture as a Spanish teacher, and, as a chapter leader of her school’s chapter of the Letters for Rose Foundation, writing personalized letters to residents of local nursing homes. When it comes to academics, Sofia shines in all her subjects and is currently taking the maximum number of AP classes her school allows. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honor and has been admitted into the National Hispanic Recognition Program. She plans on furthering her Aerospace Engineering studies while attending Northeastern University, the University of Michigan, of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Silver - Alejandro Chavarria
Hometown: New York, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Windsor Central Senior High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My love for engineering has grown during my high school career,” says Windsor Central Senior High School student Alejandro. Because of that love and due to his exceptional academic record, curiosity, and proven abilities, this year, he was selected as one of fourteen from among the highest excelling students from across the New York counties of Broom and Tioga to be admitted into the Broome-Tioga BOCES’ New Visions Engineering Academy. The New Visions Engineering Academy is a rigorous program for high-achieving seniors. It works collaboratively with firms in STEM fields to create mentorship opportunities and career rotation learning. Through the program, Alejandro has been able to explore careers, shadow professionals from diverse engineering fields, and carry out mentored projects at companies such as Lockheed Martin, IBM, BAE Systems, and Collins Aerospace, to name a few. The program has challenged him to expand his skills and knowledge through a number of both independent and team projects. To bring his ideas to life, he has added Arduino coding, breadboarding, designing, 3D printing, painting, and more to his toolkit. More than skills, he has “learned the value of networking and becoming a well-rounded engineer through connecting and sharing knowledge with others.” Alejandro has a proven academic track. He stands among the top in his class with a 4.0 GPA and an intimidating schedule filled with AP and college-level courses. He serves as treasurer for his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and is captain of its swim team. Beyond the academic realm, Alejandro enjoys being of service in his community. He considers the support his community has provided him, ever since he moved to this country from his native Mexico, to be the greatest gift he has ever received and the engine of inspiration behind his motivation to give back. His favorite way to be active in his community is by volunteering as a coach for his school’s swimming summer camp. This gifted and outstanding Latino will pursue a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University, the University at Buffalo, or the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has lofty, inspiring goals for his future, including using his education to help restructure his home country’s healthcare system and create opportunities for his people. One thing is clear: that at his young age, Alejandro has already demonstrated to have the capability, commitment, motivation, and internal drive necessary to achieve what he desires.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Windsor Central Senior High School
Heritage: Mexican
“My love for engineering has grown during my high school career,” says Windsor Central Senior High School student Alejandro. Because of that love and due to his exceptional academic record, curiosity, and proven abilities, this year, he was selected as one of fourteen from among the highest excelling students from across the New York counties of Broom and Tioga to be admitted into the Broome-Tioga BOCES’ New Visions Engineering Academy. The New Visions Engineering Academy is a rigorous program for high-achieving seniors. It works collaboratively with firms in STEM fields to create mentorship opportunities and career rotation learning. Through the program, Alejandro has been able to explore careers, shadow professionals from diverse engineering fields, and carry out mentored projects at companies such as Lockheed Martin, IBM, BAE Systems, and Collins Aerospace, to name a few. The program has challenged him to expand his skills and knowledge through a number of both independent and team projects. To bring his ideas to life, he has added Arduino coding, breadboarding, designing, 3D printing, painting, and more to his toolkit. More than skills, he has “learned the value of networking and becoming a well-rounded engineer through connecting and sharing knowledge with others.” Alejandro has a proven academic track. He stands among the top in his class with a 4.0 GPA and an intimidating schedule filled with AP and college-level courses. He serves as treasurer for his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and is captain of its swim team. Beyond the academic realm, Alejandro enjoys being of service in his community. He considers the support his community has provided him, ever since he moved to this country from his native Mexico, to be the greatest gift he has ever received and the engine of inspiration behind his motivation to give back. His favorite way to be active in his community is by volunteering as a coach for his school’s swimming summer camp. This gifted and outstanding Latino will pursue a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University, the University at Buffalo, or the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has lofty, inspiring goals for his future, including using his education to help restructure his home country’s healthcare system and create opportunities for his people. One thing is clear: that at his young age, Alejandro has already demonstrated to have the capability, commitment, motivation, and internal drive necessary to achieve what he desires.
Bronze - Stephanie Balbuena
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Medgar Evers College Preparatory School
Heritage: Mexican
You can learn a lot about Brooklyn, New York resident Stephanie by learning about her relationship with her older brother David. Growing up, communication between Stephanie and David was different. They did not rely on the familiar Spanish she would use with her parents. Instead, they played. Games like “secretly doodling on the walls of [their] small apartment, applying each other with lip gloss, [or] racing each other in Mario Kart” were how they understood one another. Later on, they developed a language of their own: “gibberish Spanglish, a mixture of English and Spanish combined with babbling and gestures.” David was born with Down Syndrome, a condition that impaired his language and speech development. So gibberish Spanglish was the means of communication between a brother and his loving sister. It was also how Stephanie helped David communicate with the world. She interpreted his language into the Spanish her parents understood or translated what the doctor would recommend in English at his monthly checkups, back for David to understand. As they got older, David began using an adaptive keyboard. This keyboard, which had pictures of simple gestures in place of letters keys and a speaker that voiced the gestures, changed things for David. “With the keyboard, David was no longer quiet,” remembers Stephanie. “He played music as loud as he could in our room, took selfies of us, and began showing me videos of his favorite Youtubers.” This opened her eyes to how technology can be used to help people and motivated her curiosity to want to learn more about how this technology is developed. Inspired by this curiosity, she attended her city’s STEM Matters program to learn more about assistive technologies and developed a prototype for an emergency disability assistive device for hospital patients using motion sensors. Her interests also led her to establish her school’s first Girls Who Code club. Thanks to the club, she has found a home and built a community alongside other Latinx and BIPOC female coders across her city and “learned how to empower minority communities through engineering.” As club vice president, she has organized activities for the members of the club, including visiting the Microsoft Technology Center in New York City and participating in Grow with Google workshops. This inspiring young Latina excels in everything she does. With a 4.0 GPA, a transcript replete with AP courses, and numerous awards in STEM, she stands among the very top of her class. She plans to attend Cornell University, Boston University, or New York University. Her goal is to study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in order to create assistive technologies. Above all, she wants to develop a mobile device to help bilingual homes like hers communicate with their disabled family members.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Medgar Evers College Preparatory School
Heritage: Mexican
You can learn a lot about Brooklyn, New York resident Stephanie by learning about her relationship with her older brother David. Growing up, communication between Stephanie and David was different. They did not rely on the familiar Spanish she would use with her parents. Instead, they played. Games like “secretly doodling on the walls of [their] small apartment, applying each other with lip gloss, [or] racing each other in Mario Kart” were how they understood one another. Later on, they developed a language of their own: “gibberish Spanglish, a mixture of English and Spanish combined with babbling and gestures.” David was born with Down Syndrome, a condition that impaired his language and speech development. So gibberish Spanglish was the means of communication between a brother and his loving sister. It was also how Stephanie helped David communicate with the world. She interpreted his language into the Spanish her parents understood or translated what the doctor would recommend in English at his monthly checkups, back for David to understand. As they got older, David began using an adaptive keyboard. This keyboard, which had pictures of simple gestures in place of letters keys and a speaker that voiced the gestures, changed things for David. “With the keyboard, David was no longer quiet,” remembers Stephanie. “He played music as loud as he could in our room, took selfies of us, and began showing me videos of his favorite Youtubers.” This opened her eyes to how technology can be used to help people and motivated her curiosity to want to learn more about how this technology is developed. Inspired by this curiosity, she attended her city’s STEM Matters program to learn more about assistive technologies and developed a prototype for an emergency disability assistive device for hospital patients using motion sensors. Her interests also led her to establish her school’s first Girls Who Code club. Thanks to the club, she has found a home and built a community alongside other Latinx and BIPOC female coders across her city and “learned how to empower minority communities through engineering.” As club vice president, she has organized activities for the members of the club, including visiting the Microsoft Technology Center in New York City and participating in Grow with Google workshops. This inspiring young Latina excels in everything she does. With a 4.0 GPA, a transcript replete with AP courses, and numerous awards in STEM, she stands among the very top of her class. She plans to attend Cornell University, Boston University, or New York University. Her goal is to study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in order to create assistive technologies. Above all, she wants to develop a mobile device to help bilingual homes like hers communicate with their disabled family members.
