Blue Region
GOLD - Zahra Dinkins
SILVER - Azul Sanchez Mancinas
BRONZE - Jamie Dunn
Burgundy Region
GOLD - Stefan Sy
SILVER - David Tobon
BRONZE - Addison Roberts
Green Region
GOLD - Alejandra Coletti
SILVER - Veronica De Moya
BRONZE - Daniela Vesga
Orange Region
GOLD - William Rierson
SILVER - Yaelle Lieb
BRONZE - Cairo Tineo
Pink Region
GOLD - Melissa Juarez-Best
SILVER - Victoria Contreras
BRONZE - Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago
Purple Region
GOLD - Alexis DiPrima
SILVER - Ivanna Ruiz
BRONZE - Jazmine Cardenas
Red Region
GOLD - Alicia Madjido
SILVER - Iago Macknik-Conde
BRONZE - Xerxes Loor
Tan Region
GOLD - Sofia Segarra
SILVER - Daniela Benítez Estarellas
BRONZE - Fabiola Gonzalez-Cruz
Teal Region
GOLD - Diego Gómez-Zamora
SILVER - Symond Boschetto
BRONZE - Mia Romero
Yellow Region
GOLD - Marina Braggio
SILVER - Sophia DiPonio
BRONZE - Lizbeth Ortiz
Blue Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Zahra Dinkins
GOLD
Zahra Dinkins
College: Stanford University, Emory University, Northwestern University
Major: Public Policy or Political Science with a minor in Spanish or Economics
High School: School without Walls
Hometown: Washington, DC
Zip Code: 20002
Hispanic Heritage: Panamanian
With the historical and political landscape of Washington, DC, as her home, it is not surprising that Zahra Dinkins developed an interest in public service and social justice early on. As a bright and highly involved student at the School Without Walls, she came into her own through competitive debate, cultivating communication and leadership skills, and an ability to tackle complex issues with depth and foresight. Pointing to her Afro-Latina and Panamanian heritage, she says it significantly impacted her passionate pursuits. Regarding her upbringing rich in cultural traditions and resilience, she shares, “These experiences revealed the importance of representation and the unique challenges of marginalized communities.”
Wanting to inform the public of their rights and ensure the inclusion of their voices in decisions impacting their welfare are driving Dinkins toward a career in politics or public service. From community programs to academic activities, participating in diverse experiences has prepared her well for whatever professional opportunities come her way. Along with being a Varsity Debate Captain and a scholarship recipient at the Dartmouth Debate Institutes, where she enhanced her research and strategic thinking skills, her other achievements include being an Octo-Finalist at the National Urban Debate League Championship, representing her team at the State Department’s 75th Anniversary of NATO, amplifying youth voices as part of Civics Unplugged and exploring how science intersects with social contexts to reduce social inequalities through the Aspen Institute’s Our Future Is Science program.
At the core of her spirit is community service. On her proudest accomplishment in this area, Dinkins says it is starting a school debating program for elementary schools. As someone who experienced the life-changing effects of debate, she wanted to train younger students to be logical and express and defend their ideas clearly while helping them to build confidence and find their voices. This exciting initiative required collaborating with schools and creating child-friendly curriculum materials. During the program, she consistently observed breakthroughs beyond debate lessons—witnessing previously shy beginners become confident speakers and planting seeds of self-belief in the young children that would benefit their personal growth for years to come. Other endeavors where she made a difference range from co-founding the Youth Expressions Network, offering workshops and performances for youth to mentoring students as part of the Georgetown Reach program and volunteer work for Community INFOSEC, SOME (So Others Might Eat) and Largo Landing Fellowship House.
Looking forward to expanding her knowledge and experience of public service and social justice, Zahra Dinkins is ready to embrace new horizons at Stanford University, Emory University, or Northwestern University, where she will major in public policy or political science and minor in Spanish or economics.
Zahra Dinkins
College: Stanford University, Emory University, Northwestern University
Major: Public Policy or Political Science with a minor in Spanish or Economics
High School: School without Walls
Hometown: Washington, DC
Zip Code: 20002
Hispanic Heritage: Panamanian
With the historical and political landscape of Washington, DC, as her home, it is not surprising that Zahra Dinkins developed an interest in public service and social justice early on. As a bright and highly involved student at the School Without Walls, she came into her own through competitive debate, cultivating communication and leadership skills, and an ability to tackle complex issues with depth and foresight. Pointing to her Afro-Latina and Panamanian heritage, she says it significantly impacted her passionate pursuits. Regarding her upbringing rich in cultural traditions and resilience, she shares, “These experiences revealed the importance of representation and the unique challenges of marginalized communities.”
Wanting to inform the public of their rights and ensure the inclusion of their voices in decisions impacting their welfare are driving Dinkins toward a career in politics or public service. From community programs to academic activities, participating in diverse experiences has prepared her well for whatever professional opportunities come her way. Along with being a Varsity Debate Captain and a scholarship recipient at the Dartmouth Debate Institutes, where she enhanced her research and strategic thinking skills, her other achievements include being an Octo-Finalist at the National Urban Debate League Championship, representing her team at the State Department’s 75th Anniversary of NATO, amplifying youth voices as part of Civics Unplugged and exploring how science intersects with social contexts to reduce social inequalities through the Aspen Institute’s Our Future Is Science program.
At the core of her spirit is community service. On her proudest accomplishment in this area, Dinkins says it is starting a school debating program for elementary schools. As someone who experienced the life-changing effects of debate, she wanted to train younger students to be logical and express and defend their ideas clearly while helping them to build confidence and find their voices. This exciting initiative required collaborating with schools and creating child-friendly curriculum materials. During the program, she consistently observed breakthroughs beyond debate lessons—witnessing previously shy beginners become confident speakers and planting seeds of self-belief in the young children that would benefit their personal growth for years to come. Other endeavors where she made a difference range from co-founding the Youth Expressions Network, offering workshops and performances for youth to mentoring students as part of the Georgetown Reach program and volunteer work for Community INFOSEC, SOME (So Others Might Eat) and Largo Landing Fellowship House.
Looking forward to expanding her knowledge and experience of public service and social justice, Zahra Dinkins is ready to embrace new horizons at Stanford University, Emory University, or Northwestern University, where she will major in public policy or political science and minor in Spanish or economics.
SILVER - Azul Sanchez Mancinas
SILVER
Azul Sanchez Mancinas
College: Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pennsylvania
Major: Health Sciences on a pre-med track with a minor in Latin American Studies
High School: University High School
Hometown: Morgantown, WV
Zip Code: 26505
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
As a volunteer for the Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP), Azul Sanchez Mancinas feels immense satisfaction in finding the perfect read for incarcerated individuals. Along with organizing letters and responding to different requests, she also translates for Spanish speakers, which she considers a privilege and perhaps the aspect of this role that gives her the most pride. Originally from Mexico, the AP scholar student at University High School in West Virginia admits that sometimes reading the correspondence and learning of others’ struggles can make her teary-eyed. However, she finds comfort in supporting people who need someone who truly understands them—which means a lot to her.
One thing that stands out to Sanchez Mancinas is how people close to her growing up would give to others, despite only having a little themselves. Yet, it was through witnessing this generosity that instilled an interest in being of service. On how her culture contributed to her point of view, she says, “As a Mexican, I was raised to be hardworking, positive, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Growing up in a culture that values family and community, I learned early on that you support others without question, especially during tough times.”
Highly active in her community, Sanchez Mancinas has touched lives in many different ways. Whether managing translation for Spanish-speaking clients at Scott’s Run Settlement House, organizing outreach events and fundraising at Busy Bees Community Center, or teaching Spanish to seniors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, she demonstrates dedication to making a difference.
However, her time at Health Careers Academy deepened her understanding of healthcare and motivated her to pursue a medical career. As for an issue that impacts the Hispanic community, Sanchez Mancinas says it is limited access to culturally competent healthcare, especially for those facing language, socioeconomic, and other barriers. She hopes to bridge this gap by becoming a physician and establishing a nonprofit that provides healthcare and educational resources for underserved communities, which includes helping fellow Latinos expand their ability to make informed decisions about their health.
For Azul Sanchez Mancinas, every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to a larger impact. In addition to majoring in health sciences on a pre-med track at Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, or the University of Pennsylvania, she plans to advocate for underserved communities through her future endeavors.
Azul Sanchez Mancinas
College: Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pennsylvania
Major: Health Sciences on a pre-med track with a minor in Latin American Studies
High School: University High School
Hometown: Morgantown, WV
Zip Code: 26505
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
As a volunteer for the Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP), Azul Sanchez Mancinas feels immense satisfaction in finding the perfect read for incarcerated individuals. Along with organizing letters and responding to different requests, she also translates for Spanish speakers, which she considers a privilege and perhaps the aspect of this role that gives her the most pride. Originally from Mexico, the AP scholar student at University High School in West Virginia admits that sometimes reading the correspondence and learning of others’ struggles can make her teary-eyed. However, she finds comfort in supporting people who need someone who truly understands them—which means a lot to her.
One thing that stands out to Sanchez Mancinas is how people close to her growing up would give to others, despite only having a little themselves. Yet, it was through witnessing this generosity that instilled an interest in being of service. On how her culture contributed to her point of view, she says, “As a Mexican, I was raised to be hardworking, positive, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Growing up in a culture that values family and community, I learned early on that you support others without question, especially during tough times.”
Highly active in her community, Sanchez Mancinas has touched lives in many different ways. Whether managing translation for Spanish-speaking clients at Scott’s Run Settlement House, organizing outreach events and fundraising at Busy Bees Community Center, or teaching Spanish to seniors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, she demonstrates dedication to making a difference.
However, her time at Health Careers Academy deepened her understanding of healthcare and motivated her to pursue a medical career. As for an issue that impacts the Hispanic community, Sanchez Mancinas says it is limited access to culturally competent healthcare, especially for those facing language, socioeconomic, and other barriers. She hopes to bridge this gap by becoming a physician and establishing a nonprofit that provides healthcare and educational resources for underserved communities, which includes helping fellow Latinos expand their ability to make informed decisions about their health.
For Azul Sanchez Mancinas, every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to a larger impact. In addition to majoring in health sciences on a pre-med track at Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, or the University of Pennsylvania, she plans to advocate for underserved communities through her future endeavors.
BRONZE - Jamie Dunn
BRONZE
Jamie Dunn
College: University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Villanova University
Major: Government or Political Science with a minor in Sociology
High School: Holy Cross Preparatory Academy
Hometown: Mount Laurel, NJ
Zip Code: 08054
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Jamie Dunn turned her love of reading into something bigger, positively touching the lives of local underserved communities. For youth who may not otherwise have access to literature and face difficult situations, the Book Nook Project provides moments of happiness through discovering magical stories and characters.
Looking back on the successful initiative, Dunn, an honor student at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, reveals that founding the service organization, which creates book nooks or small reading areas in agencies that serve underprivileged children, is undoubtedly her proudest accomplishment in community service. As its sole manager, she stays busy, calling representatives at partner organizations, planning fundraisers and book drives, and coordinating donations and drop-offs to after-school programs, domestic violence shelters, health clinics, and refugee and immigrant support centers throughout New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia.
Inspired after reading Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott, Dunn realized her niche and wanted to share her love of reading, so she created the Book Nook Project shortly after. Of the rewarding endeavor, she says, “The Book Nook Project is so special to me because it’s entirely my own. Its design, mission, and execution are all covered in my fingerprints and reflect who I am as a person,” Dunn says. “I view the project as an extension of myself. It is how I’ve been able to reach out to my community and truly make a difference for the better.”
Other ways that Dunn is contributing to the greater good involve tutoring elementary school students, serving as the team captain of the New Jersey Raiders softball team, and as President of the Holy Cross Preparatory Academy Mission Club and the Women Empowering Women Club, which advocates for those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking, breast cancer survivors, and single mothers in their community.
Proud of her heritage, Dunn acknowledges that her Hispanic background strongly influenced her approach to community service. Speaking fondly of her grandmother, who fled Fidel Castro’s communist Cuba in 1960, she shares many of the same values, including hard work, education, and kindness. Today, she honors her grandmother’s story by prioritizing education and helping others access these resources.
Through the Book Nook Project, Dunn also discovered opportunities to address an issue affecting the Latinx/Hispanic community—and that is underrepresentation in children’s literature. While working with partner organizations, she noticed an overwhelming demand for Spanish books and a lack of books featuring Hispanic characters. From her grandmother, Dunn learned that education is crucial in helping immigrant children establish a foothold in a new country, and she eliminates barriers and further supports Hispanic children by partnering with agencies that focus on immigrant and undocumented populations, ensuring they always have a supply of books featuring diverse characters.
As her story unfolds, Jamie Dunn looks forward to her next chapter as she goes on to the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, or Villanova University to major in government or political science.
Jamie Dunn
College: University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Villanova University
Major: Government or Political Science with a minor in Sociology
High School: Holy Cross Preparatory Academy
Hometown: Mount Laurel, NJ
Zip Code: 08054
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Jamie Dunn turned her love of reading into something bigger, positively touching the lives of local underserved communities. For youth who may not otherwise have access to literature and face difficult situations, the Book Nook Project provides moments of happiness through discovering magical stories and characters.
Looking back on the successful initiative, Dunn, an honor student at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, reveals that founding the service organization, which creates book nooks or small reading areas in agencies that serve underprivileged children, is undoubtedly her proudest accomplishment in community service. As its sole manager, she stays busy, calling representatives at partner organizations, planning fundraisers and book drives, and coordinating donations and drop-offs to after-school programs, domestic violence shelters, health clinics, and refugee and immigrant support centers throughout New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia.
Inspired after reading Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott, Dunn realized her niche and wanted to share her love of reading, so she created the Book Nook Project shortly after. Of the rewarding endeavor, she says, “The Book Nook Project is so special to me because it’s entirely my own. Its design, mission, and execution are all covered in my fingerprints and reflect who I am as a person,” Dunn says. “I view the project as an extension of myself. It is how I’ve been able to reach out to my community and truly make a difference for the better.”
Other ways that Dunn is contributing to the greater good involve tutoring elementary school students, serving as the team captain of the New Jersey Raiders softball team, and as President of the Holy Cross Preparatory Academy Mission Club and the Women Empowering Women Club, which advocates for those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking, breast cancer survivors, and single mothers in their community.
Proud of her heritage, Dunn acknowledges that her Hispanic background strongly influenced her approach to community service. Speaking fondly of her grandmother, who fled Fidel Castro’s communist Cuba in 1960, she shares many of the same values, including hard work, education, and kindness. Today, she honors her grandmother’s story by prioritizing education and helping others access these resources.
Through the Book Nook Project, Dunn also discovered opportunities to address an issue affecting the Latinx/Hispanic community—and that is underrepresentation in children’s literature. While working with partner organizations, she noticed an overwhelming demand for Spanish books and a lack of books featuring Hispanic characters. From her grandmother, Dunn learned that education is crucial in helping immigrant children establish a foothold in a new country, and she eliminates barriers and further supports Hispanic children by partnering with agencies that focus on immigrant and undocumented populations, ensuring they always have a supply of books featuring diverse characters.
As her story unfolds, Jamie Dunn looks forward to her next chapter as she goes on to the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, or Villanova University to major in government or political science.
Burgundy Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Stefan Sy
GOLD
Stefan Sy
College: Harvard College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin
Major: Economics and Finance with a minor in Applied Math and Environmental Public Policy
High School: STISD Science Academy
Hometown: Pharr, TX
Zip Code: 78577
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian & Filipino
Inspired by his 21 little cousins and the kids he tutors, Stefan Sy turned his dream of creating a fantasy world from which children could learn the fundamentals of financial literacy by writing The Amazing Adventures of Robin & the Money Buddies—which was recognized by Amazon as the number one new release in three categories. The published author and outstanding student at STISD Science Academy considers his bestselling book his proudest accomplishment in community service to date.
“Writing this book, I shade in details left blank for too long. Donating copies to local schools, libraries, and organizations, where this type of education is needed most, my book represents a step toward closing the gap in financial education that I’ve seen so clearly in my community and beyond,” Sy explained. Through a cast of fascinating characters, young readers go on a fun journey, learning all about saving, investing, and planning for their futures in an engaging, accessible way.
While his mission began with a book, it won’t end there. Growing up in a Peruvian and Filipino household, Sy learned to always give back. After volunteering at CampCAMP, helping individuals with special needs, including those with autism, he felt even more inspired to bridge gaps in social support within his community. Soon, he would start Walking In Their Shoes, an initiative that saw him walking through neighborhoods, advocating for recently immigrated families and autistic adults. As a result of this effort and partnerships with CampCAMP, LuvMichael, and McAllen’s Humanitarian Respite Center, he has achieved remarkable results, including donating over $2300, nearly 400 pounds of clothing, 2000 units of medicine, and more than 310 pairs of shoes and socks.
For Sy, whose heritage means everything to him and is a reminder of who he represents, a significant source of motivation to give back stems from his immigrant family. He says that he tries to honor the legacy of his ancestors by giving back to those in need, adding that however small his role is, he hopes to play a part in giving immigrant families a fresh start in the United States. Volunteering as a math tutor at Mathnasium, raising thousands of dollars for school-wide initiatives as a student council representative, and participating in community recycling efforts and reforestation events with his school’s ecology club are just some ways he is making a positive contribution to his community.
One issue that Sy is working to address is the lack of financial literacy education in impoverished, predominantly Hispanic communities like his. He hopes to do his part in removing this barrier to upward social mobility by translating his book into Spanish and writing a sequel.
Moving forward, Stefan Sy will continue to use his voice to uplift communities, expand access to financial education, and work to dismantle the socioeconomic barriers sustaining poverty as he pursues his degree in economics and finance at Harvard College, the University of Pennsylvania, or the University of Texas at Austin.
Stefan Sy
College: Harvard College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin
Major: Economics and Finance with a minor in Applied Math and Environmental Public Policy
High School: STISD Science Academy
Hometown: Pharr, TX
Zip Code: 78577
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian & Filipino
Inspired by his 21 little cousins and the kids he tutors, Stefan Sy turned his dream of creating a fantasy world from which children could learn the fundamentals of financial literacy by writing The Amazing Adventures of Robin & the Money Buddies—which was recognized by Amazon as the number one new release in three categories. The published author and outstanding student at STISD Science Academy considers his bestselling book his proudest accomplishment in community service to date.
“Writing this book, I shade in details left blank for too long. Donating copies to local schools, libraries, and organizations, where this type of education is needed most, my book represents a step toward closing the gap in financial education that I’ve seen so clearly in my community and beyond,” Sy explained. Through a cast of fascinating characters, young readers go on a fun journey, learning all about saving, investing, and planning for their futures in an engaging, accessible way.
