Introducing the class of 2027

Scene near the Old Well on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. November 13, 2024.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

The Morehead-Cain Foundation is pleased to announce the members of its class of 2027, who will begin their undergraduate journeys at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) in the fall of 2023.

The sixty scholars come from twenty-four North Carolina counties, seventeen U.S. states and territories (including North Carolina), and eight countries (including the United States). Their academic interests range from environmental sustainability and technology to political science and policy.

They join a thriving cohort of thinkers, leaders, creators, and adventurers at UNC–Chapel Hill, empowered to set their potential free. In addition to a fully funded undergraduate scholarship to one of the nation’s foremost public research universities, scholars gain access to a network of peers and mentors, challenging internships and summer experiences, and an opportunity to travel the world.

The process of selecting the new class involves months of application review, virtual and in-person selection meetings, and semifinalist interviews leveraging the expertise of Foundation staff, a corps of professional readers, and hundreds of alumni interviewers and volunteer evaluators. Candidates enter the process via nomination—either from their school or their own. The UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions also refers strong Early Action applicants as candidates for the process.

“We are delighted to announce the Morehead-Cain class of 2027. These emerging young leaders have not only exhibited tremendous academic achievement, but the capacity to shape their communities,” said Chris Bradford, president of Morehead-Cain. “Morehead-Cain is invested in empowering this new cohort of scholars as they step boldly into the next phase of their journey. We look forward to the impact they will make at Carolina and beyond.”

Since its founding in 1945, the Morehead-Cain Program has been a model for countless merit scholarships throughout the United States. These include the University of Virginia’s Jefferson Scholars Program, Duke University’s Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program, and Emory University’s Woodruff Scholars Program.

High-resolution images of the class of 2027 Morehead-Cain Scholars can be downloaded here. A biography of each scholar is below.

Class of 2027

New Morehead-Cain Scholars are listed alphabetically by North Carolina county, state, and country. Students noted with an asterisk (*) are listed in more than one location due to either their hometown or school location.

North Carolina | Out of State | International

North Carolina

Alamance County

Daniel Evan Espinosa

*Daniel Evan Espinosa (Daniel) will graduate this spring from River Mill Academy in Graham, North Carolina, where he serves as president of the National Honor Society, chief operating officer of the STEM Club, captain of the varsity baseball team, vice president of the MESH Tutoring Club, and a member of the varsity basketball team. Additionally, he served as student body president of River Mill Academy for three years and is an Omicron Scholar of Elon Academy, a college-access program. Outside of school, Daniel founded, developed, and expanded a fifty-client landscaping business, Daniel’s Lawn Management. In his community, Daniel volunteers at AuthoraCare Collective, which provides hospice and palliative care to patients in the Hospice Home. He is passionate about finding business initiatives that assist families in need. At Carolina, he is interested in studying business administration or economics. Daniel is the son of Manuela Espinosa of Whitsett, North Carolina.

Buncombe County

Abigail Grace Beebe

Abigail Grace Beebe (Abbey) will graduate this spring from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, North Carolina, where she served as student body vice president. Within student government, Abbey was chair of the service committee and helped oversee the second annual “Give Together,” a district-wide food drive dedicated to providing food for low-income families. She also co-founded the encouragement committee, a group committed to improving campus morale. Abbey is a member of Beta Club and part of the mock trial team. Outside of school, Abbey is an active member at Swannanoa Christian Church and serves as a childcare volunteer. She recently completed her first half-marathon and hopes to continue running at Chapel Hill. Abbey is also a member of the North Carolina Governor’s School class of 2021, where she attended for social science. At Carolina, Abbey hopes to major in English and comparative literature with a minor in creative writing, history, or Spanish. Abigail is the daughter of Monica Beebe and the late David Beebe of Weaverville.

Ty Adell Besses

*Ty Adell Besses (Ty) will graduate this spring from Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, where he serves as the first president of the Black Student Union. Ty is also the president and founder of the Voter Registration Initiative, the day student prefect, a career pathway ambassador, and a member of the finance club. In sports, Ty served as captain of the varsity basketball team (2021–2022), and he will compete in the 400-meter dash as well as the long jump and triple jump this spring on the track team. Outside of school, Ty has worked on his cousin’s farm since summer 2020, discovering a deep love for growing vegetables and the discipline of manual labor. At Carolina, he is interested in studying biomedical engineering and political science. Ty is the son of Lisa Besses of Asheville and Patricia Adell of Fletcher, North Carolina.

