Youth Scholarship Recipients
Young leaders will play a major role in the 2012 Building a Grad Nation Summit. This is a great opportunity for these young leaders to meet other individuals like themselves from across the country as well as other participants working to rally for awareness and change in education. A committee of 13 young people, responsible for planning pre-conference sessions for youth, selected 54 youth to receive scholarships to attend the summit. Learn more about these outstanding youth.
Summit Planning Committee Members
Matt Bazik
Age: 22
Hometown: Drexel Hill, PA
Matt Bazik is a senior at American University in Washington, DC, majoring in Education and Political Science. He is student teaching this semester at McKinley High. Last semester Bazik interned in America's Promise Alliance's Partner Engagement department. Bazik is interested in the intersection of schools, nonprofits and the government in education.
Iko’tsimiskimaki “Ekoo” Beck
Age: 16
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Ekoo Beck is a member of the America's Promise Alliance Board of Directors. This past year, Beck received a My Idea Grant to fund her project “Inspire to Lead,” which provided peer led prejudice reduction and violence prevention trainings for high school, middle school and elementary school students, and led after school programs.
Mike Bock
Age: 19
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Mike Bock was born in Helsinki and lived overseas for several years before moving to Hampton, VA. He is now a second year at the University of Virginia. At the moment, Bock is interested in studying civic participation and stakeholder engagement in politics and private initiatives for the public good.
Colton Bradford
Age: 18
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Colton Bradford is a freshman at the University of South Alabama, majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political sciences. He is a former My Idea grant winner from America’s Promise Alliance. In September 2011, Bradford was asked to participate in NBC’s “Education Nation,” to represent America’s youth on the issues students face.
Ki’tay Davidson
Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Ki’tay Davidson is a sophomore at American University, majoring in Law and Society and minoring in International Relations. Her major interest consists of education and disability policy with a focus on creating an empowering and inclusive environment. After Davidson completes her undergraduate degree, she will pursue a M.P.A and J.D.
Lawrence Harris
Age: 21
Hometown: Hoover, AL
Lawrence Harris is in his fourth year at the University of Georgia studying Psychology and Spanish. He plans to graduate this May and then continue to use his gifts and talents to improve society in whatever way he can. Harris is his own raw material, so once he figures out what he consists of then he can invent himself.
Emily Lelandais
Age: 21
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Emily Lelandais is a senior at American University in Washington, DC studying anthropology. In the fall of 2011, she interned at America's Promise Alliance where she learned more about education reform and the importance of including youth in decisions about their education. After she graduates, Lelandais hopes to travel abroad to teach English or do a program like "Teach for America."
Isabelle Marsh
Age: 17
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Isabelle Marsh currently attends Alpharetta High School in Georgia and will be graduating this May. She is interested in pursuing journalism, with a focus on international studies. Marsh loves to travel, and after living in Japan her excitement for culture only increased. She also has an alternate plan of entering medical school after college.
Jonathan Moore
Age: 18
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Jonathan Moore is a high school senior in Jackson, Mississippi. The majority of his life he has been involved in empowering youth in his local community. Moore is a member of United Way of the Jackson Capitol Area, where he is on the youth board panel. He also does volunteer tutoring with different youth around the community. Moore is highly intrigued with the heart and is an aspiring cardiologist.
Laney Oaks
Age: 20
Hometown: Newton, NC
Laney Oaks is in her third year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and spending this semester in Washington, DC interning in the Youth Engagement department at America’s Promise Alliance. She is currently in a program focusing on public policy, and is specifically interested in how education policy influences young people.
Melis Odabas-Geldiay
Age: 16
Hometown: Washington, DC
Melis Odabas-Geldiay is a 10th grader at Georgetown Day School. She has been assisting with teaching Youth Empowerment Seminar - YES! For Schools, a national program to help students relieve stress, become centered and make healthier decisions. Her passion is to bring YES! to under-served communities and help students choose to stay in school.