While his mission began with a book, it won’t end there. Growing up in a Peruvian and Filipino household, Sy learned to always give back. After volunteering at CampCAMP, helping individuals with special needs, including those with autism, he felt even more inspired to bridge gaps in social support within his community. Soon, he would start Walking In Their Shoes, an initiative that saw him walking through neighborhoods, advocating for recently immigrated families and autistic adults. As a result of this effort and partnerships with CampCAMP, LuvMichael, and McAllen’s Humanitarian Respite Center, he has achieved remarkable results, including donating over $2300, nearly 400 pounds of clothing, 2000 units of medicine, and more than 310 pairs of shoes and socks.
For Sy, whose heritage means everything to him and is a reminder of who he represents, a significant source of motivation to give back stems from his immigrant family. He says that he tries to honor the legacy of his ancestors by giving back to those in need, adding that however small his role is, he hopes to play a part in giving immigrant families a fresh start in the United States. Volunteering as a math tutor at Mathnasium, raising thousands of dollars for school-wide initiatives as a student council representative, and participating in community recycling efforts and reforestation events with his school’s ecology club are just some ways he is making a positive contribution to his community.
One issue that Sy is working to address is the lack of financial literacy education in impoverished, predominantly Hispanic communities like his. He hopes to do his part in removing this barrier to upward social mobility by translating his book into Spanish and writing a sequel.
Moving forward, Stefan Sy will continue to use his voice to uplift communities, expand access to financial education, and work to dismantle the socioeconomic barriers sustaining poverty as he pursues his degree in economics and finance at Harvard College, the University of Pennsylvania, or the University of Texas at Austin.
SILVER - David Tobon
SILVER
David Tobon
College: University of Texas at Austin, Brown University, Rice University
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in Molecular Biology
High School: BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus
Hometown: Bulverde, TX
Zip Code: 78163
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
As an assistant event coordinator with the annual ALS Walk for the last six years, David Tobon has become a familiar face and an instrumental part of the fundraising event. Overseeing the Unlock ALS tent, he would always look forward to putting together and handing out keys, symbolizing an eventual cure for ALS. Of the experience, he says, “This is my favorite part of the event because I get to learn from so many different people who each talk about their backgrounds and why they are supporting the ALS Walk, which has helped me uncover the joy of being part of a diverse community.” His efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him the Volunteer of the Year Award from the ALS organization—an accomplishment he says is his proudest achievement in community service.
A straight-A student at BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus in Texas, Tabon developed an interest in community service in the sixth grade thanks to an inspiring teacher who encouraged him to go out and make a difference. As he got older, he became more involved and helped launch an academic tutoring program and an AP study session program at his school. Building on the teaching and communication skills he acquired from that experience, he expanded tutoring to his community by joining San Antonio Math Include. In this role, he taught summer and year-long biology and physics courses to students nationwide for free, developing lectures and practice questions for the respective topics. He hopes other students gain the knowledge they need to succeed in life. As a result of establishing the tutoring program, which he helped start while still in the seventh grade, he received the Leadership Award and Character Award at his school.
Tobon, who is of Colombian descent, says his Hispanic heritage has also influenced his approach to service. Determined to help everyone in the community, including a large population of Latinos, he wants to do everything he can to help those struggling. This dedication to community involvement ties back to three essential goals: helping others in need, making people’s day better, and building a better, stronger community. He says he does his best to follow these three goals in his daily life. Through being of service, he has witnessed both tearful moments from some people and joy from others, which resonates with him.
Along with recognition from the ALS organization and his school, he received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Services Award four times, achieving over 100 hours of volunteer service (in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024). Other positive contributions include working with students nationwide to raise awareness about environmental issues through speaker events and projects as part of the National High School Climate Forum and volunteering at the local library, helping people find the perfect books.
While he plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, Brown University, or Rice University, David Tobon also hopes to continue achieving his goals and doing his best to make the world a better place for everyone.
David Tobon
College: University of Texas at Austin, Brown University, Rice University
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in Molecular Biology
High School: BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus
Hometown: Bulverde, TX
Zip Code: 78163
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
As an assistant event coordinator with the annual ALS Walk for the last six years, David Tobon has become a familiar face and an instrumental part of the fundraising event. Overseeing the Unlock ALS tent, he would always look forward to putting together and handing out keys, symbolizing an eventual cure for ALS. Of the experience, he says, “This is my favorite part of the event because I get to learn from so many different people who each talk about their backgrounds and why they are supporting the ALS Walk, which has helped me uncover the joy of being part of a diverse community.” His efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him the Volunteer of the Year Award from the ALS organization—an accomplishment he says is his proudest achievement in community service.
A straight-A student at BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus in Texas, Tabon developed an interest in community service in the sixth grade thanks to an inspiring teacher who encouraged him to go out and make a difference. As he got older, he became more involved and helped launch an academic tutoring program and an AP study session program at his school. Building on the teaching and communication skills he acquired from that experience, he expanded tutoring to his community by joining San Antonio Math Include. In this role, he taught summer and year-long biology and physics courses to students nationwide for free, developing lectures and practice questions for the respective topics. He hopes other students gain the knowledge they need to succeed in life. As a result of establishing the tutoring program, which he helped start while still in the seventh grade, he received the Leadership Award and Character Award at his school.
Tobon, who is of Colombian descent, says his Hispanic heritage has also influenced his approach to service. Determined to help everyone in the community, including a large population of Latinos, he wants to do everything he can to help those struggling. This dedication to community involvement ties back to three essential goals: helping others in need, making people’s day better, and building a better, stronger community. He says he does his best to follow these three goals in his daily life. Through being of service, he has witnessed both tearful moments from some people and joy from others, which resonates with him.
Along with recognition from the ALS organization and his school, he received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Services Award four times, achieving over 100 hours of volunteer service (in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024). Other positive contributions include working with students nationwide to raise awareness about environmental issues through speaker events and projects as part of the National High School Climate Forum and volunteering at the local library, helping people find the perfect books.
While he plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, Brown University, or Rice University, David Tobon also hopes to continue achieving his goals and doing his best to make the world a better place for everyone.
BRONZE - Addison Roberts
BRONZE
Addison Roberts
College: Columbia University, George Washington University, American University
Major: Environmental Engineering and Public Affairs on a pre-law track with a minor in Policy, Art and Public Affairs
High School: Alamo Heights High School
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Zip Code: 78209
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
While in the ninth grade, Addison Roberts spearheaded an exciting citywide initiative that attracted the attention of Southern Living Magazine and other media outlets. Today, The Repurpose Project for the Unsheltered and the Environment is the community service accomplishment that makes her beam with pride the most. Through a process called plarning, which involves turning plastic bags into “yarn”—and in this case, repurposing them into handmade sleeping mats, the effort achieved successful results, including 50,000-plus plastic bags, more than 1500 local volunteer hours, and thousands of people now knowing how to help their unsheltered neighbors and the environment through this unique method.
Along with teaching workshops at the SAMMinistries shelter, Roberts, an accomplished student at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas, whose loved ones faced similar housing challenges growing up, serves as the public relations board member for Teens Give Back, a teen-led nonprofit organization that distributes the mats to the unhoused and provides space for the mat-making workshops. Reflecting on the impact of her effort, she says, “As a result, a system is now in place to support many people working together to create repurposed mats for people like my dad who needed somewhere soft to sleep at night when there was no option.”
Rather than allowing hardship to define her, Roberts, who is of Mexican descent, let it inspire her to help others in similar situations. As an assertive and resilient leader in her community, she says that these traits run in the family, with her great, great, great grandfather riding alongside Pancho Villa and paying the price in fighting for the rights of Mexicans. Her actions and values are also influenced by Cesar Chavez, the legendary labor leader who gave back to his community and understood their pain because he lived through it. Specifically, she can relate to his example with her project because those closest to her were homeless at some point. Channeling this leadership, she also supports those living on the streets, including many Latinx in her city. Last winter, when temperatures dropped below freezing, the street outreach organization Roberts collaborates with informed her that the portable mats her team created had saved dozens of lives.
The leadership skills Roberts gained from starting the repurpose project opened up so many incredible opportunities, including serving on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, participating in Girls State in Texas, and being selected for the highly competitive Caminos al Futuro Scholars program at George Washington University, where she further researched her repurpose project and presented a community action project model that would allow for the expansion of her project throughout her state.
Through her experiences as a volunteer and community leader who brings change on a larger scale when given the opportunity, Addison Roberts envisions attending law school after becoming well-educated on environmental inequities and social injustices Latinx and other at-risk populations face. Shortly, she will take the next step in making that a reality as she heads to Columbia University, George Washington University, or American University to major in environmental engineering and public affairs on a pre-law track.
Addison Roberts
College: Columbia University, George Washington University, American University
Major: Environmental Engineering and Public Affairs on a pre-law track with a minor in Policy, Art and Public Affairs
High School: Alamo Heights High School
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Zip Code: 78209
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
While in the ninth grade, Addison Roberts spearheaded an exciting citywide initiative that attracted the attention of Southern Living Magazine and other media outlets. Today, The Repurpose Project for the Unsheltered and the Environment is the community service accomplishment that makes her beam with pride the most. Through a process called plarning, which involves turning plastic bags into “yarn”—and in this case, repurposing them into handmade sleeping mats, the effort achieved successful results, including 50,000-plus plastic bags, more than 1500 local volunteer hours, and thousands of people now knowing how to help their unsheltered neighbors and the environment through this unique method.
Along with teaching workshops at the SAMMinistries shelter, Roberts, an accomplished student at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas, whose loved ones faced similar housing challenges growing up, serves as the public relations board member for Teens Give Back, a teen-led nonprofit organization that distributes the mats to the unhoused and provides space for the mat-making workshops. Reflecting on the impact of her effort, she says, “As a result, a system is now in place to support many people working together to create repurposed mats for people like my dad who needed somewhere soft to sleep at night when there was no option.”
Rather than allowing hardship to define her, Roberts, who is of Mexican descent, let it inspire her to help others in similar situations. As an assertive and resilient leader in her community, she says that these traits run in the family, with her great, great, great grandfather riding alongside Pancho Villa and paying the price in fighting for the rights of Mexicans. Her actions and values are also influenced by Cesar Chavez, the legendary labor leader who gave back to his community and understood their pain because he lived through it. Specifically, she can relate to his example with her project because those closest to her were homeless at some point. Channeling this leadership, she also supports those living on the streets, including many Latinx in her city. Last winter, when temperatures dropped below freezing, the street outreach organization Roberts collaborates with informed her that the portable mats her team created had saved dozens of lives.
The leadership skills Roberts gained from starting the repurpose project opened up so many incredible opportunities, including serving on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, participating in Girls State in Texas, and being selected for the highly competitive Caminos al Futuro Scholars program at George Washington University, where she further researched her repurpose project and presented a community action project model that would allow for the expansion of her project throughout her state.
Through her experiences as a volunteer and community leader who brings change on a larger scale when given the opportunity, Addison Roberts envisions attending law school after becoming well-educated on environmental inequities and social injustices Latinx and other at-risk populations face. Shortly, she will take the next step in making that a reality as she heads to Columbia University, George Washington University, or American University to major in environmental engineering and public affairs on a pre-law track.
Green Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Alejandra Coletti
GOLD
Alejandra Coletti
College: University of Arizona
Major: International Business with a minor in Finance or Entrepreneurship
High School: NSU University School
Hometown: Weston, FL
Zip Code: 33331
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
Traveling to her mother’s hometown in Colombia made a lasting impact on Alejandra Coletti. Along with serving as a “wake-up call” and shaping her perspective on how she can make a difference in the world, the memories of standing on her grandmother’s balcony and watching people work tirelessly in the coffee fields stay vivid in her mind. “Seeing their experience instilled in me deep humility and a sense of purpose. I realized early on that my opportunities are a privilege built on the sacrifices of others, and I felt an obligation to pay it forward.”
Paying it forward, she did—and she continues to do so in many ways. At NSU University School, Coletti launched and led its Operation Smile chapter. This endeavor changed her life and is an accomplishment in community service that makes her incredibly proud. From the start, she helped to establish partnerships with different organizations, coordinated fundraising efforts, and dedicated over 500 hours, including traveling to Vietnam on two separate occasions. During that time, she collaborated with medical teams to provide surgeries to more than 150 children born with a cleft lip and palate and led an educational outreach for 700 students across local schools and orphanages. Witnessing the life-changing effect on the children and their families further confirmed her belief in the power of businesses and nonprofits working together and advocating for less-developed communities. Through it all, she also rallied over 100 active members, instilling a sense of compassion and global citizenship among her peers.
Growing up as a second-generation Latina in the greater Miami area, Coletti found that her community involvement began to flourish. From her parents, she learned that everyone is responsible for each other. Through her cultural heritage, she embraced the values of commitment, compassion, and taking small actions to make a big impact. Staying true to her roots, she launched the nonprofit Girls That Finance through the UPenn Social Innovators Program. As a mentor to preteen girls in Hispanic communities, she introduced them to financial literacy, teaching them essentials, such as budgeting, understanding different financial tools, and opening bank accounts.
Committed to transforming the lives of those around her, Alejandra Coletti will pursue a degree in international business with a minor in finance or entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona and continue to create meaningful change in any way she can.
Alejandra Coletti
College: University of Arizona
Major: International Business with a minor in Finance or Entrepreneurship
High School: NSU University School
Hometown: Weston, FL
Zip Code: 33331
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
Traveling to her mother’s hometown in Colombia made a lasting impact on Alejandra Coletti. Along with serving as a “wake-up call” and shaping her perspective on how she can make a difference in the world, the memories of standing on her grandmother’s balcony and watching people work tirelessly in the coffee fields stay vivid in her mind. “Seeing their experience instilled in me deep humility and a sense of purpose. I realized early on that my opportunities are a privilege built on the sacrifices of others, and I felt an obligation to pay it forward.”
Paying it forward, she did—and she continues to do so in many ways. At NSU University School, Coletti launched and led its Operation Smile chapter. This endeavor changed her life and is an accomplishment in community service that makes her incredibly proud. From the start, she helped to establish partnerships with different organizations, coordinated fundraising efforts, and dedicated over 500 hours, including traveling to Vietnam on two separate occasions. During that time, she collaborated with medical teams to provide surgeries to more than 150 children born with a cleft lip and palate and led an educational outreach for 700 students across local schools and orphanages. Witnessing the life-changing effect on the children and their families further confirmed her belief in the power of businesses and nonprofits working together and advocating for less-developed communities. Through it all, she also rallied over 100 active members, instilling a sense of compassion and global citizenship among her peers.
Growing up as a second-generation Latina in the greater Miami area, Coletti found that her community involvement began to flourish. From her parents, she learned that everyone is responsible for each other. Through her cultural heritage, she embraced the values of commitment, compassion, and taking small actions to make a big impact. Staying true to her roots, she launched the nonprofit Girls That Finance through the UPenn Social Innovators Program. As a mentor to preteen girls in Hispanic communities, she introduced them to financial literacy, teaching them essentials, such as budgeting, understanding different financial tools, and opening bank accounts.
Committed to transforming the lives of those around her, Alejandra Coletti will pursue a degree in international business with a minor in finance or entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona and continue to create meaningful change in any way she can.
SILVER - Veronica De Moya
SILVER
Veronica De Moya
College: University of Florida, University of Virginia, Florida International University
Major: Management on a pre-law track with a minor in Public Policy
High School: Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @Zelda Glazer
Hometown: Cutler Bay, FL
Zip Code: 33190
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
What was supposed to be a single lesson on the significance of the American flag for young children became something much bigger than Veronica De Moya imagined. That pivotal moment spurred an idea to take her love and passion for civic engagement and U.S. history and turn it into a successful service initiative, Legal Eagles, which spans 10 elementary schools in Miami-Dade County, the VA Medical Center, and involvement from local public servants.
By far, Legal Eagles is De Moya’s proudest accomplishment in community service, and she acknowledges her Hispanic heritage had something to do with it. “Stars, stripes, red, white, and blue are all important in my life, with two formations, my Cuban heritage greatly shaping my American pride. Constant conversations of freedom endowed to us, the stuff of dreams in Cuba, ignited a spark within me to pursue civics/law studies,” she says.
As a result of her vision, Legal Eagles became a reality. In this program, volunteers work with 25 to 40 kids at a time, immersing them in a world of history and activities that foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and presentation skills, encouraging them to form ideas while building their confidence. What makes the education program even more special for her is the networking opportunities with Hispanic government leaders, such as Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel and State Representative Juan Porras, who she invited to speak and present to the Legal Eagle participants.
Her family also played a part in her community service pursuits. Growing up, De Moya would spend afternoons twice a week with her grandparents, listening intently to their stories, with her favorites being from her late grandfather, an Air Force Veteran and civilian employee with both the U.S. Marines and Navy. Through these intimate discussions, she would hear about planes, drills, military life, and the sacrifices the military would make. After his passing, she wanted to do more for the Armed Forces, and one of the first things she did after establishing Legal Eagles was partnering with the VA Medical Center of Miami to uplift veterans’ spirits. Recently, she hosted a drive at her school, collecting over 1,500 hygiene products, activity books, and more than 500 thank you cards, culminating in their delivery on Veterans Day.
Education is another area impacting Hispanics that De Moya hopes to address. Understanding that survival is the priority for many students and their families who first come to the United States and that parents may lack the time to help their children with schoolwork, she incorporated lessons in U.S. history and civic engagement in the Legal Eagles programming. By learning such fundamental concepts, young children can better assimilate into their new community and country. She also does her part to assist the Hispanic community as an afterschool tutor at Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer.
Outside of civics-related projects, De Moya spends her time volunteering and giving back to kids. At her dance studio, she has volunteered for different events, including raising money to support special needs children’s travel to Disney World and volunteering at the studios’ summer dance camp, teaching seven- to nine-year-olds techniques, dance skills, and choreography. Over the years, other community service involvement includes establishing H.E.A.R.T. (Health Exercise and Resistance Training) with her friends at school and tutoring with Study Buddies of Miami.
Well-rounded, motivated, and civic-minded, Veronica De Moya has an exciting future with plans to attend the University of Florida, the University of Virginia, or Florida International University to major in management on a pre-law track and minor in public policy.
Veronica De Moya
College: University of Florida, University of Virginia, Florida International University
Major: Management on a pre-law track with a minor in Public Policy
High School: Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @Zelda Glazer
Hometown: Cutler Bay, FL
Zip Code: 33190
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
What was supposed to be a single lesson on the significance of the American flag for young children became something much bigger than Veronica De Moya imagined. That pivotal moment spurred an idea to take her love and passion for civic engagement and U.S. history and turn it into a successful service initiative, Legal Eagles, which spans 10 elementary schools in Miami-Dade County, the VA Medical Center, and involvement from local public servants.
By far, Legal Eagles is De Moya’s proudest accomplishment in community service, and she acknowledges her Hispanic heritage had something to do with it. “Stars, stripes, red, white, and blue are all important in my life, with two formations, my Cuban heritage greatly shaping my American pride. Constant conversations of freedom endowed to us, the stuff of dreams in Cuba, ignited a spark within me to pursue civics/law studies,” she says.