Alyssa Kertesz Schoof

*Alyssa Kertesz Schoof (Alyssa) will graduate this spring from Madison Early College High School (MECSH) in Marshall, North Carolina, with an associate’s degree from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. At MECSH, Alyssa serves as event planner and coordinator for the school’s project- and community-based learning initiatives, and as a member of the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa at AB–Tech. Alyssa also participated in the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Online program. She volunteers with Energy Savers Network, a local program dedicated to reducing energy costs for families throughout Western North Carolina. She also served as a member of Madison’s Envirothon team, placing third in the nation with the Environmental Natural Resources Division in 2021, and as a member of her school’s Theatre and Performing Arts program. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys reading, creative writing, drawing and painting, and going on hiking trips with her family. At Carolina, she is interested in studying environmental sustainability and policy making, and hopes to continue her work in the visual and performing arts. Alyssa is the daughter of Leslie and Stephen Schoof of Weaverville, North Carolina.

Youyou Zheng

*Youyou Zheng (Yoyo) will graduate this spring from Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina, where he serves as dorm prefect and a Mitchell Cabinet (school service committee) member. He is the founder and leader of Asheville School’s Research Club, in which Yoyo and other club members built an artificial chimney tower for chimney swifts, an endangered avian species. Yoyo is enthralled by scientific research, with his most recent research project examining the effect of biopolymers on plant root growth as a crucial aspect of limiting soil erosion. Outside of school, Yoyo is a tutor at San Antonio Math Include, a nonprofit offering free classes and summer camps for K–12 students. At Carolina, he is interested in studying environmental science and statistics. He also hopes to join organizations that address environmental issues and mitigate climate change. Yoyo is the son of Chaoyu Shi and Xianhong Zheng of Shanghai, China.

Cabarrus County

Josiah Hailey Young

Josiah Hailey Young (Josiah) will graduate this spring from Hickory Ridge High School’s (HRHS) Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in Harrisburg, North Carolina, with an Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma. Josiah is the former vice president of special events, former vice president of community service, and current co-president of the HRHS DECA chapter. As a four-year DECA member, Josiah has enjoyed competitive-event success, having won first place at the 2022 and 2023 North Carolina DECA state competitions in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Individual Series Event. Josiah also earned recognition as one of North Carolina’s 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates in the area of Career and Technical Education. Additionally, Josiah is a distance runner on the varsity cross country and track teams and is active in various community organizations. Beyond the classroom, Josiah is a marketing intern at Miles Mediation and Arbitration and is the founder of HeadSet Sports, LLC, an agency designed to help student-athletes cultivate their financial and emotional intelligence and strengthen their personal brands. At Carolina, he will study at the UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School in the Assured-Enrollment Program. Josiah’s ultimate career aspiration is to become a legal representative for collegiate and professional athletes as a sports agent and to show how sports can provide a platform to unite and inspire social justice. Josiah is the son of Tiffany and James Young of Harrisburg, North Carolina.

Chatham County

Brady Foster Andrew

Brady Foster Andrew (Brady) will graduate this spring from Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City, North Carolina, where he serves as student body president, president of the Jordan-Matthews High School DECA chapter, and a member of the tennis team. He previously served as vice president for his DECA chapter and placed third and first in the state Travel and Tourism competition in his sophomore and junior year, respectively. He participated in the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Online and North Carolina Virtual Public School programs. At school, he participates in music and performing, having played the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods and Will Parker in Oklahoma in school musicals, and the trumpet, French horn, and mellophone in the school’s bands. He also plays alto saxophone, violin, and ukulele, all self-taught. Brady enjoys long-distance running throughout the farmland behind his home and weightlifting. He loves to cook and combines his interests in sustainable agriculture and nutrition in the kitchen, where “farm to table” becomes a reality. At Carolina, he is interested in studying history and Spanish. He is the son of Carisa Brady-Andew and Blake Andrew of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Durham County

Chandler Ann Beals

*Chandler Ann Beals (Chandler) will graduate this spring from Elkin High School in Elkin, North Carolina, where she serves as student body president, Interact Club president, and co-captain of the women’s varsity soccer team. She co-founded and leads the speech and debate club and competed in varsity tennis, cross-country, basketball, and soccer. Chandler is dual-enrolled with the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and spent the summer before her senior year studying Arabic through a scholarship with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). Outside of school, Chandler serves as an outreach coordinator for the ESL Opportunity Project, which pairs high school students learning English around the world with language partners in the United States, and is an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Elkin. In her free time, Chandler enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and long-distance running. At Carolina, she is interested in pursuing global studies. Chandler is the daughter of Lisa and Frank Beals of Elkin.