Tiffany Taylor
Age: 22
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Tiffany Taylor is a student at the University of Chicago triple majoring in Political Science, Sociology and Asian studies. She has studied abroad in France, South Africa, China, Zambia and Tanzania. She is part of the Alliance Trustees for America's Promise as a youth member. Taylor's interests include creative writing, international education policy, and international economic freedom laws.
Lucy Tucker
Age: 16
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Lucy Tucker works with a nonprofit called Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools, a network of young people dedicated to reshaping public education in post-Katrina New Orleans. The Rethinkers have worked successfully to design eco-friendly green bathrooms and cafeterias, to improve school food, and to incorporate restorative justice techniques as an alternative to suspension in some New Orleans schools.
Scholarship Recipients
Alexis Alexander
Age: 24
Hometown: Flint, MI
Alexis Alexander is a senior at Eastern Michigan University. She has been serving on the Washtenaw County Foster Care Youth Board since January of 2009. She enjoys working with young people and teaching them about the importance of higher education. Upon graduation Alexander plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling.
Janil Alvarez
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Janil Alvarez is a Sociology Criminal Justice graduate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and currently a Workforce Investment Act Youth Program Case Manager. Her mission is to share her experiences and influence minorities to DREAM BIG, and push themselves to their limits.
Sean Ashburn
Age: 19
Hometown: Lebanon, ME
Sean Ashburn is currently a sophomore at Boston University, where he’s studying foreign language education and Spanish. He continues to be active in his home community as a substitute teacher and high school mentor, and also volunteers as a College Access Coach for public school teenagers in Cambridge, MA. Ashburn is passionate about inspiring his students to recognize their potential and believe in their ability to achieve their dreams.
Dwayne Baldwin, Jr.
Age: 19
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Dwayne Baldwin, Jr. is enrolled in the Gateway to College program at Georgia Perimeter College where he received an award for the most improved in November 2011. Baldwin, Jr. mentors young boys living in homeless shelters and/or attending alternative high schools through a small community-based organization he created called B2B (Boys to Men). He also volunteers for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in its Education Division. Baldwin, Jr. aspires to obtain a law degree.
Nick Brocaglia
Age: 20
Hometown: Florham Park, NJ
Nick Brocaglia was born and raised in South Carolina and now lives in New Jersey. He is attending the County College of Morris for mechanical engineering. Brocaglia likes working out, playing basketball and working on cars.
Samuel Burrell
Age: 23
Hometown: Boston, MA
Samuel Burrell graduated from YouthBuild Boston and is currently producing a local access cable TV show. He recently completed a year of national and community service work with Americorps NCCC. Burrell would like to start a youth and community outreach centered non-profit organization based on the arts.
Minwei Cao
Age: 16
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Minwei Cao is currently a junior at Dulaney High School, where she actively participates in many school clubs and activities. She enjoys meeting her peers and cares a lot about what others have to say. Through Key Club and writing for the America’s Promise newsletter for teens, Cao wants to become more involved to improve the American education system.
Shane Carman
Age: 17
Hometown: Geneseo, NY
Shane Carman is currently a junior at Geneseo Central School in Western, New York. He is very involved in his community through the creation of a county wide youth center called the Livingston Youth Program. Carman is also in the process of opening a not-for-profit hotel chain.
James Chan
Age: 21
Hometown: Orlando, FL
James Chan is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida, double-majoring in business administration and political science. Having interned for Florida’s higher education faculty union and now a policy think-tank, Chan is particularly interested in helping college students, especially first-generation students, fund their undergraduate career.
Brian Clarke
Age: 18
Hometown: Surry County, VA
Brian Clarke is a junior at Surry County High School and participates in the Drama Club and Band. He is a member of the Surry County Youth Council and Workforce Investment Board's P.O.W.E.R. Program. Clarke’s goal is to attend Virginia Commonwealth University to major in Biology. He enjoys drawing and playing soccer.