As a result of her vision, Legal Eagles became a reality. In this program, volunteers work with 25 to 40 kids at a time, immersing them in a world of history and activities that foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and presentation skills, encouraging them to form ideas while building their confidence. What makes the education program even more special for her is the networking opportunities with Hispanic government leaders, such as Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel and State Representative Juan Porras, who she invited to speak and present to the Legal Eagle participants.
Her family also played a part in her community service pursuits. Growing up, De Moya would spend afternoons twice a week with her grandparents, listening intently to their stories, with her favorites being from her late grandfather, an Air Force Veteran and civilian employee with both the U.S. Marines and Navy. Through these intimate discussions, she would hear about planes, drills, military life, and the sacrifices the military would make. After his passing, she wanted to do more for the Armed Forces, and one of the first things she did after establishing Legal Eagles was partnering with the VA Medical Center of Miami to uplift veterans’ spirits. Recently, she hosted a drive at her school, collecting over 1,500 hygiene products, activity books, and more than 500 thank you cards, culminating in their delivery on Veterans Day.
Education is another area impacting Hispanics that De Moya hopes to address. Understanding that survival is the priority for many students and their families who first come to the United States and that parents may lack the time to help their children with schoolwork, she incorporated lessons in U.S. history and civic engagement in the Legal Eagles programming. By learning such fundamental concepts, young children can better assimilate into their new community and country. She also does her part to assist the Hispanic community as an afterschool tutor at Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer.
Outside of civics-related projects, De Moya spends her time volunteering and giving back to kids. At her dance studio, she has volunteered for different events, including raising money to support special needs children’s travel to Disney World and volunteering at the studios’ summer dance camp, teaching seven- to nine-year-olds techniques, dance skills, and choreography. Over the years, other community service involvement includes establishing H.E.A.R.T. (Health Exercise and Resistance Training) with her friends at school and tutoring with Study Buddies of Miami.
Well-rounded, motivated, and civic-minded, Veronica De Moya has an exciting future with plans to attend the University of Florida, the University of Virginia, or Florida International University to major in management on a pre-law track and minor in public policy.
BRONZE - Daniela Vesga
BRONZE
Daniela Vesga
College: Yale University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Purdue University
Major: Computer Science with a minor in International Studies
High School: School for Advanced Studies - South
Hometown: Weston, FL
Zip Code: 33327
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
Determined, intellectually curious, and adaptable, Daniela Vesga dons many hats. The honor student at the School for Advanced Studies-South is highly active in the community, serving as Head of Operations at Joshua’s Heart Foundation, Founder of Rising Sun at Sunset, Vice President of the High School Coding Club, and Alumni Outreach Advocate for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth(NSLI-Y Scholar).
While passionate about all her pursuits, Vesga is the proudest of Rising Sun at Sunset. Launched to connect her interest in sustainability with her long-term commitment to fighting global poverty through Joshua’s Heart Foundation, the community service project’s mission is to promote social equity while reducing waste. Born from Vesga’s practice of recycling, reusing, and repurposing, the project’s first initiative of collecting gently used or surplus school supplies was highly successful. Working in partnership with other local nonprofits, the team of volunteers at Rising Sun at Sunset brought 25 fully equipped backpacks to children of women affected by domestic violence living in a shelter in North Miami Beach and more than 30 fully equipped backpacks and 12 large boxes filled with additional school supplies and shoes to a school run by Healing Hands of Hope Charities in Tierra Bomba, a remote and impoverished island in Colombia. The next phase involves creating a website, expanding partnerships, and growing the scope of donations to help at-risk children thrive in school.
When Vesga was 11, a foreign exchange program with France sparked an interest in pursuing cross-cultural experiences that allowed her to make a meaningful impact on others. Over the years, she gravitated toward different causes and community building, from participating in improvement projects to sharing her skills through coding workshops. At Joshua’s Heart Foundation, she helped to lead a team of 40-plus members, contributing to a yearly food distribution of 1 million pounds to nearly 40,000 families. All these experiences have fueled her dedication to living a life of service based on global understanding.
Equally instrumental in her approach to community service is her family. She says, “My life experiences growing up in a Colombian immigrant family of multi-generational single mothers have taught me the power of community firsthand and the values of resilience, responsibility, and compassion, principles I carry in all my endeavors.”
One area affecting the Hispanic community that Vesga hopes to address is the disproportionate underrepresentation of Latinos in top educational programs and leadership positions. She believes there are several avenues to nurturing talents in the Latinx community to ensure their representation, including establishing mentorship programs to guide Hispanic students through their high school experience and promoting organizations that empower Latinx students to engage and work collaboratively in meaningful community impact programs. Building such strong support systems will not only inspire youth but also have a positive impact on the entire Latinx community.
As Daniela Vesga prepares to attend Yale University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Purdue University to major in computer science and minor in international studies, she hopes to champion new opportunities for the Latinx community.
Daniela Vesga
College: Yale University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Purdue University
Major: Computer Science with a minor in International Studies
High School: School for Advanced Studies - South
Hometown: Weston, FL
Zip Code: 33327
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
Determined, intellectually curious, and adaptable, Daniela Vesga dons many hats. The honor student at the School for Advanced Studies-South is highly active in the community, serving as Head of Operations at Joshua’s Heart Foundation, Founder of Rising Sun at Sunset, Vice President of the High School Coding Club, and Alumni Outreach Advocate for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth(NSLI-Y Scholar).
While passionate about all her pursuits, Vesga is the proudest of Rising Sun at Sunset. Launched to connect her interest in sustainability with her long-term commitment to fighting global poverty through Joshua’s Heart Foundation, the community service project’s mission is to promote social equity while reducing waste. Born from Vesga’s practice of recycling, reusing, and repurposing, the project’s first initiative of collecting gently used or surplus school supplies was highly successful. Working in partnership with other local nonprofits, the team of volunteers at Rising Sun at Sunset brought 25 fully equipped backpacks to children of women affected by domestic violence living in a shelter in North Miami Beach and more than 30 fully equipped backpacks and 12 large boxes filled with additional school supplies and shoes to a school run by Healing Hands of Hope Charities in Tierra Bomba, a remote and impoverished island in Colombia. The next phase involves creating a website, expanding partnerships, and growing the scope of donations to help at-risk children thrive in school.
When Vesga was 11, a foreign exchange program with France sparked an interest in pursuing cross-cultural experiences that allowed her to make a meaningful impact on others. Over the years, she gravitated toward different causes and community building, from participating in improvement projects to sharing her skills through coding workshops. At Joshua’s Heart Foundation, she helped to lead a team of 40-plus members, contributing to a yearly food distribution of 1 million pounds to nearly 40,000 families. All these experiences have fueled her dedication to living a life of service based on global understanding.
Equally instrumental in her approach to community service is her family. She says, “My life experiences growing up in a Colombian immigrant family of multi-generational single mothers have taught me the power of community firsthand and the values of resilience, responsibility, and compassion, principles I carry in all my endeavors.”
One area affecting the Hispanic community that Vesga hopes to address is the disproportionate underrepresentation of Latinos in top educational programs and leadership positions. She believes there are several avenues to nurturing talents in the Latinx community to ensure their representation, including establishing mentorship programs to guide Hispanic students through their high school experience and promoting organizations that empower Latinx students to engage and work collaboratively in meaningful community impact programs. Building such strong support systems will not only inspire youth but also have a positive impact on the entire Latinx community.
As Daniela Vesga prepares to attend Yale University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Purdue University to major in computer science and minor in international studies, she hopes to champion new opportunities for the Latinx community.
Orange Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - William Rierson
GOLD
William Rierson
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Harvard College
Major: Neuroscience with a minor in Biology
High School: Mount Airy High School
Hometown: Mount Airy, NC
Zip Code: 27030
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
After caring for and losing his beloved dog Coco, who had diabetes, William Rierson found his calling. Even though he was young, he did not let that deter him from helping others with the condition, and he started volunteering at Surry Medical Ministries. At this free local clinic, he learned firsthand during a diabetes education seminar in Spanish just how many patients couldn’t afford the supplies they needed. Watching their frustration prompted him to launch Sugar Check Charity, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) that provides free glucose testing supplies to those in need.
While Sugar Check Charity started small with funding from odd jobs and personal donations, Rierson soon saw community support grow, opening the doors to greater awareness, corporate sponsors, and broader fundraising. Regarding his proudest accomplishment in community service, he says, “As I visited free clinics across North Carolina and beyond, meeting patients and clinic staff, I saw their needs and the real impact we were making.” Since its inception, Sugar Check Charity has expanded to 30 free clinics across four states and raised over $110,000.
Yet the success of the charitable organization is just the beginning. Rierson, who is of Honduran descent, says that it is the start of a lifelong commitment to making sure that no one living with diabetes is without the resources they need to thrive. Being Latino also enhances his community service through his ability to connect with the Spanish-speaking community, with his language skills offering a unique opportunity to understand and help people in ways others might not be able to. Additionally, he says that his Latinx background influences his leadership style, making his approach to service more personal and empathetic, building trust.
Wanting to address the unmet healthcare needs in his local community, Rierson implements what he calls a “triangle” system, building partnerships between community clinics, hospitals, and healthcare students. So far, he has gotten his peers at Mount Airy High School involved. Another way he is making this happen is through his role as regional vice president of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), where he introduces thousands of healthcare-focused students to volunteer opportunities and other enriching hands-on opportunities, collaborating with different organizations, such as High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, the Community Clinic of High Point, Wake Forest Baptist Health, among others. It’s a win-win for the students who gain clinical experience and the patients who receive access to care they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Upon learning that 40 percent of residents live below the federal poverty level, Rierson is even more motivated to do more for the community. He has become involved with other area organizations, including the local homeless shelter Shepherd’s House and the community food pantry Yokefellow Ministry. Beyond his nonprofit work, he also does his part at school, leading five blood drives and organizing multiple fundraisers for organizations, such as “Be the Match,” which helps individuals needing bone marrow transplants. Tying back to his roots, he also founded Tierra Hondureña Creations, supporting Honduran artisans, with proceeds benefiting his nonprofit, Sugar Check Charity.
Giving back is not just something that William Rierson does—it is very much a part of his identity. As he pursues a neuroscience major and a biology minor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or Harvard College, he will undoubtedly continue his efforts to uplift communities.
William Rierson
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Harvard College
Major: Neuroscience with a minor in Biology
High School: Mount Airy High School
Hometown: Mount Airy, NC
Zip Code: 27030
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
After caring for and losing his beloved dog Coco, who had diabetes, William Rierson found his calling. Even though he was young, he did not let that deter him from helping others with the condition, and he started volunteering at Surry Medical Ministries. At this free local clinic, he learned firsthand during a diabetes education seminar in Spanish just how many patients couldn’t afford the supplies they needed. Watching their frustration prompted him to launch Sugar Check Charity, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) that provides free glucose testing supplies to those in need.
While Sugar Check Charity started small with funding from odd jobs and personal donations, Rierson soon saw community support grow, opening the doors to greater awareness, corporate sponsors, and broader fundraising. Regarding his proudest accomplishment in community service, he says, “As I visited free clinics across North Carolina and beyond, meeting patients and clinic staff, I saw their needs and the real impact we were making.” Since its inception, Sugar Check Charity has expanded to 30 free clinics across four states and raised over $110,000.
Yet the success of the charitable organization is just the beginning. Rierson, who is of Honduran descent, says that it is the start of a lifelong commitment to making sure that no one living with diabetes is without the resources they need to thrive. Being Latino also enhances his community service through his ability to connect with the Spanish-speaking community, with his language skills offering a unique opportunity to understand and help people in ways others might not be able to. Additionally, he says that his Latinx background influences his leadership style, making his approach to service more personal and empathetic, building trust.
Wanting to address the unmet healthcare needs in his local community, Rierson implements what he calls a “triangle” system, building partnerships between community clinics, hospitals, and healthcare students. So far, he has gotten his peers at Mount Airy High School involved. Another way he is making this happen is through his role as regional vice president of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), where he introduces thousands of healthcare-focused students to volunteer opportunities and other enriching hands-on opportunities, collaborating with different organizations, such as High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, the Community Clinic of High Point, Wake Forest Baptist Health, among others. It’s a win-win for the students who gain clinical experience and the patients who receive access to care they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Upon learning that 40 percent of residents live below the federal poverty level, Rierson is even more motivated to do more for the community. He has become involved with other area organizations, including the local homeless shelter Shepherd’s House and the community food pantry Yokefellow Ministry. Beyond his nonprofit work, he also does his part at school, leading five blood drives and organizing multiple fundraisers for organizations, such as “Be the Match,” which helps individuals needing bone marrow transplants. Tying back to his roots, he also founded Tierra Hondureña Creations, supporting Honduran artisans, with proceeds benefiting his nonprofit, Sugar Check Charity.
Giving back is not just something that William Rierson does—it is very much a part of his identity. As he pursues a neuroscience major and a biology minor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or Harvard College, he will undoubtedly continue his efforts to uplift communities.
SILVER - Yaelle Lieb
SILVER
Yaelle Lieb
College: Elon University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Major: Nursing with a minor in Health Communications or Poverty & Social Justice
High School: Northern Guilford High School
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Zip Code: 27455
Hispanic Heritage: Chilean, Argentine & Spanish
For Yaelle Lieb, empathy and care tend to come naturally. “My high energy and enthusiasm have shown to be contagious and I still have plenty left to uplift anyone who needs it!” A soon-to-be nursing student, she spends her free days on Thursdays at the David D. Frazier Food Pantry where she helps distribute over 1,000 pounds of food to over 50 families every week. “I’ve learned how crucial it is to offer low-sugar foods for our diabetic guests and always look for healthier substitutes for them,” she says. Her community work extended to her summer job at Bur-Mil and Bryan parks as a first aider and camp counselor for 30-40 underserved, local youth. Spending the summer ensuring the campers stayed safe while avoiding sunburns, dehydration, and injuries, reinforced Yaelle’s interest in developing the skills she needs for nursing school. Since then, she's already completed the Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
After attending a countywide town hall about Fentanyl, Yaelle was motivated to do more for the youth in her town. With support from her high school principal and counselor, Yaelle created a Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter at her school, with the goal of organizing initiatives to support substance use prevention, personal health, and driving safety. Not only did she succeed in creating a chapter, by the end of her sophomore year, the National Organization of SADD recognized her approach to student engagement by making her a state representative and a member of the National Student Leadership Council (SLC). A year later, she became Vice President of the National SLC.
But what truly sets Yaelle apart is “her extraordinary worth ethic and leadership skills,” says Kathleen Elliot, Yaelle’s counselor at Northern Guilford High School. “Something that always stands out to me is that I never see Yaelle without a smile.” Her “natural ability to connect” and her “honesty, respect, and care towards her peers” allowed Yaelle’s influence to travel to the SADD Southern Leadership Summit last June. There she presented the Mobility Safety Toolkit to over 50 school chapters, and helped them plan their own SADD activities for the next school year.
Proud of her Argentine, Spanish, and Chilean heritage, she plans to “engage with a health outreach program [while in nursing school] and volunteer at a clinic like the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County near Elon University.” Their mission to offer free comprehensive care to the uninsured residents of Alamance County aligns her passion for nursing with her hopes for addressing the medical challenges that often face the Hispanic community. “Supporting these organizations is crucial as these clinics receive little to no federal or state funding,” and by “providing care in Spanish, this clinic helps patients describe their symptoms and pain levels, avoid misunderstandings, and get the care they need.”
Yaelle plans to attend either Elon University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, or University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall.
Yaelle Lieb
College: Elon University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Major: Nursing with a minor in Health Communications or Poverty & Social Justice
High School: Northern Guilford High School
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Zip Code: 27455
Hispanic Heritage: Chilean, Argentine & Spanish
For Yaelle Lieb, empathy and care tend to come naturally. “My high energy and enthusiasm have shown to be contagious and I still have plenty left to uplift anyone who needs it!” A soon-to-be nursing student, she spends her free days on Thursdays at the David D. Frazier Food Pantry where she helps distribute over 1,000 pounds of food to over 50 families every week. “I’ve learned how crucial it is to offer low-sugar foods for our diabetic guests and always look for healthier substitutes for them,” she says. Her community work extended to her summer job at Bur-Mil and Bryan parks as a first aider and camp counselor for 30-40 underserved, local youth. Spending the summer ensuring the campers stayed safe while avoiding sunburns, dehydration, and injuries, reinforced Yaelle’s interest in developing the skills she needs for nursing school. Since then, she's already completed the Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
After attending a countywide town hall about Fentanyl, Yaelle was motivated to do more for the youth in her town. With support from her high school principal and counselor, Yaelle created a Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter at her school, with the goal of organizing initiatives to support substance use prevention, personal health, and driving safety. Not only did she succeed in creating a chapter, by the end of her sophomore year, the National Organization of SADD recognized her approach to student engagement by making her a state representative and a member of the National Student Leadership Council (SLC). A year later, she became Vice President of the National SLC.
But what truly sets Yaelle apart is “her extraordinary worth ethic and leadership skills,” says Kathleen Elliot, Yaelle’s counselor at Northern Guilford High School. “Something that always stands out to me is that I never see Yaelle without a smile.” Her “natural ability to connect” and her “honesty, respect, and care towards her peers” allowed Yaelle’s influence to travel to the SADD Southern Leadership Summit last June. There she presented the Mobility Safety Toolkit to over 50 school chapters, and helped them plan their own SADD activities for the next school year.
Proud of her Argentine, Spanish, and Chilean heritage, she plans to “engage with a health outreach program [while in nursing school] and volunteer at a clinic like the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County near Elon University.” Their mission to offer free comprehensive care to the uninsured residents of Alamance County aligns her passion for nursing with her hopes for addressing the medical challenges that often face the Hispanic community. “Supporting these organizations is crucial as these clinics receive little to no federal or state funding,” and by “providing care in Spanish, this clinic helps patients describe their symptoms and pain levels, avoid misunderstandings, and get the care they need.”
Yaelle plans to attend either Elon University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, or University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall.
BRONZE - Cairo Tineo
BRONZE
Cairo Tineo
College: Duke University, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Finance with a minor in Economics
High School: Arborbrook Christian Academy
Hometown: Matthews, NC
Zip Code: 28104
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
As the oldest of five siblings, Dominican-American Cairo Tineo was taught the importance of service at a young age. “As the oldest child, I bear unspoken responsibilities that my siblings do not. It is my job to be an example for my siblings and ensure they, too, strive for success.” This foundation of service followed him on a pivotal mission trip to Guatemala where his outlook on community changed drastically. Raising over $2,000 to travel abroad, Cairo came to realize how simple action could snowball into wondrous impact. While in Santa Maria, Guatemala, the money he came to raise turned into supplies for new homes and paid for activities to connect with the local youth. He’s always felt “led towards service opportunities involving those younger than me. I love being a guiding example in their lives, and I sense that I am called to do more of this type of work in the future.”
