Community Service
GOLD - Noelle Prince
SILVER - Joseph Darcourt
BRONZE - Alexander Califano
Education
GOLD - Matthew Califano
SILVER - Celine Cardona
BRONZE - Jimmy Merino
Engineering
GOLD - Ethan Morano
SILVER - Dillon Tirado
BRONZE - Gianni Martinez Drab
Entrepreneurship & Business
GOLD - John Velez
SILVER - Lizbeth Ramirez
BRONZE - Janira Martinez
Green Sustainability
GOLD - Laila Salgado
SILVER - Gizelle Rodriguez
BRONZE - Mia Fields Peña
Healthcare & Science
GOLD - Jirel Gonzalez
SILVER - Angelica Almanza
BRONZE - Emily Velasquez
Media & Entertainment
GOLD - Nelli Rojas-Cessa
SILVER - Jasiel Hiciano
BRONZE - Alyssa Cook
Public Service & Social Justice
GOLD - Hanna Klingbeil Canale
SILVER - Antonio Tao-Guerrero
BRONZE - Olivia Bernier
Technology
GOLD - John Quevedo
SILVER - Stephen Viray
BRONZE - Emilio Cardillo-Schrader
Community Service
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Noelle Prince
College: Georgetown University, University of Virginia, Boston University
Major: Business
GPA: 4.0
High School: South Side High School
Hometown: Rockville Centre, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
Noelle was raised to ensure that no one is excluded or left out, and due to that, she has been integral in ensuring that her school and community are inclusive of those who are neurodivergent. Since 2018, Noelle has been part of Centre Stage, a student-run musical that features the school’s neurodivergent students as the stars. Noelle’s work in Centre Stage and her four-year membership in Best Buddies has led her to meet individuals such as Nico, a non-verbal student at her school, and Josie, a neurodivergent graduate of her high school, who inspired her to do more. From her discussions with Josie, Noelle realized that more must be done to make neurodivergent individuals feel welcomed in all spaces instead of merely tolerated. This realization was the spark for Noelle’s nonprofit, Unity Across Communities. Through this non-profit organization, Noelle teaches neurodivergent young adults life and career skills. She also bridges social gaps that will be especially crucial when they graduate from high school.
Unity Across Communities was integrated into Noelle’s high school during Inclusive Schools Week. There, she spearheaded dances and movies catered to her neurodivergent peers. For the career preparation, Noelle was able to host, with the help of several local businesses, important life skills such as financial literacy and retail skills for the participants.
Noelle’s passion for inclusion among her classmates makes sense as she is heavily involved in academics and extracurricular activities. She has been a part of her school’s IB program since her freshman year, and in her senior year, she loaded up her schedule with rigorous courses such as AP Calculus BC, IB Psychology, and IB Business HL.
Noelle has also excelled in extracurriculars on and off the field. She has been an active member and is the current President of her school's DECA, where she was one of the students who qualified for the state competition and even competed at Nationals. She has been awarded numerous accolades in DECA, including the Top Roleplay 1 Medal, Top Roleplay 2 Medal, Top Score Medal, Overall Finalist Medal, and the 1st Place Trophy. Noelle is also an accomplished athlete. She has run track for four years, where she has qualified for the state meet and won the country meet in cross country and is a multi-time winner of the AI recognition. Besides running, she is a part of the RVC soccer club, where she is the co-captain and volunteers and mentors the younger players in lower age groups.
This talented Cubana has been recognized with a National Hispanic Recognition Award - College Board and the Clarkson University Achievement Award and is a member of several subject-based honor societies such as Math, World Language, Science, and the National Honor Society.
Noelle has a perfect 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Georgetown University, University of Virginia, or Boston University to study business with a minor in Spanish.
Major: Business
GPA: 4.0
High School: South Side High School
Hometown: Rockville Centre, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Cuban
Noelle was raised to ensure that no one is excluded or left out, and due to that, she has been integral in ensuring that her school and community are inclusive of those who are neurodivergent. Since 2018, Noelle has been part of Centre Stage, a student-run musical that features the school’s neurodivergent students as the stars. Noelle’s work in Centre Stage and her four-year membership in Best Buddies has led her to meet individuals such as Nico, a non-verbal student at her school, and Josie, a neurodivergent graduate of her high school, who inspired her to do more. From her discussions with Josie, Noelle realized that more must be done to make neurodivergent individuals feel welcomed in all spaces instead of merely tolerated. This realization was the spark for Noelle’s nonprofit, Unity Across Communities. Through this non-profit organization, Noelle teaches neurodivergent young adults life and career skills. She also bridges social gaps that will be especially crucial when they graduate from high school.
Unity Across Communities was integrated into Noelle’s high school during Inclusive Schools Week. There, she spearheaded dances and movies catered to her neurodivergent peers. For the career preparation, Noelle was able to host, with the help of several local businesses, important life skills such as financial literacy and retail skills for the participants.
Noelle’s passion for inclusion among her classmates makes sense as she is heavily involved in academics and extracurricular activities. She has been a part of her school’s IB program since her freshman year, and in her senior year, she loaded up her schedule with rigorous courses such as AP Calculus BC, IB Psychology, and IB Business HL.
Noelle has also excelled in extracurriculars on and off the field. She has been an active member and is the current President of her school's DECA, where she was one of the students who qualified for the state competition and even competed at Nationals. She has been awarded numerous accolades in DECA, including the Top Roleplay 1 Medal, Top Roleplay 2 Medal, Top Score Medal, Overall Finalist Medal, and the 1st Place Trophy. Noelle is also an accomplished athlete. She has run track for four years, where she has qualified for the state meet and won the country meet in cross country and is a multi-time winner of the AI recognition. Besides running, she is a part of the RVC soccer club, where she is the co-captain and volunteers and mentors the younger players in lower age groups.
This talented Cubana has been recognized with a National Hispanic Recognition Award - College Board and the Clarkson University Achievement Award and is a member of several subject-based honor societies such as Math, World Language, Science, and the National Honor Society.
Noelle has a perfect 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Georgetown University, University of Virginia, or Boston University to study business with a minor in Spanish.
SILVER - Joseph Darcourt
College: Columbia University, Harvard College, Yale University
Major: Mathematics, Neuroscience
GPA: 4.0
High School: Sanford H Calhoun High School
Hometown: Merrick, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
"It’s a blessing to give" is a sentiment that was passed down to Joseph from his mother, and plays a pivotal role in his outlook on life. This mantra was exemplified for Joseph in 2021 when he started Olifeclass.org, a platform that promotes well-being through music, art, and science via three main programs. These programs aimed to address mental health, especially in closing the disparities that exist in health care. Open Heart Origami (OHO) Lab started with the collaboration with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, then transitioned to in-person workshops in locations such as Bryant Park, Union Square, and the New York Public Library. This initiative has earned Joseph the Presidential Volunteer Gold Award for the global impact of his letter drive with 4-H for Ukraine and the over 5900 messages crafted for those who need it the most, such as soldiers, inmates, and others who need hope.
Another of Joseph’s initiatives that touched so many lives was the Music & Thank You Breathing Meditation (M&M). Through M&M, Joseph bridged music and meditation for communal well-being and was adopted by New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital for their patients and Harlem PS:72 for their students. Through this initiative, Joseph has been able to comfort a patient before, after, and even students who found solace through Joseph's cello playing while they grappled with personal struggles such as being victims of bullying or their suicidal thoughts. For Joseph’s work with M&M, he was given the Point of Light Award.
Lastly, Oneness is a mini-concert series where Joseph hoped to highlight the universal language of music as a tool for unity and connection through performances such as the one he did on Easter Sunday in 2020 for a desolate Times Square to renowned venues such as the Leroy Anderson House, Make Music NY, and at Carnegie Hall, where he won a first-place for his performance of Meditation de Thais by Jules Massenet. His concert series awarded him the Evelyn Reidenbaugh Honorary Cello Award.
Music and philanthropy are not the only areas where Joseph excels and has been recognized. He has been awarded the National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, National Hispanic Recognition Program Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist.
Joseph has future plans to study math and neuroscience at either Columbia University, Harvard College, or Yale University. To set himself up for success, Joseph has already taken AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Psychology, AP Calculus, AP Chinese Language and Culture, where he scored a perfect 5, and AP English Language and Composition, where he scored an impressive 4.
Major: Mathematics, Neuroscience
GPA: 4.0
High School: Sanford H Calhoun High School
Hometown: Merrick, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
"It’s a blessing to give" is a sentiment that was passed down to Joseph from his mother, and plays a pivotal role in his outlook on life. This mantra was exemplified for Joseph in 2021 when he started Olifeclass.org, a platform that promotes well-being through music, art, and science via three main programs. These programs aimed to address mental health, especially in closing the disparities that exist in health care. Open Heart Origami (OHO) Lab started with the collaboration with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, then transitioned to in-person workshops in locations such as Bryant Park, Union Square, and the New York Public Library. This initiative has earned Joseph the Presidential Volunteer Gold Award for the global impact of his letter drive with 4-H for Ukraine and the over 5900 messages crafted for those who need it the most, such as soldiers, inmates, and others who need hope.
Another of Joseph’s initiatives that touched so many lives was the Music & Thank You Breathing Meditation (M&M). Through M&M, Joseph bridged music and meditation for communal well-being and was adopted by New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital for their patients and Harlem PS:72 for their students. Through this initiative, Joseph has been able to comfort a patient before, after, and even students who found solace through Joseph's cello playing while they grappled with personal struggles such as being victims of bullying or their suicidal thoughts. For Joseph’s work with M&M, he was given the Point of Light Award.
Lastly, Oneness is a mini-concert series where Joseph hoped to highlight the universal language of music as a tool for unity and connection through performances such as the one he did on Easter Sunday in 2020 for a desolate Times Square to renowned venues such as the Leroy Anderson House, Make Music NY, and at Carnegie Hall, where he won a first-place for his performance of Meditation de Thais by Jules Massenet. His concert series awarded him the Evelyn Reidenbaugh Honorary Cello Award.
Music and philanthropy are not the only areas where Joseph excels and has been recognized. He has been awarded the National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, National Hispanic Recognition Program Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist.
Joseph has future plans to study math and neuroscience at either Columbia University, Harvard College, or Yale University. To set himself up for success, Joseph has already taken AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Psychology, AP Calculus, AP Chinese Language and Culture, where he scored a perfect 5, and AP English Language and Composition, where he scored an impressive 4.
BRONZE - Alexander Califano
College: Princeton University, Cornell University, Dartmouth University
Major: Classical Studies
GPA: 3.83
High School: Craftsbury Academy
Hometown: Craftsbury Common, VT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Alexander credits the kindness of the Puerto Rican community in New York for getting his great-grandparents on their feet when they immigrated in the 1940s, as one of his motivators in giving back or paying it forward today. The acts of service from nearly 80 years ago are still making an impact today as Alexander has committed to giving back to his community, specifically in bolstering educational achievements in his remote rural community of Craftsbury Common, VT. There, the educational system relies on peer-to-peer mentoring, as classes often lack faculty to teach subjects and operate on low budgets. Alexander has seen firsthand how these barriers have led to high dropout rates, low extracurricular involvement, and lower higher education levels of those who do beat the odds and graduate. This mission has become even more critical to Alexander with the recent Supreme Court case of Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard.
To combat this, Alexander is a founding member of his school’s chapter of DREAM by AmeriCorps. In his role, Alexander serves as a resource for a local elementary school in both academic and extracurricular endeavors and as a support system for the students. During the summers, Alexander is a Leader-In-Training intern for the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) youth camps. At the camps, Alexander ensures that the young students leave with an appreciation for the natural world and knowledge of climate change while building personal relationships with them to help them foster confidence in themselves and appreciate the value of education. Alexander’s influence and leadership at VINS have led to several campers returning years later, putting themselves in a Leader-In-Training role, and crediting Alexander’s impact for inspiring them to become counselors. This way, they aim to continue the cycle of being a positive influence and advocating for others to achieve high educational attainment and ensuring a better environment for future generations.
Alexander's promotion of the importance of educational attainment can be seen in his personal academic achievements. He boasts an impressive 3.83 GPA and has filled his schedule with rigorous AP courses, including AP Macro and Microeconomics, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Literature, and AP Politics and Government. In the latter course, Alexander serves as a teaching assistant. He also serves as a positive example, utilizing his school's extracurricular activities by participating in the Varsity Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track teams and serving as the student council secretary.
This dedication to bettering educational outcomes in his community has made Alexander a two-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medal, the Congressional Award Silver Medal, and Gold Certificate, a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist, and the St. Michael's Award for Social Conscience. Alexander is looking forward to the impact that he will make in the next chapter of his life, where he plans to study classical studies with a minor in Hellenic history at Princeton University, Cornell University, or Dartmouth College.
Major: Classical Studies
GPA: 3.83
High School: Craftsbury Academy
Hometown: Craftsbury Common, VT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Alexander credits the kindness of the Puerto Rican community in New York for getting his great-grandparents on their feet when they immigrated in the 1940s, as one of his motivators in giving back or paying it forward today. The acts of service from nearly 80 years ago are still making an impact today as Alexander has committed to giving back to his community, specifically in bolstering educational achievements in his remote rural community of Craftsbury Common, VT. There, the educational system relies on peer-to-peer mentoring, as classes often lack faculty to teach subjects and operate on low budgets. Alexander has seen firsthand how these barriers have led to high dropout rates, low extracurricular involvement, and lower higher education levels of those who do beat the odds and graduate. This mission has become even more critical to Alexander with the recent Supreme Court case of Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard.
To combat this, Alexander is a founding member of his school’s chapter of DREAM by AmeriCorps. In his role, Alexander serves as a resource for a local elementary school in both academic and extracurricular endeavors and as a support system for the students. During the summers, Alexander is a Leader-In-Training intern for the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) youth camps. At the camps, Alexander ensures that the young students leave with an appreciation for the natural world and knowledge of climate change while building personal relationships with them to help them foster confidence in themselves and appreciate the value of education. Alexander’s influence and leadership at VINS have led to several campers returning years later, putting themselves in a Leader-In-Training role, and crediting Alexander’s impact for inspiring them to become counselors. This way, they aim to continue the cycle of being a positive influence and advocating for others to achieve high educational attainment and ensuring a better environment for future generations.
Alexander's promotion of the importance of educational attainment can be seen in his personal academic achievements. He boasts an impressive 3.83 GPA and has filled his schedule with rigorous AP courses, including AP Macro and Microeconomics, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Literature, and AP Politics and Government. In the latter course, Alexander serves as a teaching assistant. He also serves as a positive example, utilizing his school's extracurricular activities by participating in the Varsity Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track teams and serving as the student council secretary.
This dedication to bettering educational outcomes in his community has made Alexander a two-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medal, the Congressional Award Silver Medal, and Gold Certificate, a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist, and the St. Michael's Award for Social Conscience. Alexander is looking forward to the impact that he will make in the next chapter of his life, where he plans to study classical studies with a minor in Hellenic history at Princeton University, Cornell University, or Dartmouth College.
Education
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Matthew Califano
College: Harvard College, Yale University, University of Alabama
Major: Classics
GPA: 4.0
High School: Craftsbury Academy
Hometown: Craftsbury Common, VT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Matthew is one of 68 total students enrolled at Craftsbury Academy, one of the smallest high schools in Vermont. While small class sizes are often seen as a good thing, they can pose many challenges in Matthew's very rural and small town of Craftsbury Common. One notable example was last year when his school’s English teacher had to retire suddenly due to a medical emergency. It was up to Matthew and a revolving door of substitute teachers to take over the freshman English lessons. Suddenly, instead of being a student, Matthew was thrust into a teaching position where he was in charge of teaching English courses for an hour and a half each day, all while juggling his own challenging coursework such as AP US Government and Politics, AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP World History, AP Calculus, and AP English Composition. While challenging, Matthew was able to adapt quickly. Although a more permanent replacement for the English classes may have already been found, Matthew is still heavily involved as the English and Math department teacher’s assistant. Matthew has also had teaching roles with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), which is one of the nation’s oldest environmental advocacy groups. He is also a leader on his school's track and cross country team.