Healthcare & Science
GOLD - Marian Caballo
Hometown: Middle Village, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx High School of Science
Heritage: Filipino
First-generation American and proud daughter of Filipino immigrants, Marian, grew up in her hometown of Queens, New York. Her mom, a nurse in Manhattan’s oldest hospital and Marian’s “biology hero,” is who, through hard work, “resilience, and unrelenting passion,” inspires Marian in her journey to pursuing biotechnology. A gifted storyteller and science aficionado, she has been donning a read apron and engaging diverse audiences in STEM conversations as an Explainer at the New York Hall of Science since her freshman year. As an Explainer, she has juggled a multitude of roles: facilitating weekly design-based activities, explaining more than 400 exhibits, participating in peer training, co-designing and prototyping exhibits, training in scientific demonstrations, scripting and producing Explainer TV Videos, and presenting at the Intrepid Museum’s Intrepid Youth Summit and the New York City Department of Education’s Youth Climate Summit. As part of her school’s biology research program, Marian conducts neuroscience research on the influence of gonadal steroids, stress, and opioids on brain systems, with particular attention to sex differences, under Dr. Milner at Weill Cornell Medicine. Interested in increasing accessibility to STEM education for underrepresented youth, Marian co-leads STEMlights, a weekly student-run newsletter through STEMchats, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the diversity gap in STEM. As co-lead, she has a hand in all aspects of the newsletter’s development, from facilitating meetings and coordinating school and college writers to editing and designing. She also established STEMlights’ STEM Spotlight section, where she interviewed youth leaders and STEM professionals. As if that were not enough, along with everything mentioned, this remarkable Filipina exemplifies academic excellence with a 4.0 GPA, a demanding load of AP classes, and a long list of accolades and recognitions. She also serves as copy chief for The Science Survey, her school’s award-winning newspaper. Marian has extraordinary drive and an impressive capacity to lead and draw connections between life and science. She grounds herself and finds inspiration in the strong and confident foundation, rich with Filipino culture, in which her parents raised her. The is no doubt she is more than ready for the next step in her journey at Yale University, New York University, or Northeastern University. She will major in Biomedical Engineering and Film or Journalism.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx High School of Science
Heritage: Filipino
First-generation American and proud daughter of Filipino immigrants, Marian, grew up in her hometown of Queens, New York. Her mom, a nurse in Manhattan’s oldest hospital and Marian’s “biology hero,” is who, through hard work, “resilience, and unrelenting passion,” inspires Marian in her journey to pursuing biotechnology. A gifted storyteller and science aficionado, she has been donning a read apron and engaging diverse audiences in STEM conversations as an Explainer at the New York Hall of Science since her freshman year. As an Explainer, she has juggled a multitude of roles: facilitating weekly design-based activities, explaining more than 400 exhibits, participating in peer training, co-designing and prototyping exhibits, training in scientific demonstrations, scripting and producing Explainer TV Videos, and presenting at the Intrepid Museum’s Intrepid Youth Summit and the New York City Department of Education’s Youth Climate Summit. As part of her school’s biology research program, Marian conducts neuroscience research on the influence of gonadal steroids, stress, and opioids on brain systems, with particular attention to sex differences, under Dr. Milner at Weill Cornell Medicine. Interested in increasing accessibility to STEM education for underrepresented youth, Marian co-leads STEMlights, a weekly student-run newsletter through STEMchats, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the diversity gap in STEM. As co-lead, she has a hand in all aspects of the newsletter’s development, from facilitating meetings and coordinating school and college writers to editing and designing. She also established STEMlights’ STEM Spotlight section, where she interviewed youth leaders and STEM professionals. As if that were not enough, along with everything mentioned, this remarkable Filipina exemplifies academic excellence with a 4.0 GPA, a demanding load of AP classes, and a long list of accolades and recognitions. She also serves as copy chief for The Science Survey, her school’s award-winning newspaper. Marian has extraordinary drive and an impressive capacity to lead and draw connections between life and science. She grounds herself and finds inspiration in the strong and confident foundation, rich with Filipino culture, in which her parents raised her. The is no doubt she is more than ready for the next step in her journey at Yale University, New York University, or Northeastern University. She will major in Biomedical Engineering and Film or Journalism.
Silver - Helena Servin-DeMarrais
Hometown: Westport, CT
GPA: 4.00
High School: Greenwich Academy
Heritage: Mexican & Irish
It is not an easy task to be brief about Helena’s talents and accomplishments. This Greenwich Academy student from Westport, Connecticut, has gone beyond what is expected of many high school students. She has taken and excelled in the most rigorous course load offered at her school, which includes many terminal-level courses in each discipline. Guided by her interests and curiosity, Helena has pursued numerous challenging opportunities for growth. For example, she was accepted as a Brown Scholar in the BridgeUp: STEM program, which works to combat gender inequity in STEM fields, at the American Museum of Natural History. Through this program, she took part in a ten-month bioinformatics internship at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomic Studies with Museum provost Dr. Cheryl Hayashi. During this time, she learned bioinformatic skills she could use to undertake research in computational biology and conducted computational analyses on spider silk genetics. Helena has also been involved with the Science Honors Program at Columbia University, taking Saturday morning college-level classes during her junior and senior years. Her coursework at Columbia led her to pursue an internship in the computational biology lab of Professor Thomas Postler at Columbia Irving Medical Center. The lab will use the data gathered from her computational algorithm and experiments during that internship to research the specific functions of long noncoding RNAs in our immune system and aid in the development of cures for viral diseases. Last summer, alongside her work with Professor Postler, she was accepted into the MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program, a six-month online science and engineering program. Beyond academics and scientific exploration, Helena is a competitive chess player and has even participated in international competitions. She credits chess for teaching her to “apply logic and problem solving to any problem [she] encounters” and to be resilient and persistent, taking a loss as an opportunity to learn, improve, and move forward. Wanting to empower others similarly, Helena volunteers to teach chess to elementary school children at a local shelter. Recently, she has become a BridgeUp: STEM peer tutor. This gives her the opportunity to mentor younger students entering into new internships at the American Museum of Natural History. For Helena, “biology becomes meaningful when it addresses human problems.” She wants to pursue degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Biology, and Computer Science and complement them with studies in Public Health Education in order to address health disparities. She will attend Columbia University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or Yale University.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Greenwich Academy
Heritage: Mexican & Irish
It is not an easy task to be brief about Helena’s talents and accomplishments. This Greenwich Academy student from Westport, Connecticut, has gone beyond what is expected of many high school students. She has taken and excelled in the most rigorous course load offered at her school, which includes many terminal-level courses in each discipline. Guided by her interests and curiosity, Helena has pursued numerous challenging opportunities for growth. For example, she was accepted as a Brown Scholar in the BridgeUp: STEM program, which works to combat gender inequity in STEM fields, at the American Museum of Natural History. Through this program, she took part in a ten-month bioinformatics internship at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomic Studies with Museum provost Dr. Cheryl Hayashi. During this time, she learned bioinformatic skills she could use to undertake research in computational biology and conducted computational analyses on spider silk genetics. Helena has also been involved with the Science Honors Program at Columbia University, taking Saturday morning college-level classes during her junior and senior years. Her coursework at Columbia led her to pursue an internship in the computational biology lab of Professor Thomas Postler at Columbia Irving Medical Center. The lab will use the data gathered from her computational algorithm and experiments during that internship to research the specific functions of long noncoding RNAs in our immune system and aid in the development of cures for viral diseases. Last summer, alongside her work with Professor Postler, she was accepted into the MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program, a six-month online science and engineering program. Beyond academics and scientific exploration, Helena is a competitive chess player and has even participated in international competitions. She credits chess for teaching her to “apply logic and problem solving to any problem [she] encounters” and to be resilient and persistent, taking a loss as an opportunity to learn, improve, and move forward. Wanting to empower others similarly, Helena volunteers to teach chess to elementary school children at a local shelter. Recently, she has become a BridgeUp: STEM peer tutor. This gives her the opportunity to mentor younger students entering into new internships at the American Museum of Natural History. For Helena, “biology becomes meaningful when it addresses human problems.” She wants to pursue degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Biology, and Computer Science and complement them with studies in Public Health Education in order to address health disparities. She will attend Columbia University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or Yale University.
Bronze - Brian Caballo
Hometown: Middle Village, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx High School of Science
Heritage: Filipino
Ever-inquisitive Brian, a student at The Bronx High School of Science, grew up with a curiosity he says was “rooted in the classroom.” Eventually and inevitably, this curiosity infiltrated its way into new territory, the realm of Brian’s home, and fixated on a target: his father. His father had habits that intrigued Brian. He often wore a monitor attached to his body, regularly wrapped his fingers around his wrist, and made abrupt hospital visits at odd hours. As time passed, Brian came to understand the motive behind his dad’s habits: his father had atrial fibrillation, “a disease in which heart function is compromised by tumultuous electrical signals,” he explains. Processing this discovery was challenging for Brian. It “made me feel powerless as I couldn’t combat the onslaught of procedures, devices, and prescriptions barraging my Dad,” he remembers. As he transitioned into high school, he found a way through which he could take action to help his dad and other people with similar conditions via his growing interest in biology. His AP Biology and Biology Research classes opened up the sphere of scientific research for him. It was not long until he found a research position to study rare cardiac diseases through stem cell modeling at Columbia University’s Yazawa Lab. Extending his research efforts to aid in making healthcare more accessible and as a consequence of the healthcare disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, Brian worked with a group of his peers on an in-depth analysis that revealed the need for expanding public service developments in Corona, Queens. Their findings were published in affiliation with the International Socioeconomic Laboratory, an intercollegiate organization incubated under Harvard Innovation Labs. He has gone on to work with sociologists from the Open Insulin Foundation to develop and present a 60-question research survey about type 1 diabetes patients and insulin insecurity. Brian is motivated by an earnest interest to make tangible change through research. But he does not limit his work to the scientific domain. Throughout high school, he has maintained himself active in his community through several mediums, like tutoring children from low-income homes, and directing a fundraising organization dedicated to combating medical debt, inspired to give back by “the concept of empathy, so deeply ingrained from [his] household and [Filipino] culture.” Brian boasts an impeccable academic record, with a 4.0 GPA and an array of challenging courses. He will major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Psychology at Yale University, Columbia University, or Brown University.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bronx High School of Science
Heritage: Filipino
Ever-inquisitive Brian, a student at The Bronx High School of Science, grew up with a curiosity he says was “rooted in the classroom.” Eventually and inevitably, this curiosity infiltrated its way into new territory, the realm of Brian’s home, and fixated on a target: his father. His father had habits that intrigued Brian. He often wore a monitor attached to his body, regularly wrapped his fingers around his wrist, and made abrupt hospital visits at odd hours. As time passed, Brian came to understand the motive behind his dad’s habits: his father had atrial fibrillation, “a disease in which heart function is compromised by tumultuous electrical signals,” he explains. Processing this discovery was challenging for Brian. It “made me feel powerless as I couldn’t combat the onslaught of procedures, devices, and prescriptions barraging my Dad,” he remembers. As he transitioned into high school, he found a way through which he could take action to help his dad and other people with similar conditions via his growing interest in biology. His AP Biology and Biology Research classes opened up the sphere of scientific research for him. It was not long until he found a research position to study rare cardiac diseases through stem cell modeling at Columbia University’s Yazawa Lab. Extending his research efforts to aid in making healthcare more accessible and as a consequence of the healthcare disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, Brian worked with a group of his peers on an in-depth analysis that revealed the need for expanding public service developments in Corona, Queens. Their findings were published in affiliation with the International Socioeconomic Laboratory, an intercollegiate organization incubated under Harvard Innovation Labs. He has gone on to work with sociologists from the Open Insulin Foundation to develop and present a 60-question research survey about type 1 diabetes patients and insulin insecurity. Brian is motivated by an earnest interest to make tangible change through research. But he does not limit his work to the scientific domain. Throughout high school, he has maintained himself active in his community through several mediums, like tutoring children from low-income homes, and directing a fundraising organization dedicated to combating medical debt, inspired to give back by “the concept of empathy, so deeply ingrained from [his] household and [Filipino] culture.” Brian boasts an impeccable academic record, with a 4.0 GPA and an array of challenging courses. He will major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Psychology at Yale University, Columbia University, or Brown University.