Jaquetta Cohen
Age: 17
Hometown: Newark, NJ
Jaquetta Cohen is a teen parent who is home schooled because it is more convenient. Cohen grew up in the church where she sings on the Youth choir, is an Usher and is a member of Concrete Roses.
Danielle Correll
Age: 18
Hometown: Elbert, CO
Danielle Correll was raised in a military family and has traveled and lived all over the country. Currently her family is stationed in Colorado. Correll enjoys sports, particularly basketball, volleyball and cross country. She also loves volunteering, painting, camping, hiking and anything outdoors.
Natnael Daniel
Age: 23
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Natnael Daniel has experience leading and working with various non-profits from microfinance to local organizations dealing with education policy and at-risk youth. In his spare time he enjoys playing basketball, aviation and writing. Daniel is looking forward to meeting new people and learning more about education policy at the Grad Nation Summit.
Alonte Davis-Anderson
Age: 17
Hometown: Jackson, MS
Alonte Davis-Anderson is a junior at Wingfield High School in Jackson, MS. He has participated in the America’s Promise Alliance Youth Council in Jackson for the last two school years. Davis-Anderson is outspoken about the issues forcing youth to drop out in Mississippi, having spoken to various audiences including state legislators, members of the Department of Education, parents, community partners and his peers.
Deborah Denzel
Age: 21
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Deborah Denzel is in her third year at Bennett College for Women and she has just returned from a semester abroad in Granada, Spain. She is currently in the process of helping foster youth prepare for college, and is specifically interested in how education policy influences foster youth and minority students.
Madge Ellis
Age: 17
Hometown: Sylacauga, AL
Madge Ellis is a junior at Sylacauga High School. She is Student Council President, a Varsity Cheerleader and Miss Talladega County’s Outstanding Teen. She enjoys collecting vintage cameras and watching YouTube videos. Ellis is passionate about volunteerism and playing an active role in her community.
Anthony Fowler
Age: 15
Hometown: Brockton, MA
Anthony Fowler is a proud member of the Brockton Youth Council, the city of Brockton Mayor’s initiative that serves as the platform for youth programs in the city. They empower youth through advocacy and service using the framework of Brockton’s Promise and its youth development model. Fowler has lived and worked in Brockton most of his adolescent life.
Anise Gagnon
Age: 15
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Anise Gagnon is a 10th grader at Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida. She participates in the AVID Program at her school. She is on the Varsity swim and water polo teams. Gagnon participates in many community service events, and plans to pursue a career in the fashion industry.
Dakarai Griffin
Age: 21
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Dakarai Griffin is a senior at Langston University in Langston, OK. During the summer he interned for a non-profit organization called Aim High. Griffin is interested in learning how one can evaluate and support the overall teaching profession, and how teachers can better support and prepare students for college.
Brooklyn Hodge
Age: 17
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Brooklyn Hodge is a senior at Shadle Park High School and enrolled in the running start program, which allows her to attend college tuition-free her junior and senior years of high school. Her passions include singing, dancing, cheerleading and pageantry. She is the state representative for the "Our Military Kids" scholarship program and is currently International Junior Miss Washington teen.
JaLisa Jackson
Age: 14
Hometown: Chicago, IL
JaLisa Jackson is a freshman honor student at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep in Chicago, IL. She likes to read novels and participate in public service activities. Jackson is on the debate team and drama club, and is a Restorative Justice Intern at Alternative’s Inc.
Akansha Jain
Age: 16
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Akansha Jain is currently a junior at Millard North High School where she is a part of NHS, math club, and the International Baccalaureate Program. With the Omaha Mayors youth leadership commission Jain is focusing on different legislative policies, and with the Live Well Omaha youth advisory council she is focusing on childhood obesity.
Mohit Jain
Age: 17
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Mohit Jain is a member of the National Youth Advisory Council at generationOn, the youth enterprise of Points of Light. Jain is involved in medical research, investigating therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer’s disease. He is a member of the American Red Cross National Youth Council, which spearheads key initiatives for Red Cross Youth.