While not in the classroom in a teaching capacity, education is never far from Matthews's mind. He is a student representative on his school’s Steering Committee, a mentor in the AmeriCorps DREAM program, and a member of DREAM’s Vermont Board of Directors. His work with the For the Steering Committee is what Matthew is most proud of, as it allows him to make meaningful contributions to his school by enacting policy changes. These changes hav enabled his school, one of the smallest and most underfunded in Vermont, to move up in statewide rankings and join the AP Scholar Honor Roll. This is a remarkable achievement, considering that some of Matthew’s peers lack internet and electricity at home, and his school has high teacher turnover.
Education is extremely important for Matthew, and he has been highlighted and recognized for his contributions to education. His papers on education reform have won national and international awards. He has been honored by the State of Vermont and the National Council of Teachers of English. He is a two-time winner of the President's Volunteer Service Awards Gold Medal, Congressional Awards Silver Medal, Citizens Scholar Awards from the University of Vermont, St. Michael's College, and Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions in education. His teachers also had nothing but positive things to say about him, describing him as their most academically gifted student, with one teacher who has been teaching for 56 years saying, 'I have worked with numerous outstanding students in a teaching career that began in 1968; and Matt Califano is without peer at the top of the list.'
Matthew, of Puerto Rican descent, has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will be attending Harvard College, Yale University, or the University of Alabama to study Classics and Government.
Major: Classics
GPA: 4.0
High School: Craftsbury Academy
Hometown: Craftsbury Common, VT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Matthew is one of 68 total students enrolled at Craftsbury Academy, one of the smallest high schools in Vermont. While small class sizes are often seen as a good thing, they can pose many challenges in Matthew's very rural and small town of Craftsbury Common. One notable example was last year when his school’s English teacher had to retire suddenly due to a medical emergency. It was up to Matthew and a revolving door of substitute teachers to take over the freshman English lessons. Suddenly, instead of being a student, Matthew was thrust into a teaching position where he was in charge of teaching English courses for an hour and a half each day, all while juggling his own challenging coursework such as AP US Government and Politics, AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP World History, AP Calculus, and AP English Composition. While challenging, Matthew was able to adapt quickly. Although a more permanent replacement for the English classes may have already been found, Matthew is still heavily involved as the English and Math department teacher’s assistant. Matthew has also had teaching roles with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), which is one of the nation’s oldest environmental advocacy groups. He is also a leader on his school's track and cross country team.
While not in the classroom in a teaching capacity, education is never far from Matthews's mind. He is a student representative on his school’s Steering Committee, a mentor in the AmeriCorps DREAM program, and a member of DREAM’s Vermont Board of Directors. His work with the For the Steering Committee is what Matthew is most proud of, as it allows him to make meaningful contributions to his school by enacting policy changes. These changes hav enabled his school, one of the smallest and most underfunded in Vermont, to move up in statewide rankings and join the AP Scholar Honor Roll. This is a remarkable achievement, considering that some of Matthew’s peers lack internet and electricity at home, and his school has high teacher turnover.
Education is extremely important for Matthew, and he has been highlighted and recognized for his contributions to education. His papers on education reform have won national and international awards. He has been honored by the State of Vermont and the National Council of Teachers of English. He is a two-time winner of the President's Volunteer Service Awards Gold Medal, Congressional Awards Silver Medal, Citizens Scholar Awards from the University of Vermont, St. Michael's College, and Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions in education. His teachers also had nothing but positive things to say about him, describing him as their most academically gifted student, with one teacher who has been teaching for 56 years saying, 'I have worked with numerous outstanding students in a teaching career that began in 1968; and Matt Califano is without peer at the top of the list.'
Matthew, of Puerto Rican descent, has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will be attending Harvard College, Yale University, or the University of Alabama to study Classics and Government.
SILVER - Celine Cardona
College: University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, Central Connecticut State University
Major: Special Education
GPA: 3.8
High School: Maloney High School
Hometown: Meriden, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
There are many reasons why Celine wants to become a teacher. Some of them are inspired by her experiences with teachers who expected less from her and her Latino peers solely because of their cultural background. When students are subjected to low expectations without a proper assessment of their skills and abilities, they are often placed in lower-level classes, which has long-lasting effects on the colleges they are admitted to, scholarships they receive, and their overall life trajectory. Having teachers who understand and celebrate students' diversity and can connect with them culturally can be a game-changer for all students.
Being a proud Puerto Rican, Celine aims to be a positive role model for students who resemble her. A saying that resonates with her is, “It's hard to be what you can’t see.” She wants to be the representation of what Latino and Hispanic students can achieve when they have someone who not only looks like them but also believes in and understands them. A notable example occurred when she encountered a young boy with autism who was having an extremely difficult time and couldn’t stop crying. Being bilingual, Celine was able to identify the root of the problem: the boy was unable to communicate his needs to someone who understood him. After Celine communicated with the boy, the issue was quickly resolved, highlighting the importance of bilingual educators.
While still in high school, Celine has already had numerous opportunities to be that positive influence. She has volunteered as a dance and music teacher at the John J. Nerden summer camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Her camp experience has cemented her desire to become an educator, specifically in special education. Celine is also heavily involved in educational endeavors during the school year, serving as a Student Leaders and Mentors (SLAM) mentor for high school students at risk of failing out of school by helping them improve academically, socially, and in bolstering their school pride and involvement.
Celine has even contributed to making her school a better place. She serves as a Student representative at her district's Board of Education meetings, acting as a voice for her school and providing updates. Celine took it a step further when she organized and directed a video advocating for a change in the outdated dress code, gathering the opinions of her peers and involving them in the project.
Celine has a 3.8 GPA and plans to major in Special Education with a minor in Latino Studies at the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford, or Central Connecticut State University.
Major: Special Education
GPA: 3.8
High School: Maloney High School
Hometown: Meriden, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
There are many reasons why Celine wants to become a teacher. Some of them are inspired by her experiences with teachers who expected less from her and her Latino peers solely because of their cultural background. When students are subjected to low expectations without a proper assessment of their skills and abilities, they are often placed in lower-level classes, which has long-lasting effects on the colleges they are admitted to, scholarships they receive, and their overall life trajectory. Having teachers who understand and celebrate students' diversity and can connect with them culturally can be a game-changer for all students.
Being a proud Puerto Rican, Celine aims to be a positive role model for students who resemble her. A saying that resonates with her is, “It's hard to be what you can’t see.” She wants to be the representation of what Latino and Hispanic students can achieve when they have someone who not only looks like them but also believes in and understands them. A notable example occurred when she encountered a young boy with autism who was having an extremely difficult time and couldn’t stop crying. Being bilingual, Celine was able to identify the root of the problem: the boy was unable to communicate his needs to someone who understood him. After Celine communicated with the boy, the issue was quickly resolved, highlighting the importance of bilingual educators.
While still in high school, Celine has already had numerous opportunities to be that positive influence. She has volunteered as a dance and music teacher at the John J. Nerden summer camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Her camp experience has cemented her desire to become an educator, specifically in special education. Celine is also heavily involved in educational endeavors during the school year, serving as a Student Leaders and Mentors (SLAM) mentor for high school students at risk of failing out of school by helping them improve academically, socially, and in bolstering their school pride and involvement.
Celine has even contributed to making her school a better place. She serves as a Student representative at her district's Board of Education meetings, acting as a voice for her school and providing updates. Celine took it a step further when she organized and directed a video advocating for a change in the outdated dress code, gathering the opinions of her peers and involving them in the project.
Celine has a 3.8 GPA and plans to major in Special Education with a minor in Latino Studies at the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford, or Central Connecticut State University.
BRONZE - Jimmy Merino
College: Yale University, Boston University, Harvard College
Major: Political Science & Economics
GPA: 3.96
High School: Chelsea High School
Hometown: Chelsea, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Salvordoran
While still in high school, Jimmy has already had valuable experience in two of his interests: policy and education. This is evident in his extracurricular activities, where he has distinguished himself in positions such as Class President, School Committee Student Representative, member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives, Center for Law and Education Board Member, and Department of Education State Student Advisory Council. However, this passion arose out of necessity as Jimmy could firsthand observe the failures in his community's educational system, such as low teacher salaries and overcrowded classrooms. Although this systemic issue is nationwide, Jimmy has witnessed it firsthand in his hometown of Chelsea. For Jimmy, it seemed that not enough was being done for education, and it appeared to be because education was an afterthought in most political agendas. With this in mind, Jimmy has made it his mission to change education policy for himself and future generations.
To effect meaningful changes in education, Jimmy has had numerous experiences in the political realm. He participated in the National United States Senate Youth Program, where he connected with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and Assistant Attorney General Kirsten Clark. He was also an MA Student Government Day-Student Senator and a Yale Young Global Scholars- Politics, Law Scholar. Additionally, he served as Judith Garcia's Field Director for State Representative. This combination of skills has already enabled Jimmy to make meaningful contributions to education in his community.
Jimmy has partnered with Brown University to research his town and its history. Through his research, Jimmy has connected with dozens of stakeholders to further understand the impacts of the politicization of education. He has advocated for including student voices in education policy, which stemmed from a new educational policy that automatically dropped student grades to a D- after three unexcused absences. Despite promises to re-evaluate the harmful policy with no action taken, Jimmy took it upon himself to engage his classmates and gather their opinions on the policy, despite not being personally impacted by it. Following these meetings, Jimmy organized a group of twenty students to address the school committee on the matter and how it was not achieving its intended goal of reducing unexcused absences. Jimmy worked with the administration from that meeting to adopt a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process.
Through his work with the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives, he has already spearheaded two legislative bills that aim to reshape education, a cause he believes has been an afterthought in most political spaces. The first bill aims to grant students more voting rights on school committees, and the other seeks to expand personal financial education courses across Massachusetts.
Another issue in education that Jimmy highlights is school funding. The state provides a minimum school budget in Massachusetts, but any additional benefits are funded through local property taxes. However, in Jimmy’s town, which consists almost entirely of recent immigrants, the schools do not enjoy the same advantages as wealthier districts and lack opportunities such as clubs, sports, college readiness programs, teacher retention initiatives, and various AP courses. Jimmy plans to use his experience as a member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives and his experience at the Massachusetts State House to draft legislation addressing the shortcomings of current educational state funding practices, which often overlook small urban and rural communities.
He has been invited to speak on NPR, where he was one of seven students featured in a segment on high school voices. Jimmy discussed the impact of COVID-19 on social interaction, as well as the effects of youth voices being ignored in political decision-making.
Jimmy has a remarkable 3.96 GPA and will continue to effect meaningful changes in education policy at Yale University, Boston University, or Harvard College, where he plans to study political science and economics and minor in education studies.
Major: Political Science & Economics
GPA: 3.96
High School: Chelsea High School
Hometown: Chelsea, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Salvordoran
While still in high school, Jimmy has already had valuable experience in two of his interests: policy and education. This is evident in his extracurricular activities, where he has distinguished himself in positions such as Class President, School Committee Student Representative, member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives, Center for Law and Education Board Member, and Department of Education State Student Advisory Council. However, this passion arose out of necessity as Jimmy could firsthand observe the failures in his community's educational system, such as low teacher salaries and overcrowded classrooms. Although this systemic issue is nationwide, Jimmy has witnessed it firsthand in his hometown of Chelsea. For Jimmy, it seemed that not enough was being done for education, and it appeared to be because education was an afterthought in most political agendas. With this in mind, Jimmy has made it his mission to change education policy for himself and future generations.
To effect meaningful changes in education, Jimmy has had numerous experiences in the political realm. He participated in the National United States Senate Youth Program, where he connected with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and Assistant Attorney General Kirsten Clark. He was also an MA Student Government Day-Student Senator and a Yale Young Global Scholars- Politics, Law Scholar. Additionally, he served as Judith Garcia's Field Director for State Representative. This combination of skills has already enabled Jimmy to make meaningful contributions to education in his community.
Jimmy has partnered with Brown University to research his town and its history. Through his research, Jimmy has connected with dozens of stakeholders to further understand the impacts of the politicization of education. He has advocated for including student voices in education policy, which stemmed from a new educational policy that automatically dropped student grades to a D- after three unexcused absences. Despite promises to re-evaluate the harmful policy with no action taken, Jimmy took it upon himself to engage his classmates and gather their opinions on the policy, despite not being personally impacted by it. Following these meetings, Jimmy organized a group of twenty students to address the school committee on the matter and how it was not achieving its intended goal of reducing unexcused absences. Jimmy worked with the administration from that meeting to adopt a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process.
Through his work with the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives, he has already spearheaded two legislative bills that aim to reshape education, a cause he believes has been an afterthought in most political spaces. The first bill aims to grant students more voting rights on school committees, and the other seeks to expand personal financial education courses across Massachusetts.
Another issue in education that Jimmy highlights is school funding. The state provides a minimum school budget in Massachusetts, but any additional benefits are funded through local property taxes. However, in Jimmy’s town, which consists almost entirely of recent immigrants, the schools do not enjoy the same advantages as wealthier districts and lack opportunities such as clubs, sports, college readiness programs, teacher retention initiatives, and various AP courses. Jimmy plans to use his experience as a member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives and his experience at the Massachusetts State House to draft legislation addressing the shortcomings of current educational state funding practices, which often overlook small urban and rural communities.
He has been invited to speak on NPR, where he was one of seven students featured in a segment on high school voices. Jimmy discussed the impact of COVID-19 on social interaction, as well as the effects of youth voices being ignored in political decision-making.
Jimmy has a remarkable 3.96 GPA and will continue to effect meaningful changes in education policy at Yale University, Boston University, or Harvard College, where he plans to study political science and economics and minor in education studies.
Engineering
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Ethan Morano
College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stevens Institute of Technology, Cornell University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: William Floyd High School
Hometown: Mastic Beach, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
One of the driving forces behind Ethan’s pursuit to succeed is his mother, who emigrated to the United States from Peru with big dreams of obtaining a college education and a lucrative career but faced many obstacles. Keeping this in mind has fueled Ethan's studies as a nod to his mother's tenacity; for if it weren't for her sacrifices, he would not face as few as possible of the barriers she encountered.
Ethan has always been captivated by all things innovation and technology as they are outlets for his creativity, from building Legos as a child to being a member of the Stony Brook University Science & Technology Entrance Program and gaining exposure to STEM classes at Brookhaven National Lab. In high school, he took challenging STEM courses such as AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science Principles, as well as university courses in biomedical engineering and high-performance computing. He has been invited to numerous camps, such as the STEM Education Engineering Camp, where he learned how to code breadboards with circuit systems. He also spent a summer at Fordham University studying artificial intelligence and bioengineering through Cornell’s Catalyst Academy. At Cornell, he and his research group utilized material science, chemical science, and biotechnology for their final project entitled The Future of Defense Systems, where Ethan excelled as the lead presenter. He credits the diversity of his group, who could use their and their families' experience in differing farming techniques and soil types to their advantage.
Ethan's work has already earned him many awards. He has been recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar, received SCMEA Music Excellence Awards, the College Board AP Scholar with Honor Award, the BAM AAA Trophy and a Decorum Award. Besides the awards, he holds leadership or membership roles as the treasurer of the NYS Science National Honor Society, a National and Foreign Language Honor Society member, and a member of the school varsity tennis team.
Ethan's mindset and commitment to giving back still tie back to engineering and STEM. As an Eagle Scout, when it came to picking his community project, it was no surprise that he chose to build a Little Free Library in the shape of a lighthouse in his town. This project was special for Ethan as it combined his passion for engineering while also addressing an issue his community faces: improved literacy rates and access to books. On the day the little library opened, a line of children eagerly awaited their chance to take home a book.