Media & Entertainment
GOLD - Gabriel González
Hometown: Melville, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Walt Whitman High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican, Spanish, & Maltese
Walt Whitman High School student, Gabriel, has been a powerful presence at his school in Suffolk, New York. This Latino of Puerto Rican, Spanish, and Maltese descent, has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and teachers alike through his attentiveness, poignant contributions that elevate class discussions, and his thoughtful intellect. Gabriel plays a significant role in constructing his school’s identity through his involvement with The Paw Print, his school’s student-run newspaper. He has served as its media and entertainment editor and is currently in his second year as its editor-in-chief. As editor-in-chief, Gabriel coordinates a staff team of about ten students, conducts bi-weekly meetings, writes articles, and personally edits 5 to 10 articles per issue. Since the fall of 2020, every piece published in The Paw Print has been reviewed and edited by him in some capacity. Starting his senior year, Gabriel took on the post as senior editor of Xanadu Literary Magazine, his school’s Columbia University Press Award-winning online arts and letters magazine. He has had a hand in editing many of the works published in the magazine and even has some of his poetry and prose published on its website. He also contributes as the executive photo editor of his school’s yearbook staff. Beyond the walls of Walt Whitman High School, Gabriel interviewed CEOs and business owners and researched aspects of marketing and finance when he worked as an article writer for the website Business Know-How. He also explores and experiments with his creative freedom in his free time, developing original characters, writing fictional stories, and, as Dungeon Master for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, creating stories in fictional worlds complete with characters and locations, laws, and conflicts. Gabriel is a high-caliber writer and a literary academic. Well-rounded in his intellectual pursuits, he shines not only in his Literature, Composition, and Creative Writing courses but in all his academic endeavors. Active in his school community, he is a member of his school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the English Honor Society. In recognition of his scholastic achievements, he has been honored as a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Gabriel’s goal is to share his stories with the world through writing. He will attend Columbia University, Northeastern University, Carnegie Mellon University and plans to major in Creative Writing or English and minor in Film and Media Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Walt Whitman High School
Heritage: Puerto Rican, Spanish, & Maltese
Walt Whitman High School student, Gabriel, has been a powerful presence at his school in Suffolk, New York. This Latino of Puerto Rican, Spanish, and Maltese descent, has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and teachers alike through his attentiveness, poignant contributions that elevate class discussions, and his thoughtful intellect. Gabriel plays a significant role in constructing his school’s identity through his involvement with The Paw Print, his school’s student-run newspaper. He has served as its media and entertainment editor and is currently in his second year as its editor-in-chief. As editor-in-chief, Gabriel coordinates a staff team of about ten students, conducts bi-weekly meetings, writes articles, and personally edits 5 to 10 articles per issue. Since the fall of 2020, every piece published in The Paw Print has been reviewed and edited by him in some capacity. Starting his senior year, Gabriel took on the post as senior editor of Xanadu Literary Magazine, his school’s Columbia University Press Award-winning online arts and letters magazine. He has had a hand in editing many of the works published in the magazine and even has some of his poetry and prose published on its website. He also contributes as the executive photo editor of his school’s yearbook staff. Beyond the walls of Walt Whitman High School, Gabriel interviewed CEOs and business owners and researched aspects of marketing and finance when he worked as an article writer for the website Business Know-How. He also explores and experiments with his creative freedom in his free time, developing original characters, writing fictional stories, and, as Dungeon Master for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, creating stories in fictional worlds complete with characters and locations, laws, and conflicts. Gabriel is a high-caliber writer and a literary academic. Well-rounded in his intellectual pursuits, he shines not only in his Literature, Composition, and Creative Writing courses but in all his academic endeavors. Active in his school community, he is a member of his school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the English Honor Society. In recognition of his scholastic achievements, he has been honored as a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Gabriel’s goal is to share his stories with the world through writing. He will attend Columbia University, Northeastern University, Carnegie Mellon University and plans to major in Creative Writing or English and minor in Film and Media Studies.
Silver - Ava Núñez
Hometown: Dobbs Ferry, NY
GPA: 3.94
High School: Dobbs Ferry High School
Heritage: Dominican
Ava fell in love with being on stage during her first ballet recital at the age of four. Her educational experience has since been enriched by merging the academic learning environment with the performing arts. A triple threat, Ava has explored numerous artistic avenues, including singing, acting, dancing, playing instruments, and even directing. She has been taking violin lessons for eight years and voice lessons for three. Each year of hard work for both of these disciplines has culminated in an end-of-year recital performance. Ava has also attended a performing arts camp where she focused on theater and had the chance to sing and play the violin, guitar, and piano. Her singing abilities and vocal control earned her a spot as one of eight in her school’s girls-only acapella singing group, Octet. With Octet, Ava sings at school performances and participates in community engagements, often volunteering through her voice for benefits and fundraisers. As part of her IB Music Higher Level course, Ava is being challenged and gaining insight into the music-making and performance process by combining her musical abilities learned over the years to write and compose her own music, creating a portfolio of original compositions, and organizing her own show, beginning with securing the venues, publicizing, and leading up to an original performance in front of an audience. “I feel most alive when performing in front of an audience or directing a show from behind the curtain,” remarks Ava. From among all the creative outlets she has pursued, theater has become her medium of choice. She has taken her school’s Theater Arts elective for five consecutive years. Each of those years, she has performed in her school’s musical theater productions and directed its dramatic plays. Directing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of growth for Ava. It has allowed her to learn about herself while honing her leadership style and skill. Significant to her high school experience and separate from her work on stage, is Ava’s involvement with issues that matter to her. Most notably, she serves as one of the student representatives on her district’s Race Matters Committee. With the Committee, she has worked to enact change in her district through recommendations to its Board of Education on issues of race, equity, and access. This proud Dominica American will continue pursuing her passion by studying Theater at Oberlin College, Macalester College, or the State University of New York at New Paltz.
GPA: 3.94
High School: Dobbs Ferry High School
Heritage: Dominican
Ava fell in love with being on stage during her first ballet recital at the age of four. Her educational experience has since been enriched by merging the academic learning environment with the performing arts. A triple threat, Ava has explored numerous artistic avenues, including singing, acting, dancing, playing instruments, and even directing. She has been taking violin lessons for eight years and voice lessons for three. Each year of hard work for both of these disciplines has culminated in an end-of-year recital performance. Ava has also attended a performing arts camp where she focused on theater and had the chance to sing and play the violin, guitar, and piano. Her singing abilities and vocal control earned her a spot as one of eight in her school’s girls-only acapella singing group, Octet. With Octet, Ava sings at school performances and participates in community engagements, often volunteering through her voice for benefits and fundraisers. As part of her IB Music Higher Level course, Ava is being challenged and gaining insight into the music-making and performance process by combining her musical abilities learned over the years to write and compose her own music, creating a portfolio of original compositions, and organizing her own show, beginning with securing the venues, publicizing, and leading up to an original performance in front of an audience. “I feel most alive when performing in front of an audience or directing a show from behind the curtain,” remarks Ava. From among all the creative outlets she has pursued, theater has become her medium of choice. She has taken her school’s Theater Arts elective for five consecutive years. Each of those years, she has performed in her school’s musical theater productions and directed its dramatic plays. Directing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of growth for Ava. It has allowed her to learn about herself while honing her leadership style and skill. Significant to her high school experience and separate from her work on stage, is Ava’s involvement with issues that matter to her. Most notably, she serves as one of the student representatives on her district’s Race Matters Committee. With the Committee, she has worked to enact change in her district through recommendations to its Board of Education on issues of race, equity, and access. This proud Dominica American will continue pursuing her passion by studying Theater at Oberlin College, Macalester College, or the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Bronze - Paula Opeña
Hometown: Cromwell, CT
GPA: 4.00
High School: Mercy High School
Heritage: Filipino
Music and theater have played central roles in the life of Cromwell, Connecticut resident Paula. Be it through singing, writing her own songs, or harmonizing with her parents in her free time, music has been a language she has used since childhood. “I come from a very musical family—it’s more bizarre if a relative of mine cannot sing or play an instrument,” remarks Paula. At school, she has used her singing talents as part of show choir, chamber choir, and as a performer in its musical theater productions. When it comes to theater, Paula has honed her skills through acting workshops of varying styles and techniques, like a workshop on stage combat she completed during her sophomore year. She has also participated in monologue competitions and received praise and high scores for her performances. With her growing experience, she continued polishing her acting skills. What had once been featured roles later became leading roles, giving Paula more independence and confidence on stage. She has been involved with each of her school’s productions, two shows every year, since she began her high school career. Paula’s interests and talents extend beyond the performing arts. The field of robotics has been another constant in her high school experience. She currently serves as captain of TechTigers 3654, her school’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics team, and New England’s only ongoing all-girls FIRST Robotics Team. With the TechTigers, Paula inspires and empowers students, especially younger girls, to be STEM leaders by organizing and conducting interactive outreach events at local middle schools several times a year. Along with her teammates, she also works with middle and high school students interested in starting their own FIRST Robotics teams, mentoring them through the process and helping them acquire the necessary funds and skills. To date, she has been involved with mentoring and helping establish six FIRST Robotics teams. An accomplished leader at her school, she also serves as president for its chapters of the International Thespian Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society, as board officer of its ecology club, head of publicity of its All are Welcome club, and active member of its National Honor Society chapter. She hopes to continue sharing her talents on and off stage at Boston College, Fordham University, or Vassar College. She plans to major in Communication and minor in Theater and Disability Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Mercy High School
Heritage: Filipino
Music and theater have played central roles in the life of Cromwell, Connecticut resident Paula. Be it through singing, writing her own songs, or harmonizing with her parents in her free time, music has been a language she has used since childhood. “I come from a very musical family—it’s more bizarre if a relative of mine cannot sing or play an instrument,” remarks Paula. At school, she has used her singing talents as part of show choir, chamber choir, and as a performer in its musical theater productions. When it comes to theater, Paula has honed her skills through acting workshops of varying styles and techniques, like a workshop on stage combat she completed during her sophomore year. She has also participated in monologue competitions and received praise and high scores for her performances. With her growing experience, she continued polishing her acting skills. What had once been featured roles later became leading roles, giving Paula more independence and confidence on stage. She has been involved with each of her school’s productions, two shows every year, since she began her high school career. Paula’s interests and talents extend beyond the performing arts. The field of robotics has been another constant in her high school experience. She currently serves as captain of TechTigers 3654, her school’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics team, and New England’s only ongoing all-girls FIRST Robotics Team. With the TechTigers, Paula inspires and empowers students, especially younger girls, to be STEM leaders by organizing and conducting interactive outreach events at local middle schools several times a year. Along with her teammates, she also works with middle and high school students interested in starting their own FIRST Robotics teams, mentoring them through the process and helping them acquire the necessary funds and skills. To date, she has been involved with mentoring and helping establish six FIRST Robotics teams. An accomplished leader at her school, she also serves as president for its chapters of the International Thespian Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society, as board officer of its ecology club, head of publicity of its All are Welcome club, and active member of its National Honor Society chapter. She hopes to continue sharing her talents on and off stage at Boston College, Fordham University, or Vassar College. She plans to major in Communication and minor in Theater and Disability Studies.