Growing up feeling a bit “alienated” from his peers and like he was being “treated unfairly” due to his Dominican heritage, it wasn’t until this mission trip where he started to understand and visualize the stories his parents told him growing up. “My life drastically changed for the better, from how I treated others, my willingness to listen to my parents, and my work ethic to release my full potential.”
Back in his local community with a renewed spirit, Cairo joined the Love Boldly outreach program, where he packed, assembled, and delivered food boxes, beds, and supplies to those in need. “The realization that some people do not even have places to sleep was eye-opening,” he says. Since then, he’s also become a part of the non-profit organization Serve Unity, where he packs school supplies and food for students who don’t have access to them.
Cairo’s natural leadership abilities shine in his role as student council president and vice president of the National Honor Society, where his goal is to engage others in local volunteer opportunities. “I strongly believe [an issue that’s] affecting the Hispanic community is the lack of successful role models that are present in our lives.” He’s dedicated to becoming a role model for younger generations through coaching a sports program at the local elementary school. The program aims to introduce students to basketball at an earlier age to foster connection and to ensure programs that better the lives of local youth remain for years to come.
Planning on majoring in finance at Duke, Wake Forest, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall, Cairo hopes to become a role model for his peers as well. “I think as students we lack role models who can prove to us that college works. Exposing us to Hispanic lawyers, doctors, businessmen, or other successful individuals who pursued a college education would help us visualize that this could be a reality for us too.”
Cairo Tineo
College: Duke University, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Finance with a minor in Economics
High School: Arborbrook Christian Academy
Hometown: Matthews, NC
Zip Code: 28104
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
As the oldest of five siblings, Dominican-American Cairo Tineo was taught the importance of service at a young age. “As the oldest child, I bear unspoken responsibilities that my siblings do not. It is my job to be an example for my siblings and ensure they, too, strive for success.” This foundation of service followed him on a pivotal mission trip to Guatemala where his outlook on community changed drastically. Raising over $2,000 to travel abroad, Cairo came to realize how simple action could snowball into wondrous impact. While in Santa Maria, Guatemala, the money he came to raise turned into supplies for new homes and paid for activities to connect with the local youth. He’s always felt “led towards service opportunities involving those younger than me. I love being a guiding example in their lives, and I sense that I am called to do more of this type of work in the future.”
Growing up feeling a bit “alienated” from his peers and like he was being “treated unfairly” due to his Dominican heritage, it wasn’t until this mission trip where he started to understand and visualize the stories his parents told him growing up. “My life drastically changed for the better, from how I treated others, my willingness to listen to my parents, and my work ethic to release my full potential.”
Back in his local community with a renewed spirit, Cairo joined the Love Boldly outreach program, where he packed, assembled, and delivered food boxes, beds, and supplies to those in need. “The realization that some people do not even have places to sleep was eye-opening,” he says. Since then, he’s also become a part of the non-profit organization Serve Unity, where he packs school supplies and food for students who don’t have access to them.
Cairo’s natural leadership abilities shine in his role as student council president and vice president of the National Honor Society, where his goal is to engage others in local volunteer opportunities. “I strongly believe [an issue that’s] affecting the Hispanic community is the lack of successful role models that are present in our lives.” He’s dedicated to becoming a role model for younger generations through coaching a sports program at the local elementary school. The program aims to introduce students to basketball at an earlier age to foster connection and to ensure programs that better the lives of local youth remain for years to come.
Planning on majoring in finance at Duke, Wake Forest, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall, Cairo hopes to become a role model for his peers as well. “I think as students we lack role models who can prove to us that college works. Exposing us to Hispanic lawyers, doctors, businessmen, or other successful individuals who pursued a college education would help us visualize that this could be a reality for us too.”
Pink Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Melissa Juarez-Best
GOLD
Melissa Juarez-Best
College: Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, Concordia University, St. Paul
Major: Nursing
High School: Fridley High School
Hometown: Fridley, MN
Zip Code: 55432
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
“Melissa will be a powerful force for change in this world,” promises Elizabeth Jensen, the AVID District Director at Fridley High School. And with an extensive resume of involvement at both her town and district’s Key Club chapters, Honduran-American student Melissa Juarez-Best seems to make good on that promise.
Drawn to the organization due to its emphasis on diversity, equality, and inclusion, Melissa spent her first term serving as lieutenant governor where she completed 300 hours of service. This achievement led her to apply to the Robert F Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governor Award—which she won—and to serve on the District Board for the Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota district. Now as the district secretary, she’s only thriving, leading her district to success. Partnering with the non-profit Harvest Pack, she contributed in packing over 80,000 meals at the Key Club’s District Convention. While there, she led officer training sessions alongside multiple workshops on operational effectiveness and relationship management.
“Seeing the joy and impact [service work] makes in peoples’ lives is what inspires me to give back,” Melissa says. And spreading that impact at both a district and community level is her goal. Serving as a bridge between the local and broader communities, Melissa’s become a passionate educator and role model for not only her Key Club members, but also for the Kiwanis, an non-profit organization for adults that shares a similar mission. “[They] often invite me to meetings that they hold so I’m able to share my experience,” informs Melissa. “They serve as my role model, and I serve as their role model, and that's what Key Club is all about.”
Seeing the struggles one of her own role models—her mother—faced, showed Melissa that her service will always be tied into her heritage. Melissa’s mother and family faced homelessness while Melissa was growing up. “About 22% of Hispanics make up the homeless population. No person should ever face challenges like these where you cannot have basic resources to survive,” she says.
Regardless of the project, she keeps her work rooted in empathy, focusing on addressing the issues that impact the Hispanic community head on. “Throughout my lifetime, I've been treated differently due to the way I look,” and “I’ve seen this firsthand through my parents, who also faced the same issues, along with the fact they don’t have a perfect English accent.” Language barriers are something that takes precedence in Melissa’s mind, as she aims to be the voice of not only her Key Club chapter but of the Hispanic community. “Seeing my community struggle at times motivates me to stand on my feet and give back.”
Looking ahead to nursing school in the fall, Melissa’s dreams for the future are nothing but bright. She hopes that by creating a cycle of giving back within Hispanic communities, it’ll pay off tenfold. “With this mentality, the Hispanic community will thrive in the upcoming future. We'll have more voices to represent the community. No voice will be unheard.”
Melissa Juarez-Best
College: Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, Concordia University, St. Paul
Major: Nursing
High School: Fridley High School
Hometown: Fridley, MN
Zip Code: 55432
Hispanic Heritage: Honduran
“Melissa will be a powerful force for change in this world,” promises Elizabeth Jensen, the AVID District Director at Fridley High School. And with an extensive resume of involvement at both her town and district’s Key Club chapters, Honduran-American student Melissa Juarez-Best seems to make good on that promise.
Drawn to the organization due to its emphasis on diversity, equality, and inclusion, Melissa spent her first term serving as lieutenant governor where she completed 300 hours of service. This achievement led her to apply to the Robert F Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governor Award—which she won—and to serve on the District Board for the Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota district. Now as the district secretary, she’s only thriving, leading her district to success. Partnering with the non-profit Harvest Pack, she contributed in packing over 80,000 meals at the Key Club’s District Convention. While there, she led officer training sessions alongside multiple workshops on operational effectiveness and relationship management.
“Seeing the joy and impact [service work] makes in peoples’ lives is what inspires me to give back,” Melissa says. And spreading that impact at both a district and community level is her goal. Serving as a bridge between the local and broader communities, Melissa’s become a passionate educator and role model for not only her Key Club members, but also for the Kiwanis, an non-profit organization for adults that shares a similar mission. “[They] often invite me to meetings that they hold so I’m able to share my experience,” informs Melissa. “They serve as my role model, and I serve as their role model, and that's what Key Club is all about.”
Seeing the struggles one of her own role models—her mother—faced, showed Melissa that her service will always be tied into her heritage. Melissa’s mother and family faced homelessness while Melissa was growing up. “About 22% of Hispanics make up the homeless population. No person should ever face challenges like these where you cannot have basic resources to survive,” she says.
Regardless of the project, she keeps her work rooted in empathy, focusing on addressing the issues that impact the Hispanic community head on. “Throughout my lifetime, I've been treated differently due to the way I look,” and “I’ve seen this firsthand through my parents, who also faced the same issues, along with the fact they don’t have a perfect English accent.” Language barriers are something that takes precedence in Melissa’s mind, as she aims to be the voice of not only her Key Club chapter but of the Hispanic community. “Seeing my community struggle at times motivates me to stand on my feet and give back.”
Looking ahead to nursing school in the fall, Melissa’s dreams for the future are nothing but bright. She hopes that by creating a cycle of giving back within Hispanic communities, it’ll pay off tenfold. “With this mentality, the Hispanic community will thrive in the upcoming future. We'll have more voices to represent the community. No voice will be unheard.”
SILVER - Victoria Contreras
SILVER
Victoria Contreras
College: Vanderbilt University, The Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania
Major: Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, and Bioethics and Society
High School: Beavercreek High School
Hometown: Beavercreek, OH
Zip Code: 45431
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) Corps Commander and proud Venezuelan-American, Victoria Contreras knows just how much impact you can have on your community through dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting commitment to leadership. Serving her local area through various organizations and local councils, Victoria’s commitment to care has led her to accumulate more than 200 hours of volunteer work and over 350 hours of leadership development work in just AFJROTC alone. As one of her unit’s leaders, she’s devoted to helping provide aid through the Wounded Warrior Project. In her local community she provides assistance to wounded veterans in their day-to-day lives, whether that means clearing up yards or laying wreaths for Wreaths Across America at Dayton National Cemetery. Victoria also volunteers at the Special Olympics of Dayton to provide sports training for adults with disabilities.
Outside of her leadership in JROTC, Victoria has a passion for providing help and care at an individual level, leading her to be on the Executive Board of the City of Beavercreek Youth Council. There she’s the service learning coordinator, secretary, and vice president. Each year, she partakes in the holiday community event Adopt-a-Senior where the focus is to foster connection and bring joy to lives of local seniors who are no longer in contact with their loved ones. The ultimate goal? “To let them know they are cherished and not forgotten,” she says.
At her local hospital, Miami Valley, she aims to do even more. As a first-generation American, Victoria deeply understands the social, economic, and medical disparities that often face the Hispanic community. “Statistically speaking, less than 3% of my community is Hispanic,” she explains, “ and I have witnessed firsthand the struggles of those who cannot communicate.” Through her work as a Patient Care Tech and translator, Victoria advocates for Spanish-speaking patients by ensuring their voice is heard through their treatment process. Alongside her work at the hospital, Victoria was hand-picked to be a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) camp counselor through the city of Beavercreek. Adapting to various high-stress situations, her “most challenging experience” was ensuring the safety of ten elementary school girls during a three-day overnight camp. Whether it was distracting the girl’s from their own anxieties by doing their nails or listening to music, she made a memorable impact on each child.
This fall, she’s hopeful to bring her leadership prowess to either Vanderbilt, Ohio State, or U Penn. Hoping that, like in her AFJROTC unit, she’s able to bring together people of “various walks of life,” and encourage them to “represent something greater than ourselves—our service and commitment to our diverse community and peers.”
Victoria Contreras
College: Vanderbilt University, The Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania
Major: Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, and Bioethics and Society
High School: Beavercreek High School
Hometown: Beavercreek, OH
Zip Code: 45431
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) Corps Commander and proud Venezuelan-American, Victoria Contreras knows just how much impact you can have on your community through dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting commitment to leadership. Serving her local area through various organizations and local councils, Victoria’s commitment to care has led her to accumulate more than 200 hours of volunteer work and over 350 hours of leadership development work in just AFJROTC alone. As one of her unit’s leaders, she’s devoted to helping provide aid through the Wounded Warrior Project. In her local community she provides assistance to wounded veterans in their day-to-day lives, whether that means clearing up yards or laying wreaths for Wreaths Across America at Dayton National Cemetery. Victoria also volunteers at the Special Olympics of Dayton to provide sports training for adults with disabilities.
Outside of her leadership in JROTC, Victoria has a passion for providing help and care at an individual level, leading her to be on the Executive Board of the City of Beavercreek Youth Council. There she’s the service learning coordinator, secretary, and vice president. Each year, she partakes in the holiday community event Adopt-a-Senior where the focus is to foster connection and bring joy to lives of local seniors who are no longer in contact with their loved ones. The ultimate goal? “To let them know they are cherished and not forgotten,” she says.
At her local hospital, Miami Valley, she aims to do even more. As a first-generation American, Victoria deeply understands the social, economic, and medical disparities that often face the Hispanic community. “Statistically speaking, less than 3% of my community is Hispanic,” she explains, “ and I have witnessed firsthand the struggles of those who cannot communicate.” Through her work as a Patient Care Tech and translator, Victoria advocates for Spanish-speaking patients by ensuring their voice is heard through their treatment process. Alongside her work at the hospital, Victoria was hand-picked to be a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) camp counselor through the city of Beavercreek. Adapting to various high-stress situations, her “most challenging experience” was ensuring the safety of ten elementary school girls during a three-day overnight camp. Whether it was distracting the girl’s from their own anxieties by doing their nails or listening to music, she made a memorable impact on each child.
This fall, she’s hopeful to bring her leadership prowess to either Vanderbilt, Ohio State, or U Penn. Hoping that, like in her AFJROTC unit, she’s able to bring together people of “various walks of life,” and encourage them to “represent something greater than ourselves—our service and commitment to our diverse community and peers.”
BRONZE - Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago
BRONZE
Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago
College: The University of Utah, University of Cincinnati, New York University
Major: Physical Therapy with minors in Dance and Spanish
High School: Pleasant Valley High School
Hometown: Rock Island, IL
Zip Code: 61201
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
“Alejandra, if you aren’t going to wear it, donate it to someone that is,” is something Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago often recalls her mother saying to her as a child. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alejandra cites her family and her island upbringing as what called her to community service in the first place. All too familiar with the devastation that’s swept over her island, she remembers a pivotal moment after Hurricane Maria where she learned what it meant to come together for your community. “But [even after the hurricane] Puerto Ricans were smiling and happy. They helped one another restore what they had lost. They came together as a community and faced [the outcomes] with strength.”
Not only does she credit her desire to give back to her culture, but also to her parents. “My parents didn’t grow up with much,” she explains, and it “made me realize how grateful I am for the opportunities I have and the things I have.” This mindset led her to her high school community service project at a local child care facility. There she’s a counselor for the kids and helps them navigate the challenges of growing up by offering them her friendship or just a listening ear. Her goal is to inspire them to want to make an impact on the world around them. “Giving back to your community can be done in so many ways,” she says and she hopes to help foster the generation under her to get started in service early.
Serving on the student council, the Spartan Assembly, at Pleasant Valley High School, Alejandra helped her district raise 92,000 pounds of food for the Student Hunger Drive with the River Bend Food Bank. This annual event is six-weeks long, relying on donations from the students and teachers. Outside of those donations, she helped host various events, including a Cross Country Cookout and Trick or Treat for Cans, to further their can and monetary donations. This year, she’s in charge of keeping track of the drive, and hopes to collect 100,000 pounds of food, surpassing last year’s record.
The availability of healthy food is something that’s often taken for granted, and something Alejandra’s passionate about addressing in her own communities. “Food insecurity is something that all communities are facing, and the Hispanic community is also very much affected by it. Many families don’t have the ability to get nutritious foods due unemployment, low wages, and poverty.” Looking towards her future, she’s inspired to address this at not only her local level, but worldwide. “I want to ensure that everyone is able to get the food that they need.”
As she transitions to college where she intends to major in physical therapy, Alejandra plans to continue making an impact by getting involved with the student council. Ideally she wants to teach her peers that whether you’re donating clothes, volunteering at a camp, or raising funds for an organization, there’s no action too small if it’s bettering your community.
Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago
College: The University of Utah, University of Cincinnati, New York University
Major: Physical Therapy with minors in Dance and Spanish
High School: Pleasant Valley High School
Hometown: Rock Island, IL
Zip Code: 61201
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
“Alejandra, if you aren’t going to wear it, donate it to someone that is,” is something Alejandra Rodriguez Santiago often recalls her mother saying to her as a child. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alejandra cites her family and her island upbringing as what called her to community service in the first place. All too familiar with the devastation that’s swept over her island, she remembers a pivotal moment after Hurricane Maria where she learned what it meant to come together for your community. “But [even after the hurricane] Puerto Ricans were smiling and happy. They helped one another restore what they had lost. They came together as a community and faced [the outcomes] with strength.”
Not only does she credit her desire to give back to her culture, but also to her parents. “My parents didn’t grow up with much,” she explains, and it “made me realize how grateful I am for the opportunities I have and the things I have.” This mindset led her to her high school community service project at a local child care facility. There she’s a counselor for the kids and helps them navigate the challenges of growing up by offering them her friendship or just a listening ear. Her goal is to inspire them to want to make an impact on the world around them. “Giving back to your community can be done in so many ways,” she says and she hopes to help foster the generation under her to get started in service early.
Serving on the student council, the Spartan Assembly, at Pleasant Valley High School, Alejandra helped her district raise 92,000 pounds of food for the Student Hunger Drive with the River Bend Food Bank. This annual event is six-weeks long, relying on donations from the students and teachers. Outside of those donations, she helped host various events, including a Cross Country Cookout and Trick or Treat for Cans, to further their can and monetary donations. This year, she’s in charge of keeping track of the drive, and hopes to collect 100,000 pounds of food, surpassing last year’s record.
The availability of healthy food is something that’s often taken for granted, and something Alejandra’s passionate about addressing in her own communities. “Food insecurity is something that all communities are facing, and the Hispanic community is also very much affected by it. Many families don’t have the ability to get nutritious foods due unemployment, low wages, and poverty.” Looking towards her future, she’s inspired to address this at not only her local level, but worldwide. “I want to ensure that everyone is able to get the food that they need.”
As she transitions to college where she intends to major in physical therapy, Alejandra plans to continue making an impact by getting involved with the student council. Ideally she wants to teach her peers that whether you’re donating clothes, volunteering at a camp, or raising funds for an organization, there’s no action too small if it’s bettering your community.
Purple Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Alexis DiPrima
GOLD
Alexis DiPrima
College: Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University
Major: Political Science with a Minors in Business Management and Economics
High School: Rosemead High School
Hometown: Rosemead, CA
Zip Code: 91770
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“On the morning of my sixteenth birthday, I woke up with a mission to change the world,” says high school senior Alexis DiPrima. “I knew three things about my then broad goal: I wanted this new initiative to pertain
to advocacy, youth empowerment, and uplifting the Latinx/Hispanic community.” With those clear initiatives in mind, Alexis created an online and international non-profit youth advisory organization called Vuela: Visionaries Uniting and Empowering Leaders of America. Vuela’s mission is to connect middle and high schoolers with mentors that guide them on how to get involved with advocacy-based organizations in the United States or Latin America. Why the name Vuela? For Alexis, it “was reflective of the systemic and personal barriers I had ‘flown above’ throughout that year.”