With his sights set on earning his Ph.D., Ethan, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, looks forward to attending either Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stevens Institute of Technology, or Cornell University to study mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace engineering.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: William Floyd High School
Hometown: Mastic Beach, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
One of the driving forces behind Ethan’s pursuit to succeed is his mother, who emigrated to the United States from Peru with big dreams of obtaining a college education and a lucrative career but faced many obstacles. Keeping this in mind has fueled Ethan's studies as a nod to his mother's tenacity; for if it weren't for her sacrifices, he would not face as few as possible of the barriers she encountered.
Ethan has always been captivated by all things innovation and technology as they are outlets for his creativity, from building Legos as a child to being a member of the Stony Brook University Science & Technology Entrance Program and gaining exposure to STEM classes at Brookhaven National Lab. In high school, he took challenging STEM courses such as AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science Principles, as well as university courses in biomedical engineering and high-performance computing. He has been invited to numerous camps, such as the STEM Education Engineering Camp, where he learned how to code breadboards with circuit systems. He also spent a summer at Fordham University studying artificial intelligence and bioengineering through Cornell’s Catalyst Academy. At Cornell, he and his research group utilized material science, chemical science, and biotechnology for their final project entitled The Future of Defense Systems, where Ethan excelled as the lead presenter. He credits the diversity of his group, who could use their and their families' experience in differing farming techniques and soil types to their advantage.
Ethan's work has already earned him many awards. He has been recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar, received SCMEA Music Excellence Awards, the College Board AP Scholar with Honor Award, the BAM AAA Trophy and a Decorum Award. Besides the awards, he holds leadership or membership roles as the treasurer of the NYS Science National Honor Society, a National and Foreign Language Honor Society member, and a member of the school varsity tennis team.
Ethan's mindset and commitment to giving back still tie back to engineering and STEM. As an Eagle Scout, when it came to picking his community project, it was no surprise that he chose to build a Little Free Library in the shape of a lighthouse in his town. This project was special for Ethan as it combined his passion for engineering while also addressing an issue his community faces: improved literacy rates and access to books. On the day the little library opened, a line of children eagerly awaited their chance to take home a book.
With his sights set on earning his Ph.D., Ethan, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, looks forward to attending either Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stevens Institute of Technology, or Cornell University to study mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace engineering.
SILVER - Dillon Tirado
College: Duke University, Boston University, University of Massachusetts Amerst
Major: Biomedical Engineering
GPA: 3.97
High School: Tyngsborough High School
Hometown: Tyngsborough, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Dillon has always had a habit of deconstructing objects around his home. It was not until his first Lego set in the first grade that he got his first glimpse at the potential of creating something from nothing. From there, he was hooked. In high school, his fond childhood memory of tearing things apart and reconstructing them became attainable through the Robotics Club. There, he was allowed to toy around and create numerous crucial parts of the robots. Dillon’s work ethic and perseverance, being satisfied only when his work was perfect, paid off when their robot came in second place in the tournament. Another club that Dillon has thoroughly enjoyed is the Biobuilder club, as it combines his love for engineering with his passion for biology.
While Dillon is proud of the accomplishments he has had in both the Robotics Club and Biobuilder, it is his six-week internship at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard that Dillon states is his proudest accomplishment. There he worked in their Ellinor Lab, focusing on treating cardiovascular disease. Dillon's role involved researching the effects of a particular molecule on the expression of fibrosis in heart cells. Utilizing bioengineering methods, and with the help of mentors, Dillon was able to test his hypothesis through various experiments and contribute to the findings and data of previous studies utilizing biomedical engineering principles.
While he enjoyed his team at the internship and clubs, one thing Dillon wants to see is more minority faces in STEM fields. As a proud Mexican, Dillon takes pride in being in a space that is underrepresented by minority faces and hopes that in the future, it becomes more welcoming for those who look like him.
Dillon’s leadership and hard work were noticed by Adam Boisvert, who coaches Dillon in both soccer and robotics. He notes that Dillon is currently a senior captain but has been a quiet leader for several years now, always there to offer an encouraging word, leading by example, and quick to put the needs of others before his own. On the soccer field, his coach notes that he always gives 110% in robotics. Even as a young team member, he would always volunteer for any additional remedial tasks, such as building the team table, to ensure that he knew all the ins and outs of robotics. Coach Boisvert notes that this selflessness and his effective communication style make Dillon an exemplary leader.
Besides soccer and robotics, Dillon has other leadership roles and recognitions. He is the current captain of the lacrosse team and Class President. So far, he has been recognized with the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program, Outstanding Achievement in Science, World Language, and Social Studies, and the Coach's Award in soccer.
Next year, to further his already impressive educational career with a near-perfect 3.97 GPA, Dillon will attend Duke University, Boston University, or the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study biomedical engineering and minor in neuroscience.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
GPA: 3.97
High School: Tyngsborough High School
Hometown: Tyngsborough, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Dillon has always had a habit of deconstructing objects around his home. It was not until his first Lego set in the first grade that he got his first glimpse at the potential of creating something from nothing. From there, he was hooked. In high school, his fond childhood memory of tearing things apart and reconstructing them became attainable through the Robotics Club. There, he was allowed to toy around and create numerous crucial parts of the robots. Dillon’s work ethic and perseverance, being satisfied only when his work was perfect, paid off when their robot came in second place in the tournament. Another club that Dillon has thoroughly enjoyed is the Biobuilder club, as it combines his love for engineering with his passion for biology.
While Dillon is proud of the accomplishments he has had in both the Robotics Club and Biobuilder, it is his six-week internship at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard that Dillon states is his proudest accomplishment. There he worked in their Ellinor Lab, focusing on treating cardiovascular disease. Dillon's role involved researching the effects of a particular molecule on the expression of fibrosis in heart cells. Utilizing bioengineering methods, and with the help of mentors, Dillon was able to test his hypothesis through various experiments and contribute to the findings and data of previous studies utilizing biomedical engineering principles.
While he enjoyed his team at the internship and clubs, one thing Dillon wants to see is more minority faces in STEM fields. As a proud Mexican, Dillon takes pride in being in a space that is underrepresented by minority faces and hopes that in the future, it becomes more welcoming for those who look like him.
Dillon’s leadership and hard work were noticed by Adam Boisvert, who coaches Dillon in both soccer and robotics. He notes that Dillon is currently a senior captain but has been a quiet leader for several years now, always there to offer an encouraging word, leading by example, and quick to put the needs of others before his own. On the soccer field, his coach notes that he always gives 110% in robotics. Even as a young team member, he would always volunteer for any additional remedial tasks, such as building the team table, to ensure that he knew all the ins and outs of robotics. Coach Boisvert notes that this selflessness and his effective communication style make Dillon an exemplary leader.
Besides soccer and robotics, Dillon has other leadership roles and recognitions. He is the current captain of the lacrosse team and Class President. So far, he has been recognized with the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program, Outstanding Achievement in Science, World Language, and Social Studies, and the Coach's Award in soccer.
Next year, to further his already impressive educational career with a near-perfect 3.97 GPA, Dillon will attend Duke University, Boston University, or the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study biomedical engineering and minor in neuroscience.
BRONZE - Gianni Martinez Drab
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut
Major: Aerospace Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: Robert E Fitch Sr. High School
Hometown: Groton, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Ever since Gianni was a young boy, he has always been fascinated by the stars. Instead of getting lost in the stories in books during elementary school, he would spend hours looking at the stories of galaxies and stars told through images captured by Hubble telescopes. As he grew older, he advanced from picture books to YouTube videos, and by high school, hearing about missions and researching elements of Mars, his future in aerospace was set in stone.
Since then, Gianni has been a part of Robert E Fitch Sr. High School’s First Robotics team, Team 2168. During his first year on the design team, all the work through trial and error in creating gearboxes paid off, as they were used to lift the robot’s claw arm and extend over 40 inches to grab items. This accomplishment was particularly rewarding as he designed the gearboxes from sketching, designing, lighting, and assembling the box through SolidWorks, and went through multiple iterations. While some would have been frustrated with the multiple reworkings, Gianni appreciates the knowledge he gained from these reworkings and what he learned from them.
Gianni is also a member of Project Lead the Way. He has taken courses such as Introduction to Engineering Design, worked on a Capstone in Engineering Design and Development, and mastered engineering skills in CAD and CAM. In addition, at the Robotics Lego Camp, Gianni teaches elementary-age students about robotics and gives them their first exposure to STEM.
Outside of direct engineering courses, Gianni has taken numerous other courses that will benefit a STEM career, such as AP Early College Experience Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP/IB Physics, AP Early College Experience Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Environmental Science. This rigorous course load becomes even more impressive when we hear that Gianni’s GPA is 4.0, and he is ranked third in his class of over 246 students.
When not in the classroom, Gianni is a star athlete. He is captain of both the football and golf teams. In going above and beyond his captain roles, Gianni tutors his teammates to ensure they maintain eligibility standing and have college prospects. He meets weekly with at-risk 6th graders, not only to help them with their schoolwork but also to serve as a mentor and big brother. He has found that being a positive influence for these students has been instrumental in their schoolwork, where they are achieving better grades, and now more time can be spent just connecting with them. Gianni has also worked with Safe Futures, a domestic violence organization, where he organizes clothing, toys, and goods during the holidays. Despite his already full schedule, Gianni also works at Advantage Personal Training and serves as the vice president of his school's National Honor Society.
With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Gianni plans to study Aerospace Engineering with a minor in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, or the University of Connecticut.
Major: Aerospace Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: Robert E Fitch Sr. High School
Hometown: Groton, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Ever since Gianni was a young boy, he has always been fascinated by the stars. Instead of getting lost in the stories in books during elementary school, he would spend hours looking at the stories of galaxies and stars told through images captured by Hubble telescopes. As he grew older, he advanced from picture books to YouTube videos, and by high school, hearing about missions and researching elements of Mars, his future in aerospace was set in stone.
Since then, Gianni has been a part of Robert E Fitch Sr. High School’s First Robotics team, Team 2168. During his first year on the design team, all the work through trial and error in creating gearboxes paid off, as they were used to lift the robot’s claw arm and extend over 40 inches to grab items. This accomplishment was particularly rewarding as he designed the gearboxes from sketching, designing, lighting, and assembling the box through SolidWorks, and went through multiple iterations. While some would have been frustrated with the multiple reworkings, Gianni appreciates the knowledge he gained from these reworkings and what he learned from them.
Gianni is also a member of Project Lead the Way. He has taken courses such as Introduction to Engineering Design, worked on a Capstone in Engineering Design and Development, and mastered engineering skills in CAD and CAM. In addition, at the Robotics Lego Camp, Gianni teaches elementary-age students about robotics and gives them their first exposure to STEM.
Outside of direct engineering courses, Gianni has taken numerous other courses that will benefit a STEM career, such as AP Early College Experience Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP/IB Physics, AP Early College Experience Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Environmental Science. This rigorous course load becomes even more impressive when we hear that Gianni’s GPA is 4.0, and he is ranked third in his class of over 246 students.
When not in the classroom, Gianni is a star athlete. He is captain of both the football and golf teams. In going above and beyond his captain roles, Gianni tutors his teammates to ensure they maintain eligibility standing and have college prospects. He meets weekly with at-risk 6th graders, not only to help them with their schoolwork but also to serve as a mentor and big brother. He has found that being a positive influence for these students has been instrumental in their schoolwork, where they are achieving better grades, and now more time can be spent just connecting with them. Gianni has also worked with Safe Futures, a domestic violence organization, where he organizes clothing, toys, and goods during the holidays. Despite his already full schedule, Gianni also works at Advantage Personal Training and serves as the vice president of his school's National Honor Society.
With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Gianni plans to study Aerospace Engineering with a minor in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, or the University of Connecticut.
Entrepreneurship & Business
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - John Velez
College: University of Virginia, University of Michigan, Cornell University
Major: Finance
GPA: 4.0
High School: Chaminade Highschool
Hometown: Bayside, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
What started as a love for sneakers and sneaker culture, John, turned into a business. Initially, he would take old sneakers, refurbish them, and sell them. He credits this modest start with giving him firsthand knowledge of business principles such as supply and demand. John quickly outgrew refurbishing shoes in his bedroom as the business grew and needed more inventory space. From there, John’s business, Sole Shore, expanded even more once he utilized a bot, transforming his passion for shoes into an enterprise. With more experience, he was able to tailor his expertise specifically to analyze trends and develop marketing strategies for the sneaker community. For John, the most exciting part was not just the increased sales but mastering the intricacies of e-commerce market trends, building his brand, and learning the ins and outs of the marketplace.
With his newfound entrepreneurial expertise, John wanted to give back. He promoted a financial literacy program at his school by sharing his passion for entrepreneurship, investment, and money management with his peers. This was important to John and his Colombian heritage, hoping to inspire his classmates to live out their American dream. He also credits his heritage with giving back to his community. John offers translation assistance at neighborhood meetings, works in food kitchens, and hosts and organizes sneaker drives. While the events differ in goals, John feels the attendees' gratitude for him and his excellent work.
Outside of the sneaker business, John has held numerous other roles. He served as a Summer Intern at H. Linder and Rogosky Law Firm, where his supervisor was impressed with his remarkable capacity for legal research and analysis, surpassing those of other interns his age. John was even allowed to deal with clients; his professional manner and empathetic attitude were recognized as great traits for a future leader. He has worked as an apprentice for a Major Lieutenant at the Pentagon, volunteered as an Outpatient Treatment Volunteer at an addiction rehab, and participated as an Emmaus Apostolic Service Program volunteer.
In the last two years, John has earned several awards and recognitions. He is a member of the National Honor Society, received the Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, holds Bloomberg Market Concepts certification, received the Chaminade High School Excellence of Character Award, and is part of the Chaminade High School Honor Board for 2023 and 2022. Lastly, John has worked as a stock analyst and member of his school's business club.
John has taken numerous AP courses in STEM, such as AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Calculus AB; in English, such as AP Literature and Composition and AP Language and Composition; and in social studies, such as AP US History and AP Government and Politics. Despite the demands of this course load, his involvement in the small business, and his participation in clubs and volunteer activities, John maintains a 4.0 GPA. Next year, John plans to attend the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, or Cornell University to study finance and minor in computer science.
Major: Finance
GPA: 4.0
High School: Chaminade Highschool
Hometown: Bayside, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Colombian
What started as a love for sneakers and sneaker culture, John, turned into a business. Initially, he would take old sneakers, refurbish them, and sell them. He credits this modest start with giving him firsthand knowledge of business principles such as supply and demand. John quickly outgrew refurbishing shoes in his bedroom as the business grew and needed more inventory space. From there, John’s business, Sole Shore, expanded even more once he utilized a bot, transforming his passion for shoes into an enterprise. With more experience, he was able to tailor his expertise specifically to analyze trends and develop marketing strategies for the sneaker community. For John, the most exciting part was not just the increased sales but mastering the intricacies of e-commerce market trends, building his brand, and learning the ins and outs of the marketplace.
With his newfound entrepreneurial expertise, John wanted to give back. He promoted a financial literacy program at his school by sharing his passion for entrepreneurship, investment, and money management with his peers. This was important to John and his Colombian heritage, hoping to inspire his classmates to live out their American dream. He also credits his heritage with giving back to his community. John offers translation assistance at neighborhood meetings, works in food kitchens, and hosts and organizes sneaker drives. While the events differ in goals, John feels the attendees' gratitude for him and his excellent work.
Outside of the sneaker business, John has held numerous other roles. He served as a Summer Intern at H. Linder and Rogosky Law Firm, where his supervisor was impressed with his remarkable capacity for legal research and analysis, surpassing those of other interns his age. John was even allowed to deal with clients; his professional manner and empathetic attitude were recognized as great traits for a future leader. He has worked as an apprentice for a Major Lieutenant at the Pentagon, volunteered as an Outpatient Treatment Volunteer at an addiction rehab, and participated as an Emmaus Apostolic Service Program volunteer.