Public Service & Social Justice
GOLD - Sebastián Vásquez
Hometown: Armonk, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Byram Hills High School
Heritage: Venezuelan
Inspired to act by his family’s plight and activism amid the political crisis in his parent’s native Venezuela, Sebastian began his own story of activism in his town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. “I asked myself: How can I do justice to my family—to myself—if I don’t fight for my vision of a better future?” Sebastian recalls. So he went into action. Sebastian is student ambassador to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), chair of the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) Latinx Caucus, and elections director for Coalition Z, an organization that centers the voices of the younger generation in political conversation. He credits his involvement with the HSDA Latinx Caucus as having “been a big part of [his] life and shap[ing] [his] outlook on community.” Among his proudest accomplishments with the Caucus is playing a central role in reviving an almost inactive collective and building a community of supportive peers, co-leading recruitment efforts that resulted in an increase in membership from nearly 20 to over 100, personally spearheading “Conversations on Colorism,” a multi-caucus event focused on addressing discrimination, and supporting the campaigns of Latino political candidates that ran for election in 2020. Sebastian is co-founder of Sunrise Westchester, his county’s Hub of the Sunrise Movement, a national youth movement that advocates for political action against climate change. Sunrise Westchester was fundamental part of the coalition that successfully advocated against the expansion of the Danskammer Power Plant, which threatened to hurt communities of color and harm air quality. As if that were not enough, Sebastian is also a respected leader and member of his school community. At Byram Hills High School, he serves as Model United Nations president, Academic Challenge co-captain, Government and Politics Club co-founder and co-president, Science Olympiad president and team captain, and Astronomy Club president. That he is able to take on these leading roles and juggle all of his different passions with confidence and skill speaks volumes about the strength of Sebastian’s character. This remarkable Latino leader has a long list of awards and recognitions in honor of his activism and academic excellence, including being a Coca-Cola Scholarship Semifinalist and a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar. He will attend Stanford University, Columbia University, or the University of Chicago and is considering degrees in Political Science, Environmental Studies, History, and Public Policy.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Byram Hills High School
Heritage: Venezuelan
Inspired to act by his family’s plight and activism amid the political crisis in his parent’s native Venezuela, Sebastian began his own story of activism in his town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. “I asked myself: How can I do justice to my family—to myself—if I don’t fight for my vision of a better future?” Sebastian recalls. So he went into action. Sebastian is student ambassador to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), chair of the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) Latinx Caucus, and elections director for Coalition Z, an organization that centers the voices of the younger generation in political conversation. He credits his involvement with the HSDA Latinx Caucus as having “been a big part of [his] life and shap[ing] [his] outlook on community.” Among his proudest accomplishments with the Caucus is playing a central role in reviving an almost inactive collective and building a community of supportive peers, co-leading recruitment efforts that resulted in an increase in membership from nearly 20 to over 100, personally spearheading “Conversations on Colorism,” a multi-caucus event focused on addressing discrimination, and supporting the campaigns of Latino political candidates that ran for election in 2020. Sebastian is co-founder of Sunrise Westchester, his county’s Hub of the Sunrise Movement, a national youth movement that advocates for political action against climate change. Sunrise Westchester was fundamental part of the coalition that successfully advocated against the expansion of the Danskammer Power Plant, which threatened to hurt communities of color and harm air quality. As if that were not enough, Sebastian is also a respected leader and member of his school community. At Byram Hills High School, he serves as Model United Nations president, Academic Challenge co-captain, Government and Politics Club co-founder and co-president, Science Olympiad president and team captain, and Astronomy Club president. That he is able to take on these leading roles and juggle all of his different passions with confidence and skill speaks volumes about the strength of Sebastian’s character. This remarkable Latino leader has a long list of awards and recognitions in honor of his activism and academic excellence, including being a Coca-Cola Scholarship Semifinalist and a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar. He will attend Stanford University, Columbia University, or the University of Chicago and is considering degrees in Political Science, Environmental Studies, History, and Public Policy.
Silver - Olivia Helfrich-Tapia
Hometown: Newton, MA
GPA: 4.00
High School: Newton North High School
Heritage: Mexican
Empowered by her growing independence and confidence and motivated by the change in atmosphere regarding conversations on race and equality that took place after the tragic events surrounding the death of George Floyd, German Mexican American Olivia, has delved into an exploration on issues of social justice over the last two years. “Systemic issues like police brutality, xenophobia, and overall racism did not begin or end in May 2020, but they did gain a new public spotlight,” remarks this Newton North High School student. With racial justice in the spotlight for Olivia, she has been working dedicatedly to uplift voices of color and empower others to take leadership positions and become involved in the movement. In 2021, she established Creative Minds, the first all artists of color student-led art event in her city of Newton, Massachusetts. The event featured the works of two professional artists and 18 pieces of student art. It also hosted five guest speakers and a musical performance. This year, Olivia has taken on directing Lost and Found for her school’s theater program. Lost and Found is a cabaret-style show that highlights the voices and stories of students of color at Olivia’s high school. It features a compilation of songs, monologues, and scenes written and performed by these students. The impetus behind the creation of this show was to provide a safe space for those involved to explore their racial identities and express themselves and their stories through the performing arts. Olivia has worked diligently to help foster safe spaces at Newton North High School. She helped craft anti-bias lessons and participated in multicultural student conversations on collaboration and healing through her work as president of Hispanos y Latinos Unidos—an affinity group that brings together Hispanic and Latino students at her school—and her involvement with Next Gen Voices—her school’s student-led civic engagement club. She is one of the heartbeats of her school’s Dover Legacy Scholars (DLS) program. This program challenges and provides support through mentorship to high-achieving Black and Latinx students at her school. For all her social justice work, her school’s Office of Human Rights and its Center for Civic Engagement and Service have respectively granted her the Seal of Social Justice and the Seal of Civic Action on her transcript. Her city’s Human Rights Commission has also recognized her with the City of Newton Human Rights Award for her continued commitment to the fight for equity and anti-racism in her community. Olivia will continue making an impact as she majors in Sociology and minors in Spanish at Harvard University, Brown University, or Vassar College.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Newton North High School
Heritage: Mexican
Empowered by her growing independence and confidence and motivated by the change in atmosphere regarding conversations on race and equality that took place after the tragic events surrounding the death of George Floyd, German Mexican American Olivia, has delved into an exploration on issues of social justice over the last two years. “Systemic issues like police brutality, xenophobia, and overall racism did not begin or end in May 2020, but they did gain a new public spotlight,” remarks this Newton North High School student. With racial justice in the spotlight for Olivia, she has been working dedicatedly to uplift voices of color and empower others to take leadership positions and become involved in the movement. In 2021, she established Creative Minds, the first all artists of color student-led art event in her city of Newton, Massachusetts. The event featured the works of two professional artists and 18 pieces of student art. It also hosted five guest speakers and a musical performance. This year, Olivia has taken on directing Lost and Found for her school’s theater program. Lost and Found is a cabaret-style show that highlights the voices and stories of students of color at Olivia’s high school. It features a compilation of songs, monologues, and scenes written and performed by these students. The impetus behind the creation of this show was to provide a safe space for those involved to explore their racial identities and express themselves and their stories through the performing arts. Olivia has worked diligently to help foster safe spaces at Newton North High School. She helped craft anti-bias lessons and participated in multicultural student conversations on collaboration and healing through her work as president of Hispanos y Latinos Unidos—an affinity group that brings together Hispanic and Latino students at her school—and her involvement with Next Gen Voices—her school’s student-led civic engagement club. She is one of the heartbeats of her school’s Dover Legacy Scholars (DLS) program. This program challenges and provides support through mentorship to high-achieving Black and Latinx students at her school. For all her social justice work, her school’s Office of Human Rights and its Center for Civic Engagement and Service have respectively granted her the Seal of Social Justice and the Seal of Civic Action on her transcript. Her city’s Human Rights Commission has also recognized her with the City of Newton Human Rights Award for her continued commitment to the fight for equity and anti-racism in her community. Olivia will continue making an impact as she majors in Sociology and minors in Spanish at Harvard University, Brown University, or Vassar College.