Ja’Khari Tajee Bryant

*Ja’Khari Tajee Bryant (Ja’Khari) will graduate this spring from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, North Carolina, where he serves as a residential life assistant and the director of student affairs. Ja’Khari served as head manager for the NCSSM women’s volleyball team the past two years and currently plays on the men’s volleyball club team, in addition to running spring track. Aside from sports, he participates in fine arts and performing arts in his school and within the community. For the past three years, he has dedicated his summers to volunteering at Temple Church, assisting in their Vacation Bible School productions for elementary school children. At Carolina, he is interested in studying nursing to pursue a career in pediatrics. Ja’Khari is the son of Anyotta Bryant and the late Corey Ward of Trenton, North Carolina.

Isabella Ann Larson

*Isabella Ann Larson (Ella) will graduate this spring from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina, where she serves as co-founder and co-president of the Middle Eastern Cultures Club, a humanities teaching assistant, and founder and teacher of Roma Studies Forum. In the academic environment, she’s very involved in linguistics, studying Chinese, Spanish, and Latin. She spends much of her time outside of the classroom empowering young adults as the head of the Cultural Advisory Council at her local library, creating programs to educate and engage local youth and young adults. As an alumna, ambassador, and conversation guide for NewGen Peacebuilders, she also promotes tolerance, understanding, and peacebuilding skills in her local community. Another of Ella’s passions is local sustainability, which she pursues by organizing projects for her school’s Student Environmental Education Coalition, initiating a mask recycling program on her school campus, renovating her school’s native plant garden, contacting politicians about pressing climate change issues, and even rescuing a grounded baby bat. At Carolina, she is interested in studying environmental sciences and linguistics on the pre-med track, in hopes of becoming an integrative medicine practitioner. Ella is the daughter of Christy and Kenneth Larson of Mooresville, North Carolina.

Charles Alan McCain

*Charles Alan McCain (Charles) will graduate this spring from Durham Academy Upper School in Durham, North Carolina, where he serves as vice president of his class and a member of the Student Organization and Leadership Development committee. He is a peer educator and is one of four seniors who teach a Self and Community class to the freshmen. Additionally, he is a leader of his school’s RAISE (Raising Awareness for Inclusion and Social Equity) club, where he creates diversity programming for pre-K through 12th graders, leads cultural competency workshops, and proposes and institutes curricular reform for more inclusive and diverse learning. He has a blog and an 11-episode podcast called Manage Your Money! in which he educates his viewers and readers on the basics of financial literacy. He is captain of the men’s varsity soccer team at his school and enjoys playing sports with his friends. At Carolina, he is interested in studying business at the Kenan-Flagler Business School. Charles is the son of Lori and Wendell McCain of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Allison Lydia Owens

*Allison Lydia Owens (Lydia) will graduate this spring from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, North Carolina, where she serves as president of the Public Health Association; an officer of Girls Who Code; a member of Code4Charity; captain of NCSSM’S KPop Dance Team, KWAVE; co-founder of NCSSM’s Black Student Union; and a teacher assistant for Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics. Lydia conducted computational research with Dr. Zachary Ward from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Center for Health Decision Science, where she built an agent-based model to predict COVID-19 transmission in prisons. She also conducted formal humanities research on Afro-Indigenous culture and communities throughout the United States. Lydia served minorities in STEM as a summer leadership and research program assistant and by leading biomedical and computer science-themed summer camps at the Hilda Pinnix-Ragland Summer STEM Academy. She is interested in computational epidemiology, healthcare tech solutions, and app development. At Carolina, she is an assured enrollment admit to the Gillings School of Public Health BSPH in Biostatistics major and intends to minor in data science. Lydia will also participate in the Accelerated Research and Honors Carolina programs. Lydia is the daughter of Dr. Imani Owens and Stephen Owens of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Prince Rivers

Prince Corbitt Rivers (Prince) will graduate this spring from the Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill in Durham, North Carolina, where he serves as a member of the Trinity School Honor Council and as a peer mentor. Prince is the president and founder of the Trinity Philosophy Club, the branch leader for the Trinity branch of Crossing the Divide, and the director of outreach and business for FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team 3587 Unparalleled Processing. Prince also volunteers as a youth soccer camp counselor for Triangle United and is the youth representative for the Durham Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee. Outside of the classroom, Prince enjoys playing soccer for Triangle United Soccer Association and for Trinity, where he earned all-state and all-conference honors. At Carolina, he is interested in studying philosophy. Prince is the son of Monica Corbitt Rivers and Prince Raney Rivers of Durham, North Carolina.