In the last two years, John has earned several awards and recognitions. He is a member of the National Honor Society, received the Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, holds Bloomberg Market Concepts certification, received the Chaminade High School Excellence of Character Award, and is part of the Chaminade High School Honor Board for 2023 and 2022. Lastly, John has worked as a stock analyst and member of his school's business club.
John has taken numerous AP courses in STEM, such as AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Calculus AB; in English, such as AP Literature and Composition and AP Language and Composition; and in social studies, such as AP US History and AP Government and Politics. Despite the demands of this course load, his involvement in the small business, and his participation in clubs and volunteer activities, John maintains a 4.0 GPA. Next year, John plans to attend the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, or Cornell University to study finance and minor in computer science.
SILVER - Lizbeth Ramirez
College: Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University
Major: Business Administration
GPA: 4.0
High School: Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Lizbeth recognizes the harmful effects of gentrification, witnessing rising rents leading to the closure of businesses and families facing exorbitant rent increases, depleting their savings. Taking it upon herself to understand the commonalities behind the failures of small businesses in her community, Lizbeth identified key factors: lack of a strategic marketing plan, poor management, and struggles with funds.
To address these challenges, Lizbeth has been exceptionally proactive. She joined the First Generation Entrepreneurs program through Columbia University Business School and became a certified bookkeeper, a crucial skill for struggling businesses. After completing the program, Lizbeth was paired with a small business selling shea butter. Collaborating with the owner, she implemented a more efficient transaction tracking system, ensuring more profitable decision-making. Lizbeth admires the owner's vision, particularly her practice of donating a portion of the proceeds to aid African communities, highlighting the crucial role small businesses play in local economies.
In addition to her involvement with the shea butter business, Lizbeth has seized numerous opportunities to expand her skill set. Her research internship at Zurich Insurance Company provided industry insights into the importance of business insurance. As an extern at Landor & Fitch, she learned the significance of transforming a brand into an identity. Lizbeth leverages this knowledge to help others, offering transaction organization services and marketing strategies to local businesses and guiding them in utilizing social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Meta.
Lizbeth extends her assistance beyond small businesses. Through her organization, Future Funders, she hosts three-week stock market simulation workshops at local schools, educating youth and adults about stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to foster capital growth. These skills aim to inspire future entrepreneurs and small business owners, potentially leading to job growth in her community. Alongside stock market teachings, Lizbeth organizes networking events where business professionals from her network interact with students over Zoom, providing insights into various career paths in business. She has already impacted over 60 families in more than four public schools.
Despite her extensive involvement in internships, externships, bookkeeping courses, and community service, Lizbeth is the UNICEF and Crochet Club president, a member of Graffiti Against Violence, and captain of the Bowling team. She is a Seeds of Fortune Girls Start-Up-Com semifinalist, a member of the National Honor Society, and consistently on the honor roll. Lizbeth maintains a challenging AP-filled schedule, including AP Calculus AB, BC, AP Psychology, AP US Government and Politics, AP English Literature, AP US History, and language studies in French and Navajo.
Next year, Lizbeth plans to study Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship at Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, or New York University.
Major: Business Administration
GPA: 4.0
High School: Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Lizbeth recognizes the harmful effects of gentrification, witnessing rising rents leading to the closure of businesses and families facing exorbitant rent increases, depleting their savings. Taking it upon herself to understand the commonalities behind the failures of small businesses in her community, Lizbeth identified key factors: lack of a strategic marketing plan, poor management, and struggles with funds.
To address these challenges, Lizbeth has been exceptionally proactive. She joined the First Generation Entrepreneurs program through Columbia University Business School and became a certified bookkeeper, a crucial skill for struggling businesses. After completing the program, Lizbeth was paired with a small business selling shea butter. Collaborating with the owner, she implemented a more efficient transaction tracking system, ensuring more profitable decision-making. Lizbeth admires the owner's vision, particularly her practice of donating a portion of the proceeds to aid African communities, highlighting the crucial role small businesses play in local economies.
In addition to her involvement with the shea butter business, Lizbeth has seized numerous opportunities to expand her skill set. Her research internship at Zurich Insurance Company provided industry insights into the importance of business insurance. As an extern at Landor & Fitch, she learned the significance of transforming a brand into an identity. Lizbeth leverages this knowledge to help others, offering transaction organization services and marketing strategies to local businesses and guiding them in utilizing social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Meta.
Lizbeth extends her assistance beyond small businesses. Through her organization, Future Funders, she hosts three-week stock market simulation workshops at local schools, educating youth and adults about stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to foster capital growth. These skills aim to inspire future entrepreneurs and small business owners, potentially leading to job growth in her community. Alongside stock market teachings, Lizbeth organizes networking events where business professionals from her network interact with students over Zoom, providing insights into various career paths in business. She has already impacted over 60 families in more than four public schools.
Despite her extensive involvement in internships, externships, bookkeeping courses, and community service, Lizbeth is the UNICEF and Crochet Club president, a member of Graffiti Against Violence, and captain of the Bowling team. She is a Seeds of Fortune Girls Start-Up-Com semifinalist, a member of the National Honor Society, and consistently on the honor roll. Lizbeth maintains a challenging AP-filled schedule, including AP Calculus AB, BC, AP Psychology, AP US Government and Politics, AP English Literature, AP US History, and language studies in French and Navajo.
Next year, Lizbeth plans to study Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship at Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, or New York University.
BRONZE - Janira Martinez
College: Yale University, Columbia University, SUNY Binghamton
Major: Business Administration
GPA: 4.0
High School: Peekskill High School
Hometown: Peekskill, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan
Janira possesses a strong business and entrepreneurial mindset, evident from her early lemonade stands to establishing her own flower bouquet business at the age of seventeen. Her strategic thinking was further showcased in the JP Morgan Business Olympics, where she successfully addressed the issue of scarce parking by proposing an innovative app with sensors in parking spots. This idea won first place, highlighting Janira's ability to find practical solutions to real-world problems.
Janira's entrepreneurial spirit was reinforced through her participation in a Girls Empowerment Group, where she networked with professionals from a multi-billion dollar telecommunications company. Hearing inspiring stories about a CEO's attentiveness to employee needs fueled Janira's ambition to own her business and emulate such leadership qualities.
Janira's humanitarian values, stemming from her parents' pursuit of the American dream after immigrating from Guatemala, drive her to make a positive impact. Volunteering at her local Family Resource Center, she organizes events to teach the Hispanic community basic computer and English skills. Janira believes these skills empower individuals to expand job opportunities, actively engage in their children's education, and communicate effectively with teachers.
Recognized as a Congress of Future Medical Leaders of Excellence, a George Eastman Young Leaders Award winner, and a published poet via the American Library of Poetry, Janira's commitment to leadership is evident. She holds various leadership roles, such as class president, president of the Spanish Honor Society, drama club stage manager, and memberships in clubs like Interact, Latino Culture Club, and Girls Empowerment Club. Awarded the Key by the 2023 graduating class, Janira is recognized as the individual best suited to lead the 2024 graduating class to success.
With a 4.0 GPA and a challenging coursework load, including AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP Spanish Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Biology, and AP United States History, Janira is poised for success. As a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, she is set to excel at Yale University, Columbia University, or SUNY Binghamton, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science.
Major: Business Administration
GPA: 4.0
High School: Peekskill High School
Hometown: Peekskill, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan
Janira possesses a strong business and entrepreneurial mindset, evident from her early lemonade stands to establishing her own flower bouquet business at the age of seventeen. Her strategic thinking was further showcased in the JP Morgan Business Olympics, where she successfully addressed the issue of scarce parking by proposing an innovative app with sensors in parking spots. This idea won first place, highlighting Janira's ability to find practical solutions to real-world problems.
Janira's entrepreneurial spirit was reinforced through her participation in a Girls Empowerment Group, where she networked with professionals from a multi-billion dollar telecommunications company. Hearing inspiring stories about a CEO's attentiveness to employee needs fueled Janira's ambition to own her business and emulate such leadership qualities.
Janira's humanitarian values, stemming from her parents' pursuit of the American dream after immigrating from Guatemala, drive her to make a positive impact. Volunteering at her local Family Resource Center, she organizes events to teach the Hispanic community basic computer and English skills. Janira believes these skills empower individuals to expand job opportunities, actively engage in their children's education, and communicate effectively with teachers.
Recognized as a Congress of Future Medical Leaders of Excellence, a George Eastman Young Leaders Award winner, and a published poet via the American Library of Poetry, Janira's commitment to leadership is evident. She holds various leadership roles, such as class president, president of the Spanish Honor Society, drama club stage manager, and memberships in clubs like Interact, Latino Culture Club, and Girls Empowerment Club. Awarded the Key by the 2023 graduating class, Janira is recognized as the individual best suited to lead the 2024 graduating class to success.
With a 4.0 GPA and a challenging coursework load, including AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP Spanish Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Biology, and AP United States History, Janira is poised for success. As a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, she is set to excel at Yale University, Columbia University, or SUNY Binghamton, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science.
Green Sustainability
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Laila Salgado
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, University of Michigan
Major: Environmental Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: Orchard Park High School
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Laila credits her first eco-inspiration to watching her aunt work as a conservation biologist specializing in preserving Peruvian fisheries at the Shedd Aquarium, which fueled her aspirations to research conservation while applying cutting-edge engineering techniques to design sustainable solutions. To achieve this goal, Laila has already accomplished remarkable work. She took a class at Brown University Pre-College titled People and Their Environment, where she studied epidemiology and microplastic pollution. She has researched the application of artificial intelligence for sustainable agricultural practices. She served as an Erie County Climate Ambassador for two years, undergoing five-week training and leading community outreach events to promote the county's new climate action plan.
Additionally, she works as a Climate Action Intern for Seaside Sustainability, a national ocean conservation nonprofit, and had an environmental and civil internship with Lu Engineers. In these roles, she writes monthly articles related to climate change and sustainability, covering various topics such as microplastics, hurricane intensification, and photovoltaic technology. She is also part of the Green Scholars Program, where she conducts market research and creates a curriculum on environmental literacy implemented in schools nationwide.
While sustainability plays a significant role in Laila’s life, she is also extremely driven and motivated in other aspects. She has a deep love for technology and has successfully combined this passion with sustainability through the previously mentioned AI internship. In this role, her project integrates Python programming and AI to predict crop yield from bacterial compositions in the soil, identifying areas of high plant growth to increase the efficiency of sustainable farming and reforestation. Laila hopes her research will contribute to developing resource-efficient agricultural strategies, facilitating sustainable food production, and aiding in the restoration of biodiversity worldwide.
Laila is actively contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment in her school and community. She founded the Sustainability Club in her community and serves as the Recycling Committee lead at her school. In the latter role, she spent three years advocating for her school to prioritize recycling and successfully implemented recycling methods to address the school's overconsumption of plastic waste. Additionally, Laila holds the position of student government secretary. She is the president of her school’s Outreach Club, where she plans and organizes philanthropic events such as chicken dinners, polar plunges, and blanket-making. She has also taken on the role of teaching Spanish lessons, offering cultural cooking classes to showcase her Peruvian heritage to her peers. As a versatile athlete, Laila has been part of her school's volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse teams, often holding captain positions. Furthermore, she dedicates her time to coaching young girls in underprivileged communities.
Upon graduation, Laila will have earned an Advanced Regents Diploma, a Seal of Biliteracy, and the Rachel Carson Health Planet award, positioning her to graduate among the top ten students of her class. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she looks forward to attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, or the University of Michigan to study environmental engineering or computer science with a minor in sustainability or climate science.
Major: Environmental Engineering
GPA: 4.0
High School: Orchard Park High School
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
Laila credits her first eco-inspiration to watching her aunt work as a conservation biologist specializing in preserving Peruvian fisheries at the Shedd Aquarium, which fueled her aspirations to research conservation while applying cutting-edge engineering techniques to design sustainable solutions. To achieve this goal, Laila has already accomplished remarkable work. She took a class at Brown University Pre-College titled People and Their Environment, where she studied epidemiology and microplastic pollution. She has researched the application of artificial intelligence for sustainable agricultural practices. She served as an Erie County Climate Ambassador for two years, undergoing five-week training and leading community outreach events to promote the county's new climate action plan.
Additionally, she works as a Climate Action Intern for Seaside Sustainability, a national ocean conservation nonprofit, and had an environmental and civil internship with Lu Engineers. In these roles, she writes monthly articles related to climate change and sustainability, covering various topics such as microplastics, hurricane intensification, and photovoltaic technology. She is also part of the Green Scholars Program, where she conducts market research and creates a curriculum on environmental literacy implemented in schools nationwide.
While sustainability plays a significant role in Laila’s life, she is also extremely driven and motivated in other aspects. She has a deep love for technology and has successfully combined this passion with sustainability through the previously mentioned AI internship. In this role, her project integrates Python programming and AI to predict crop yield from bacterial compositions in the soil, identifying areas of high plant growth to increase the efficiency of sustainable farming and reforestation. Laila hopes her research will contribute to developing resource-efficient agricultural strategies, facilitating sustainable food production, and aiding in the restoration of biodiversity worldwide.
Laila is actively contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment in her school and community. She founded the Sustainability Club in her community and serves as the Recycling Committee lead at her school. In the latter role, she spent three years advocating for her school to prioritize recycling and successfully implemented recycling methods to address the school's overconsumption of plastic waste. Additionally, Laila holds the position of student government secretary. She is the president of her school’s Outreach Club, where she plans and organizes philanthropic events such as chicken dinners, polar plunges, and blanket-making. She has also taken on the role of teaching Spanish lessons, offering cultural cooking classes to showcase her Peruvian heritage to her peers. As a versatile athlete, Laila has been part of her school's volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse teams, often holding captain positions. Furthermore, she dedicates her time to coaching young girls in underprivileged communities.
Upon graduation, Laila will have earned an Advanced Regents Diploma, a Seal of Biliteracy, and the Rachel Carson Health Planet award, positioning her to graduate among the top ten students of her class. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she looks forward to attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, or the University of Michigan to study environmental engineering or computer science with a minor in sustainability or climate science.
SILVER - Gizelle Rodriguez
College: Brown University, Yale College, Stanford University
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 4.0
High School: Chelsea High School
Hometown: Chelsea, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
During a casual scroll on TikTok, Gizelle's attention was captivated by a video addressing the issue of urban heat islands. This revelation prompted her to delve deeper into the phenomenon of urban areas experiencing higher temperatures than rural ones. To investigate, she compared temperatures in her own city with those in suburban areas a few miles away. Firsthand, she verified that what she had seen on TikTok was indeed true. Gizelle's fascination with urban heat islands didn't end there. She started exploring potential solutions to address the problem and was disheartened to find that, despite viable solutions, they were not being efficiently implemented. Determined to be part of the solution for urban heat islands, she began researching various organizations and programs dealing with the issue. This led her to a civil engineering internship with La Colaborativa, where she researched how buildings in urban areas can be more sustainable and submitted a proposed drawing for a future sustainable building.
Later, Gizelle assumed another role with La Colaborativa, taking on a city project in engineering and sustainability that focused on community outreach. Among all the sustainability projects she has been involved in, she is most proud of the one where she and her team of engineers, architects, and city officials worked on redesigning Bellingham Square in Chelsea, Massachusetts. With a sustainable mindset, she also ensured the inclusion of more green spaces, addressing the lack of such spaces in Chelsea. This involved tree-lined sidewalks, rooftop green spaces, and community gardens—feasible and sustainable improvements for urban environments. They aimed to design a space emphasizing social equity and meeting the diverse needs of the community, including those living with disabilities, the elderly, children, and community stakeholders. This project allowed Gizelle to consider various individual needs in designing community spaces, including accessible pathways and other amenities. To ensure the redesigned square was the best it could be, she conducted a survey of 200 residents.