Bronze - Diego Lizotte
Hometown: Loudon, NH
GPA: 4.00
High School: Merrimack Valley High School
Heritage: Honduran
Diego’s interests in social justice and the justice system were awakened by his experiences living in Honduras. “I lived in Honduras for a few years, where violation[s] of human rights [were] a constant norm [people] liv[ed] with,” he recalls. Coming back to the US, he looked for ways in which he could make an impact and “help people who are oppressed and mistreated.” In 2020, he applied and was admitted into the dual enrollment Criminal Justice program offered by his local technical center, Concord Regional Technical Center. Through the program, Diego has expanded his understanding of the justice system and learned about its role in a democratic society. He has also learned about the ways in which outdated laws based on discriminatory practices interfere with the fight towards social justice. It is Diego’s perspective that laws must be used as instruments of justice. That they must work for the development of a democratic society that operates in harmony with the principles of social justice and human rights. “I’ve never been so passionate about a class before,” remarks Diego, “because it pertains to what is happening in our society today with so many issues about social justice.” His objective is to further his studies on these topics so he can play a role in guiding society in the direction that lives up to its promise of “justice for all.” When it comes to giving back, Diego looks to the values of solidarity and service for others his mother set for him as inspiration. His favorite ways to be of service are volunteering at his parish’s food pantry and tutoring his struggling classmates. This proud Honduran American maintains a 4.0 GPA while taking on a demanding course load. He serves as president for his school’s chapters of Future Business Leaders Of America, the National Honor Society, and the National Hispanic Honor Society. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and academic achievements, including recognition as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and Clarkson University’s Clarkson Leadership Award. Diego will study Political Science at New York University, the University of California, Berkeley, or Clarkson University.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Merrimack Valley High School
Heritage: Honduran
Diego’s interests in social justice and the justice system were awakened by his experiences living in Honduras. “I lived in Honduras for a few years, where violation[s] of human rights [were] a constant norm [people] liv[ed] with,” he recalls. Coming back to the US, he looked for ways in which he could make an impact and “help people who are oppressed and mistreated.” In 2020, he applied and was admitted into the dual enrollment Criminal Justice program offered by his local technical center, Concord Regional Technical Center. Through the program, Diego has expanded his understanding of the justice system and learned about its role in a democratic society. He has also learned about the ways in which outdated laws based on discriminatory practices interfere with the fight towards social justice. It is Diego’s perspective that laws must be used as instruments of justice. That they must work for the development of a democratic society that operates in harmony with the principles of social justice and human rights. “I’ve never been so passionate about a class before,” remarks Diego, “because it pertains to what is happening in our society today with so many issues about social justice.” His objective is to further his studies on these topics so he can play a role in guiding society in the direction that lives up to its promise of “justice for all.” When it comes to giving back, Diego looks to the values of solidarity and service for others his mother set for him as inspiration. His favorite ways to be of service are volunteering at his parish’s food pantry and tutoring his struggling classmates. This proud Honduran American maintains a 4.0 GPA while taking on a demanding course load. He serves as president for his school’s chapters of Future Business Leaders Of America, the National Honor Society, and the National Hispanic Honor Society. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and academic achievements, including recognition as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and Clarkson University’s Clarkson Leadership Award. Diego will study Political Science at New York University, the University of California, Berkeley, or Clarkson University.
Sports & Fitness
GOLD - Sofía Gaydos
Hometown: New York, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: The High School for Math, Science, & Engineering at CCNY
Heritage: Spanish
Sofia Gaydos excels not only in her academics, but also as a nationally ranked fencer. Described by her teachers as a “natural leader,” Sofia amazes everyone with her ability to balance her hectic life outside of school with her studies. She is a nationally and internationally ranked fencer, competing for the national team for Spain and making the Spanish Cadet and Junior World Teams. She is constantly participating in far-away tournaments, yet she seamlessly integrates her schoolwork with her extracurriculars. She is a Top 16 finisher in the Fencing World Cup, a Silver Medalist in both the North American Cup and the Spanish Nationals, has made the All-American Fencing First Team, as well as the All-Academic Fencing Scholar First Team for three years in a row. Sofia also worked for the Fundamentals of Fencing Clinic, an organization dedicated to introducing the sport of fencing to young members of under-served communities. The organization was struggling reaching the Latinx community, until Sofia contributed innovative marketing and strategy ideas, which were ultimately game changers in further diversifying the program. A true humanitarian, Sofia felt an extreme sense of urgency during the pandemic, and knew she had to help an often-neglected population: Hispanic essential workers. She worked with the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families to assist those impacted in securing childcare services so they could return to work. During these hard times, Sofia also founded New Friends Network, an organization aimed at addressing pandemic-related isolation in Senior Citizens. At a very young age, and inspired by her brother’s neurodivergence, she knew that she wanted to understand how the human brain works. She started reading anything she could related to brain function, and eventually enrolled in college credit-bearing courses that allowed her to participate in research analysis. She has already taken college-level courses at Columbia, Tufts and at the City College of New York. Beyond these courses, Sofia is one of eighteen students selected for the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine Biomedical Research Program, which includes a senior-year internship where she is working with her team to investigate the potential links between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma. Of Spanish-Irish descent, Sofia attends the prestigious High School for Math, Science and Engineering at the City College of New York, where she maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. She plans to major in Neuroscience, Hispanic Studies and Women Studies at Columbia University, Princeton University or Yale University.
GPA: 4.00
High School: The High School for Math, Science, & Engineering at CCNY
Heritage: Spanish
Sofia Gaydos excels not only in her academics, but also as a nationally ranked fencer. Described by her teachers as a “natural leader,” Sofia amazes everyone with her ability to balance her hectic life outside of school with her studies. She is a nationally and internationally ranked fencer, competing for the national team for Spain and making the Spanish Cadet and Junior World Teams. She is constantly participating in far-away tournaments, yet she seamlessly integrates her schoolwork with her extracurriculars. She is a Top 16 finisher in the Fencing World Cup, a Silver Medalist in both the North American Cup and the Spanish Nationals, has made the All-American Fencing First Team, as well as the All-Academic Fencing Scholar First Team for three years in a row. Sofia also worked for the Fundamentals of Fencing Clinic, an organization dedicated to introducing the sport of fencing to young members of under-served communities. The organization was struggling reaching the Latinx community, until Sofia contributed innovative marketing and strategy ideas, which were ultimately game changers in further diversifying the program. A true humanitarian, Sofia felt an extreme sense of urgency during the pandemic, and knew she had to help an often-neglected population: Hispanic essential workers. She worked with the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families to assist those impacted in securing childcare services so they could return to work. During these hard times, Sofia also founded New Friends Network, an organization aimed at addressing pandemic-related isolation in Senior Citizens. At a very young age, and inspired by her brother’s neurodivergence, she knew that she wanted to understand how the human brain works. She started reading anything she could related to brain function, and eventually enrolled in college credit-bearing courses that allowed her to participate in research analysis. She has already taken college-level courses at Columbia, Tufts and at the City College of New York. Beyond these courses, Sofia is one of eighteen students selected for the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine Biomedical Research Program, which includes a senior-year internship where she is working with her team to investigate the potential links between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma. Of Spanish-Irish descent, Sofia attends the prestigious High School for Math, Science and Engineering at the City College of New York, where she maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. She plans to major in Neuroscience, Hispanic Studies and Women Studies at Columbia University, Princeton University or Yale University.