Some of those barriers were at school, where she was dealing with the feeling of underrepresentation as a high-achieving Latina. Proud of her Mexican heritage and in love with the mosaic of cultures that are present in her hometown of Rosemead, California, there was still one particular thing Alexis felt frustrated with: the lack of Hispanic students in her accelerated classes. “I was so floored by this stark underrepresentation of people that shared my cultural background that I often felt as though I did not belong,” she says. Called to action, Alexis founded the Hispanic Youth Leadership Council at her school, Rosemead High. The council serves as a place where other Hispanic students can share their stories and experiences in hopes of fostering a sense of belonging. Realizing that the issue wasn’t confined to her school, Alexis ensures the council hosts cultural celebrations, college fairs, and leadership seminars to empower those high-achieving students to continue to shine.
While empowering her peers, it’s not lost on Alexis that her first real acts of service were in her home. Signing her sister’s name on holiday and birthday cards has been an annual cadence, as her sister is non-verbal and autistic. “My small acts of service for her—from alerting my parents when I believed she was hungry to performing acts on her behalf that she could not—are what I attribute to my love of community service,” she says. In speaking up for her sister, Alexis learned how to speak up for herself. Felt drawn to being a voice for her and her peers, Alexis became a youth leader in her youth ministry. There she learned quickly how to handle divisive matters like religion and politics, and created a six-week series called “Taboo Topics,” where she held discussions on subjects she ran into as a devout Catholic for her students.
Looking to the future, Alexis plans to major in political science and hopes to work in the Department of Education or take office one day. With a recent internship at the YWCA, she’s already shaping the local community through advisory work, justice-based workshops, and local peace walks. Inspired by local politician and Latina, Senator Susan Rubio, Alexis is determined to see more Hispanic representation across work disciplines. “To work towards empowering Latinos everywhere, there must be Latinx representation everywhere.”
Alexis DiPrima
College: Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University
Major: Political Science with a Minors in Business Management and Economics
High School: Rosemead High School
Hometown: Rosemead, CA
Zip Code: 91770
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“On the morning of my sixteenth birthday, I woke up with a mission to change the world,” says high school senior Alexis DiPrima. “I knew three things about my then broad goal: I wanted this new initiative to pertain
to advocacy, youth empowerment, and uplifting the Latinx/Hispanic community.” With those clear initiatives in mind, Alexis created an online and international non-profit youth advisory organization called Vuela: Visionaries Uniting and Empowering Leaders of America. Vuela’s mission is to connect middle and high schoolers with mentors that guide them on how to get involved with advocacy-based organizations in the United States or Latin America. Why the name Vuela? For Alexis, it “was reflective of the systemic and personal barriers I had ‘flown above’ throughout that year.”
Some of those barriers were at school, where she was dealing with the feeling of underrepresentation as a high-achieving Latina. Proud of her Mexican heritage and in love with the mosaic of cultures that are present in her hometown of Rosemead, California, there was still one particular thing Alexis felt frustrated with: the lack of Hispanic students in her accelerated classes. “I was so floored by this stark underrepresentation of people that shared my cultural background that I often felt as though I did not belong,” she says. Called to action, Alexis founded the Hispanic Youth Leadership Council at her school, Rosemead High. The council serves as a place where other Hispanic students can share their stories and experiences in hopes of fostering a sense of belonging. Realizing that the issue wasn’t confined to her school, Alexis ensures the council hosts cultural celebrations, college fairs, and leadership seminars to empower those high-achieving students to continue to shine.
While empowering her peers, it’s not lost on Alexis that her first real acts of service were in her home. Signing her sister’s name on holiday and birthday cards has been an annual cadence, as her sister is non-verbal and autistic. “My small acts of service for her—from alerting my parents when I believed she was hungry to performing acts on her behalf that she could not—are what I attribute to my love of community service,” she says. In speaking up for her sister, Alexis learned how to speak up for herself. Felt drawn to being a voice for her and her peers, Alexis became a youth leader in her youth ministry. There she learned quickly how to handle divisive matters like religion and politics, and created a six-week series called “Taboo Topics,” where she held discussions on subjects she ran into as a devout Catholic for her students.
Looking to the future, Alexis plans to major in political science and hopes to work in the Department of Education or take office one day. With a recent internship at the YWCA, she’s already shaping the local community through advisory work, justice-based workshops, and local peace walks. Inspired by local politician and Latina, Senator Susan Rubio, Alexis is determined to see more Hispanic representation across work disciplines. “To work towards empowering Latinos everywhere, there must be Latinx representation everywhere.”
SILVER - Ivanna Ruiz
SILVER
Ivanna Ruiz
College: Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University
Major: International Relations with a minor in Latin American Studies
High School: Olympian High School
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Zip Code: 91915
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Inspired by simple acts of service by her abuela, politically minded, San Diego-based student Ivanna Ruiz redefines what serving your community looks like. Recognizing that servitude is often a “precursor to communication,” Ivanna focuses on how she can best make a difference in her own community. Founding the United for Migrant Learning literacy program (UML), her self-started community project focuses on alleviating the stressors ESL students face while learning a new language. “I will never forget starting with a 40-dollar budget and my [only] knowledge on non-profit law [was] limited to a local community college course,” she says. Now after raising over $6,000 in funding, donating four book collections to local elementary schools, and hosting over 18 in-person classes, the UML continues to grow.
Growing up in San Diego, Mexican-American Ivanna grew up in a neighborhood that’s primarily Hispanic immigrants. Well-familiar with the “anti-immigrant sentiment native to America,” when Ivanna received the League of Women Voters San Diego grant, she used the money to launch a voter education program in partnership with Alliance San Diego where she’s a legal rights intern. By launching this program, she hopes to raise the voices of the Hispanic community and offers various resources and transportation to support voter knowledge. At school she utilizes her position as the president of her high school’s Democrats of America club to educate her peers on women’s rights. By hosting bi-weekly lunch presentations, she was able to raise money for local women and immigrant shelters. In her broader community, Ivanna has worked with Diversify our Narrative, a non-profit that aims to build an anti-racist future through education by providing feedback on San Diego’s ethnic studies curriculum. At a national-level after lobbying Senator Alex Padilla on immigration policy, she was invited to join Voices for Migration Ambassadors. The group partners with Temple University professors and immigration advocates, and holds quarterly meetings to discuss what’s happening with immigration in San Diego as well in the broader region.
As the first person in her family to attend college in the United States, Ivanna is intent on breaking down the barriers to higher education for her peers. During her time on the Student Advisory Board for the Los Angeles Times High School Insider, a newspaper, she wrote a piece on the California Dream Act Service Incentive grant which in turn inspired her to help launch the First Generation Scholars club at her school, Olympian High. The club aims to address educational obstacles by increasing the representation of Hispanic issues at the federal level by voting for politicians and measures that increase funding for equitable education. Alongside this work, she volunteered in the recent Get Out and Vote campaign with the David Alvarez assembly team where they made over 2,400 calls to elect democratic candidates in swing states.
Ivanna intends to major in international relations at Stanford, UCLA, or Georgetown this fall, where she’ll continue to shake the status quo and advocate for the betterment of all.
Ivanna Ruiz
College: Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University
Major: International Relations with a minor in Latin American Studies
High School: Olympian High School
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Zip Code: 91915
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Inspired by simple acts of service by her abuela, politically minded, San Diego-based student Ivanna Ruiz redefines what serving your community looks like. Recognizing that servitude is often a “precursor to communication,” Ivanna focuses on how she can best make a difference in her own community. Founding the United for Migrant Learning literacy program (UML), her self-started community project focuses on alleviating the stressors ESL students face while learning a new language. “I will never forget starting with a 40-dollar budget and my [only] knowledge on non-profit law [was] limited to a local community college course,” she says. Now after raising over $6,000 in funding, donating four book collections to local elementary schools, and hosting over 18 in-person classes, the UML continues to grow.
Growing up in San Diego, Mexican-American Ivanna grew up in a neighborhood that’s primarily Hispanic immigrants. Well-familiar with the “anti-immigrant sentiment native to America,” when Ivanna received the League of Women Voters San Diego grant, she used the money to launch a voter education program in partnership with Alliance San Diego where she’s a legal rights intern. By launching this program, she hopes to raise the voices of the Hispanic community and offers various resources and transportation to support voter knowledge. At school she utilizes her position as the president of her high school’s Democrats of America club to educate her peers on women’s rights. By hosting bi-weekly lunch presentations, she was able to raise money for local women and immigrant shelters. In her broader community, Ivanna has worked with Diversify our Narrative, a non-profit that aims to build an anti-racist future through education by providing feedback on San Diego’s ethnic studies curriculum. At a national-level after lobbying Senator Alex Padilla on immigration policy, she was invited to join Voices for Migration Ambassadors. The group partners with Temple University professors and immigration advocates, and holds quarterly meetings to discuss what’s happening with immigration in San Diego as well in the broader region.
As the first person in her family to attend college in the United States, Ivanna is intent on breaking down the barriers to higher education for her peers. During her time on the Student Advisory Board for the Los Angeles Times High School Insider, a newspaper, she wrote a piece on the California Dream Act Service Incentive grant which in turn inspired her to help launch the First Generation Scholars club at her school, Olympian High. The club aims to address educational obstacles by increasing the representation of Hispanic issues at the federal level by voting for politicians and measures that increase funding for equitable education. Alongside this work, she volunteered in the recent Get Out and Vote campaign with the David Alvarez assembly team where they made over 2,400 calls to elect democratic candidates in swing states.
Ivanna intends to major in international relations at Stanford, UCLA, or Georgetown this fall, where she’ll continue to shake the status quo and advocate for the betterment of all.
BRONZE - Jazmine Cardenas
BRONZE
Jazmine Cardenas
College: University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Political Science and Public Policy with minors in Legal Studies and International Relations
High School: San Dimas High School
Hometown: San Dimas, CA
Zip Code: 91773
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Peruvian
For Jazmine Cardenas, the reason to get involved with community service is simple: people should help each other. “If you have the power to do something that can positively affect people, why not do it?” she says. True to this motto, when she noticed the lack of a UNICEF chapter at her new school, Jazmine started it herself. Since then, she’s completed over 300 hours of community service with various local organizations, including the local hospital. Engaging over 40 other students, they wrote 200 cards for patients and seniors filled with encouraging words and positive sentiments. Her natural leadership abilities make it easy for her to be the voice of her peers, and she’s dedicated to creating platforms to advocate for the youth. As a mental health policy specialist with the Youth Power Project and a youth advisory member with the California Catalyst Center, she’s been able to advocate for mental health resources and write youth-centered policy.
Passionate about the public policy space, Jazmine joined the Harvard School of Public Health Youth Corps as a policy translator. There, she was able to work on a team to promote the passing of bill AB82, which bans weight loss supplements for minors as they promote both negative mental and physical effects. During this time she also worked with YWCA as a youth advisory board member, volunteering almost 100 hours towards domestic violence education and awareness. She’s also encouraged her UNICEF club members to get involved and brings them to YWCA’s annual domestic violence candlelight vigil to volunteer.
Citing her heritage as one of her prime motivators, Jazmine says her Latinx background “has heavily influenced [her] approach to community service as it has been one of [her] intersectional identities that pushed [her] passion for giving a voice to the underrepresented.” As the vice president of San Dimas High School’s Spanish honor society, Jazmine’s honored to be able to bring her Mexican and Peruvian heritage into her school’s community. During Hispanic Heritage Month, she planned multiple events that represented the multifaceted beauty of Hispanic culture. From engaging the school in lotería games and school-wide soccer tournaments in one moment, to raising money for families affected by domestic violence by selling pupusas and agua frescas, she considers the month to be a success. But her proudest moment was planning a Peruvian performance that showcased the music and history of Peru, which, for some of her peers, was the first time they saw their heritage celebrated in a public space. “[It made me feel] proud to have been in charge of representing the beauty of Hispanic cultures, and to also make sure people were feeling connected to their heritage,” she says.
Looking towards the future Jazmine intends to major in political science and public policy at either USC or UCLA this fall. In a discipline that’s dominated by white men, Jazmine wants to be a voice for the underrepresented, explaining that when “a sector of public servants is diverse, that is when the most beneficial service can be made.”
Jazmine Cardenas
College: University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Political Science and Public Policy with minors in Legal Studies and International Relations
High School: San Dimas High School
Hometown: San Dimas, CA
Zip Code: 91773
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican & Peruvian
For Jazmine Cardenas, the reason to get involved with community service is simple: people should help each other. “If you have the power to do something that can positively affect people, why not do it?” she says. True to this motto, when she noticed the lack of a UNICEF chapter at her new school, Jazmine started it herself. Since then, she’s completed over 300 hours of community service with various local organizations, including the local hospital. Engaging over 40 other students, they wrote 200 cards for patients and seniors filled with encouraging words and positive sentiments. Her natural leadership abilities make it easy for her to be the voice of her peers, and she’s dedicated to creating platforms to advocate for the youth. As a mental health policy specialist with the Youth Power Project and a youth advisory member with the California Catalyst Center, she’s been able to advocate for mental health resources and write youth-centered policy.
Passionate about the public policy space, Jazmine joined the Harvard School of Public Health Youth Corps as a policy translator. There, she was able to work on a team to promote the passing of bill AB82, which bans weight loss supplements for minors as they promote both negative mental and physical effects. During this time she also worked with YWCA as a youth advisory board member, volunteering almost 100 hours towards domestic violence education and awareness. She’s also encouraged her UNICEF club members to get involved and brings them to YWCA’s annual domestic violence candlelight vigil to volunteer.
Citing her heritage as one of her prime motivators, Jazmine says her Latinx background “has heavily influenced [her] approach to community service as it has been one of [her] intersectional identities that pushed [her] passion for giving a voice to the underrepresented.” As the vice president of San Dimas High School’s Spanish honor society, Jazmine’s honored to be able to bring her Mexican and Peruvian heritage into her school’s community. During Hispanic Heritage Month, she planned multiple events that represented the multifaceted beauty of Hispanic culture. From engaging the school in lotería games and school-wide soccer tournaments in one moment, to raising money for families affected by domestic violence by selling pupusas and agua frescas, she considers the month to be a success. But her proudest moment was planning a Peruvian performance that showcased the music and history of Peru, which, for some of her peers, was the first time they saw their heritage celebrated in a public space. “[It made me feel] proud to have been in charge of representing the beauty of Hispanic cultures, and to also make sure people were feeling connected to their heritage,” she says.
Looking towards the future Jazmine intends to major in political science and public policy at either USC or UCLA this fall. In a discipline that’s dominated by white men, Jazmine wants to be a voice for the underrepresented, explaining that when “a sector of public servants is diverse, that is when the most beneficial service can be made.”
Red Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Alicia Madjido
GOLD
Alicia Madjido
College: Harvard College, Duke University, Yale University
Major: Neuroscience with minors in Latino Studies and African American Studies
High School: Half Hollow Hills High School East
Hometown: Melville, NY
Zip Code: 11747
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
“When you first look at Alicia’s academic records, you will quickly recognize that her scores are outstanding with a 98 overall Grade Point Average and a near perfect ACT Exam,” says Curtis Hinchman, guidance counselor at Half Hollow Hills High School East. “What you won’t see is Alicia’s smile, her bright and cheerful expression that naturally seems forever adorned to Alicia’s face.” With a jam-packed schedule of advanced placement classes, competition cheer, and countless service hours, Alicia Madjido explains that prioritizing community involvement is just in her nature. Growing up, her mother was heavily involved in their local Jack and Jill of America chapter, which focuses on nurturing future African-American leaders. As a proud Afro-Latina of Dominican descent and first generation American, Alicia remembers how that organization became an extension of her nuclear family, and an integral part of her identity growing up.
Now in the Jack and Jill of America Suffolk County chapter as a young adult, she’s able to give back to the organization that means so much to her. She serves on the Teen Executive Committee that’s responsible for organizing and leading community service initiatives like volunteering at soup kitchens and shelters. They also organize annual events like Operation Backpack, where they collect and donate backpacks and school supplies for students in need, and the Breast Cancer 5K run/walk. As the legislative chair, she has lobbied her state and national government representatives, advocating for better education and environmental policies. Earning over 300 hours of service over her high school career, she won the Jack and Jill National Youth Volunteer Service Award.
With education being one of the top issues affecting the Latinx community, she co-founded the LatinXTech Long Island Chapter, a student-founded non-profit that’s dedicated to empowering underserved youth through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. Their mission is to utilize technology to promote equality and create opportunity for children of all backgrounds. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, Alicia is in multiple honor societies—National, Math, Science, and Spanish—in hopes of bettering the broader community and creating more opportunities for kids at every level.
Amongst her peers, Alicia is a catalyst for change. Her decision to join her school’s competitive co-ed cheerleading team was questioned by her AP/Honor classmates who told her “cheerleading is not for smart students.” Challenging that status quo, she’s since bridged this divide by encouraging these various social groups to get to know one another, leading her to win the Sportsmanship Award this past fall. Alicia intends to major in neuroscience at Harvard, Duke, or Yale this year.
Alicia Madjido
College: Harvard College, Duke University, Yale University
Major: Neuroscience with minors in Latino Studies and African American Studies
High School: Half Hollow Hills High School East
Hometown: Melville, NY
Zip Code: 11747
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
“When you first look at Alicia’s academic records, you will quickly recognize that her scores are outstanding with a 98 overall Grade Point Average and a near perfect ACT Exam,” says Curtis Hinchman, guidance counselor at Half Hollow Hills High School East. “What you won’t see is Alicia’s smile, her bright and cheerful expression that naturally seems forever adorned to Alicia’s face.” With a jam-packed schedule of advanced placement classes, competition cheer, and countless service hours, Alicia Madjido explains that prioritizing community involvement is just in her nature. Growing up, her mother was heavily involved in their local Jack and Jill of America chapter, which focuses on nurturing future African-American leaders. As a proud Afro-Latina of Dominican descent and first generation American, Alicia remembers how that organization became an extension of her nuclear family, and an integral part of her identity growing up.
Now in the Jack and Jill of America Suffolk County chapter as a young adult, she’s able to give back to the organization that means so much to her. She serves on the Teen Executive Committee that’s responsible for organizing and leading community service initiatives like volunteering at soup kitchens and shelters. They also organize annual events like Operation Backpack, where they collect and donate backpacks and school supplies for students in need, and the Breast Cancer 5K run/walk. As the legislative chair, she has lobbied her state and national government representatives, advocating for better education and environmental policies. Earning over 300 hours of service over her high school career, she won the Jack and Jill National Youth Volunteer Service Award.
With education being one of the top issues affecting the Latinx community, she co-founded the LatinXTech Long Island Chapter, a student-founded non-profit that’s dedicated to empowering underserved youth through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. Their mission is to utilize technology to promote equality and create opportunity for children of all backgrounds. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, Alicia is in multiple honor societies—National, Math, Science, and Spanish—in hopes of bettering the broader community and creating more opportunities for kids at every level.