Forsyth County

Addison McKenna Truzy

Addison McKenna Truzy (Addison) will graduate this spring from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she serves as a student arts ambassador, dance team captain, and co-founder of the My School Votes (MSV) club. She serves as tutor and assistant program director for a nonprofit tutoring organization, Virtual-In-Person (ViP) tutoring. In her community, she serves as chair for the Winston-Salem Youth Advisory Council, an advisor for the Forsyth County Superintendent Advisory Council, and part of the executive board for the Wake Forest COLLEGE LAUNCH Program. She has danced competitively through Dancers Edge for over eight years. Addison is passionate about finding equitable solutions for educational disparities and looks forward to positively impacting her campus community. At Carolina, she is interested in studying political science with a minor in business. Addison is the daughter of Ebony and Karonnie Truzy of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Granville County

Lillian Savannah Brooks

Lillian Savannah Brooks (Lilli) will graduate this spring from Oxford Preparatory High School in Oxford, North Carolina, where she serves as student body president and the student representative on the Board of Directors. Throughout her time at OPS, she founded the Student Government, served as secretary of the Beta Club, and was an active athlete on her school’s volleyball and soccer teams. In addition, she works at her school’s after-school program, Griffins Nest, with kindergarten through second-grade students. At Carolina, she is interested in studying neuroscience. She is the daughter of Angela and Christopher Brooks of Oxford, North Carolina.

Isaac Charles Watkins

Isaac Charles Watkins will graduate this spring from Oxford Preparatory School in Oxford, North Carolina, where he serves as a member of the student government, captain of the cross-country and swim teams, and president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Isaac worked with his school’s governing board to establish student representative positions to ensure student involvement in the school’s policy process. Additionally, Isaac constructed a prayer garden at his church, Sharon Baptist, for his Eagle Scout service project. He also attended the 2021 session of the North Carolina Governor’s School in the social science discipline. In his free time, Isaac enjoys volunteering, jamming on the guitar, and exploring new specialty coffees. At Carolina, he is interested in studying philosophy and religious studies. Isaac is the son of Kelly Watkins and Christopher Cox of Oxford.

Greene County

Maxwell Brent Andrews

*Maxwell Brent Andrews (Max) will graduate this spring from Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, North Carolina, where he serves as four-time class president and co-founder of an environmental club. Max is an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, a member of the Cum Laude Society, and a four-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. He regularly volunteers for the Greene County Tennis Association, the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina, and Snow Hill Presbyterian Church. He performed as Mr. Bingley in his school’s production of Pride and Prejudice and has been an employee at Yellowfin Pub in Morehead City, North Carolina, since tenth grade. Max loves basketball, working out, and spending time with friends and family. At Carolina, he is interested in studying computer science, business, and Spanish. Max is the son of Susan and Brent Andrews of Snow Hill, North Carolina.

Henderson County

Ty Adell Besses

Iredell County

Isabella Ann Larson

Johnston County

Samantha Brooke Chavis

Samantha Brooke Chavis (Samantha) will graduate this spring from Corinth Holders High School in Clayton, North Carolina, where she serves as vice president of service for the National Honor Society, secretary of Key Club, and equity officer. She is a recipient of the Leaving a Legacy award, voted on by the teaching staff at Corinth. Samantha was a member of the 2021 and 2022 conference champions varsity tennis team. She volunteered at Clayton Area Ministry and led youth worship at The Church at Clayton Crossings over the past five years. Samantha was a Governor’s Page and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, during the summer of her junior year. Samantha created the Our Heritage project and spoke to the Board of Education, advocating for Native American student programs in Johnston County to allow for a greater community connection. Samantha has been employed as a Youth Tobacco Cessation Advocate with the state of North Carolina and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past two years. In her spare time, she enjoys weightlifting, singing, and trying new things. At Carolina, she is interested in studying political science as well as global studies. Samantha is the daughter of Stephanie and Scottie Chavis of Clayton, North Carolina.