In addition to numerous internship opportunities with La Colaborativa, Gizelle has been a mental health intern with them, a Mass General Hospital Neuroscience Intern, part of the Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, part of the Harvard Medical Recruitment Exposure Program, part of MIT Casace, a captain of her cross-country and track team. Lastly, she advocated for increased funding and resources for communities most impacted by COVID, as well as vaccination promotion in her community. She was honored with the Harvard Prize Book Award and attended the Harvard Youth Leadership Conference.
Gizelle, of Puerto Rican descent, maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. Next year, she plans to study neuroscience with a minor in psychology at Brown University, Yale College, or Stanford University.
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 4.0
High School: Chelsea High School
Hometown: Chelsea, MA
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
During a casual scroll on TikTok, Gizelle's attention was captivated by a video addressing the issue of urban heat islands. This revelation prompted her to delve deeper into the phenomenon of urban areas experiencing higher temperatures than rural ones. To investigate, she compared temperatures in her own city with those in suburban areas a few miles away. Firsthand, she verified that what she had seen on TikTok was indeed true. Gizelle's fascination with urban heat islands didn't end there. She started exploring potential solutions to address the problem and was disheartened to find that, despite viable solutions, they were not being efficiently implemented. Determined to be part of the solution for urban heat islands, she began researching various organizations and programs dealing with the issue. This led her to a civil engineering internship with La Colaborativa, where she researched how buildings in urban areas can be more sustainable and submitted a proposed drawing for a future sustainable building.
Later, Gizelle assumed another role with La Colaborativa, taking on a city project in engineering and sustainability that focused on community outreach. Among all the sustainability projects she has been involved in, she is most proud of the one where she and her team of engineers, architects, and city officials worked on redesigning Bellingham Square in Chelsea, Massachusetts. With a sustainable mindset, she also ensured the inclusion of more green spaces, addressing the lack of such spaces in Chelsea. This involved tree-lined sidewalks, rooftop green spaces, and community gardens—feasible and sustainable improvements for urban environments. They aimed to design a space emphasizing social equity and meeting the diverse needs of the community, including those living with disabilities, the elderly, children, and community stakeholders. This project allowed Gizelle to consider various individual needs in designing community spaces, including accessible pathways and other amenities. To ensure the redesigned square was the best it could be, she conducted a survey of 200 residents.
In addition to numerous internship opportunities with La Colaborativa, Gizelle has been a mental health intern with them, a Mass General Hospital Neuroscience Intern, part of the Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, part of the Harvard Medical Recruitment Exposure Program, part of MIT Casace, a captain of her cross-country and track team. Lastly, she advocated for increased funding and resources for communities most impacted by COVID, as well as vaccination promotion in her community. She was honored with the Harvard Prize Book Award and attended the Harvard Youth Leadership Conference.
Gizelle, of Puerto Rican descent, maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. Next year, she plans to study neuroscience with a minor in psychology at Brown University, Yale College, or Stanford University.
BRONZE - Mia Fields Peña
College: Columbia University, Smith College, Lafayette College
Major: Environmental Studies
GPA: 4.0
High School: Institute for Collaborative Education
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadorian
Mia attributes her mornings on her uncle's finca on the mountainside of Yungilla as one of her motivating factors, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural environments. For Mia, this preservation is particularly important as communities of color are most likely to be impacted by climate change and pollution. Mia’s mother was raised in Washington Heights, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood close to the entrance and exit of the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey and New York. The pollution in the area is severe, making signs practically illegible due to the smog that sticks to them. This poses a danger to residents like her mother, who are constantly breathing in this polluted air.
Recognizing the need for action, Mia, as a sophomore in high school, signed up for a teen staff position at the High Line, one of New York City’s most renowned parks built over an old railroad. Drawn to this park for its sustainable use, Mia learned about environmental equity methods, including the Brooklyn Queen Green project spearheaded by 34th District Council Member Diana Reyna. This project aims to build a park over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the South Williamsburg neighborhood, a predominantly Hispanic working-class area, finally bringing green spaces to people like Mia.
Due to Mia’s passion for sustainability, she was selected to attend the Fall 2022 High Line Network Symposium in Miami. Mia spoke on a panel entitled Expanding Possibilities Within Park & Public Space for Youth Development. Alongside other teen panelists, Mia shared insights on integrating sustainable technologies, making resources more accessible, including diverse demographics in planning and decision-making, and ensuring an inviting environment. This experience was special for Mia as the symposium convened national infrastructure reuse-based organizations, and she was able to speak and present as their equal. Throughout the symposium, Mia attended various sessions, gaining knowledge on infrastructure reuse and nuanced topics like implementing flood mitigation strategies in public spaces.
Through the High Line, Mia has led in their Art & Culture Pathway, Horticulture Resident, and Civic Engagement Resident. She has led tours, facilitated workshops, and tended to their world-class gardens. Mia's contributions were notable enough to be featured in their yearly magazine. Mia is also involved with organizations such as the Climate and Resilience Education Task Force, Gowanus Canal Conservancy Volunteer, Black and Brown Student Union Co-leader, and Model United Nations Executive Board member. Coupled with college courses like Introduction to Urban Education and Spanish, Mia, with a 4.0 GPA, will be studying environmental policy and urban policy and social justice at Columbia University, Smith College, or Lafayette College in the fall.
Major: Environmental Studies
GPA: 4.0
High School: Institute for Collaborative Education
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadorian
Mia attributes her mornings on her uncle's finca on the mountainside of Yungilla as one of her motivating factors, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural environments. For Mia, this preservation is particularly important as communities of color are most likely to be impacted by climate change and pollution. Mia’s mother was raised in Washington Heights, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood close to the entrance and exit of the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey and New York. The pollution in the area is severe, making signs practically illegible due to the smog that sticks to them. This poses a danger to residents like her mother, who are constantly breathing in this polluted air.
Recognizing the need for action, Mia, as a sophomore in high school, signed up for a teen staff position at the High Line, one of New York City’s most renowned parks built over an old railroad. Drawn to this park for its sustainable use, Mia learned about environmental equity methods, including the Brooklyn Queen Green project spearheaded by 34th District Council Member Diana Reyna. This project aims to build a park over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the South Williamsburg neighborhood, a predominantly Hispanic working-class area, finally bringing green spaces to people like Mia.
Due to Mia’s passion for sustainability, she was selected to attend the Fall 2022 High Line Network Symposium in Miami. Mia spoke on a panel entitled Expanding Possibilities Within Park & Public Space for Youth Development. Alongside other teen panelists, Mia shared insights on integrating sustainable technologies, making resources more accessible, including diverse demographics in planning and decision-making, and ensuring an inviting environment. This experience was special for Mia as the symposium convened national infrastructure reuse-based organizations, and she was able to speak and present as their equal. Throughout the symposium, Mia attended various sessions, gaining knowledge on infrastructure reuse and nuanced topics like implementing flood mitigation strategies in public spaces.
Through the High Line, Mia has led in their Art & Culture Pathway, Horticulture Resident, and Civic Engagement Resident. She has led tours, facilitated workshops, and tended to their world-class gardens. Mia's contributions were notable enough to be featured in their yearly magazine. Mia is also involved with organizations such as the Climate and Resilience Education Task Force, Gowanus Canal Conservancy Volunteer, Black and Brown Student Union Co-leader, and Model United Nations Executive Board member. Coupled with college courses like Introduction to Urban Education and Spanish, Mia, with a 4.0 GPA, will be studying environmental policy and urban policy and social justice at Columbia University, Smith College, or Lafayette College in the fall.
Healthcare & Science
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Jirel Gonzalez
College: Princeton University, Hofstra University, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.0
High School: Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
Hometown: Woodside, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadoran & Venezuelan
Jirel learned invaluable lessons from her father, who, despite being unable to practice his medical degree upon moving to the United States, continued studying independently. These lessons included not letting a system contain one's passion and seeking out opportunities whenever possible. Motivated by these principles, Jirel applied to the highly selective Urban Barcode Research Program and Hofstra University's Medical Scholar Pipeline Program.
Jirel's commitment to her healthcare goals is evident in her dedication to further learning, involving a four-hour commute to the Urban Barcode Research Program and completing two collegiate-level prerequisites in Conservation Genetics and Bioinformatics. Through these programs, Jirel excelled in techniques such as gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing, contributing to various moral and ethical debates. A significant highlight for Jirel was successfully identifying a species of ant through DNA analysis—a meticulous process that involved incubation, centrifugation, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing.
As a research assistant during her sophomore and junior years in the Medical Scholar Pipeline Program, Jirel contributed data included in a published journal on the contemporary burden and trends of opioid-involved mortality in New York State. Additionally, her participation in the Liberty Science Center's Live From Surgery program allowed her to observe multiple surgeries.
Jirel's remarkable achievements include being the first Latinx valedictorian in her school, an outstanding accomplishment given her senior class's size of over 700 students. She consistently made the honor roll, pursued the DaVinci Math and Science program pathway, and served as the secretary for the Gateway Program. Jirel, as the Public Relations officer for her school's Glamour Gals Club, earned the Intergenerational Service Award for providing manicures, makeovers, and companionship in nursing homes. She co-founded and served as Vice President of the For Women, By Dozo Period Club, addressing menstruation issues in impoverished areas. Jirel is a long-time member of the Key Club, engaging in year-round community service projects, and serves as a teaching assistant in her school's science department.
Beyond academics, Jirel plays basketball through a CYO league and takes on responsibilities such as transporting her younger siblings, accompanying her father to physical therapy appointments, and cooking on nights when her mother works late hours. Despite her busy schedule, she maintains a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Jirel plans to either study biology and biomedical engineering at Princeton University or Hofstra University or join the CUNY School of Medicine’s Sophie Davis Biomedical Education BS/MD program.
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.0
High School: Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
Hometown: Woodside, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Ecuadoran & Venezuelan
Jirel learned invaluable lessons from her father, who, despite being unable to practice his medical degree upon moving to the United States, continued studying independently. These lessons included not letting a system contain one's passion and seeking out opportunities whenever possible. Motivated by these principles, Jirel applied to the highly selective Urban Barcode Research Program and Hofstra University's Medical Scholar Pipeline Program.
Jirel's commitment to her healthcare goals is evident in her dedication to further learning, involving a four-hour commute to the Urban Barcode Research Program and completing two collegiate-level prerequisites in Conservation Genetics and Bioinformatics. Through these programs, Jirel excelled in techniques such as gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing, contributing to various moral and ethical debates. A significant highlight for Jirel was successfully identifying a species of ant through DNA analysis—a meticulous process that involved incubation, centrifugation, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing.
As a research assistant during her sophomore and junior years in the Medical Scholar Pipeline Program, Jirel contributed data included in a published journal on the contemporary burden and trends of opioid-involved mortality in New York State. Additionally, her participation in the Liberty Science Center's Live From Surgery program allowed her to observe multiple surgeries.
Jirel's remarkable achievements include being the first Latinx valedictorian in her school, an outstanding accomplishment given her senior class's size of over 700 students. She consistently made the honor roll, pursued the DaVinci Math and Science program pathway, and served as the secretary for the Gateway Program. Jirel, as the Public Relations officer for her school's Glamour Gals Club, earned the Intergenerational Service Award for providing manicures, makeovers, and companionship in nursing homes. She co-founded and served as Vice President of the For Women, By Dozo Period Club, addressing menstruation issues in impoverished areas. Jirel is a long-time member of the Key Club, engaging in year-round community service projects, and serves as a teaching assistant in her school's science department.
Beyond academics, Jirel plays basketball through a CYO league and takes on responsibilities such as transporting her younger siblings, accompanying her father to physical therapy appointments, and cooking on nights when her mother works late hours. Despite her busy schedule, she maintains a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Jirel plans to either study biology and biomedical engineering at Princeton University or Hofstra University or join the CUNY School of Medicine’s Sophie Davis Biomedical Education BS/MD program.
SILVER - Angelica Almanza
College: University of Connecticut, University of Florida, Cornell University
Major: Animal Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Maria Regina High School
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Angelica knew that her future profession would be in healthcare, based on her experience growing up while caring for her pet dog. She would tend to his every need, nurse him back to health from any illness and injury, and keep meticulous health records to ensure she stayed on top of any appointments and medications. As soon as she could, Angelica started working in various animal shelters, where she gained hands-on experience in animal care and well-being.
Angelica has also worked to ensure that her studies set her up for success in her future medical career as a veterinarian. She has been accepted into the rigorous and competitive Fordham Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), an academic enrichment program specifically for students pursuing STEM careers. Through this program, Angelica had to complete high-level coursework, undertake practical examinations, and was able to connect with healthcare experts. Besides the STEP Program, Angelica was accepted into the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an honors-only program for students eyeing future medical careers. Through this program, participants gain access to industry experts like Nobel Laureates, medical university deans, governmental leaders, pioneers in research, and cutting-edge technology. For Angelica, the highlight of the program was hearing from Dr. Gary Richter, who reaffirmed that an animal science career path is her destiny.
Another way Angelica has prepared is through her coursework. She has taken several courses, such as AP Calculus, AP Biology, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Trigonometry Honors, American Literature Honors, and a dual enrollment course in Communication in Writing.
Angelica has been a part of many clubs, serving as Vice President of the P.A.W.S. Club, President of the Mission Outreach Club, Vice President and Public Relations Officer of the Spanish Club, and a member of the Scrub Club. Outside of clubs, she is also a student council representative and a peer minister. Angelica volunteers monthly for the breakfast run, which prepares meals and hygiene kits for NYC's unhoused population. Another initiative is the Turkey Drive, where Angelica served as an ambassador. This competition within her school raises funds so community members can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal without worrying about the cost. In her role, Angelica promotes rivalry between grades to raise the most funds.
She has received numerous awards, such as the Awards of Excellence for Future Medical Leaders, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Principal's List, First Honors, and a Module 1 Certificate for Leadership.
Angelica looks forward to being the first person in her family to earn a degree in the medical field. She feels well suited for a role that she credits to her Latinx/Hispanic heritage, with its common shared principles of community and giving back. Next year, Angelica will study Animal Science and minor in biology at the University of Connecticut, the University of Florida, or Cornell University.
Major: Animal Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Maria Regina High School
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Angelica knew that her future profession would be in healthcare, based on her experience growing up while caring for her pet dog. She would tend to his every need, nurse him back to health from any illness and injury, and keep meticulous health records to ensure she stayed on top of any appointments and medications. As soon as she could, Angelica started working in various animal shelters, where she gained hands-on experience in animal care and well-being.
Angelica has also worked to ensure that her studies set her up for success in her future medical career as a veterinarian. She has been accepted into the rigorous and competitive Fordham Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), an academic enrichment program specifically for students pursuing STEM careers. Through this program, Angelica had to complete high-level coursework, undertake practical examinations, and was able to connect with healthcare experts. Besides the STEP Program, Angelica was accepted into the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an honors-only program for students eyeing future medical careers. Through this program, participants gain access to industry experts like Nobel Laureates, medical university deans, governmental leaders, pioneers in research, and cutting-edge technology. For Angelica, the highlight of the program was hearing from Dr. Gary Richter, who reaffirmed that an animal science career path is her destiny.
Another way Angelica has prepared is through her coursework. She has taken several courses, such as AP Calculus, AP Biology, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Trigonometry Honors, American Literature Honors, and a dual enrollment course in Communication in Writing.
Angelica has been a part of many clubs, serving as Vice President of the P.A.W.S. Club, President of the Mission Outreach Club, Vice President and Public Relations Officer of the Spanish Club, and a member of the Scrub Club. Outside of clubs, she is also a student council representative and a peer minister. Angelica volunteers monthly for the breakfast run, which prepares meals and hygiene kits for NYC's unhoused population. Another initiative is the Turkey Drive, where Angelica served as an ambassador. This competition within her school raises funds so community members can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal without worrying about the cost. In her role, Angelica promotes rivalry between grades to raise the most funds.