Amongst her peers, Alicia is a catalyst for change. Her decision to join her school’s competitive co-ed cheerleading team was questioned by her AP/Honor classmates who told her “cheerleading is not for smart students.” Challenging that status quo, she’s since bridged this divide by encouraging these various social groups to get to know one another, leading her to win the Sportsmanship Award this past fall. Alicia intends to major in neuroscience at Harvard, Duke, or Yale this year.
SILVER - Iago Macknik-Conde
SILVER
Iago Macknik-Conde
College: Harvard College, Yale University, Columbia University
Major: History and International Relations with a minor in Political Science
High School: Home School
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Zip Code: 11203
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
Dedicated to bettering his New York community, Spanish-American Iago Macknik-Conde’s impact is nothing short of extraordinary. Serving the Brooklyn Public Library for the last eight years, he’s created and led discussion group sessions for naturalization candidates, volunteered at the Juneteenth celebrations and “Brooklyn Resists” exhibition, as well as been a part of the “Let’s Get out the Youth Vote” campaign. His commitment to his Brooklyn community was awarded with five Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and a Congressional Award.
Inspired by fellow change maker Malala Yousafzai, Iago channels her resilience and spirit in the work he does for his local area, including raising over $30,000 for the Malala Fund to support literacy for girls around the world. As a part of this fundraising, he engaged more of his fellow male classmates, realizing that a large part of advocacy—especially for women-specific initiatives— is getting everyone involved. Through that work he was invited to watch Malala’s induction as a Messenger of Peace at the United Nations. “Malala’s unwavering spirit taught me I could promote positive change and have an impact on my community despite my youth,” he says.
With poverty “affecting 14.4% of Hispanic households in the United States,” Iago focuses on how education can help positively impact the poverty line. Over the last four years, he has hosted The Writer’s Cafe where he teaches creative writing to K-12 students. He helps over 40 students across the globe, and has been recognized for this work in The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, The Knowledge Project, and Cricket Magazine. Outside of the Writer’s Cafe, he also helps mentor elementary school students with Reading Partner Connects, moderates a National Teen Writers’ Summit, and is a managing editor of a local literary teen zine. Focusing on literacy amongst his peers and generations underneath him has led to his advocacy for the NYC libraries, joining the New York City Council at the Rally Against Budget Cuts campaign. By speaking up against these potential budget cuts, he helped ensure that the 2025 budget includes keeping the NYC libraries open seven days a week.
As an Intellectual Freedom Fellow and Freedom-to-Read ambassador, he was the sole speaker at the Banned Books Press Conference to advocate for reading in schools. The same year he delivered a televised speech alongside the NYC mayor and three library branch presidents advocating for intellectual freedom.
A history aficionado, Iago is also a Bill of Rights institute student fellow, and has participated in the James Madison Seminar on the Principles of American Constitutionalism, the National WWII Museum's leadership academy, and the National History Academy. Last year, he started a project for National History Day on Bernardo de Gálvez, a Spanish military leader who turned the tide for the American Revolution. His work won first place in New York and won the Captain Ken Coskey Naval History Award.
This fall Iago hopes to attend Harvard, Yale, or Columbia where he’ll major in history and international relations.
Iago Macknik-Conde
College: Harvard College, Yale University, Columbia University
Major: History and International Relations with a minor in Political Science
High School: Home School
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Zip Code: 11203
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
Dedicated to bettering his New York community, Spanish-American Iago Macknik-Conde’s impact is nothing short of extraordinary. Serving the Brooklyn Public Library for the last eight years, he’s created and led discussion group sessions for naturalization candidates, volunteered at the Juneteenth celebrations and “Brooklyn Resists” exhibition, as well as been a part of the “Let’s Get out the Youth Vote” campaign. His commitment to his Brooklyn community was awarded with five Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and a Congressional Award.
Inspired by fellow change maker Malala Yousafzai, Iago channels her resilience and spirit in the work he does for his local area, including raising over $30,000 for the Malala Fund to support literacy for girls around the world. As a part of this fundraising, he engaged more of his fellow male classmates, realizing that a large part of advocacy—especially for women-specific initiatives— is getting everyone involved. Through that work he was invited to watch Malala’s induction as a Messenger of Peace at the United Nations. “Malala’s unwavering spirit taught me I could promote positive change and have an impact on my community despite my youth,” he says.
With poverty “affecting 14.4% of Hispanic households in the United States,” Iago focuses on how education can help positively impact the poverty line. Over the last four years, he has hosted The Writer’s Cafe where he teaches creative writing to K-12 students. He helps over 40 students across the globe, and has been recognized for this work in The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, The Knowledge Project, and Cricket Magazine. Outside of the Writer’s Cafe, he also helps mentor elementary school students with Reading Partner Connects, moderates a National Teen Writers’ Summit, and is a managing editor of a local literary teen zine. Focusing on literacy amongst his peers and generations underneath him has led to his advocacy for the NYC libraries, joining the New York City Council at the Rally Against Budget Cuts campaign. By speaking up against these potential budget cuts, he helped ensure that the 2025 budget includes keeping the NYC libraries open seven days a week.
As an Intellectual Freedom Fellow and Freedom-to-Read ambassador, he was the sole speaker at the Banned Books Press Conference to advocate for reading in schools. The same year he delivered a televised speech alongside the NYC mayor and three library branch presidents advocating for intellectual freedom.
A history aficionado, Iago is also a Bill of Rights institute student fellow, and has participated in the James Madison Seminar on the Principles of American Constitutionalism, the National WWII Museum's leadership academy, and the National History Academy. Last year, he started a project for National History Day on Bernardo de Gálvez, a Spanish military leader who turned the tide for the American Revolution. His work won first place in New York and won the Captain Ken Coskey Naval History Award.
This fall Iago hopes to attend Harvard, Yale, or Columbia where he’ll major in history and international relations.
BRONZE - Xerxes Loor
BRONZE
Xerxes Loor
College: Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, New York University
Major: Chemistry with a minor in Classics
High School: Fordham Preparatory School
Hometown: New York City, NY
Zip Code: 10462
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadorian & Puerto Rican
When confronted with environmental injustice affecting Native American lands, Xerxes Loor sprang into action. Leading Fordham Prep's Diversity Alliance in a "Call-In" campaign, he rallied his peers to advocate for protecting sacred lands from pollution and deforestation. "By linking science and advocacy, I showed my peers the power of using our knowledge for positive change," shares Xerxes.
This blend of scientific understanding and social justice characterizes Xerxes's remarkable achievements. At Weill Cornell Medicine's Prostate Cancer Lab, his research contributions earned him co-authorship on a paper accepted by Nature Cancer. While excelling in AP courses and earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor, Xerxes dedicated himself to uplifting others through multiple leadership roles.
As a Youth Leader and Summer Coordinator at the Graffiti Kids Youth Program, Xerxes created educational activities that sparked curiosity in children from underserved communities. His commitment to nurturing young minds extended to his role as a Religious Education Instructor at Immaculate Conception Church, where he taught CCD classes and served as a lector.
Drawing strength from his Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican heritage, Xerxes approaches service with cultural values of solidarity and mutual support. "Growing up in a Hispanic household, I learned early on the importance of family and community," he explains.
Beyond his academic achievements as a National Honor Society member, Xerxes founded and led the Creative Writing Club, overseeing 50 unique projects. As Senior Leader of both the Ministry Leadership Team and Diversity Alliance, he developed workshops promoting inclusivity while organizing community service initiatives. His mentors note his rare ability to lead with a calm confidence that inspires others, while maintaining a strong ethical compass in everything he does.
At Mintz & Gold LLP, where Xerxes interned over the summer, he earned praise for qualities that define his approach to service: exceptional work ethic, quick mastery of new challenges, and genuine care for others. His colleagues consistently noted his humility and generosity—traits that shine through in all his community engagement.
This dedication to excellence earned him recognition as a National Hispanic Recognition Awardee and National First-Generation Recognition Awardee in 2024. Whether teaching CCD classes, conducting cancer research, or advocating for environmental justice, Xerxes approaches each responsibility with the same commitment to creating positive change.
This fall, Xerxes will continue his journey at Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, or New York University, where he plans to major in chemistry with a possible minor in classics, combining his love for science with his dedication to understanding human stories.
Xerxes Loor
College: Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, New York University
Major: Chemistry with a minor in Classics
High School: Fordham Preparatory School
Hometown: New York City, NY
Zip Code: 10462
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadorian & Puerto Rican
When confronted with environmental injustice affecting Native American lands, Xerxes Loor sprang into action. Leading Fordham Prep's Diversity Alliance in a "Call-In" campaign, he rallied his peers to advocate for protecting sacred lands from pollution and deforestation. "By linking science and advocacy, I showed my peers the power of using our knowledge for positive change," shares Xerxes.
This blend of scientific understanding and social justice characterizes Xerxes's remarkable achievements. At Weill Cornell Medicine's Prostate Cancer Lab, his research contributions earned him co-authorship on a paper accepted by Nature Cancer. While excelling in AP courses and earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor, Xerxes dedicated himself to uplifting others through multiple leadership roles.
As a Youth Leader and Summer Coordinator at the Graffiti Kids Youth Program, Xerxes created educational activities that sparked curiosity in children from underserved communities. His commitment to nurturing young minds extended to his role as a Religious Education Instructor at Immaculate Conception Church, where he taught CCD classes and served as a lector.
Drawing strength from his Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican heritage, Xerxes approaches service with cultural values of solidarity and mutual support. "Growing up in a Hispanic household, I learned early on the importance of family and community," he explains.
Beyond his academic achievements as a National Honor Society member, Xerxes founded and led the Creative Writing Club, overseeing 50 unique projects. As Senior Leader of both the Ministry Leadership Team and Diversity Alliance, he developed workshops promoting inclusivity while organizing community service initiatives. His mentors note his rare ability to lead with a calm confidence that inspires others, while maintaining a strong ethical compass in everything he does.
At Mintz & Gold LLP, where Xerxes interned over the summer, he earned praise for qualities that define his approach to service: exceptional work ethic, quick mastery of new challenges, and genuine care for others. His colleagues consistently noted his humility and generosity—traits that shine through in all his community engagement.
This dedication to excellence earned him recognition as a National Hispanic Recognition Awardee and National First-Generation Recognition Awardee in 2024. Whether teaching CCD classes, conducting cancer research, or advocating for environmental justice, Xerxes approaches each responsibility with the same commitment to creating positive change.
This fall, Xerxes will continue his journey at Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, or New York University, where he plans to major in chemistry with a possible minor in classics, combining his love for science with his dedication to understanding human stories.
Tan Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Sofia Segarra
GOLD
Sofia Segarra
College: Brown University, Dartmouth College, Bowdoin College
Major: Sociology with a minor in Linguistics
High School: Commonwealth Parkville School
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Zip Code: 00923
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For Sofia Segarra, the devastating force of Hurricane Maria became an unexpected catalyst for change. Forced to flee Puerto Rico, she found solace in writing, eventually creating "Marz Starchild: Across the Universe and Back Again," a science fiction novel featuring a young Boricua protagonist. "I wanted to see a girl just like me reflected in literature, but that venture was futile," Sofia shares. "So I wrote the story myself."
Back on her beloved isla after the storm, Sofia channeled her creative energy into confronting a different kind of devastation - the rising tide of gender violence in Puerto Rico. When the murder of Rosimar Rodriguez, a young pregnant woman, shook the island in 2020, Sofia refused to stay silent. Like the national flower of Puerto Rico, the Flor-de-Maga, too many women were being cut before their fullest bloom.
Rising to action, Sofia began volunteering at Hogar Ruth, a domestic violence shelter, while organizing yearly collection drives at Commonwealth-Parkville School. She created an artistic installation where students wrote messages of empowerment on flower petals, displayed prominently in a local mall. Through brochures, speaking events, and direct support, she built a network of resources for women and teenagers to identify and escape violent situations.
Her commitment to education and advocacy extends beyond gender issues. After experiencing firsthand how writing could heal, Sofia founded JEMA, an educational organization providing workshops for public school students. Through these sessions, she guides young writers in finding their voices, turning them "from spectators to protagonists of their own stories."
Sofia's drive for excellence shows in her perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA and recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. While taking the school's most challenging curriculum, she blazed new trails as the first student in her school's AP Capstone program. Her academic work reached new heights with her published research on media's effect on womanhood in the Journal of Student Research.
This spirit of leadership runs in her blood. Sofia comes from a line of trailblazing Puertorriqueñas, including her grandmother, who was one of only three women in her 1964 law school class and spent 50 years providing legal aid to the island's disadvantaged. "My family has taught me through their life's work the importance of using one's knowledge, skills, and talents for the good of others," she reflects.
Her achievements have garnered recognition as a Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist, National Hispanic Scholar, and Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist. As president of both the Modern United Nations Club and Newspaper Club, she continues to amplify important voices and stories.
"¡Pa'lante!" might well be Sofia's motto as she moves forward, carrying her island's strength and resilience with her. This fall, she will attend Brown University, Dartmouth College, or Bowdoin College to study sociology with a minor in linguistics, preparing for a future where she plans to use law, like her grandmother before her, as a tool for protecting and empowering women.
Sofia Segarra
College: Brown University, Dartmouth College, Bowdoin College
Major: Sociology with a minor in Linguistics
High School: Commonwealth Parkville School
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Zip Code: 00923
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For Sofia Segarra, the devastating force of Hurricane Maria became an unexpected catalyst for change. Forced to flee Puerto Rico, she found solace in writing, eventually creating "Marz Starchild: Across the Universe and Back Again," a science fiction novel featuring a young Boricua protagonist. "I wanted to see a girl just like me reflected in literature, but that venture was futile," Sofia shares. "So I wrote the story myself."
Back on her beloved isla after the storm, Sofia channeled her creative energy into confronting a different kind of devastation - the rising tide of gender violence in Puerto Rico. When the murder of Rosimar Rodriguez, a young pregnant woman, shook the island in 2020, Sofia refused to stay silent. Like the national flower of Puerto Rico, the Flor-de-Maga, too many women were being cut before their fullest bloom.
Rising to action, Sofia began volunteering at Hogar Ruth, a domestic violence shelter, while organizing yearly collection drives at Commonwealth-Parkville School. She created an artistic installation where students wrote messages of empowerment on flower petals, displayed prominently in a local mall. Through brochures, speaking events, and direct support, she built a network of resources for women and teenagers to identify and escape violent situations.
Her commitment to education and advocacy extends beyond gender issues. After experiencing firsthand how writing could heal, Sofia founded JEMA, an educational organization providing workshops for public school students. Through these sessions, she guides young writers in finding their voices, turning them "from spectators to protagonists of their own stories."
Sofia's drive for excellence shows in her perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA and recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. While taking the school's most challenging curriculum, she blazed new trails as the first student in her school's AP Capstone program. Her academic work reached new heights with her published research on media's effect on womanhood in the Journal of Student Research.
This spirit of leadership runs in her blood. Sofia comes from a line of trailblazing Puertorriqueñas, including her grandmother, who was one of only three women in her 1964 law school class and spent 50 years providing legal aid to the island's disadvantaged. "My family has taught me through their life's work the importance of using one's knowledge, skills, and talents for the good of others," she reflects.
Her achievements have garnered recognition as a Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist, National Hispanic Scholar, and Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist. As president of both the Modern United Nations Club and Newspaper Club, she continues to amplify important voices and stories.
"¡Pa'lante!" might well be Sofia's motto as she moves forward, carrying her island's strength and resilience with her. This fall, she will attend Brown University, Dartmouth College, or Bowdoin College to study sociology with a minor in linguistics, preparing for a future where she plans to use law, like her grandmother before her, as a tool for protecting and empowering women.
SILVER - Daniela Benítez Estarellas
SILVER
Daniela Benítez Estarellas
College: Brown University, Boston College, Georgetown University
Major: Computer Science with a minor in Social Impact
High School: Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas
Hometown: Guaynabo, PR
Zip Code: 00968
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For Daniela Benítez Estarellas, a single tulip held the power to unite an entire community. For this young boricua, these flowers represented more than awareness – they symbolized her family's journey through her mother's cancer battle. Through the struggles of the experience Daniela and her sister transformed their worry into action, creating "Together by Pink" – a garden of hope where each tulip carried a name, a memory, a prayer. What began as a simple fundraiser blossomed into a movement that Daniela would eventually lead to raise over $40,000 for Susan G. Komen.
"This experience taught me that meaningful change starts with a single step and grows when others join in," shares Daniela, who expanded the initiative beyond her school's boundaries, inspiring other institutions across Puerto Rico to create their own pink gardens. Her leadership transformed a local project into an island-wide symbol of solidarity and support for cancer patients and their families that Her coordination of awareness assemblies and creative fundraisers like "Pink Socks Day" earned her the Susan G. Komen Award in 2024, recognizing her impact in breast cancer advocacy.
Beyond her pink garden, Daniela plants seeds of change throughout her community. Through the Youth Leadership Program, she's cleaned beaches, led composting projects, and helped establish a free community school. Her commitment extends to mentoring the next generation – from tutoring 5th-grade girls to serving as a counselor at Pleasant Valley YMCA Camp, where seven years of leadership training shaped her into the guide and inspiration she is today.
At Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas, Daniela maintains a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA while pursuing a rigorous course load of AP and honors classes. Her mathematical brilliance shines in the Olympic Math Club, where she's won multiple awards for her school. "Daniela demonstrates extraordinary cognitive abilities that distinguish her within her cohort," her mathematics teacher notes, highlighting her exceptional problem-solving skills.
Through "Cajitas con Amor," Daniela prepares and distributes essential supplies to those experiencing homelessness, embodying the Puerto Rican values of family and community that guide her service. As Class Board Vice-president, she brings this same leadership to her school community, advocating for student needs while maintaining her roles in the National Honor Society and as a teacher's assistant for elementary art classes.
For Daniela, the greatest reward comes from seeing her initiatives multiply across her beloved Puerto Rico. Her summer experiences at Brown University studying Number Theory and shadowing professionals at Universal Insurance Co. have broadened her horizons while strengthening her roots in service.
This fall, Daniela will carry her spirit of innovation and community care to Brown University, Boston College, or Georgetown University, where she plans to major in computer science with a minor in social impact. For this remarkable Latina, technology isn't just about writing code – it's about programming positive change in her community.
Daniela Benítez Estarellas
College: Brown University, Boston College, Georgetown University
Major: Computer Science with a minor in Social Impact
High School: Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas
Hometown: Guaynabo, PR
Zip Code: 00968
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For Daniela Benítez Estarellas, a single tulip held the power to unite an entire community. For this young boricua, these flowers represented more than awareness – they symbolized her family's journey through her mother's cancer battle. Through the struggles of the experience Daniela and her sister transformed their worry into action, creating "Together by Pink" – a garden of hope where each tulip carried a name, a memory, a prayer. What began as a simple fundraiser blossomed into a movement that Daniela would eventually lead to raise over $40,000 for Susan G. Komen.