Silver - Noah Ramos
Hometown: Huntington Station, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Walt Whitman High School
Heritage: Salvadoran
Noah became fascinated by the sport of tennis one Fourth of July long weekend at the age of nine. It was 2013 and he and his family had been on vacation at his cousin’s house. With the TV on on a Saturday morning, he tuned into the Women’s Wimbledon Final. The perfect white lines on the green court, the speed and agility of the players, the bright yellow ball flying from one side to the other as the anticipation built. The game ended, Bartoli defeated Lisicki, but it had just started for Noah. As if by fortune, Noah’s grandmother worked cleaning locker rooms at a tennis club, and he remembered there had been an occasion she had brought home a few tennis balls and rackets. After getting back home from his cousin’s, he went straight to the garage, looked for the tennis balls and rackets he knew he had seen, and got to practice, playing against the walls in his garage. Fast forward to now: Noah is a six-year varsity tennis athlete for his high school, has earned All-League Honors, and has been serving as captain of his school’s boys varsity tennis team since his sophomore year, to name a few of his athletic accomplishments. “I clearly recall my first day of tryouts for the varsity high school team,” begins Noah. He was a 7th grader amid the bigger, stronger, and more experienced seniors. Although he was intimidated, his goals were bigger than his fear. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat,” he adds. One of the most memorable experiences the sport has brought him has been working at the US Open one summer. He was chosen as a ballperson and assigned to work at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, the largest tennis stadium in the world. The proud son of Salvadoran immigrants, Noah learned from his parents to be compassionate and to serve those around him. Every Saturday, he volunteers at his local ambulance company, assisting EMTs on calls and helping transport patients to the hospital. He also volunteers at the Family Service League, a local social service agency that provides support and security to the most vulnerable members of his community. Noah is ranked among the top students in his class. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a schedule packed with AP courses accompanied by a list of honors and accolades in recognition of his academic achievements. He currently serves as secretary of his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Noah plans on studying Biology while attending Hofstra University, Long Island University, or the Rochester Institute of Technology.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Walt Whitman High School
Heritage: Salvadoran
Noah became fascinated by the sport of tennis one Fourth of July long weekend at the age of nine. It was 2013 and he and his family had been on vacation at his cousin’s house. With the TV on on a Saturday morning, he tuned into the Women’s Wimbledon Final. The perfect white lines on the green court, the speed and agility of the players, the bright yellow ball flying from one side to the other as the anticipation built. The game ended, Bartoli defeated Lisicki, but it had just started for Noah. As if by fortune, Noah’s grandmother worked cleaning locker rooms at a tennis club, and he remembered there had been an occasion she had brought home a few tennis balls and rackets. After getting back home from his cousin’s, he went straight to the garage, looked for the tennis balls and rackets he knew he had seen, and got to practice, playing against the walls in his garage. Fast forward to now: Noah is a six-year varsity tennis athlete for his high school, has earned All-League Honors, and has been serving as captain of his school’s boys varsity tennis team since his sophomore year, to name a few of his athletic accomplishments. “I clearly recall my first day of tryouts for the varsity high school team,” begins Noah. He was a 7th grader amid the bigger, stronger, and more experienced seniors. Although he was intimidated, his goals were bigger than his fear. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat,” he adds. One of the most memorable experiences the sport has brought him has been working at the US Open one summer. He was chosen as a ballperson and assigned to work at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, the largest tennis stadium in the world. The proud son of Salvadoran immigrants, Noah learned from his parents to be compassionate and to serve those around him. Every Saturday, he volunteers at his local ambulance company, assisting EMTs on calls and helping transport patients to the hospital. He also volunteers at the Family Service League, a local social service agency that provides support and security to the most vulnerable members of his community. Noah is ranked among the top students in his class. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and has a schedule packed with AP courses accompanied by a list of honors and accolades in recognition of his academic achievements. He currently serves as secretary of his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Noah plans on studying Biology while attending Hofstra University, Long Island University, or the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Bronze - Gavriella Cabrera
Hometown: Bay Shore, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bay Shore Senior High School
Heritage: Colombian & Puerto Rican
Nurtured and encouraged by her parents, Gavriella began her athletic exploration at an early age. From the tender age of three, she was walking on a balance beam and training flips and rolls in gymnastics class. Energetic and curious, she dabbled in an assortment of sports, learning her strengths and honing her skills. It was not until middle school, however, that the sports in Gavriella’s life began to shift from being activities of exploration and recreation to becoming more serious pursuits. “[That is when] my love for sports first flourished,” she recalls. Now a three-sport athlete, she cannot imagine what path her high school career would have taken had sports not played a central role since her freshman year. She divides her year in sports as follows: varsity volleyball in the fall, basketball and travel volleyball in the winter, varsity softball in the spring, and travel softball in the summer. Gravriella loves the sense of community that comes from working towards a common goal as part of a team. She especially treasures the relationships she has made with her coaches and teammates. “I fell in love with games and just being a teammate, the different bonds on different teams made me diverse, versatile, and grateful that I can be a part of multiple communities,” she remarks. Something that Gavriella looks forward to each season are the fundraising events her teams organize where they host games and play for a cause, donating the proceeds to charity or causes in her town of Islip in Suffolk County, New York. Thanks to her expert time management, the confidence she has built on the field, and the dedication and self-discipline she has forged as an athlete, Gravriella has been able to transfer her athletic success into academic achievement. She has been named scholar-athlete by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association at the end of each sports season all through high school, and maintains a 4.0 GPA while challenging herself with demanding classes and a rigorous schedule. To empower younger generations of Latinx athletes, this Colombian Puerto Rican American would like to see more diversity in sports programs and more Latinx representation in professional sports. Gavriella will attend the University of Miami, Princeton University, or Stanford University and plans to major in Neuroscience and minor in Finance.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Bay Shore Senior High School
Heritage: Colombian & Puerto Rican
Nurtured and encouraged by her parents, Gavriella began her athletic exploration at an early age. From the tender age of three, she was walking on a balance beam and training flips and rolls in gymnastics class. Energetic and curious, she dabbled in an assortment of sports, learning her strengths and honing her skills. It was not until middle school, however, that the sports in Gavriella’s life began to shift from being activities of exploration and recreation to becoming more serious pursuits. “[That is when] my love for sports first flourished,” she recalls. Now a three-sport athlete, she cannot imagine what path her high school career would have taken had sports not played a central role since her freshman year. She divides her year in sports as follows: varsity volleyball in the fall, basketball and travel volleyball in the winter, varsity softball in the spring, and travel softball in the summer. Gravriella loves the sense of community that comes from working towards a common goal as part of a team. She especially treasures the relationships she has made with her coaches and teammates. “I fell in love with games and just being a teammate, the different bonds on different teams made me diverse, versatile, and grateful that I can be a part of multiple communities,” she remarks. Something that Gavriella looks forward to each season are the fundraising events her teams organize where they host games and play for a cause, donating the proceeds to charity or causes in her town of Islip in Suffolk County, New York. Thanks to her expert time management, the confidence she has built on the field, and the dedication and self-discipline she has forged as an athlete, Gravriella has been able to transfer her athletic success into academic achievement. She has been named scholar-athlete by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association at the end of each sports season all through high school, and maintains a 4.0 GPA while challenging herself with demanding classes and a rigorous schedule. To empower younger generations of Latinx athletes, this Colombian Puerto Rican American would like to see more diversity in sports programs and more Latinx representation in professional sports. Gavriella will attend the University of Miami, Princeton University, or Stanford University and plans to major in Neuroscience and minor in Finance.
Sustainability (Green)
GOLD - Andrea Reina
Hometown: Holbrook, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Sachem High School East
Heritage: Peruvian & Venezuelan
Andrea has become an integral member of the community of climate activists in her town of Brookhaven, New York. Inspired to take action after confronting alarming reports on the rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide in 2019, she joined her school’s chapter of Students for Climate Action (S4CA). S4CA is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting climate change by mobilizing students to prompt elected officials to act on climate policies and initiatives. As current vice president of the chapter, Andrea personally sets up meetings with her local elected officials, engages them in dialogue on climate change, and lobbies the legislators on climate policy, such as the Environmental Rights Amendment and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act. She also speaks about climate initiatives and how they could benefit her community at her local town hall. Andrea worked collectively with S4CA and former New York State Senator Monica Martinez to create the Students for Solar Bill (S6307/A3446). If passed in the New York State Legislature, the bill would extend the maximum cost recovery period for energy performance contracts from 18 to 20. This extension would open the opportunity for school districts to transition to renewable energy. The cost recovery period for most renewable energy projects exceeds 20 years, so current laws effectively hinder schools districts across New York from pursuing these projects. “Although [the time extension] might seem small,” begins Andrea. “[If passed,] these legislations would last a lifetime and slowly improve our path to a world where climate change is no longer a problem,” she adds with optimism. Andrea’s commitment to the fight against climate change runs parallel to her commitment to serve her community. Since she was twelve, she has been volunteering as a caregiver for the Developmental Disabilities Institute, a nonprofit that provides support to hundreds of children and adults living with autism or other developmental disabilities. She also volunteers with two adaptive sports programs designed for children with autism, working as a one-on-one coach for a soccer team and a baseball league. Andrea maintains herself focused on her academics all through her activism and volunteering. An outstanding and diligent student, she holds a 4.0 GPA while also managing an AP-heavy course load. Active in her school community, she is vice president of her school’s chess club and a member of its volunteer club and its chapter of the National Honor Society. Her academic achievements have garnered her a number of awards and recognitions, including her town’s Hispanic Excellence Award. Andrea plans on studying Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics. She will attend Northeastern University, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or Boston University.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Sachem High School East
Heritage: Peruvian & Venezuelan
Andrea has become an integral member of the community of climate activists in her town of Brookhaven, New York. Inspired to take action after confronting alarming reports on the rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide in 2019, she joined her school’s chapter of Students for Climate Action (S4CA). S4CA is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting climate change by mobilizing students to prompt elected officials to act on climate policies and initiatives. As current vice president of the chapter, Andrea personally sets up meetings with her local elected officials, engages them in dialogue on climate change, and lobbies the legislators on climate policy, such as the Environmental Rights Amendment and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act. She also speaks about climate initiatives and how they could benefit her community at her local town hall. Andrea worked collectively with S4CA and former New York State Senator Monica Martinez to create the Students for Solar Bill (S6307/A3446). If passed in the New York State Legislature, the bill would extend the maximum cost recovery period for energy performance contracts from 18 to 20. This extension would open the opportunity for school districts to transition to renewable energy. The cost recovery period for most renewable energy projects exceeds 20 years, so current laws effectively hinder schools districts across New York from pursuing these projects. “Although [the time extension] might seem small,” begins Andrea. “[If passed,] these legislations would last a lifetime and slowly improve our path to a world where climate change is no longer a problem,” she adds with optimism. Andrea’s commitment to the fight against climate change runs parallel to her commitment to serve her community. Since she was twelve, she has been volunteering as a caregiver for the Developmental Disabilities Institute, a nonprofit that provides support to hundreds of children and adults living with autism or other developmental disabilities. She also volunteers with two adaptive sports programs designed for children with autism, working as a one-on-one coach for a soccer team and a baseball league. Andrea maintains herself focused on her academics all through her activism and volunteering. An outstanding and diligent student, she holds a 4.0 GPA while also managing an AP-heavy course load. Active in her school community, she is vice president of her school’s chess club and a member of its volunteer club and its chapter of the National Honor Society. Her academic achievements have garnered her a number of awards and recognitions, including her town’s Hispanic Excellence Award. Andrea plans on studying Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics. She will attend Northeastern University, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or Boston University.