She has received numerous awards, such as the Awards of Excellence for Future Medical Leaders, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Principal's List, First Honors, and a Module 1 Certificate for Leadership.
Angelica looks forward to being the first person in her family to earn a degree in the medical field. She feels well suited for a role that she credits to her Latinx/Hispanic heritage, with its common shared principles of community and giving back. Next year, Angelica will study Animal Science and minor in biology at the University of Connecticut, the University of Florida, or Cornell University.
BRONZE - Emily Velasquez
College: Duke University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College
Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 4.0
High School: North Providence High School
Hometown: North Providence, RI
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan & Spanish
Emily notes that her family has been her biggest influence in her education. It started with her grandmother, who was unable to continue her education past the age of eight. Watching her mother work in hospitals has been Emily's biggest motivator in wanting to work hard in school and pursue a career in healthcare. One thing Emily has enjoyed seeing while growing up is the combination of her culture and familial traditions with her current family practices here in the United States, particularly in how her family combined their views and practices on healthcare. While believing in Western medicine, they also maintain a holistic approach. Emily remembers that whenever she had to take medicine growing up, her grandmother would dip her fingers in oil, make the sign of the cross on her forehead, read scripture, and pray that the medicine would soon make her better.
For Emily, enrolling in the P-Tech health science pathway for high school was an easy decision. This program allowed her to be dually enrolled in college-level courses while still in high school. Emily has been so diligent in her college work that she will actually have her associate degree in health sciences from the Community College of Rhode Island before she graduates from high school.
Besides the associate degree, Emily has been steadfast in gaining as much experience in healthcare as possible and ensuring that she gives back to the community. She has been the lead medical assistant, receptionist, a Prepare RI Internship graduate, and a North Providence Youth Commission leader. She is also the Johnston Church Food Bank Head Coordinator and volunteers at Angel Network: Healing Hands.
In school, she is an active member of clubs such as the International Club, Math Club, and Academic Decathlon. For her teachers, what makes Emily stand out is her determination to take on challenges head-on and her ability to unite and motivate her peers, leading by example.
Emily is the top student in her graduating class of 229, has a 4.0 unweighted GPA, and has taken numerous challenging AP courses, all while juggling work and earning her associate degree. The courses have included AP Chemistry 1 & 2, AP Honors Spanish 4, AP Honors Language & Composition, AP Honors English Literature, AP European History, and Honors US History 1 & 2.
Inspired by the words of Cesar Chavez, "we cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community," this talented Latina of Guatemalan and Spanish descent looks forward to breaking stereotypes about who can succeed in STEM careers. She will be attending either Duke University, Stanford University, or Dartmouth College to study Biochemistry and minor in biomedical sciences.
Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 4.0
High School: North Providence High School
Hometown: North Providence, RI
Hispanic Heritage: Guatemalan & Spanish
Emily notes that her family has been her biggest influence in her education. It started with her grandmother, who was unable to continue her education past the age of eight. Watching her mother work in hospitals has been Emily's biggest motivator in wanting to work hard in school and pursue a career in healthcare. One thing Emily has enjoyed seeing while growing up is the combination of her culture and familial traditions with her current family practices here in the United States, particularly in how her family combined their views and practices on healthcare. While believing in Western medicine, they also maintain a holistic approach. Emily remembers that whenever she had to take medicine growing up, her grandmother would dip her fingers in oil, make the sign of the cross on her forehead, read scripture, and pray that the medicine would soon make her better.
For Emily, enrolling in the P-Tech health science pathway for high school was an easy decision. This program allowed her to be dually enrolled in college-level courses while still in high school. Emily has been so diligent in her college work that she will actually have her associate degree in health sciences from the Community College of Rhode Island before she graduates from high school.
Besides the associate degree, Emily has been steadfast in gaining as much experience in healthcare as possible and ensuring that she gives back to the community. She has been the lead medical assistant, receptionist, a Prepare RI Internship graduate, and a North Providence Youth Commission leader. She is also the Johnston Church Food Bank Head Coordinator and volunteers at Angel Network: Healing Hands.
In school, she is an active member of clubs such as the International Club, Math Club, and Academic Decathlon. For her teachers, what makes Emily stand out is her determination to take on challenges head-on and her ability to unite and motivate her peers, leading by example.
Emily is the top student in her graduating class of 229, has a 4.0 unweighted GPA, and has taken numerous challenging AP courses, all while juggling work and earning her associate degree. The courses have included AP Chemistry 1 & 2, AP Honors Spanish 4, AP Honors Language & Composition, AP Honors English Literature, AP European History, and Honors US History 1 & 2.
Inspired by the words of Cesar Chavez, "we cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community," this talented Latina of Guatemalan and Spanish descent looks forward to breaking stereotypes about who can succeed in STEM careers. She will be attending either Duke University, Stanford University, or Dartmouth College to study Biochemistry and minor in biomedical sciences.
Media & Entertainment
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Nelli Rojas-Cessa
College: Harvard College, Brown University, University of Chicago
Major: Studio Art
GPA: 4.0
High School: Stuyvesant High School
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Enrolled at a STEM-focused high school, Nelli's achievements in art become all the more impressive. Due to the nature of the school's curriculum, Nelli had to become a self-taught artist. However, she knew that she wanted to make changes to her school and push for the inclusion of arts. To do this, Nelli wrote an op-ed on the disorganization of the current selection of art classes and spearheaded efforts with the art teacher to push the administration to introduce AP Studio Art at her school, which was added during her sophomore year. Thanks to Nelli’s advocacy, it is now one of the most highly sought-after courses.
Nelli's talent in art has already been widely recognized. It can be seen in the hallways of her school, as she was tasked with designing the school's merchandise, as well as in the school's newspaper, yearbook, the art production aspect of her school's musicals, and in her school's art gallery. Outside of school, Nelli's work is also being recognized, as it has been featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, not just once but two times. For Nelli, while having art shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is an extraordinary achievement in itself, it was more meaningful for her as a Latina, seeing her Hispanic last name proudly displayed on the walls.
For Nelli, her Mexican heritage is manifest in every piece she creates. On a family trip to Mexico, Nelli saw Diego Rivera’s most famous piece: The History of Mexico. The artwork not only inspired her artistic style but also sparked her interest in Mexican history. One day, Nelli hopes to be as renowned as Rivera and her other inspiration, David Alfaro Siqueiros. Nelli’s culture is important to her, and this can be seen in her love and appreciation for her Latino side, as well as her Thai heritage, where English, Spanish, and Thai are all spoken at home.
While Nelli's favorite medium in Media and Entertainment is her art, it is not her only avenue of expression. She is the editor of the Art Department of the school paper, the largest organization of artists at her school. This role requires all the administrative work of publishing all the visual art in their bi-weekly paper, directing the art editors, and bolstering the art community in her school. Due to a lack of funding, Nelli has to find creative ways to make a little go far.
Nelli has won numerous awards for her art, such as Gold Keys in both Digital Art and Scholastic Art and Writing, and Silver Keys in drawing illustration and scholarship, as well as an honorable mention in painting. She has been a member of the Recanati-Kaplan Program for Excellence in the Arts. She has had a Provost Summer Research Internship at NJIT and has been a part of the Stuyvesant/Google Mentorship Program and the Varsity Fencing Team.
Nelli has a 4.0 GPA and will study Studio Art, minoring in history at Harvard College, Brown University, or the University of Chicago.
Major: Studio Art
GPA: 4.0
High School: Stuyvesant High School
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Enrolled at a STEM-focused high school, Nelli's achievements in art become all the more impressive. Due to the nature of the school's curriculum, Nelli had to become a self-taught artist. However, she knew that she wanted to make changes to her school and push for the inclusion of arts. To do this, Nelli wrote an op-ed on the disorganization of the current selection of art classes and spearheaded efforts with the art teacher to push the administration to introduce AP Studio Art at her school, which was added during her sophomore year. Thanks to Nelli’s advocacy, it is now one of the most highly sought-after courses.
Nelli's talent in art has already been widely recognized. It can be seen in the hallways of her school, as she was tasked with designing the school's merchandise, as well as in the school's newspaper, yearbook, the art production aspect of her school's musicals, and in her school's art gallery. Outside of school, Nelli's work is also being recognized, as it has been featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, not just once but two times. For Nelli, while having art shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is an extraordinary achievement in itself, it was more meaningful for her as a Latina, seeing her Hispanic last name proudly displayed on the walls.
For Nelli, her Mexican heritage is manifest in every piece she creates. On a family trip to Mexico, Nelli saw Diego Rivera’s most famous piece: The History of Mexico. The artwork not only inspired her artistic style but also sparked her interest in Mexican history. One day, Nelli hopes to be as renowned as Rivera and her other inspiration, David Alfaro Siqueiros. Nelli’s culture is important to her, and this can be seen in her love and appreciation for her Latino side, as well as her Thai heritage, where English, Spanish, and Thai are all spoken at home.
While Nelli's favorite medium in Media and Entertainment is her art, it is not her only avenue of expression. She is the editor of the Art Department of the school paper, the largest organization of artists at her school. This role requires all the administrative work of publishing all the visual art in their bi-weekly paper, directing the art editors, and bolstering the art community in her school. Due to a lack of funding, Nelli has to find creative ways to make a little go far.
Nelli has won numerous awards for her art, such as Gold Keys in both Digital Art and Scholastic Art and Writing, and Silver Keys in drawing illustration and scholarship, as well as an honorable mention in painting. She has been a member of the Recanati-Kaplan Program for Excellence in the Arts. She has had a Provost Summer Research Internship at NJIT and has been a part of the Stuyvesant/Google Mentorship Program and the Varsity Fencing Team.
Nelli has a 4.0 GPA and will study Studio Art, minoring in history at Harvard College, Brown University, or the University of Chicago.
SILVER - Jasiel Hiciano
College: Chapman University, School Of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Southern California
Major: Performing Arts
GPA: 4.0
High School: Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
Jasiel has always had an interest in the entertainment industry. She first wrote her own music in the sixth grade, but once she turned fourteen, her interest shifted to television when she started writing her own TV show. She wanted to be more proactive in the types of stories and characters shown on screen, as she didn't see Dominican representation. To further build upon this, Jasiel has taken English courses that can help her with her story-building development, and in the 11th grade, she joined the TRaC Film, a program where teenagers are tasked with analyzing movies of various genres. Through her work with TRaC Film, Jasiel was inspired to do more than discuss films. With that, she wrote and produced her own play, Supernova, through the CreateHer program offered for NYC-based girls and non-binary students who want to create theatre. While she enjoyed the playwriting process, Jasiel knew something was still missing. She wanted to be a screenwriter, so she wrote her first short film called Disordered Strangers. For the latter, Jasiel won a New York State Citation Certificate.
Jasiel has also had experience on the other side of the camera. Her proudest moment in Media and Entertainment thus far has been her role in a commercial called Lullaby, which was produced by students from the New York Film Academy. For Jasiel, it was a turning point as she realized that despite the cold and being tired, it was all worth it. What made this opportunity extra special was networking and connecting with the filmmakers and NYFA alumni on what she can expect in college and her future career.
Jasiel felt she lacked mentors or people who believed in her dreams. Understanding that struggle, Jasiel enacted the buddy system at her school to ensure others never felt as she did. This program provided peer mentorship by students for students. Jasiel has also started her school’s Media Arts club, which is geared towards students interested in acting, filmmaking, and screenwriting. They do improv, video editing, story building, and other media steps in the entertainment process. In addition, she has played an integral role in her school's Blood Drive and Toy Drives. Jasiel is in her school's band, does photography, and is responsible for planning and executing their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. For all she does to stay involved in her school, her ability to represent and advocate for her classmates is evident when they elect her to be their student government representative.
Jasiel has a 4.0 GPA and has taken AP Courses such as AP Government and Politics, AP US History, and AP World History, along with numerous honors courses in English language arts. In her courses, she excels not only in the classes but also in the AP and NYS regents exams. Next year, Jasiel will attend Chapman University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the University of Southern California to study performing arts and film.
Major: Performing Arts
GPA: 4.0
High School: Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Dominican
Jasiel has always had an interest in the entertainment industry. She first wrote her own music in the sixth grade, but once she turned fourteen, her interest shifted to television when she started writing her own TV show. She wanted to be more proactive in the types of stories and characters shown on screen, as she didn't see Dominican representation. To further build upon this, Jasiel has taken English courses that can help her with her story-building development, and in the 11th grade, she joined the TRaC Film, a program where teenagers are tasked with analyzing movies of various genres. Through her work with TRaC Film, Jasiel was inspired to do more than discuss films. With that, she wrote and produced her own play, Supernova, through the CreateHer program offered for NYC-based girls and non-binary students who want to create theatre. While she enjoyed the playwriting process, Jasiel knew something was still missing. She wanted to be a screenwriter, so she wrote her first short film called Disordered Strangers. For the latter, Jasiel won a New York State Citation Certificate.
Jasiel has also had experience on the other side of the camera. Her proudest moment in Media and Entertainment thus far has been her role in a commercial called Lullaby, which was produced by students from the New York Film Academy. For Jasiel, it was a turning point as she realized that despite the cold and being tired, it was all worth it. What made this opportunity extra special was networking and connecting with the filmmakers and NYFA alumni on what she can expect in college and her future career.
Jasiel felt she lacked mentors or people who believed in her dreams. Understanding that struggle, Jasiel enacted the buddy system at her school to ensure others never felt as she did. This program provided peer mentorship by students for students. Jasiel has also started her school’s Media Arts club, which is geared towards students interested in acting, filmmaking, and screenwriting. They do improv, video editing, story building, and other media steps in the entertainment process. In addition, she has played an integral role in her school's Blood Drive and Toy Drives. Jasiel is in her school's band, does photography, and is responsible for planning and executing their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. For all she does to stay involved in her school, her ability to represent and advocate for her classmates is evident when they elect her to be their student government representative.
Jasiel has a 4.0 GPA and has taken AP Courses such as AP Government and Politics, AP US History, and AP World History, along with numerous honors courses in English language arts. In her courses, she excels not only in the classes but also in the AP and NYS regents exams. Next year, Jasiel will attend Chapman University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the University of Southern California to study performing arts and film.
BRONZE - Alyssa Cook
College: University of Connecticut, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, School of Visual Arts
Major: Motion Design & Animation
GPA: 4.0
High School: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
Hometown: East Hartford, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Alyssa has always had a passion for storytelling and character development. In her mind, she imagined bringing these characters to life, and once she learned about careers in animation, she was hooked. For her, the number of stories she could tell across various mediums is limitless. As she grew older, the stark reality that not everyone's stories were being told started to hit her. Alyssa struggled to find characters or stories that resonated with her. For years, she wished she could see characters like those non-Hispanic kids had, where the character got to save the day or rode off into the sunset. While she notes that more recently, characters that look like her are being developed, such as Mirabel Madrigal and Miles Morales, many still play on harmful stereotypes such as the “spicy Latina” and gangster. Alyssa acknowledges that some in her community may resonate with those characters, but they are often overused and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, boxing all Latinos into narrow categories. Alyssa plans to change that by featuring Latino characters in compelling roles in films and media.
So far, Alyssa has taken numerous film courses and attended two animation summer camps at the University of Connecticut. For Alyssa, these experiences have been instrumental in her career development, as these opportunities have honed her cinematic skills and knowledge. The best part of these classes for Alyssa has been analyzing, creating, and loving movies at a level she never knew existed. The work of creating storyboards, researching techniques used by her favorite directors, and manipulating shots was so interesting for Alyssa that it didn’t feel like work. Alyssa even had an opportunity to take on the role of Director for her local Musical Theatre Dance Group.
Outside of directing, Alyssa has been a member of the Musical Theatre, Creativity Club, CIBA Society of the Arts, Student Advisory Board, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and Interact Club.