"This experience taught me that meaningful change starts with a single step and grows when others join in," shares Daniela, who expanded the initiative beyond her school's boundaries, inspiring other institutions across Puerto Rico to create their own pink gardens. Her leadership transformed a local project into an island-wide symbol of solidarity and support for cancer patients and their families that Her coordination of awareness assemblies and creative fundraisers like "Pink Socks Day" earned her the Susan G. Komen Award in 2024, recognizing her impact in breast cancer advocacy.
Beyond her pink garden, Daniela plants seeds of change throughout her community. Through the Youth Leadership Program, she's cleaned beaches, led composting projects, and helped establish a free community school. Her commitment extends to mentoring the next generation – from tutoring 5th-grade girls to serving as a counselor at Pleasant Valley YMCA Camp, where seven years of leadership training shaped her into the guide and inspiration she is today.
At Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas, Daniela maintains a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA while pursuing a rigorous course load of AP and honors classes. Her mathematical brilliance shines in the Olympic Math Club, where she's won multiple awards for her school. "Daniela demonstrates extraordinary cognitive abilities that distinguish her within her cohort," her mathematics teacher notes, highlighting her exceptional problem-solving skills.
Through "Cajitas con Amor," Daniela prepares and distributes essential supplies to those experiencing homelessness, embodying the Puerto Rican values of family and community that guide her service. As Class Board Vice-president, she brings this same leadership to her school community, advocating for student needs while maintaining her roles in the National Honor Society and as a teacher's assistant for elementary art classes.
For Daniela, the greatest reward comes from seeing her initiatives multiply across her beloved Puerto Rico. Her summer experiences at Brown University studying Number Theory and shadowing professionals at Universal Insurance Co. have broadened her horizons while strengthening her roots in service.
This fall, Daniela will carry her spirit of innovation and community care to Brown University, Boston College, or Georgetown University, where she plans to major in computer science with a minor in social impact. For this remarkable Latina, technology isn't just about writing code – it's about programming positive change in her community.
BRONZE - Fabiola Gonzalez-Cruz
BRONZE
Fabiola Gonzalez-Cruz
College: The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Marquette University
Major: Biomedical Health Science with a minor in Biology
High School: Academia Maria Reina
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Zip Code: 00926
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
En pointe with purpose – that's how Fabiola González Cruz approaches both her ballet and her service to others. When this remarkable Boricua saw an opportunity to share her love of dance with children in foster care, she leaped into action, co-founding Relevé, a nonprofit organization offering free ballet lessons at Hogar Rafaela Ybarra.
"By creating different dynamics, I slowly shifted their mindset of the lessons," Fabiola shares, reflecting on her role as lead instructor. Her patience and creativity paid off as she watched hesitant children transform into eager dancers, their faces lighting up with each new step mastered.
Fabiola's service extends far beyond the dance studio. Since age eight, she's championed the CAP Foundation's mission, raising over $1,000 and donating her hair to support pediatric cancer patients. Her latest initiative, "Huellas de Esperanza," partnered with Colitas Sonrientes to collect $500 in supplies for animal shelters across Puerto Rico.
As president of her school's Model United Nations Club and a member of the band, Fabiola brings the same grace and precision from her ballet training to her leadership roles. Her achievements in French earned her gold and silver medals in the Concours National de Français, while her academic excellence garnered recognition from both the National Hispanic and African American Recognition Programs.
Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through Love Lola, her custom sticker business launched in 2022. What started as a summer project blossomed into a year-round venture creating personalized bundles for special occasions. "Each order plays a role in another family's traditions," she explains, highlighting how her creativity touches lives beyond her immediate community.
A curious mind in the classroom, Fabiola excels in advanced coursework while maintaining her commitment to service. Her research on chemotherapy treatments through the Fundación Dr. García Rinaldi program sparked a newfound interest in medical research, particularly in understanding the body's response to diseases.
Proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, Fabiola turns encounters with stereotypes into fuel for success. "Growing up in Puerto Rico, I've witnessed firsthand the spirit of solidarity that defines our island," she reflects. This spirit guides her approach to service, ensuring others feel valued and empowered regardless of their circumstances.
Born from her family's experiences navigating healthcare challenges, Fabiola's drive for medical science took root watching her mother's journey to receive a proper diagnosis for psoriatic arthritis. 'These are failures that no one should have to accept,' she says of the healthcare system's shortcomings. This personal connection to patient care strengthened during her summer research program at Centro Médico de Puerto Rico and Manatí Medical Center, where shadowing doctors reinforced her commitment to ensuring future patients receive appropriate care from the start. Her analytical mind and compassionate heart unite in her dream of advancing healthcare access for her community.
This fall, Fabiola will attend The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, or Marquette University to study biomedical health science with a minor in biology, carrying forward her mission to heal and uplift communities through medicine and service.
Fabiola Gonzalez-Cruz
College: The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Marquette University
Major: Biomedical Health Science with a minor in Biology
High School: Academia Maria Reina
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Zip Code: 00926
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
En pointe with purpose – that's how Fabiola González Cruz approaches both her ballet and her service to others. When this remarkable Boricua saw an opportunity to share her love of dance with children in foster care, she leaped into action, co-founding Relevé, a nonprofit organization offering free ballet lessons at Hogar Rafaela Ybarra.
"By creating different dynamics, I slowly shifted their mindset of the lessons," Fabiola shares, reflecting on her role as lead instructor. Her patience and creativity paid off as she watched hesitant children transform into eager dancers, their faces lighting up with each new step mastered.
Fabiola's service extends far beyond the dance studio. Since age eight, she's championed the CAP Foundation's mission, raising over $1,000 and donating her hair to support pediatric cancer patients. Her latest initiative, "Huellas de Esperanza," partnered with Colitas Sonrientes to collect $500 in supplies for animal shelters across Puerto Rico.
As president of her school's Model United Nations Club and a member of the band, Fabiola brings the same grace and precision from her ballet training to her leadership roles. Her achievements in French earned her gold and silver medals in the Concours National de Français, while her academic excellence garnered recognition from both the National Hispanic and African American Recognition Programs.
Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through Love Lola, her custom sticker business launched in 2022. What started as a summer project blossomed into a year-round venture creating personalized bundles for special occasions. "Each order plays a role in another family's traditions," she explains, highlighting how her creativity touches lives beyond her immediate community.
A curious mind in the classroom, Fabiola excels in advanced coursework while maintaining her commitment to service. Her research on chemotherapy treatments through the Fundación Dr. García Rinaldi program sparked a newfound interest in medical research, particularly in understanding the body's response to diseases.
Proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, Fabiola turns encounters with stereotypes into fuel for success. "Growing up in Puerto Rico, I've witnessed firsthand the spirit of solidarity that defines our island," she reflects. This spirit guides her approach to service, ensuring others feel valued and empowered regardless of their circumstances.
Born from her family's experiences navigating healthcare challenges, Fabiola's drive for medical science took root watching her mother's journey to receive a proper diagnosis for psoriatic arthritis. 'These are failures that no one should have to accept,' she says of the healthcare system's shortcomings. This personal connection to patient care strengthened during her summer research program at Centro Médico de Puerto Rico and Manatí Medical Center, where shadowing doctors reinforced her commitment to ensuring future patients receive appropriate care from the start. Her analytical mind and compassionate heart unite in her dream of advancing healthcare access for her community.
This fall, Fabiola will attend The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, or Marquette University to study biomedical health science with a minor in biology, carrying forward her mission to heal and uplift communities through medicine and service.
Teal Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Diego Gómez-Zamora
GOLD
Diego Gómez-Zamora
College: Georgetown University, Harvard College, Loyola University Chicago
Major: Political Science and International Politics with a minor in Government
High School: Creighton Preparatory School
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Zip Code: 68107
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"You are not American mijo, you are Mexican." These words, spoken by his parents, echo in Diego Gómez-Zamora's mind every time he steps onto a stage. Their resonance has never limited him – they launched him instead. From translating legal documents for his family at age seven to presenting policy recommendations at the Department of State, Diego has turned his immigration experience into a force for change.
In Washington, D.C., at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, Diego crafted a collaborative policy document addressing migrant labor issues in the Middle East. His research and recommendations on worker conditions in Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal now circulate within the Office of International Labor Affairs, creating ripples of change for workers facing harsh conditions abroad.
Those early trips to food pantries with his mother shaped Diego's understanding of community needs. Today, he bridges gaps for immigrant families in Omaha, Nebraska, through initiatives ranging from legal clinic translation to coordinating Christmas dinner deliveries. Through Operation Others, he's made over 200 calls to connect Spanish-speaking families with vital resources. "I often remember a mother who cried after I signed her up for dinner," Diego shares, "worried her children wouldn't have a Christmas meal." An experience that reminded him anew why he serves – everyone deserves their chance to succeed.
His achievements in advocacy shine through multiple spheres. As Mock Trial Co-President, he led his team to a Nebraska State Championship. At Harvard Model Congress, he earned Most Outstanding Delegate honors while serving on the Supreme Court. Working alongside Georgetown University professors and organizations like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, he developed a database providing crucial college access information for undocumented students.
The National Hispanic Institute became Diego's platform for multiplying impact. As Regional Recruiter and Presidential Cabinet Award recipient, he mentors 400+ Hispanic students, guiding young leaders like Ariel from Marshalltown, Iowa – teaching them that change happens through persistent, small actions. "Change doesn't always begin from outside influences," Diego reflects, drawing from his experience attending Supreme Court oral arguments, "instead, it starts from inside these institutions."
As President of the Latino Student Association and a member of Creighton Preparatory School's Diversity Board, Diego ensures Hispanic voices resonate in every room he enters. Over cups of café con leche, he shares stories of immigrant life, moving beyond statistics to celebrate the cultural richness of his community – from pozole and birria to salsa dancing.
A Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship finalist and National First-Generation Recognition Program honoree, Diego will attend Georgetown University, Harvard College, or Loyola University Chicago to study political science and international politics with a minor in government. His ultimate goal? To reform the justice system from within, whether as a public defender, federal judge, or Supreme Court Justice, ensuring equitable treatment for all communities.
Diego Gómez-Zamora
College: Georgetown University, Harvard College, Loyola University Chicago
Major: Political Science and International Politics with a minor in Government
High School: Creighton Preparatory School
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Zip Code: 68107
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
"You are not American mijo, you are Mexican." These words, spoken by his parents, echo in Diego Gómez-Zamora's mind every time he steps onto a stage. Their resonance has never limited him – they launched him instead. From translating legal documents for his family at age seven to presenting policy recommendations at the Department of State, Diego has turned his immigration experience into a force for change.
In Washington, D.C., at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, Diego crafted a collaborative policy document addressing migrant labor issues in the Middle East. His research and recommendations on worker conditions in Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal now circulate within the Office of International Labor Affairs, creating ripples of change for workers facing harsh conditions abroad.
Those early trips to food pantries with his mother shaped Diego's understanding of community needs. Today, he bridges gaps for immigrant families in Omaha, Nebraska, through initiatives ranging from legal clinic translation to coordinating Christmas dinner deliveries. Through Operation Others, he's made over 200 calls to connect Spanish-speaking families with vital resources. "I often remember a mother who cried after I signed her up for dinner," Diego shares, "worried her children wouldn't have a Christmas meal." An experience that reminded him anew why he serves – everyone deserves their chance to succeed.
His achievements in advocacy shine through multiple spheres. As Mock Trial Co-President, he led his team to a Nebraska State Championship. At Harvard Model Congress, he earned Most Outstanding Delegate honors while serving on the Supreme Court. Working alongside Georgetown University professors and organizations like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, he developed a database providing crucial college access information for undocumented students.
The National Hispanic Institute became Diego's platform for multiplying impact. As Regional Recruiter and Presidential Cabinet Award recipient, he mentors 400+ Hispanic students, guiding young leaders like Ariel from Marshalltown, Iowa – teaching them that change happens through persistent, small actions. "Change doesn't always begin from outside influences," Diego reflects, drawing from his experience attending Supreme Court oral arguments, "instead, it starts from inside these institutions."
As President of the Latino Student Association and a member of Creighton Preparatory School's Diversity Board, Diego ensures Hispanic voices resonate in every room he enters. Over cups of café con leche, he shares stories of immigrant life, moving beyond statistics to celebrate the cultural richness of his community – from pozole and birria to salsa dancing.
A Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship finalist and National First-Generation Recognition Program honoree, Diego will attend Georgetown University, Harvard College, or Loyola University Chicago to study political science and international politics with a minor in government. His ultimate goal? To reform the justice system from within, whether as a public defender, federal judge, or Supreme Court Justice, ensuring equitable treatment for all communities.
SILVER - Symond Boschetto
SILVER
Symond Boschetto
College: Oregon State University, University of Oregon, University of California, Davis
Major: Zoology with a minor in Music
High School: West Linn High School
Hometown: West Linn High School
Zip Code: 97068
Hispanic Heritage: Salvadoran
At age seven, like most children, Symond Boschetto was learning to tie his shoes. Unlike most, however, Symond was also learning how to tie communities together. This remarkable young Salvadoran-American turned his childhood concern for hungry families into Share Hope USA, a nonprofit that would grow to serve thousands across his community.
"The sight of people living in tents and makeshift shelters was eye-opening for me," Symond shares, reflecting on his early visits to Santa Ana's homeless encampment. "I felt a mix of emotions—sadness for their circumstances but also hope knowing that we could help." Under his leadership, Share Hope USA evolved from small food drives into a comprehensive support system serving thousands of meals to people experiencing homelessness. His initiative caught national attention, earning him the prestigious Points of Light Award in 2020 and recognition in People Magazine. The City of West Linn celebrated his impact with their Amazing Kid Award, while the City of Downey honored his commitment with the Servants Heart Award.
After relocating to Oregon, Symond expanded his mission through monthly volunteering at Portland Rescue Mission and local women's and children's shelters. "These experiences taught me that giving back isn't just about providing resources," he reflects. "It's about connecting with others and understanding their humanity." His dedication extends to children's healthcare, raising funds for Children's Hospitals in both Los Angeles and Portland.
At West Linn High School, Symond creates harmony between service and music, performing with both jazz band and symphonic band. As an Oregon Ambassador of Music, he brings his musical talents to broader audiences, proving that art and advocacy can amplify each other. His leadership in the Latino Student Union reflects his dedication to cultural connection and representation.
Through Share Hope USA, he's developed educational workshops and established networks of support that continue to serve families in need. His Be the Change Award in 2019 recognized how his early vision had matured into meaningful action. Beyond traditional assistance programs, Symond organizes community events that bring people together, creating spaces where resources, education, and human connection intersect. His approach to service demonstrates how young leaders can transform compassion into concrete change.
His counselor notes Symond's exceptional ability to balance academics, athletics, and community engagement, describing him as "one of those truly exceptional students who will have a positive impact in this world." This rings true as he excels in track and field while maintaining a rigorous course load including AP Chemistry and Statistics.
The next chapter of Symond's service story will unfold at Oregon State University, the University of California, Davis, or University of Oregon, where his zoology major and music minor will create new harmonies between science and service. For this remarkable Latino, it's another opportunity to amplify hope across his community.
Symond Boschetto
College: Oregon State University, University of Oregon, University of California, Davis
Major: Zoology with a minor in Music
High School: West Linn High School
Hometown: West Linn High School
Zip Code: 97068
Hispanic Heritage: Salvadoran
At age seven, like most children, Symond Boschetto was learning to tie his shoes. Unlike most, however, Symond was also learning how to tie communities together. This remarkable young Salvadoran-American turned his childhood concern for hungry families into Share Hope USA, a nonprofit that would grow to serve thousands across his community.
"The sight of people living in tents and makeshift shelters was eye-opening for me," Symond shares, reflecting on his early visits to Santa Ana's homeless encampment. "I felt a mix of emotions—sadness for their circumstances but also hope knowing that we could help." Under his leadership, Share Hope USA evolved from small food drives into a comprehensive support system serving thousands of meals to people experiencing homelessness. His initiative caught national attention, earning him the prestigious Points of Light Award in 2020 and recognition in People Magazine. The City of West Linn celebrated his impact with their Amazing Kid Award, while the City of Downey honored his commitment with the Servants Heart Award.
After relocating to Oregon, Symond expanded his mission through monthly volunteering at Portland Rescue Mission and local women's and children's shelters. "These experiences taught me that giving back isn't just about providing resources," he reflects. "It's about connecting with others and understanding their humanity." His dedication extends to children's healthcare, raising funds for Children's Hospitals in both Los Angeles and Portland.
At West Linn High School, Symond creates harmony between service and music, performing with both jazz band and symphonic band. As an Oregon Ambassador of Music, he brings his musical talents to broader audiences, proving that art and advocacy can amplify each other. His leadership in the Latino Student Union reflects his dedication to cultural connection and representation.
Through Share Hope USA, he's developed educational workshops and established networks of support that continue to serve families in need. His Be the Change Award in 2019 recognized how his early vision had matured into meaningful action. Beyond traditional assistance programs, Symond organizes community events that bring people together, creating spaces where resources, education, and human connection intersect. His approach to service demonstrates how young leaders can transform compassion into concrete change.
His counselor notes Symond's exceptional ability to balance academics, athletics, and community engagement, describing him as "one of those truly exceptional students who will have a positive impact in this world." This rings true as he excels in track and field while maintaining a rigorous course load including AP Chemistry and Statistics.
The next chapter of Symond's service story will unfold at Oregon State University, the University of California, Davis, or University of Oregon, where his zoology major and music minor will create new harmonies between science and service. For this remarkable Latino, it's another opportunity to amplify hope across his community.
BRONZE - Mia Romero
BRONZE
Mia Romero
College: College of Saint Benedict, Marquette University, Kansas State University
Major: Nursing with a minor in Spanish
High School: Highlands Ranch High School
Hometown: Lone Tree, CO
Zip Code: 80124
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
When seven-year-old Mia Romero first stepped into Dr. Theroux's orthodontic office as a patient, neither could have predicted she would one day help lead the organization changing smiles and lives across Denver. Yet a decade later, that's exactly where Mia's service journey led her – to the Board of Directors of the TOgether Project, where she rose to become Co-President and Assistant Executive Director.
Under Mia's leadership, the organization gifted free braces to underserved children while fostering a culture of giving back – each recipient designs their own 40-hour community service project to 'pay it forward.' Her influence touched everything from database development to community partnerships, coordinating events that regularly drew 30-50 teen volunteers.
'I see my family in those who are struggling,' shares Mia, whose perspective on service was shaped by her Spanish grandparents' experiences. Her grandmother worked in school food services while her grandfather, affected by childhood polio, moved between jobs. These early lessons in perseverance and dignity fuel Mia's drive to create opportunities for others.
Her commitment to service extends throughout her community. As Community Service Officer for Future Business Leaders of America, she organizes projects like crafting toys for shelter dogs and preparing take-home meals for students receiving free lunch. Through her student-founded group 'Volunteer With Peers,' she coordinates letter-writing campaigns for deployed soldiers and assembles care packages for children in need.