Silver - Marcella Hesser
Hometown: Cape Elizabeth, ME
GPA: 4.00
High School: Cape Elizabeth High School
Heritage: Colombian
Marcella believes that we have a duty of reciprocity to cherish and protect nature in return for everything it provides us. For this, we need to reimagine our relationship with the planet and what it gives us, from resources that we exploit and use, to gifts that we exchange as part of a symbiotic relationship. Marcella’s sense of responsibility to the environment traces back to her childhood growing up in the remote Alaskan wilderness. The ferocious and generous nature that was backdrop and stage for most of her early life provided ample opportunities for her to nurture a close connection to nature. As a future architect or engineer, she is concerned with the environmental impacts of the construction industry. To prepare for her future career, Marcella enrolled in the construction program at her local technical school. As part of the program, she learned about this industry’s issues with outdated and unsustainable construction practices and has considered ways in which the negative environmental effects it causes can be reduced. Through her involvement with her school’s Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) club, she also explored the concepts of energy conservation in architectural design, the importance of water management in construction, and learned about new, more environmentally friendly materials that could replace materials with high environmental impact currently in use. The worst offender of those materials is concrete, for example, which is made through unsustainable practices and is responsible for about 8% of the global carbon dioxide emissions. Marcella is beloved in her community. “[She] is an exceptional person and student,” expressed one of her teachers, adding that her colleagues, as well as administrators at her school, echo her thoughts on Marcella. This Colombian American excels in her academics, as proven by her GPA of no less than 4.0, and makes a difference in her school community by volunteering as a student mentor for new and foreign exchange students. “[She] is like a guardian angel to new students, young people, and anyone who needs a friend,” remarked her teacher. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honors Society and serves as co-captain of its cross country team. To do her part to protect the environment, Marcella wants to contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable by playing a role in making carbon-neutral and more energy-efficient buildings. To help her with her goal, she will major in Architecture or Civil Engineering and minor in Environmental Engineering. She plans to study at Tufts University, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or the Rochester Institute of Technology.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Cape Elizabeth High School
Heritage: Colombian
Marcella believes that we have a duty of reciprocity to cherish and protect nature in return for everything it provides us. For this, we need to reimagine our relationship with the planet and what it gives us, from resources that we exploit and use, to gifts that we exchange as part of a symbiotic relationship. Marcella’s sense of responsibility to the environment traces back to her childhood growing up in the remote Alaskan wilderness. The ferocious and generous nature that was backdrop and stage for most of her early life provided ample opportunities for her to nurture a close connection to nature. As a future architect or engineer, she is concerned with the environmental impacts of the construction industry. To prepare for her future career, Marcella enrolled in the construction program at her local technical school. As part of the program, she learned about this industry’s issues with outdated and unsustainable construction practices and has considered ways in which the negative environmental effects it causes can be reduced. Through her involvement with her school’s Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) club, she also explored the concepts of energy conservation in architectural design, the importance of water management in construction, and learned about new, more environmentally friendly materials that could replace materials with high environmental impact currently in use. The worst offender of those materials is concrete, for example, which is made through unsustainable practices and is responsible for about 8% of the global carbon dioxide emissions. Marcella is beloved in her community. “[She] is an exceptional person and student,” expressed one of her teachers, adding that her colleagues, as well as administrators at her school, echo her thoughts on Marcella. This Colombian American excels in her academics, as proven by her GPA of no less than 4.0, and makes a difference in her school community by volunteering as a student mentor for new and foreign exchange students. “[She] is like a guardian angel to new students, young people, and anyone who needs a friend,” remarked her teacher. She is a member of her school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honors Society and serves as co-captain of its cross country team. To do her part to protect the environment, Marcella wants to contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable by playing a role in making carbon-neutral and more energy-efficient buildings. To help her with her goal, she will major in Architecture or Civil Engineering and minor in Environmental Engineering. She plans to study at Tufts University, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Bronze - Victoria Serra
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Hunter College High School
Heritage: Venezuelan
Venezuelan native Victoria is on a mission to help protect and conserve nature. Guided by a genuine fascination and curiosity, she has immersed herself into learning all she can about science for the last few years. It all started back in 2016, after closing time at the American Museum of Natural History. Victoria had just attended a premiere screening of Sixteen Legs, a documentary about the life-cycle of the giant prehistoric spiders that dwell in the deep in the dark caves of Tasmania, Australia. On her way out of the museum, “[she] wandered into a dark room from outer space,” remembers Victoria. Marveled in that quiet moment, surrounded by the meteorites that set the scene as they hanged from the ceilings and decked the floors, “[she] was overwhelmed by an all-consuming sense to know more,” beyond even what the museum offered. Since then, she has delved into learning as much as she can about the world around her, be it reading about her local flora and fauna, keeping up with science podcasts, or studying research magazines. Through her exploration of various scientific fields, Victoria found her niche in the biological sciences after attending the Weill Cornell Medicine ten-week Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program. “[It] officially sparked my active passion for biological fields and my respect for nature,” she remarks. A way in which Victoria nurtures that respect for nature, makes an impact, and helps support sustainable agriculture in her community, is by volunteering at a local community garden. She sees community service as a way to invest in communities, not limited to our own, and gain a broader perspective by experiencing the richness of life in all its diversity. Victoria is a student at one of the most competitive high schools in the nation, Hunter College High School in New York City. Her academic strength can be recognized through her outstanding 3.9 GPA and rigorous course schedule. She is also a skilled athlete; she is part of her school’s varsity swim team and has ascended quickly through the ranks as a karate student in her free time. She will continue expanding her scientific knowledge while attending Columbia University, Northeastern University, or Cornell University. She will major in Biology or Biochemistry and is considering minoring in another science or Latin American Studies.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Hunter College High School
Heritage: Venezuelan
Venezuelan native Victoria is on a mission to help protect and conserve nature. Guided by a genuine fascination and curiosity, she has immersed herself into learning all she can about science for the last few years. It all started back in 2016, after closing time at the American Museum of Natural History. Victoria had just attended a premiere screening of Sixteen Legs, a documentary about the life-cycle of the giant prehistoric spiders that dwell in the deep in the dark caves of Tasmania, Australia. On her way out of the museum, “[she] wandered into a dark room from outer space,” remembers Victoria. Marveled in that quiet moment, surrounded by the meteorites that set the scene as they hanged from the ceilings and decked the floors, “[she] was overwhelmed by an all-consuming sense to know more,” beyond even what the museum offered. Since then, she has delved into learning as much as she can about the world around her, be it reading about her local flora and fauna, keeping up with science podcasts, or studying research magazines. Through her exploration of various scientific fields, Victoria found her niche in the biological sciences after attending the Weill Cornell Medicine ten-week Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program. “[It] officially sparked my active passion for biological fields and my respect for nature,” she remarks. A way in which Victoria nurtures that respect for nature, makes an impact, and helps support sustainable agriculture in her community, is by volunteering at a local community garden. She sees community service as a way to invest in communities, not limited to our own, and gain a broader perspective by experiencing the richness of life in all its diversity. Victoria is a student at one of the most competitive high schools in the nation, Hunter College High School in New York City. Her academic strength can be recognized through her outstanding 3.9 GPA and rigorous course schedule. She is also a skilled athlete; she is part of her school’s varsity swim team and has ascended quickly through the ranks as a karate student in her free time. She will continue expanding her scientific knowledge while attending Columbia University, Northeastern University, or Cornell University. She will major in Biology or Biochemistry and is considering minoring in another science or Latin American Studies.
Technology
GOLD - Heidy Méndez
Hometown: Jamaica, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Townsend Harris High School
Heritage: Honduran & Ecuadorian
Heidy’s interest in STEM was piqued when she was selected as one of the students to help launch her middle school’s technology program. Little did she know that her introductory class on programming would lead to a newfound interest and pave the way for her current passion and future career. As she continued growing her interest and expanding her programming skills, she sought opportunities outside of school to continue learning. These opportunities include participating in Kode With Klossy and Girls Who Code, programs that equip young women with computer programming and technology skills and work to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM. STEM education is part of Heidy’s routine. She had been a fundamental member of her school’s robotics team since her freshman year. With broad tech interests and wanting to learn more, she is not only involved in the programming subfield within the team, but has branched into other subfields, like mechanical and electrical. Her participation in various tech programs and her extensive involvement in her robotics team have helped Heidy develop more than her knowledge and experience of computer science and engineering; they have “strengthen[ed] [her] passion and resolve to commit to a career in STEM.” Out of this passion and resolve is born a desire for Heidy to help provide opportunities for others to also delve into STEM and discover and nurture new interests. One of the ways in which she is accomplishing that goal is by assisting in her middle school’s new robotics class. “Seeing the genuine interest within the eyes of [the students] made me feel proud and satisfied in the way in which I spent my free time,” remarks Heidy. On a mission to make use of as many opportunities as possible to prepare herself for college and beyond, she enrolled in New York University’s Computer Science for Cyber Security Program and took College Now courses at Queens College. This remarkable Latina of Honduran and Ecuadorian descent has a 4.0 GPA and has numerous recognitions in honor of her academic achievements, including being selected as a Questbridge College Prep Scholar. Her commitment and diligence to serve her community have garnered Heidy acceptance into the Arista and Archon chapters of the National Honor Society. She will major in Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, or Georgia Institute of Technology.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Townsend Harris High School
Heritage: Honduran & Ecuadorian
Heidy’s interest in STEM was piqued when she was selected as one of the students to help launch her middle school’s technology program. Little did she know that her introductory class on programming would lead to a newfound interest and pave the way for her current passion and future career. As she continued growing her interest and expanding her programming skills, she sought opportunities outside of school to continue learning. These opportunities include participating in Kode With Klossy and Girls Who Code, programs that equip young women with computer programming and technology skills and work to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM. STEM education is part of Heidy’s routine. She had been a fundamental member of her school’s robotics team since her freshman year. With broad tech interests and wanting to learn more, she is not only involved in the programming subfield within the team, but has branched into other subfields, like mechanical and electrical. Her participation in various tech programs and her extensive involvement in her robotics team have helped Heidy develop more than her knowledge and experience of computer science and engineering; they have “strengthen[ed] [her] passion and resolve to commit to a career in STEM.” Out of this passion and resolve is born a desire for Heidy to help provide opportunities for others to also delve into STEM and discover and nurture new interests. One of the ways in which she is accomplishing that goal is by assisting in her middle school’s new robotics class. “Seeing the genuine interest within the eyes of [the students] made me feel proud and satisfied in the way in which I spent my free time,” remarks Heidy. On a mission to make use of as many opportunities as possible to prepare herself for college and beyond, she enrolled in New York University’s Computer Science for Cyber Security Program and took College Now courses at Queens College. This remarkable Latina of Honduran and Ecuadorian descent has a 4.0 GPA and has numerous recognitions in honor of her academic achievements, including being selected as a Questbridge College Prep Scholar. Her commitment and diligence to serve her community have garnered Heidy acceptance into the Arista and Archon chapters of the National Honor Society. She will major in Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, or Georgia Institute of Technology.