Alyssa has taken numerous IB courses such as Film SL, English Literature, Theory of Knowledge, Digital Society, Spanish Language Acquisition, and Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. She has also won numerous awards over the years, including the Yale Book Club Award, Outstanding MYP 5 Literary Scholar, Board of Education Leadership Award, Outstanding Creativity, Activity, and Service Award, and Outstanding DP1 Spanish Student, among others in 2023 alone.
Alyssa has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will attend the University of Connecticut, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, and the School of Visual Arts to study motion design and animation and minor in computer science.
Major: Motion Design & Animation
GPA: 4.0
High School: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
Hometown: East Hartford, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Alyssa has always had a passion for storytelling and character development. In her mind, she imagined bringing these characters to life, and once she learned about careers in animation, she was hooked. For her, the number of stories she could tell across various mediums is limitless. As she grew older, the stark reality that not everyone's stories were being told started to hit her. Alyssa struggled to find characters or stories that resonated with her. For years, she wished she could see characters like those non-Hispanic kids had, where the character got to save the day or rode off into the sunset. While she notes that more recently, characters that look like her are being developed, such as Mirabel Madrigal and Miles Morales, many still play on harmful stereotypes such as the “spicy Latina” and gangster. Alyssa acknowledges that some in her community may resonate with those characters, but they are often overused and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, boxing all Latinos into narrow categories. Alyssa plans to change that by featuring Latino characters in compelling roles in films and media.
So far, Alyssa has taken numerous film courses and attended two animation summer camps at the University of Connecticut. For Alyssa, these experiences have been instrumental in her career development, as these opportunities have honed her cinematic skills and knowledge. The best part of these classes for Alyssa has been analyzing, creating, and loving movies at a level she never knew existed. The work of creating storyboards, researching techniques used by her favorite directors, and manipulating shots was so interesting for Alyssa that it didn’t feel like work. Alyssa even had an opportunity to take on the role of Director for her local Musical Theatre Dance Group.
Outside of directing, Alyssa has been a member of the Musical Theatre, Creativity Club, CIBA Society of the Arts, Student Advisory Board, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and Interact Club.
Alyssa has taken numerous IB courses such as Film SL, English Literature, Theory of Knowledge, Digital Society, Spanish Language Acquisition, and Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. She has also won numerous awards over the years, including the Yale Book Club Award, Outstanding MYP 5 Literary Scholar, Board of Education Leadership Award, Outstanding Creativity, Activity, and Service Award, and Outstanding DP1 Spanish Student, among others in 2023 alone.
Alyssa has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will attend the University of Connecticut, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, and the School of Visual Arts to study motion design and animation and minor in computer science.
Public Service & Social Justice
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - Hanna Klingbeil Canale
College: Harvard College, Yale University, University of Michigan
Major: Political Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Greenwich High School
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Hanna's role as Vice Chair for the Greenwich First Selectman's Youth Commission means that she represents more than 16,000 Greenwich youth and takes the lead on numerous community-based projects. For Hannah, one such project she is particularly proud of was Discourse for Democracy, a multi-panel event on America's political polarization, potential electoral reforms, and more nuanced topics such as ranked-choice voting and open primaries. Hanna moderated the panel, which featured notable community leaders such as Congressman Jim Himes and Greenwich’s First Selectman. This panel highlighted voices from differing political parties and ideologies. Reflecting on her experience leading the panel, Hanna is proud to have been part of a civil debate among political opposites, shining a spotlight on third parties and providing a space for all viewpoints to be heard and respected.
Besides the panel, Hanna has facilitated a mental health conference that encouraged Greenwich youth to discuss mental health challenges, school stress, college expectations, and strategies for handling social scenarios. In the fall, Hanna is organizing a diversity panel aimed at engaging individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to discuss the challenges they faced when adapting to American society. This topic is particularly important for Hanna as a Mexican immigrant. Hanna struggled with the transition, but her father's wise words, "El único atajo es el trabajo," the only shortcut is work, resonated with her. For Hanna, this meant hours of practicing her English on Khan Academy, speaking aloud in her bedroom, and translating the lyrics of her favorite band, Skaria, from Spanish to English. With those efforts, Hanna now gives English and civic lessons every Saturday to community members aspiring to become citizens. Hanna witnesses the dedication of those at Building One Community firsthand, as they often work multiple jobs to make ends meet and yet take whatever little free time they have to learn the language and pursue citizenship.
Hanna's heritage is significant to her. In her junior year of high school, she created an independent study titled Origins of Mexico, focusing on Mesoamerican civilizations and their political institutions. Through her research, she connected with archaeologists, professors at Yale, and interviewed Professor Lauren Sullivan of Tufts University to discuss ceramic symbolism and its relation to political legitimacy during the Classic Maya period. On trips back to Mexico, she explored the Aztec exhibits at Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology, where she was captivated by the Codex Azcatitlan. Being able to give her dissertation solidified Hanna's passion for government and historical research.
At her school, Hanna has been elected as President of the Student Policy Initiative, Senator of the Class of 2024, holds an executive board position with the League of Women Voters, and is a member of the Advisory Board of CT Voters First. She is a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, a second-place winner in the National History Day CT Contest, and a regional first-place winner. Additionally, she has won a CT Hudson-to-Housatonic Scholastic Writing Award.
Hanna has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will be studying political science with a minor in history at Harvard College, Yale University, and the University of Michigan.
Major: Political Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Greenwich High School
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
Hanna's role as Vice Chair for the Greenwich First Selectman's Youth Commission means that she represents more than 16,000 Greenwich youth and takes the lead on numerous community-based projects. For Hannah, one such project she is particularly proud of was Discourse for Democracy, a multi-panel event on America's political polarization, potential electoral reforms, and more nuanced topics such as ranked-choice voting and open primaries. Hanna moderated the panel, which featured notable community leaders such as Congressman Jim Himes and Greenwich’s First Selectman. This panel highlighted voices from differing political parties and ideologies. Reflecting on her experience leading the panel, Hanna is proud to have been part of a civil debate among political opposites, shining a spotlight on third parties and providing a space for all viewpoints to be heard and respected.
Besides the panel, Hanna has facilitated a mental health conference that encouraged Greenwich youth to discuss mental health challenges, school stress, college expectations, and strategies for handling social scenarios. In the fall, Hanna is organizing a diversity panel aimed at engaging individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to discuss the challenges they faced when adapting to American society. This topic is particularly important for Hanna as a Mexican immigrant. Hanna struggled with the transition, but her father's wise words, "El único atajo es el trabajo," the only shortcut is work, resonated with her. For Hanna, this meant hours of practicing her English on Khan Academy, speaking aloud in her bedroom, and translating the lyrics of her favorite band, Skaria, from Spanish to English. With those efforts, Hanna now gives English and civic lessons every Saturday to community members aspiring to become citizens. Hanna witnesses the dedication of those at Building One Community firsthand, as they often work multiple jobs to make ends meet and yet take whatever little free time they have to learn the language and pursue citizenship.
Hanna's heritage is significant to her. In her junior year of high school, she created an independent study titled Origins of Mexico, focusing on Mesoamerican civilizations and their political institutions. Through her research, she connected with archaeologists, professors at Yale, and interviewed Professor Lauren Sullivan of Tufts University to discuss ceramic symbolism and its relation to political legitimacy during the Classic Maya period. On trips back to Mexico, she explored the Aztec exhibits at Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology, where she was captivated by the Codex Azcatitlan. Being able to give her dissertation solidified Hanna's passion for government and historical research.
At her school, Hanna has been elected as President of the Student Policy Initiative, Senator of the Class of 2024, holds an executive board position with the League of Women Voters, and is a member of the Advisory Board of CT Voters First. She is a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, a second-place winner in the National History Day CT Contest, and a regional first-place winner. Additionally, she has won a CT Hudson-to-Housatonic Scholastic Writing Award.
Hanna has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will be studying political science with a minor in history at Harvard College, Yale University, and the University of Michigan.
SILVER - Antonio Tao-Guerrero
College: Harvard College, Brown University, Yale University
Major: Public Policy
GPA: 4.0
High School: Bronxville High School
Hometown: Bronxville, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
In the aftermath of the 2016 election, both aspects of Antonio’s identity, Mexican and Chinese, have experienced an increase in divisive rhetoric and hatred. This unfortunate reality has motivated Antonio into action and fueled his passion for Public Service & Social Justice. To do his part to combat against what began to happen, Antonio participated in the Biden/Harris campaign, where he played a role in text banking operations in states crucial for election victories, such as Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Florida. During these sessions, Antonio educated undecided voters about the Biden/Harris stance on various issues and guided 3,000 voters through the mail-in absentee voting process. For Antonio, supporting his preferred candidates was more than just campaigning; it was about encouraging civic duty and promoting active, inclusive participation in democracy.
In his local community, Antonio has been an active participant in local government. While conducting independent research on waste-management facilities, Antonio made a startling discovery. The historically white, affluent Scarsdale was untouched by hazardous waste. However, the predominantly BIPOC, low-income Mount Vernon neighborhood had five superfund sites, highlighting the environmental injustice that plagues communities of color nationwide. Antonio knew he could not sit idly by; he had to take a stand against this injustice. He gathered his research and presented it to the NYS Capitol in Albany, where he lobbied for the Schools Impacted by Gross Highways Act, a measure designed to prevent the construction of highways within 500 feet of schools. Antonio's efforts were successful, with the passage of the act in the Senate. For Antonio, this effort was two-pronged: fighting against and calling out systemic racism that has targeted BIPOC communities for too long and being an example for members of his community to speak out and advocate for themselves against the injustices they witness.
As part of his district’s DEI Committee, where he works alongside the superintendent, Antonio collaborated on policymaking, pushing for an inclusive curriculum to combat harmful stereotypes. For Antonio, it is not enough to simply call out harmful stereotypes when heard but to redefine the narrative for future generations. For this shift in narratives, Antonio believes children need to be taught early on about the harm of stereotypes and to appreciate the intrinsic value of each individual. With this early mindset, he believes it will lay the groundwork for a society free from prejudice and hate. To achieve this, Antonio has organized awareness campaigns and workshops, fostering dialogue that dismantles stereotypes and prejudices. In doing so, Antonio faced setbacks but learned important lessons in the complexities of human connection, a better understanding of the needs and wants of his community, the importance of active listening, and empathy and compromise.
Among Antonio’s extracurricular activities were his roles with the TASSEL nonprofit, the Ruth Walter County Legislator Campaign Internship, and as the founder of the Rainbow Coalition. Antonio has won numerous awards for his academic achievements, commitment to public service, and athletics. In 2023 alone, he was awarded the Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Awards, National Hispanic Recognition Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and NYSPHSAA Tennis Champions.
With a 4.0 GPA, Antonio will study environmental science and public policy with a minor in government at Harvard College, Brown University, and Yale University.
Major: Public Policy
GPA: 4.0
High School: Bronxville High School
Hometown: Bronxville, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
In the aftermath of the 2016 election, both aspects of Antonio’s identity, Mexican and Chinese, have experienced an increase in divisive rhetoric and hatred. This unfortunate reality has motivated Antonio into action and fueled his passion for Public Service & Social Justice. To do his part to combat against what began to happen, Antonio participated in the Biden/Harris campaign, where he played a role in text banking operations in states crucial for election victories, such as Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Florida. During these sessions, Antonio educated undecided voters about the Biden/Harris stance on various issues and guided 3,000 voters through the mail-in absentee voting process. For Antonio, supporting his preferred candidates was more than just campaigning; it was about encouraging civic duty and promoting active, inclusive participation in democracy.
In his local community, Antonio has been an active participant in local government. While conducting independent research on waste-management facilities, Antonio made a startling discovery. The historically white, affluent Scarsdale was untouched by hazardous waste. However, the predominantly BIPOC, low-income Mount Vernon neighborhood had five superfund sites, highlighting the environmental injustice that plagues communities of color nationwide. Antonio knew he could not sit idly by; he had to take a stand against this injustice. He gathered his research and presented it to the NYS Capitol in Albany, where he lobbied for the Schools Impacted by Gross Highways Act, a measure designed to prevent the construction of highways within 500 feet of schools. Antonio's efforts were successful, with the passage of the act in the Senate. For Antonio, this effort was two-pronged: fighting against and calling out systemic racism that has targeted BIPOC communities for too long and being an example for members of his community to speak out and advocate for themselves against the injustices they witness.
As part of his district’s DEI Committee, where he works alongside the superintendent, Antonio collaborated on policymaking, pushing for an inclusive curriculum to combat harmful stereotypes. For Antonio, it is not enough to simply call out harmful stereotypes when heard but to redefine the narrative for future generations. For this shift in narratives, Antonio believes children need to be taught early on about the harm of stereotypes and to appreciate the intrinsic value of each individual. With this early mindset, he believes it will lay the groundwork for a society free from prejudice and hate. To achieve this, Antonio has organized awareness campaigns and workshops, fostering dialogue that dismantles stereotypes and prejudices. In doing so, Antonio faced setbacks but learned important lessons in the complexities of human connection, a better understanding of the needs and wants of his community, the importance of active listening, and empathy and compromise.
Among Antonio’s extracurricular activities were his roles with the TASSEL nonprofit, the Ruth Walter County Legislator Campaign Internship, and as the founder of the Rainbow Coalition. Antonio has won numerous awards for his academic achievements, commitment to public service, and athletics. In 2023 alone, he was awarded the Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Awards, National Hispanic Recognition Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and NYSPHSAA Tennis Champions.
With a 4.0 GPA, Antonio will study environmental science and public policy with a minor in government at Harvard College, Brown University, and Yale University.
BRONZE - Olivia Bernier
College: Columbia University, University of Notre Dame, Cornell University
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.0
High School: East Ridge High School
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For the past year, Olivia has been heavily involved in local politics in her current role as an intern for Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons, County Legislator and Assistant Minority Leader. In this role, Olivia has not only been able to connect with local politicians at networking events and present awards to local activists but has even spoken alongside Vazquez-Simmons at various events. Besides her political work with Minority Leader Vazquez-Simmons, Olivia also works alongside her at the Rochester Latino Youth Development Center. There, they conduct many activities to better serve the Latino community, such as their winter coat drive, as well as other initiatives that highlight Latino culture, such as their events during Hispanic Heritage Month, where they did crafts around ancient Taino symbols and activities around Puerto Rican culture such as dancing and cooking classes. However, out of all the activities, the one that makes Olivia the proudest to be a part of is their parental visitations, which facilitate the reconnection of families.
One thing that Olivia would like to change about her time in government is the lack of representation she sees. To address this issue, Olivia wants to highlight the importance of Latinos exercising their right to vote to ensure that elected officials are better able to advocate for underrepresented voices and tackle issues that are more likely to impact people of color, such as gentrification.
Due to her dedication to her community, Olivia has been recognized numerous times. She was interviewed on the news for her work in the Vazquez-Simmons office and recognized as a Youth Leader in the Hispanic Community. She was chosen to be a Student Representative for DemocracyReady NY, a program run through the Teachers College at Columbia University that prepares students for civic readiness by tackling state-wide issues to achieve collective advocacy, expand the definition of civic learning, and secure students' rights to education.
At school, Olivia has also received numerous recognitions. She has been asked to speak at Teachers Opening Day, giving a speech on what it was like to attend her high school in front of her school district, appointed to be a member of the Handbook Revision Committee, President of the National Honor Society, Link Crew, and secured spots on both the varsity bowling and tennis teams where she has served as captain. Olivia has been recognized with the University of Rochester's George Eastman Leaders Award and graduated summa cum laude, with the third highest GPA in her class.
She has taken IB Spanish 11 and 12 and IB History of the Americas 11 and 12. In AP courses, she has taken AP Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and AP World. She is a member of the Red Cross Club and the Writing Club.
Olivia has maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA despite having a lot on her plate at home. Next year, she will attend Columbia University, the University of Notre Dame, or Cornell University to study biology or pre-med with a minor in Spanish.