At Highlands Ranch High School, where she maintains a 3.98 unweighted GPA, Mia co-leads both the National Honor Society and Society of Women Engineers while competing in varsity flag football. Her role in student government helped raise $15,000 for cancer patients through Relay for Life, organizing a poignant final lap honoring those lost to the disease.
Weekly hospital volunteering revealed Mia's calling to nursing. Following a nurse through precious moments – a baby's first bath, teaching new parents to swaddle – she discovered her future. 'I got to experience the true connection between a nurse and their patients,' she reflects, 'and I cannot wait to serve others and impact their lives.'
Recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and National Hispanic Scholar, Mia channels her achievements into advocating for educational access. She speaks passionately about helping Latina students discover financial opportunities for college, understanding that education can increase earning potential by 50%.
This fall, Mia will attend the College of Saint Benedict, Marquette University, or Kansas State University to study mursing with a minor in Spanish. Her goal? To ensure no patient faces the language barriers her Spanish-speaking grandfather encountered during his cancer treatment, continuing her legacy of turning personal experience into positive change.
Mia Romero
College: College of Saint Benedict, Marquette University, Kansas State University
Major: Nursing with a minor in Spanish
High School: Highlands Ranch High School
Hometown: Lone Tree, CO
Zip Code: 80124
Hispanic Heritage: Spanish
When seven-year-old Mia Romero first stepped into Dr. Theroux's orthodontic office as a patient, neither could have predicted she would one day help lead the organization changing smiles and lives across Denver. Yet a decade later, that's exactly where Mia's service journey led her – to the Board of Directors of the TOgether Project, where she rose to become Co-President and Assistant Executive Director.
Under Mia's leadership, the organization gifted free braces to underserved children while fostering a culture of giving back – each recipient designs their own 40-hour community service project to 'pay it forward.' Her influence touched everything from database development to community partnerships, coordinating events that regularly drew 30-50 teen volunteers.
'I see my family in those who are struggling,' shares Mia, whose perspective on service was shaped by her Spanish grandparents' experiences. Her grandmother worked in school food services while her grandfather, affected by childhood polio, moved between jobs. These early lessons in perseverance and dignity fuel Mia's drive to create opportunities for others.
Her commitment to service extends throughout her community. As Community Service Officer for Future Business Leaders of America, she organizes projects like crafting toys for shelter dogs and preparing take-home meals for students receiving free lunch. Through her student-founded group 'Volunteer With Peers,' she coordinates letter-writing campaigns for deployed soldiers and assembles care packages for children in need.
At Highlands Ranch High School, where she maintains a 3.98 unweighted GPA, Mia co-leads both the National Honor Society and Society of Women Engineers while competing in varsity flag football. Her role in student government helped raise $15,000 for cancer patients through Relay for Life, organizing a poignant final lap honoring those lost to the disease.
Weekly hospital volunteering revealed Mia's calling to nursing. Following a nurse through precious moments – a baby's first bath, teaching new parents to swaddle – she discovered her future. 'I got to experience the true connection between a nurse and their patients,' she reflects, 'and I cannot wait to serve others and impact their lives.'
Recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and National Hispanic Scholar, Mia channels her achievements into advocating for educational access. She speaks passionately about helping Latina students discover financial opportunities for college, understanding that education can increase earning potential by 50%.
This fall, Mia will attend the College of Saint Benedict, Marquette University, or Kansas State University to study mursing with a minor in Spanish. Her goal? To ensure no patient faces the language barriers her Spanish-speaking grandfather encountered during his cancer treatment, continuing her legacy of turning personal experience into positive change.
Yellow Region
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Marina Braggio
GOLD
Marina Braggio
College: Northwestern University, Rice University, University of Washington - Seattle
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in Latino/a Studies
High School: BASIS Scottsdale
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Zip Code: 85259
Hispanic Heritage: Argentine & Brazilian
Silence was never an option for Marina Braggio. Almost expelled from preschool for not speaking English, the daughter of Argentine and Brazilian parents transformed that early struggle into a mission of advocacy. Today, she leads initiatives ensuring no one faces the isolation she once experienced.
'Growing up in a lively household and culture, I often found it hard to embrace silence,' Marina reflects. Yet when confronting stigmatized topics like mental health and menstruation in her community, she noticed how quickly conversations faded. Her response? Action. Through BLOOM365, she spearheaded a period products drive collecting 2,700 items and secured permanent dispensers in school restrooms, turning discomfort into dignity.
As Vice President of Outreach for iReach, Marina creates spaces where language becomes a bridge rather than a barrier. She designed and hosted two five-day Spanish summer camps via Zoom, where children discovered the joy of language learning through games and interactive activities. Her work with the nonprofit extends to tutoring services and educational programs, touching the lives of over thirty children ages six to fourteen.
When a middle school student approached her in tears, embarrassed to ask for menstrual products, Marina recognized a larger issue. This encounter sparked her leadership in BLOOM365, where she's organized fifteen tabling events reaching 300+ students. Her efforts to foster inclusive, healthy environments earned her the BLOOM365 Cultivating Collaboration Award.
Marina's service extends into healthcare access. Through the Medical Explorers Club, she coordinates free skin cancer screenings, while her work with the Red Cross has organized six community blood drives – each drawing over fifty donors. These initiatives particularly impact Phoenix's Latino communities, where healthcare access remains a pressing concern.
A Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist and recipient of the Gold President's Volunteer Service Award, Marina excels academically while maintaining her commitment to service. Her photography, twice recognized with Scholastic Silver Keys, captures the same attention to detail she brings to community organizing.
Marina's dedication to amplifying marginalized voices stems from her mother's experience in Rio de Janeiro's Inhoaiba neighborhood. Witnessing her mother's determination to access higher education in her thirties, after years of living in poverty, Marina understood the life-changing power of advocacy and education.
"Bridging biochemistry and advocacy, Marina's next chapter leads to Northwestern University, Rice University, or the University of Washington - Seattle. Her pursuit of a Latino/a studies minor alongside her biochemistry degree speaks to her mission: merging science with social change, raising voices that systems too often silence, and building the kind of world where every preschooler – regardless of the language they speak – can find their voice and thrive. En pointe with purpose.
Marina Braggio
College: Northwestern University, Rice University, University of Washington - Seattle
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in Latino/a Studies
High School: BASIS Scottsdale
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Zip Code: 85259
Hispanic Heritage: Argentine & Brazilian
Silence was never an option for Marina Braggio. Almost expelled from preschool for not speaking English, the daughter of Argentine and Brazilian parents transformed that early struggle into a mission of advocacy. Today, she leads initiatives ensuring no one faces the isolation she once experienced.
'Growing up in a lively household and culture, I often found it hard to embrace silence,' Marina reflects. Yet when confronting stigmatized topics like mental health and menstruation in her community, she noticed how quickly conversations faded. Her response? Action. Through BLOOM365, she spearheaded a period products drive collecting 2,700 items and secured permanent dispensers in school restrooms, turning discomfort into dignity.
As Vice President of Outreach for iReach, Marina creates spaces where language becomes a bridge rather than a barrier. She designed and hosted two five-day Spanish summer camps via Zoom, where children discovered the joy of language learning through games and interactive activities. Her work with the nonprofit extends to tutoring services and educational programs, touching the lives of over thirty children ages six to fourteen.
When a middle school student approached her in tears, embarrassed to ask for menstrual products, Marina recognized a larger issue. This encounter sparked her leadership in BLOOM365, where she's organized fifteen tabling events reaching 300+ students. Her efforts to foster inclusive, healthy environments earned her the BLOOM365 Cultivating Collaboration Award.
Marina's service extends into healthcare access. Through the Medical Explorers Club, she coordinates free skin cancer screenings, while her work with the Red Cross has organized six community blood drives – each drawing over fifty donors. These initiatives particularly impact Phoenix's Latino communities, where healthcare access remains a pressing concern.
A Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist and recipient of the Gold President's Volunteer Service Award, Marina excels academically while maintaining her commitment to service. Her photography, twice recognized with Scholastic Silver Keys, captures the same attention to detail she brings to community organizing.
Marina's dedication to amplifying marginalized voices stems from her mother's experience in Rio de Janeiro's Inhoaiba neighborhood. Witnessing her mother's determination to access higher education in her thirties, after years of living in poverty, Marina understood the life-changing power of advocacy and education.
"Bridging biochemistry and advocacy, Marina's next chapter leads to Northwestern University, Rice University, or the University of Washington - Seattle. Her pursuit of a Latino/a studies minor alongside her biochemistry degree speaks to her mission: merging science with social change, raising voices that systems too often silence, and building the kind of world where every preschooler – regardless of the language they speak – can find their voice and thrive. En pointe with purpose.
SILVER - Sophia DiPonio
SILVER
Sophia DiPonio
College: Duke University, Vanderbilt University, University of Arizona
Major: Neuroscience with minors in Business and Spanish
High School: BASIS Scottsdale
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Zip Code: 85750
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
One in four girls misses school due to period poverty – a statistic that moved Sophia DiPonio to pick up her sewing machine and create change. Co-founding Empower Her Path Southern Arizona, she turned self-taught sewing skills into a mission, crafting discreet pouches for menstrual products distributed through the Arizona Diaper Bank. Her initiative tackles both practical needs and social stigma, empowering young women to attend school with confidence.
'La familia es todo,' and for Sophia, family extends beyond blood ties to her entire Tucson community. Her Venezuelan heritage shapes her approach to service, especially when translating for Spanish-speaking families at local clinics. The loss of her grandfather to a rare neuroendocrine tumor sparked her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in Hispanic communities.
Known as 'The Beast' on the volleyball court, Sophia brings the same intensity to community service that earned her team captain roles in both indoor and beach volleyball. Her competitive drive shows in five President's Volunteer Service Awards and the St. Katherine Drexel Award for "promoting dignity while bringing hope and love to those in need."
At Camp Abilities Tucson, Sophia coached seven deaf and blind children in athletics, transforming physical limitations into opportunities for triumph. "I ended my time at camp in awe," she shares, her experience recruiting more volunteers for future sessions. Through National Charity League, she's amassed over 250 annual service hours across organizations from Tu Nidito to Gospel Rescue Mission.
Her academic excellence matches her service commitment, maintaining a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA while pursuing EMT certification – adding 12 weekly hours of emergency medical training to her already packed schedule. As National Honor Society President, she organized BASIS Tucson North's first in-person volunteer event at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, serving 150 community members and inspiring classmates to seek more service opportunities.
Between leading kills on the volleyball court and leading initiatives in her community, Sophia pursues solutions to neurological conditions like hyperhidrosis, which affects many in their daily lives. "There is no cure," she explains, channeling frustration into motivation for medical research.
A National Merit Semifinalist recognized for both Hispanic heritage and AP achievements, Sophia's service extends from local food banks to parish youth leadership. Her initiatives through National Charity League have earned multiple Merci Awards for most philanthropic hours and Yellow Rose Bouquet Awards for concentrated service excellence.
Rising from the Sonoran Desert to Southeastern academic heights, Sophia will continue her journey at Duke University, Vanderbilt University, or her home state's University of Arizona. With plans to pair neuroscience studies with business and Spanish minors, she aims to bridge research and accessibility, ensuring every patient finds hope in treatment, regardless of background or language barriers.
Sophia DiPonio
College: Duke University, Vanderbilt University, University of Arizona
Major: Neuroscience with minors in Business and Spanish
High School: BASIS Scottsdale
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Zip Code: 85750
Hispanic Heritage: Venezuelan
One in four girls misses school due to period poverty – a statistic that moved Sophia DiPonio to pick up her sewing machine and create change. Co-founding Empower Her Path Southern Arizona, she turned self-taught sewing skills into a mission, crafting discreet pouches for menstrual products distributed through the Arizona Diaper Bank. Her initiative tackles both practical needs and social stigma, empowering young women to attend school with confidence.
'La familia es todo,' and for Sophia, family extends beyond blood ties to her entire Tucson community. Her Venezuelan heritage shapes her approach to service, especially when translating for Spanish-speaking families at local clinics. The loss of her grandfather to a rare neuroendocrine tumor sparked her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in Hispanic communities.
Known as 'The Beast' on the volleyball court, Sophia brings the same intensity to community service that earned her team captain roles in both indoor and beach volleyball. Her competitive drive shows in five President's Volunteer Service Awards and the St. Katherine Drexel Award for "promoting dignity while bringing hope and love to those in need."
At Camp Abilities Tucson, Sophia coached seven deaf and blind children in athletics, transforming physical limitations into opportunities for triumph. "I ended my time at camp in awe," she shares, her experience recruiting more volunteers for future sessions. Through National Charity League, she's amassed over 250 annual service hours across organizations from Tu Nidito to Gospel Rescue Mission.
Her academic excellence matches her service commitment, maintaining a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA while pursuing EMT certification – adding 12 weekly hours of emergency medical training to her already packed schedule. As National Honor Society President, she organized BASIS Tucson North's first in-person volunteer event at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, serving 150 community members and inspiring classmates to seek more service opportunities.
Between leading kills on the volleyball court and leading initiatives in her community, Sophia pursues solutions to neurological conditions like hyperhidrosis, which affects many in their daily lives. "There is no cure," she explains, channeling frustration into motivation for medical research.
A National Merit Semifinalist recognized for both Hispanic heritage and AP achievements, Sophia's service extends from local food banks to parish youth leadership. Her initiatives through National Charity League have earned multiple Merci Awards for most philanthropic hours and Yellow Rose Bouquet Awards for concentrated service excellence.
Rising from the Sonoran Desert to Southeastern academic heights, Sophia will continue her journey at Duke University, Vanderbilt University, or her home state's University of Arizona. With plans to pair neuroscience studies with business and Spanish minors, she aims to bridge research and accessibility, ensuring every patient finds hope in treatment, regardless of background or language barriers.
BRONZE - Lizbeth Ortiz
BRONZE
Lizbeth Ortiz
College: Stanford University, Harvard College, Columbia University
Major: Public Policy with a minor in Political Science
High School: BASIS Tucson North
Hometown: Buckeye, AZ
Zip Code: 85326
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“¡Un dia, yo seré presidenta de México!” declared 12-year-old Sofia, clutching the civic engagement guide Lizbeth Ortiz had created for youth in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. For Lizbeth, this moment crystallized her mission: transforming civic education into dreams without borders.
From her hometown of Buckeye, Arizona, Lizbeth built Civic Activists, a national campaign that placed 25,000 civic engagement guides in young hands across the U.S. and Mexico. Her work caught the attention of Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Ruben Gallego, who welcomed her insights on rural youth engagement in Washington, D.C.
Growing up, Lizbeth's questions about civic engagement and her curiosity of wanting to learn the whys and hows of civi life were often stifled with a “Porque yo digo” – because I say so. Rather than accept this silence, today, she turns that childhood frustration into action Through AZ Youth Votes, she registered 1,000 rural students to vote, raised $3,000, and engaged 3,000 community members for the 2024 presidential election. Each civic guide distributed, every voter registered echoes Lizbeth's belief that no voice should be silenced by “porque yo digo.”
Even personal tragedy strengthens her resolve. When a call about her brother’s critical condition came minutes before she was to address 15,000 people as Executive Director of Civic Activists, Lizbeth channeled her grief into purpose. Through EquityDrivers, the youth-led organization she founded, she now honors his memory by serving construction workers who remind her of him – dust-covered pickups, calloused hands, dreams as vast as the Arizona sky.
Her initiatives span digital and physical spaces. Hispanos Can, her Spanish-language civic opportunities blog, reaches 20,000 email subscribers. As National Western Region Vice President for Future Business Leaders of America, she revived three state chapters and raised $21,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.
Recognition follows her efforts: an Alexander Hamilton Scholar Award, Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist, and the President's Volunteer Service Award showcase her impact. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute welcomed her among just 35 scholars chosen from 900 applicants, providing a platform to shape policy at the national level.
For Lizbeth, wearing huaraches – once a source of mockery – now symbolizes pride in her Mexican heritage and the miles walked by generations before her. Each step in them reminds her that true service means understanding both the journey and the dreams of those she serves. Those childhood huaraches she was once mocked for wearing carried her proudly through the halls of Congress as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholar.
Public policy calls Lizbeth to Stanford University, Harvard College, or Columbia University, where she'll continue breaking barriers between communities and civic power. Like young Sofia dreaming of México's presidency, Lizbeth envisions a future where every voice shapes democracy – simply because they say so.
Lizbeth Ortiz
College: Stanford University, Harvard College, Columbia University
Major: Public Policy with a minor in Political Science
High School: BASIS Tucson North
Hometown: Buckeye, AZ
Zip Code: 85326
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
“¡Un dia, yo seré presidenta de México!” declared 12-year-old Sofia, clutching the civic engagement guide Lizbeth Ortiz had created for youth in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. For Lizbeth, this moment crystallized her mission: transforming civic education into dreams without borders.
From her hometown of Buckeye, Arizona, Lizbeth built Civic Activists, a national campaign that placed 25,000 civic engagement guides in young hands across the U.S. and Mexico. Her work caught the attention of Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Ruben Gallego, who welcomed her insights on rural youth engagement in Washington, D.C.
Growing up, Lizbeth's questions about civic engagement and her curiosity of wanting to learn the whys and hows of civi life were often stifled with a “Porque yo digo” – because I say so. Rather than accept this silence, today, she turns that childhood frustration into action Through AZ Youth Votes, she registered 1,000 rural students to vote, raised $3,000, and engaged 3,000 community members for the 2024 presidential election. Each civic guide distributed, every voter registered echoes Lizbeth's belief that no voice should be silenced by “porque yo digo.”
Even personal tragedy strengthens her resolve. When a call about her brother’s critical condition came minutes before she was to address 15,000 people as Executive Director of Civic Activists, Lizbeth channeled her grief into purpose. Through EquityDrivers, the youth-led organization she founded, she now honors his memory by serving construction workers who remind her of him – dust-covered pickups, calloused hands, dreams as vast as the Arizona sky.
Her initiatives span digital and physical spaces. Hispanos Can, her Spanish-language civic opportunities blog, reaches 20,000 email subscribers. As National Western Region Vice President for Future Business Leaders of America, she revived three state chapters and raised $21,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.
Recognition follows her efforts: an Alexander Hamilton Scholar Award, Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist, and the President's Volunteer Service Award showcase her impact. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute welcomed her among just 35 scholars chosen from 900 applicants, providing a platform to shape policy at the national level.
For Lizbeth, wearing huaraches – once a source of mockery – now symbolizes pride in her Mexican heritage and the miles walked by generations before her. Each step in them reminds her that true service means understanding both the journey and the dreams of those she serves. Those childhood huaraches she was once mocked for wearing carried her proudly through the halls of Congress as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholar.
Public policy calls Lizbeth to Stanford University, Harvard College, or Columbia University, where she'll continue breaking barriers between communities and civic power. Like young Sofia dreaming of México's presidency, Lizbeth envisions a future where every voice shapes democracy – simply because they say so.