Silver - Soleei Guasp
Hometown: Fall River, MA
GPA: 3.94
High School: BMC Durfee High School
Heritage: Costa Rican & Honduran
Before learning about the concept of bioethics, Soleei thought of herself as two people: “a person who loved science and a person who cared deeply about social injustice and overcoming bias and structural inequity.” It was last summer, at the MIT and Harvard Broad Institute, while she participated in their Broad Summer Scholars Program, that she was introduced to the field of bioethics through a guest lecture by a young Harvard researcher. The lecture talked about the infamous history of the origin of the HeLa cell line and how Henrietta Lacks—the African American woman from whom they were taken without consent—unknowingly became one of the most significant contributors to medical history and changed modern bioethics forever. Through bioethics, Soleei has found a way to merge the two sides that make up her identity. “[T]he concept of bioethics and the impact of technology suddenly opened a door for me in which I could see a potential to integrate these two sides of my passion,” she remarks. While at the Broad Institute, Soleei conducted computational biology research on cancer immunology and had the opportunity to also look into the ethical implications of the use of CRISPR technology, which had made her research possible in the first place. The side of Soleei’s identity that focuses on social justice is characterized by her honest devotion to making an impact in all the communities to which she belongs. She has served in leadership positions at numerous organizations that align with her vision of social justice. She is, for example, to name just a couple of her roles: her region’s director of communications for Diversify our Narrative and the co-coordinator and team lead for equity and justice for the Massachusetts Climate Education Organization. Both of these organizations are youth-led movements that work to make an impact through education by broadening the information—on diverse and anti-racist perspectives, and climate awareness, respectively—to which students have access. Being the only student of color selected in a majority BIPOC town and school district where the majority of the elected officials are predominantly not of color, glaringly stood out to Soleei. Much of her work, not only as a student delegate, focuses on bringing diversity and inclusion awareness to the spaces in which she participates. This impressive and inspiring Latina has fulfilled a litany of accomplishments we wish we had more space to name only through her high school career. She is a Questbridge College Prep Scholar, a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist, a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Semifinalist, and a National College Match Finalist. She is still considering her options when it comes to her major, but she knows she wants to study a field that allows her to incorporate her interest in the humanities and STEM. She will attend Columbia University, Yale University, or Brown University.
GPA: 3.94
High School: BMC Durfee High School
Heritage: Costa Rican & Honduran
Before learning about the concept of bioethics, Soleei thought of herself as two people: “a person who loved science and a person who cared deeply about social injustice and overcoming bias and structural inequity.” It was last summer, at the MIT and Harvard Broad Institute, while she participated in their Broad Summer Scholars Program, that she was introduced to the field of bioethics through a guest lecture by a young Harvard researcher. The lecture talked about the infamous history of the origin of the HeLa cell line and how Henrietta Lacks—the African American woman from whom they were taken without consent—unknowingly became one of the most significant contributors to medical history and changed modern bioethics forever. Through bioethics, Soleei has found a way to merge the two sides that make up her identity. “[T]he concept of bioethics and the impact of technology suddenly opened a door for me in which I could see a potential to integrate these two sides of my passion,” she remarks. While at the Broad Institute, Soleei conducted computational biology research on cancer immunology and had the opportunity to also look into the ethical implications of the use of CRISPR technology, which had made her research possible in the first place. The side of Soleei’s identity that focuses on social justice is characterized by her honest devotion to making an impact in all the communities to which she belongs. She has served in leadership positions at numerous organizations that align with her vision of social justice. She is, for example, to name just a couple of her roles: her region’s director of communications for Diversify our Narrative and the co-coordinator and team lead for equity and justice for the Massachusetts Climate Education Organization. Both of these organizations are youth-led movements that work to make an impact through education by broadening the information—on diverse and anti-racist perspectives, and climate awareness, respectively—to which students have access. Being the only student of color selected in a majority BIPOC town and school district where the majority of the elected officials are predominantly not of color, glaringly stood out to Soleei. Much of her work, not only as a student delegate, focuses on bringing diversity and inclusion awareness to the spaces in which she participates. This impressive and inspiring Latina has fulfilled a litany of accomplishments we wish we had more space to name only through her high school career. She is a Questbridge College Prep Scholar, a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist, a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Semifinalist, and a National College Match Finalist. She is still considering her options when it comes to her major, but she knows she wants to study a field that allows her to incorporate her interest in the humanities and STEM. She will attend Columbia University, Yale University, or Brown University.
Bronze - Tori Famularo
Hometown: Baldwin, NY
GPA: 4.00
High School: Sacred Heart Academy
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Finding patterns in the world around her has come as second nature to Tori since childhood. She discovered her talent with patterns when she created an algorithm to solve her favorite Rubik’s cube regardless of whatever randomly shuffled configuration it had at the start. Once in high school, Tori realized she could capitalize on her pattern recognition abilities after being introduced to and falling in love with computer science. She used computational sciences to conduct chemistry, physics, and environmental science research at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where she has been an intern since her freshman year. In 2019, Tori conducted research as part of BNL’s STEM-Prep Institute for Gifted Minority Youth. She was invited to return to BNL a year later to participate in the “invitation-only” STEM Prep Scholars Program. Then, last summer, she conducted a chemistry research project within BNL’s artificial photosynthesis lab as a computational chemistry intern. To further her computational studies, Tori has taken a programming logic course at the College of Westchester and is currently taking AP Computer Science Principles and participating in Girls Who Code. At the time of submitting her application for our scholarship, Tori was adding the final touches to her behavioral science research—a study of academic anxiety at single-sex prep schools in New York and Puerto Rico—for submission to the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition. Regeneron STS is a Society for Science program and the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition. A preliminary edition of this research study earned a top 8% finish in the all-virtual Long Island Science Congress. It also earned second place in the Behavioral Science category of the Journal of Young Explorers Meta’s (JYEM) 2021 Research Competition and is being considered for national publication in the Journal. JYEM is a peer-reviewed online journal by and for high school and undergraduate students. Last year, Tori was also invited to present a poster on her research at the Association for Psychological Science convention. When it comes to community service, Tori leads by example. Giving back has been important throughout her life for the impact it makes in the lives of those around her. Currently, she volunteers as a Church Youth Organization volleyball coach, serves as a cantor at her church, and volunteers for numerous activities for her local community through her involvement with organizations at her school. Tori challenges herself and excels in all her academic endeavors. She holds a 4.0 GPA and has a long list of awards and recognitions in honor of her achievements. She will study Computer Science at Dartmouth College. Tori wants to bring meaningful social change through her work by instilling her diverse perspective into the algorithms she creates.
GPA: 4.00
High School: Sacred Heart Academy
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Finding patterns in the world around her has come as second nature to Tori since childhood. She discovered her talent with patterns when she created an algorithm to solve her favorite Rubik’s cube regardless of whatever randomly shuffled configuration it had at the start. Once in high school, Tori realized she could capitalize on her pattern recognition abilities after being introduced to and falling in love with computer science. She used computational sciences to conduct chemistry, physics, and environmental science research at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where she has been an intern since her freshman year. In 2019, Tori conducted research as part of BNL’s STEM-Prep Institute for Gifted Minority Youth. She was invited to return to BNL a year later to participate in the “invitation-only” STEM Prep Scholars Program. Then, last summer, she conducted a chemistry research project within BNL’s artificial photosynthesis lab as a computational chemistry intern. To further her computational studies, Tori has taken a programming logic course at the College of Westchester and is currently taking AP Computer Science Principles and participating in Girls Who Code. At the time of submitting her application for our scholarship, Tori was adding the final touches to her behavioral science research—a study of academic anxiety at single-sex prep schools in New York and Puerto Rico—for submission to the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition. Regeneron STS is a Society for Science program and the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition. A preliminary edition of this research study earned a top 8% finish in the all-virtual Long Island Science Congress. It also earned second place in the Behavioral Science category of the Journal of Young Explorers Meta’s (JYEM) 2021 Research Competition and is being considered for national publication in the Journal. JYEM is a peer-reviewed online journal by and for high school and undergraduate students. Last year, Tori was also invited to present a poster on her research at the Association for Psychological Science convention. When it comes to community service, Tori leads by example. Giving back has been important throughout her life for the impact it makes in the lives of those around her. Currently, she volunteers as a Church Youth Organization volleyball coach, serves as a cantor at her church, and volunteers for numerous activities for her local community through her involvement with organizations at her school. Tori challenges herself and excels in all her academic endeavors. She holds a 4.0 GPA and has a long list of awards and recognitions in honor of her achievements. She will study Computer Science at Dartmouth College. Tori wants to bring meaningful social change through her work by instilling her diverse perspective into the algorithms she creates.