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.0
High School: East Ridge High School
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
For the past year, Olivia has been heavily involved in local politics in her current role as an intern for Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons, County Legislator and Assistant Minority Leader. In this role, Olivia has not only been able to connect with local politicians at networking events and present awards to local activists but has even spoken alongside Vazquez-Simmons at various events. Besides her political work with Minority Leader Vazquez-Simmons, Olivia also works alongside her at the Rochester Latino Youth Development Center. There, they conduct many activities to better serve the Latino community, such as their winter coat drive, as well as other initiatives that highlight Latino culture, such as their events during Hispanic Heritage Month, where they did crafts around ancient Taino symbols and activities around Puerto Rican culture such as dancing and cooking classes. However, out of all the activities, the one that makes Olivia the proudest to be a part of is their parental visitations, which facilitate the reconnection of families.
One thing that Olivia would like to change about her time in government is the lack of representation she sees. To address this issue, Olivia wants to highlight the importance of Latinos exercising their right to vote to ensure that elected officials are better able to advocate for underrepresented voices and tackle issues that are more likely to impact people of color, such as gentrification.
Due to her dedication to her community, Olivia has been recognized numerous times. She was interviewed on the news for her work in the Vazquez-Simmons office and recognized as a Youth Leader in the Hispanic Community. She was chosen to be a Student Representative for DemocracyReady NY, a program run through the Teachers College at Columbia University that prepares students for civic readiness by tackling state-wide issues to achieve collective advocacy, expand the definition of civic learning, and secure students' rights to education.
At school, Olivia has also received numerous recognitions. She has been asked to speak at Teachers Opening Day, giving a speech on what it was like to attend her high school in front of her school district, appointed to be a member of the Handbook Revision Committee, President of the National Honor Society, Link Crew, and secured spots on both the varsity bowling and tennis teams where she has served as captain. Olivia has been recognized with the University of Rochester's George Eastman Leaders Award and graduated summa cum laude, with the third highest GPA in her class.
She has taken IB Spanish 11 and 12 and IB History of the Americas 11 and 12. In AP courses, she has taken AP Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and AP World. She is a member of the Red Cross Club and the Writing Club.
Olivia has maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA despite having a lot on her plate at home. Next year, she will attend Columbia University, the University of Notre Dame, or Cornell University to study biology or pre-med with a minor in Spanish.
Technology
Please select a recipient name to read their bio.
GOLD - John Quevedo
College: Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan
Major: Applied Mathematics
GPA: 3.99
High School: Shelton High School
Hometown: Shelton, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
It is commonly said that one does not truly understand a subject unless they can explain it to someone else. Looking at John, we can say that he truly understands both mathematics and technology. He leads an after-school STEM club for underprivileged children, for which he designs engaging and interactive projects, including ones on modeling rockets and robots. To better meet the needs of the students, John has collaborated with a front-end developer to create software designed for personalized learning. The software leverages problems from AMC 8 competitions to create tailored learning plans for each student. Of John's students, 80% attended the Mathcounts competition at Fairfield University, and six qualified for the Mathcounts state meet.
In addition, John works at Kumon, an after-school academic program for K-12, where he leads the teaching in math and reading. Here, John is still able to utilize his technological prowess to find innovative solutions for his pupils to learn.
In his academic pursuits, John has completed a research project on sunspot prediction for Solar Cycle 26. Utilizing machine learning models, John's prediction system can accurately forecast sunspot activity, a critical necessity when studying solar weather phenomena. In this project, John used a machine learning model encompassing historical sunspot data, linear regression, and neural networks, highlighting the interdisciplinary workings of machine learning and scientific research.
One of the aspects of technology that John most enjoys is its ability to be a creative problem solver when tackling complex problems and coming up with innovative solutions. This came to a head when he participated in the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament. John credits this tournament with developing his analytical skills and bolstering his enthusiasm and appreciation for various fields such as computer science and quantitative finance.
John's prowess in technology has not gone unnoticed. He is an AIME Qualifier, National Cyber Scholar, Barton Weller Research Finalist, Yale Book Award Winner, Rensselaer Medalist, and a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. He has already taken numerous college courses in tech such as Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Calculus 3, and Multivariable, as well as AP courses such as Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Calculus BC, and Computer Science.
He is on numerous sports teams, including indoor track, volleyball co-captain, and club soccer team captain, as well as French National Honor Society co-president. He has a 3.99 GPA and will attend Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, or the University of Michigan to study applied mathematics and computer science and minor in education.
Major: Applied Mathematics
GPA: 3.99
High School: Shelton High School
Hometown: Shelton, CT
Hispanic Heritage: Peruvian
It is commonly said that one does not truly understand a subject unless they can explain it to someone else. Looking at John, we can say that he truly understands both mathematics and technology. He leads an after-school STEM club for underprivileged children, for which he designs engaging and interactive projects, including ones on modeling rockets and robots. To better meet the needs of the students, John has collaborated with a front-end developer to create software designed for personalized learning. The software leverages problems from AMC 8 competitions to create tailored learning plans for each student. Of John's students, 80% attended the Mathcounts competition at Fairfield University, and six qualified for the Mathcounts state meet.
In addition, John works at Kumon, an after-school academic program for K-12, where he leads the teaching in math and reading. Here, John is still able to utilize his technological prowess to find innovative solutions for his pupils to learn.
In his academic pursuits, John has completed a research project on sunspot prediction for Solar Cycle 26. Utilizing machine learning models, John's prediction system can accurately forecast sunspot activity, a critical necessity when studying solar weather phenomena. In this project, John used a machine learning model encompassing historical sunspot data, linear regression, and neural networks, highlighting the interdisciplinary workings of machine learning and scientific research.
One of the aspects of technology that John most enjoys is its ability to be a creative problem solver when tackling complex problems and coming up with innovative solutions. This came to a head when he participated in the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament. John credits this tournament with developing his analytical skills and bolstering his enthusiasm and appreciation for various fields such as computer science and quantitative finance.
John's prowess in technology has not gone unnoticed. He is an AIME Qualifier, National Cyber Scholar, Barton Weller Research Finalist, Yale Book Award Winner, Rensselaer Medalist, and a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. He has already taken numerous college courses in tech such as Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Calculus 3, and Multivariable, as well as AP courses such as Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Calculus BC, and Computer Science.
He is on numerous sports teams, including indoor track, volleyball co-captain, and club soccer team captain, as well as French National Honor Society co-president. He has a 3.99 GPA and will attend Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, or the University of Michigan to study applied mathematics and computer science and minor in education.
SILVER - Stephen Viray
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Princeton University
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Hometown: Florida, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Filipino
A chance Google search on how to make a website during Stephen's freshman year of high school led him to a short video titled "HTML Tutorial for Beginners." From there, Stephen was hooked. While the video was only an hour long, it covered the basics. Stephen was able to learn on his own, with each newly published project expanding on the previous one in detail and complexity, allowing Stephen's mastery to grow. Since then, he has completed over 30 web development projects, showcasing his ability to turn ideas into functional and visually appealing digital creations. Due to this, Stephen already has a job as the department head of software engineering at a social media marketing start-up, where he contributes to developing cutting-edge software solutions in the business world.
In high school, Stephen's love for coding and technology only deepened. He has led the programming efforts for both the robotics FTC and FRC teams, earning him the Outstanding Programmer award in 2021. He is a two-time runner-up in the FRC Robotics Competition. He is the technical director of the DBP Media Club. Stephen was not done there. To further expand his skill set in emerging technology fields, in the summer of 2023, Stephen taught himself data science and machine learning techniques, which allowed him to complete 12 projects in the field.
Of all the outstanding achievements mentioned, Stephen notes that his proudest achievement has been his submission of "District Insights" to the Congressional App Challenge. This project was the culmination of 10 weeks of hard work, where Stephen immersed himself in the world of data science, learned new skills, took coding challenges, and in the end, designed an app that provided comprehensive statistics and insights for every congressional district in the United States. For Stephen, this was a tangible example of what hard work and determination can accomplish, tackling a new skill set in advanced technical concepts, one with a notorious learning curve.
Stephen's dedication to technology is evident in all the languages and technologies he is proficient in. These include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SEO, React.js/NEXT.js, Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, jQuery, Java, Python, Linux, WordPress, Wix, Git, and GitHub.
Outside of technology, Stephen is the first-chair violinist in his school's orchestra and the captain of his varsity golf team, where he has won numerous championships and had an impressive 13-1 record in 2023. He is a member of numerous honor societies such as Spanish, math, social studies, English, and Tri-M music. He has been awarded for having the highest grade in the class in AP Computer Science, the Don Bosco Prep General Excellence Award, the 2024 Angeles T. Arredondo STEM Scholarship, and the National Merit Commended Scholar, to name just a few.
Stephen has a 4.0 GPA and will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, and Princeton University next year to study computer science, with a minor in finance, economics, or cybersecurity.
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 4.0
High School: Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Hometown: Florida, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Filipino
A chance Google search on how to make a website during Stephen's freshman year of high school led him to a short video titled "HTML Tutorial for Beginners." From there, Stephen was hooked. While the video was only an hour long, it covered the basics. Stephen was able to learn on his own, with each newly published project expanding on the previous one in detail and complexity, allowing Stephen's mastery to grow. Since then, he has completed over 30 web development projects, showcasing his ability to turn ideas into functional and visually appealing digital creations. Due to this, Stephen already has a job as the department head of software engineering at a social media marketing start-up, where he contributes to developing cutting-edge software solutions in the business world.
In high school, Stephen's love for coding and technology only deepened. He has led the programming efforts for both the robotics FTC and FRC teams, earning him the Outstanding Programmer award in 2021. He is a two-time runner-up in the FRC Robotics Competition. He is the technical director of the DBP Media Club. Stephen was not done there. To further expand his skill set in emerging technology fields, in the summer of 2023, Stephen taught himself data science and machine learning techniques, which allowed him to complete 12 projects in the field.
Of all the outstanding achievements mentioned, Stephen notes that his proudest achievement has been his submission of "District Insights" to the Congressional App Challenge. This project was the culmination of 10 weeks of hard work, where Stephen immersed himself in the world of data science, learned new skills, took coding challenges, and in the end, designed an app that provided comprehensive statistics and insights for every congressional district in the United States. For Stephen, this was a tangible example of what hard work and determination can accomplish, tackling a new skill set in advanced technical concepts, one with a notorious learning curve.
Stephen's dedication to technology is evident in all the languages and technologies he is proficient in. These include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SEO, React.js/NEXT.js, Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, jQuery, Java, Python, Linux, WordPress, Wix, Git, and GitHub.
Outside of technology, Stephen is the first-chair violinist in his school's orchestra and the captain of his varsity golf team, where he has won numerous championships and had an impressive 13-1 record in 2023. He is a member of numerous honor societies such as Spanish, math, social studies, English, and Tri-M music. He has been awarded for having the highest grade in the class in AP Computer Science, the Don Bosco Prep General Excellence Award, the 2024 Angeles T. Arredondo STEM Scholarship, and the National Merit Commended Scholar, to name just a few.
Stephen has a 4.0 GPA and will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, and Princeton University next year to study computer science, with a minor in finance, economics, or cybersecurity.
BRONZE - Emilio Cardillo-Schrader
College: Columbia University, New York University, University of Rochester
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 3.72
High School: Babylon Jr-Sr High School
Hometown: Babylon, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Emilio sees technology as a creative medium, and programming has tapped into his creative side, opening up his abilities for self-expression. From being able to write just one line of code to now being able to build programs, Emilio's growth has been remarkable. Utilizing his skills, Emilio tackles issues he is passionate about. In the summer of 2023, while studying under Computer Science professors at the Stevens Institute of Technology, he conducted and presented research on utilizing machine learning in agriculture. For Emilio, this was a tangible way to combine two of his passions: technology and combating the climate change crisis. This passion stems from his Puerto Rican heritage, which has seen the devastating effects natural disasters can have, not only stealing decades of progress in infrastructure but, more importantly, thousands of lives.
For Emilio, he has already made an impact on the climate crisis. In collaboration with local elected officials and engineers, Emilio marked storm drains that led into the Great South Bay. This cause was important for Emilio as he advocated for the implementation of these measures due to his town’s reliance on the watershed. Besides housing hundreds of different aquatic species, it is a means of transportation for many Long Islanders and stimulates the local economy through fishing and clamming exports. The months of drafting, redrafting, sitting in all the meetings, and pitching his proposal paid off when Emilio’s project received the green light.
While Emilio is proud of the work he has done so far, he notes that his proudest achievement has been winning the Xerox Innovation and Information Technology Award from the University of Rochester. The feeling of winning this award and looking up to see his mother's tears of joy was greater than the feeling Emilio used to have growing up when he imagined what it would feel like to win the World Series for the Mets or the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico.
Emilio is a highly well-rounded student. He actively participates in activities such as Varsity Robotics, Varsity E-Sports, and Varsity Soccer. He is in numerous clubs, such as the Babylon Environmental Club and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, and assists with ESL classes. Emilio’s teachers note that he goes out of his way to befriend those learning English. Whether they are his teammates on the soccer team or students in the ESL classes, Emilio will seek them out and befriend them. Despite not being fluent in Spanish, he communicates with other students in English with the words they know. Students like Emilio are what all schools hope to have.
In his pursuit of obtaining new technology skills, Emilio has ensured that his class schedule is filled with all the appropriate classes. He has taken AP courses such as Computer Science Principles, Physics, Precalculus, and Macroeconomics, and Project Lead the Way classes such as Principles of Engineering and Design and Drawing. These courses will set him well for next year when he attends Columbia University, New York University, or the University of Rochester to study computer science and minor in environmental science.
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 3.72
High School: Babylon Jr-Sr High School
Hometown: Babylon, NY
Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican
Emilio sees technology as a creative medium, and programming has tapped into his creative side, opening up his abilities for self-expression. From being able to write just one line of code to now being able to build programs, Emilio's growth has been remarkable. Utilizing his skills, Emilio tackles issues he is passionate about. In the summer of 2023, while studying under Computer Science professors at the Stevens Institute of Technology, he conducted and presented research on utilizing machine learning in agriculture. For Emilio, this was a tangible way to combine two of his passions: technology and combating the climate change crisis. This passion stems from his Puerto Rican heritage, which has seen the devastating effects natural disasters can have, not only stealing decades of progress in infrastructure but, more importantly, thousands of lives.
For Emilio, he has already made an impact on the climate crisis. In collaboration with local elected officials and engineers, Emilio marked storm drains that led into the Great South Bay. This cause was important for Emilio as he advocated for the implementation of these measures due to his town’s reliance on the watershed. Besides housing hundreds of different aquatic species, it is a means of transportation for many Long Islanders and stimulates the local economy through fishing and clamming exports. The months of drafting, redrafting, sitting in all the meetings, and pitching his proposal paid off when Emilio’s project received the green light.
While Emilio is proud of the work he has done so far, he notes that his proudest achievement has been winning the Xerox Innovation and Information Technology Award from the University of Rochester. The feeling of winning this award and looking up to see his mother's tears of joy was greater than the feeling Emilio used to have growing up when he imagined what it would feel like to win the World Series for the Mets or the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico.
Emilio is a highly well-rounded student. He actively participates in activities such as Varsity Robotics, Varsity E-Sports, and Varsity Soccer. He is in numerous clubs, such as the Babylon Environmental Club and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, and assists with ESL classes. Emilio’s teachers note that he goes out of his way to befriend those learning English. Whether they are his teammates on the soccer team or students in the ESL classes, Emilio will seek them out and befriend them. Despite not being fluent in Spanish, he communicates with other students in English with the words they know. Students like Emilio are what all schools hope to have.
In his pursuit of obtaining new technology skills, Emilio has ensured that his class schedule is filled with all the appropriate classes. He has taken AP courses such as Computer Science Principles, Physics, Precalculus, and Macroeconomics, and Project Lead the Way classes such as Principles of Engineering and Design and Drawing. These courses will set him well for next year when he attends Columbia University, New York University, or the University of Rochester to study computer science and minor in environmental science.