Nimansha Jain
Age: 16
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Nimansha Jain is a junior at Millard North High School and is involved with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Jain is an advocate against childhood obesity and reaches out to her community through her place on various youth councils. She has volunteered many hours to her community, especially in the field of health.
Akemi Jones
Age: 16
Hometown: Jackson, MS
Akemi Jones is currently a junior at Callaway High School. She plans to attend college and become a speech pathologist.
Raven Knightnor
Age: 17
Hometown: Surry, VA
As a junior at Surry County High School, Raven Knightnor is a member of FCCLA, Drama, the Softball team, Surry Youth Council and the WIA's P.O.W.E.R program. Upon graduation she plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in Psychology. Knightnor enjoys reading Jodi Picoult books, playing basketball with her son and singing.
Britany Lewis
Age: 18
Hometown: Lancaster, CA
Britany Lewis is a senior at Antelope Valley High School and currently involved in the Children’s Defense Fund Cradle to Prison Pipeline. Advocating for youth is Lewis’s passion because she believes she can make a difference in the world as she impacts other lives.
Chance Litwin
Age: 18
Hometown: Leesburg, AL
Chance Litwin is the National College/Post-Secondary President for SkillsUSA. He is currently studying Mechanical Design Technology at Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL. Litwin’s future plans are to attend Auburn University to study Engineering and Political Sciences. His future goals are to become an Engineer and run for Governor and U.S. Senator for the State of Alabama.
Saveta Lomax
Age: 19
Hometown: Tri-Cities, WA
Saveta Lomax attends Rivers Edge High School in Richland Washington and is currently involved in the FOCUS alliance meeting that meets to talk about different organizations and how they can integrate their programs into the schools. Lomax is passionate about speaking up against underage drinking and driving and keeping kids in school.
Daniel Meekins
Age: 23
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Daniel Meekins is a senior at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He is currently serving his second year with AmeriCorps. Meekins is part of a group that focuses on developing teens into productive members of society and providing several services and programs within his community. Also, Meekins is a Teach For America 2012 corps member.
Chukwudi Mogbo
Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Chukwudi (Chuck) Mogbo is a junior at Kentucky State University. He is on the Dean’s list with a 3.3 G.P.A and plans to be an educator. Mogbo’s motto is “You can’t lead without knowing how to serve.”
Simone Muschett
Age: 21
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Simone Muschett is a junior at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). She is a Resident Assistant and a Certified Peer Educator through a peer assistance program called Middle Earth. Muschett is also vice president of Sisters with Pride.
Andrew Nance
Age: 17
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Nance is a senior at Gardena High and will be attending Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising this summer. Nance is an organizer with the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition, he co-owns a small clothing company and is currently interning with Arc as the instructor of the Junior Statesmen of America Debate Team.
Hasher M. Nisar
Age: 18
Hometown: Cheshire, CT
Hasher Nisar is a senior at Cheshire High School. He is currently involved with the Future Business Leaders of America, the Young Politicians, and The Enough Foundation. Nisar moved to Pakistan in 2000 and returned to the United States in 2008. He is interested in how young people can improve education in the United States.
Megan Parker
Age: 17
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Megan Parker became involved with the drop our crisis when she learned that many of the at-risk students she tutored did not plan to complete high school. Parker hopes to receive a scholarship to college that will allow her to continue research to solve this crisis.
Shayla Price
Age: 25
Hometown: Thibodaux, LA
Shayla Price is an advocate for college affordability. She has worked at the highest level of state policy for volunteerism as a Governor-appointed commissioner for Volunteer Louisiana. After winning more than $100,000 in college scholarships, she has taught more than 5,000 youth how to earn free money for school.