Laci Brook Mitchiner

*Laci Brook Mitchiner (Laci) will graduate this spring from Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina, where she serves as student body president, yearbook editor, and president of the Book Club. She also runs on the cross country, winter and distance track, and spring mid-distance track teams. At Clayton High School, she led a team of peer volunteers and organized a book drive that donated nearly 200 books to local charities. She attended the North Carolina Governor’s School—a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students—where she became fascinated with the study of epidemiology. Laci is a competitive elite dancer and attends dance classes three to five days per week at Prestige Dance Institute. She also volunteers at her dance studio as a teacher assistant. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking along the local trails with her father. At Carolina, she is interested in studying physics and biomedical and health science engineering. She is the daughter of Crystal and Christopher Mitchiner of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jones County

Ja’Khari Tajee Bryant

Diamond Te’aunah Moore

Diamond Te’aunah Moore (Diamond) will graduate this spring from Jones Senior High School in Trenton, North Carolina, where she serves as a Student Government Association member. At Jones Senior High School, she also served as president and leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a cadet in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer and Training Corps (AFJROTC), and president of the Technology Student Association. She also initiated the creation of the first DECA chapter at her school and won regional awards for entrepreneurship. She attended the North Carolina Governor’s School and participated in the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Online program. Outside of school, she works part-time and Wal-Mart and supports local businesses, including her local grocery story Trenton One Stop, where she created an affordable green company initiative. The initiative covered topics on poor access and paper alternatives, the wasteful use of various products, the demand for better employee training, and more. Diamond loves to play basketball and has previously played for her school’s basketball team. At Carolina, she is interested in studying business and finance. Diamond is the daughter of Sherryl Kinsey of Trenton, North Carolina.

Lenoir County

Maxwell Brent Andrews

Derrian Ahmir Wilson

Derrian Ahmir Wilson (Derrian) will graduate this spring from Kinston High School in Kinston, North Carolina, where he serves as an AmeriCorps math tutor. Derrian is also involved in the National Honor Society, Student Government Association, and the School Improvement Team, and he is the captain of his school’s baseball team. Outside of school, Derrian has worked at Bojangles’/Tands Inc. since his sophomore year and as a lifeguard at a local water park in the summer of 2022. At Carolina, he is interested in studying political science, business, and psychology. Derrian is the son of Shamekia Wilson of Kinston, North Carolina.

Madison County

Alyssa Kertesz Schoof

Martin County

Madeline Carrie Chandler

*Madeline Carrie Chandler (Madeline) will graduate this spring from Bear Grass Charter School in Bear Grass, North Carolina, where she serves as flute section leader in the marching and concert bands, varsity cheerleading co-captain, and president of her Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and region. Within FFA, Madeline has served as a national delegate, representing the North Carolina FFA at the 2022 National FFA Convention and Expo, and she competed in multiple leadership and career development events, including extemporaneous public speaking, where she cultivated her love of personal challenge. She also serves as president of her school’s Beta Club and a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she is a member of the First Baptist Church of Plymouth, North Carolina, and enjoys sharing her musical talent during worship services. Last fall, Madeline conducted historical research and created a public database of local oral history. At Carolina, Madeline expects to major in history with a minor in communications, and she plans to extend her research and continue investigating the rural communities that have shaped her life and those of countless others. To aid in this goal, she plans to run for NC FFA State Office this summer. Madeline is the daughter of Scott and Caroline Chandler of Roper, North Carolina.

Mecklenburg County

Kamryn Marie Burton

Kamryn Marie Burton (Kamryn) will graduate this spring from Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she serves as senior class president and president of the Spanish Honor Society. Kamryn serves as founder and executive director of Girls Lead 2, Inc., a nonprofit focused on leadership equity and women’s empowerment. She is also the teen president of the Queen City chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a Gold Award Girl Scout (Troop 851, Hornets Nest Council), a writer for Wisteria Magazine, and a company dancer in Danse Élan’s Contemporary Youth Company. A lover of the arts, Kamryn enjoys teaching dance to preschool and elementary students, choreographing musical numbers for community theatres, and volunteering as an intern at an arts summer camp. Kamryn is passionate about reducing the effects of healthcare disparities and medical mistrust in marginalized communities. At Carolina, she is interested in studying biology on the pre-med track. Kamryn is the daughter of Aneta and Ken Burton of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Anais Isabela Delgado

Anais Isabela Delgado (Anais) will graduate this spring from Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she serves as president of the National English Honor Society and treasurer of the National Honor Society. Anais will graduate with an Academy of Engineering diploma and will receive a white coat for her completion of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences pathway. Anais is an active member of her school’s Science National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, Multicultural Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club, and Drama Club. At Carolina, she is interested in studying biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish and a pre-medicine concentration. At UNC, she is also a Chancellor’s Science Scholar and a Global Gap Year Fellow. Anais is the daughter of Millie Chevere and Peter Delgado of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Virginia Decker Ogburn

Virginia Decker Ogburn (Virginia) will graduate this spring from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams. She was previously co-president of her school’s Odyssey of the Mind club, advancing with her team to the World Finals over multiple years. During the summer of 2021, she interned with the NASA Stem Enhancement in Earth Sciences program, where she was part of a team that conducted research and published a paper on the impact of various environmental aspects on mosquito breeding. Virginia is finishing her term as president of the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Charlotte’s Teen Volunteer Board and is a member of her church’s youth group. On weekends, she enjoys refereeing recreational soccer games and competing in triathlons with her dad. At Carolina, she is interested in pursuing a double major in Spanish and chemistry and plans to attend medical school. Virginia is the daughter of Kristin and Tate Ogburn of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lucy Gillen Sasz

Lucy Gillen Sasz (Lulu) will graduate this spring from Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is a four-sport varsity athlete. She is captain of the varsity tennis team, plays basketball and soccer, and pole vaults. Lulu is an outdoors enthusiast and loves backpacking, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and surfing. During her junior year, Lulu attended a semester program at the Alzar School in Cascade, Idaho, where she lived in a yurt and led whitewater and backpacking expeditions. With a passion for sculpture, Lulu attended the North Carolina Governor’s School during the summer of 2021. At Carolina, she is interested in studying psychology and environmental science. Lulu is the daughter of Nancy and Steven Sasz of Charlotte.

Glenn Jay Sedam

Glenn Jay Sedam (Jay) will graduate this spring from Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he serves as yearbook editor, student ambassador, and a National Honor Society member. Additionally, he is captain of the varsity cross country team and a member of the varsity track team, where he has earned conference, regional, and state-level honors. Outside of school, Jay is a swim instructor at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, providing swim lessons to underserved communities and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also works as a camp counselor during the summer. Jay is a three-time recipient of the Gold Presidential Service Award, volunteering at various organizations, such as the YMCA, Let Me Run, and Classroom Central. At Carolina, he is interested in studying biochemistry and Spanish on the pre-med track. Jay is the son of Elizabeth and Glenn Sedam of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Catherine Isabelle Tiddy

Catherine Isabelle Tiddy (Catherine) will graduate this spring from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is a co-captain of the varsity women’s volleyball team and serves as an officer for the school’s chapter of the Social Studies Honor Society. She serves as the co-coordinator of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools chapter of Diversify Our Narrative, an initiative advocating for the inclusion of diverse materials within the public school curriculum. She serves the same organization as the policy committee lead on the national level. Through the education reform organization, Our Turn, she wrote and published both an opinion piece on the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the organization’s rapid response to the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022. Catherine presently serves as a councilwoman for the Team Enough Executive Council, a group advocating for action toward gun violence prevention. On weekends, she enjoys concerts with friends and spending time with family. At Carolina, she is interested in pursuing political science with a minor in social and economic justice and Spanish for the professions. Catherine is the daughter of Julie Ruziska Tiddy and Brian Tiddy of Charlotte, North Carolina.

New Hanover County

Varun Varadarajan

Varun Varadarajan (Varun) will graduate this spring from Isaac Bear Early College High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he serves as the president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and vice president of the Science Olympiad team. He is a captain of the Hoggard High School varsity tennis team and a member of the Port City Robotics FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team. He also plays badminton, soccer, and basketball. Varun is passionate about STEM education and spends his free time helping elementary and middle school students in science and math activities. He established the first MATHCOUNTS team at a local school and serves as a head coach. At Carolina, he plans to study computer science. Varun is the son of Aruna Lakshmanan and Sridhar Varadarajan of Wilmington.

Orange County

Charles Alan McCain

Rockingham County

Anna McKenzie Casto

Anna McKenzie Casto (Anna) will graduate this spring from Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, North Carolina, where she serves as senior class president and a staff cadet in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer and Training Corps (AFJROTC). During high school, Anna received her Nurse Aide I certification and is currently employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She also attended North Carolina Governor’s School, where she learned mathematical concepts and presented a group cornerstone project on Non-Euclidean Geometry. Anna played six different varsity sports in high school, including volleyball, basketball, and softball, and has been a three-year varsity softball starter, a two-year volleyball starter, and a starter for the varsity basketball team her senior season. She was a member of the 2022 NC 2A State Championship Volleyball team at McMichael High and received the state sportsmanship award at the championship game. Anna was also voted Winter Queen during her senior year at McMichael High. She plays on the Champion National Club Volleyball team, traveling to tournaments across the east coast and competing at the highest club levels. She has also played club softball since she was eight years old. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna began volunteering for Lot 2540, a local feeding ministry, and organized a Beta Club event for the organization. She is also involved in her local church and is a member of the Western Rockingham Youth Ministry. Anna has been a dancer since age two and has been dancing competitively since the fourth grade for DeHart Dance Theatre. At Carolina, she is interested in studying nursing with hopes of eventually becoming a nurse anesthetist. Anna is the daughter of Michelle and Bob Casto of Mayodan, North Carolina.