Kenneth Pryor
Age: 21
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Kenneth Pryor is in his third year at Eastern Kentucky University studying public relations. He’s currently involved with LEEP (Louisville Education & Employment Partnership) and the NOVA program on campus that reaches out to low income, first generation students. Pryor aspires to set an example for future generations to show that, no matter what the background or circumstances, each person dictates their future.
Maricruz Retana
Age: 22
Hometown: Monticello, NY
Maricruz Retana is currently a student at Pace University pursuing her Master's in Public Administration, interning at Westchester ARC and the Pleasantville School District, and working as a Student Aide at Pace’s Academy for Applied Environmental Studies. Retana also am a part of the staff of the Southern Regional Model United Nations conference.
Elsa Rodriguez
Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Since graduating college, Elsa Rodriguez has been immersed in the world of education. She served a year with City Year Chicago and is currently a Program Coordinator at Project Exploration. Rodriguez works to bridge connections between scientists and Chicago Public School students. Her passion lies in working toward ending the achievement gap and finding ways to sustainably break cycles of poverty in communities.
Jordyn Schara
Age: 17
Hometown: North Freedom, WI
Jordyn Schara is a junior at Reedsburg Area High School and the founder of her own 501(c)3 non-profit HOPE (Helping Our Peers Excel). Schara also created three award-winning community service projects: Project READ (Reading Equipment for America's Defenders), WI P2D2 (Wisconsin Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal) and C4C (Comics for Change).
Doriana Smith
Age: 18
Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Doriana is a senior at Lincoln Alternative Education Center and her goal is to be accepted into a Historically Black College to study Sociology and Journalism. She is a member of her school’s Leadership Team and she enjoys writing and performing spoken word. The America's Promise Alliance mission is important to her. She is excited to embark on the journey to post-secondary education.
Renee Smith
Age: 16
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Renee Smith attends New Orleans Science and Math Academy and is an extra-curricular leader. Smith works with Rethink which is a youth-based organization that gives youth a voice with issues in city schools. She is practicing restorative justice, an alternative to suspensions and expulsions that keeps kids in school instead of ruining opportunities for life.
Alvin Taylor
Age: 23
Hometown: Dalton, GA
Alvin Taylor is a recent graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He is currently in graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi for Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Counseling and Student Affairs.
Blair Taylor
Age: 14
Hometown: Louisville, KY
|Blair Taylor attends Meyzeek Middle School in Louisville, KY. She likes the fact that Meyzeek’s Science Magnet program attracts a variety of students from across Jefferson County. Taylor enjoys the Advance Programs at Meyzeek, and volunteering with her church, where she serves on the Youth Council.
Brian Velozo
Age: 23
Hometown: Fall River, MA
Brian Velozo is currently working at YouthBuild USA as an AmeriCorps VISTA. He is going to college for Bio Technology. Velozo is currently working with youth and corporations across the country to try and make homes more environmentally friendly. He is interested in anything that involves youth empowerment and education.
Alex Wirth
Age: 20
Hometown: Santa Fe, NM
Alex Wirth, a student at Harvard University, is working to create a Presidential Youth Council as a Fellow at the Forum for Youth Investment. He chairs the youth working group of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, founded the Youth Creating Action Network, is a Blogger for the Huffington Post and serves on the Board of Directors of YSA and the National Youth Association. Wirth is on the youth councils of YSA, DoSomething.org, State Farm and the DNC.
Anastasia M. Wroblewski
Age: 21
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Anastasia will graduate from St. Bonaventure University and attend the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has worked with kids who are below the poverty level and who get very frustrated at the lack of support they get to stay in school. As a member of Camp Fire USA, she is interested in how out-of-school-time programs can increase kids chances of staying in school through graduation and how service-learning can build skills.
Allison Wu
Age: 17
Hometown: Newton, MA
Allison Wu is a high school senior and leads an initiative to give students a voice in education reform. Wu also works to engage youth in policy-making and is a member of Minga and of the Policy Council of the National Youth Association, where she is an education policy advisor.