Sampson County

Josephine Helen Blackman

Josephine Helen Blackman (Josie) will graduate this spring from Hobbton High School in Clinton, North Carolina, where she serves as president of the Beta Club, vice president of the senior class, and a section leader of the marching band. At Hobbton, she is also a member of the varsity soccer, cross country, and track teams. Additionally, she is a vocal and piano student who occasionally performs at her church, Keener Methodist. At Carolina, she is interested in studying political science and public policy. Josie is the daughter of Tonya and Lynn Blackman of Clinton, North Carolina.

Stokes County

Raygan Lee Hawkins

Raygan Lee Hawkins (Raygan) will graduate this spring from North Stokes High School in Danbury, North Carolina, where she serves as president of the Beta Club, president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club, vice president of Student Government, and a member of the National Honor Society and Future Farmers of America (FFA). In the summer of 2022, she attended the North Carolina Governor’s School, a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students. She is a dancer for the Elite Dance Competition Team at Dance Unveiled. As a member of the dance team, she competes in elite dance competitions, leads and supports dancers of all levels, and teaches dance classes. In her junior year, Raygan created Be Kind 2 Your Mind (BK2YM), a program that educates school-aged girls on the importance of discovering their self-worth and identity. Through BK2YM, Raygan created “Girl’s Night,” an after-school event where girls participated in various activities to improve their confidence, and “My Friend’s Closet,” an initiative to supply classrooms with clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products that were free for students to take home. She is also a Sunday School leader at her local church. At Carolina, Raygan is interested in majoring in public health with a focus in nutrition, and hopes to pursue a career as a physician assistant. She is the daughter of Gwendolyn and Douglas Hawkins of Sandy Ridge, North Carolina.

Surry County

Chandler Ann Beals

Union County

Sachi Akmal

Sachi Akmal (Sachi) will graduate this spring from Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where she serves as president of both Model United Nations and French Honor Society, DECA vice president of competition, senior advisor on the school’s first-ever Student Leadership Committee on School Climate, and an anchor for the Mavs Broadcast Team. Due to Sachi’s passion and aptitude for diplomacy, she has won an award at every conference she has attended since eighth grade, and she tutors refugee students in Model UN and debate skills through the organization Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America. Exploring her interest in business through DECA, she placed third in Retail Merchandising at the 2022 International Career Development Conference. As a member of the Committee on School Climate, Sachi led several initiatives, including reforming her school’s dress code and issuing an Indigenous land acknowledgment. Outside of school, she is an executive for Wisteria Magazine, a youth-founded nonprofit print and online publication that aims to uplift marginalized voices. She is also a scholar of the Chuck Stone Program at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Sachi has been a Bharatanatyam dancer since she was eight years old and played for her school’s lacrosse team throughout high school. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public policy and business with a focus on media. Sachi is the daughter of Rani and Nakheeb Akmal of Waxhaw, North Carolina.

Wake County

Nandini Kanthi

Nandini Kanthi (Nandini) will graduate this spring from William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she serves as founder and director of the Student Leadership Association for Change (a nonprofit that works to amplify direct discourse between teens and policymakers), president of the Speech and Debate club, student body secretary, and a HOSA International Top 3 winner. She was recognized as the 12th best Congressional Debater in the country, a first-place winner at Princeton Nationals, and a three-time qualifier to the Tournament of Champions. Passionate about fighting period stigma, Nandini co-invented a low-cost diagnostic menstrual pad that aims to make healthcare more accessible to underserved populations. She currently holds a provisional patent and was awarded a grant from the Lemelson-MIT Foundation for her work. She also wrote a research paper on Using Decarboxylative Alkylation for Quaternary sp3-Carbon Formation under the mentorship of 2021 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Dr. David Macmillan at Princeton University. In her free time, Nandini loves to dance, sing Carnatic music, read sci-fi novels, play badminton, and coach debate at local middle schools. At Carolina, she is interested in studying neuroscience and public policy. Nandini is the daughter of Hanumanth and Sirisha Kanthi of Cary, North Carolina.

Laura Hope Martin

Laura Hope Martin (Laura) will graduate this spring from St. David’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she serves as service prefect, captain of the varsity cross country and track and field teams, a member of the Honor Council, and trumpet section in the Wind Ensemble. Her heart for service and her time working with refugees in her local community have inspired her to find creative ways to bring people together regardless of different backgrounds. She founded Elle Society, a women’s leadership cohort for girls in her school, which has hosted talks and social events for girls to discuss relevant issues. In her senior year of high school, she competed as the only girl on the cross country team, setting a school record in the 300-meter hurdles and helping build the track and field team into the highest participation sport at the school. In her free time, Laura does calligraphy, eats chicken, and judges her sisters’ guacamole making contests. At Carolina, she is interested in studying Spanish and continuing to expand relational service in her community. Laura is the daughter of Jamie Gilbert Martin and Matthew G. T. Martin of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Laci Brook Mitchiner

Allison Lydia Owens

Washington County

Madeline Carrie Chandler

Watauga County

Alexandra Elizabeth Newmark

Alexandra Elizabeth Newmark (Alexandra) will graduate this spring from Watauga High School in Boone, North Carolina, where she serves as the president and founder of the American Sign Language Club, the treasurer for her school’s chapter of Best Buddies, and the secretary for the Interact Club. She also serves as the stage manager for the Pioneer Playmakers and is a member of the cross country team. Outside of school, she is a Girl Scout ambassador, and she’s working to achieve the Gold Award. Additionally, Alexandra is an assistant instructor in American Freestyle Karate. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book, spending time outdoors, and playing with her dog. At Carolina, she is interested in studying physics and astronomy. Alexandra is the daughter of Dr. Adam and Laura Newmark of Boone, North Carolina.

Wayne County

Guillermo Estrada

Guillermo Estrada (Guillermo) will graduate this spring from Wayne School of Engineering and Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as an honors student and member of the North Carolina Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Guillermo served as the first Latino president of the North Carolina 4-H State Council, leading several state events, workshops, and marketing campaigns, as well as serving as part of the 2022 National 4-H Congress Design team. He also served as founding chair of the Wayne Fair Junior Board, working on new marketing and educational experiences to promote the agricultural industry for youth. He works in the office of House Majority Leader John Bell as an intern, focusing on caucus communications and marketing. At Carolina, he is interested in studying public relations and public policy to work in political communications. Guillermo is the son of Michelle and Davy Estrada of Pikeville, North Carolina.

Out of State

Alaska

Chloe Gosnell

Chloe Alysa Gosnell (Chloe) will graduate this spring from Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan, Alaska. She currently serves as student government parliamentarian, National Honor Society secretary, co-captain of the varsity cheer team, and a member of the debate team. Chloe has accumulated more than 500 volunteer hours through her involvement with Lord’s Table and Rotary Interact, and through mentoring incoming freshmen. Chloe is passionate about log rolling, leading her to compete in the Lumberjack World Championships. She has since created a log-rolling program, through which she coaches youth in her community. At Carolina, she is interested in studying medicine and public health. Chloe is the daughter of Melissa and Tony Gosnell of Ketchikan.

Arizona

Caroline Hoyt

Caroline Ju-Sun Hoyt (Caroline) will graduate this spring from Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, where she serves as student body president. Caroline has spent the past four years in student government, cross country, choir, and community service through Blue Ridge clubs and classes. She also loves serving her home church, the White Mountain Apache Baptist Church. Some of her passions include reading, playing piano, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. At Carolina, she is interested in studying political science with an emphasis on global studies after taking a gap year. Caroline is the daughter of Paula and Jonathan Hoyt of Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona.

California

Mira Gowda

Mira Gowda will graduate this spring from The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California, where she is on the tennis team, co-editor-in-chief of Globe Magazine, and part of the planning committee for the Social Innovation Competition. She is the founder of a local chapter of The Urban Garden Initiative and the vice president of All Girls STEM Society. Mira also teaches a cooking science camp to students at her local Boys and Girls Club and is interested in the intersection between human health and the environment. At Carolina, she is interested in studying environmental studies. Mira is the daughter of Shilpi and Anand Gowda of San Diego.

Colorado

Kira Arlene Isenhart

Kira Arlene Isenhart will graduate this spring from Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where she serves as president of Key Club and Big Sisters. She is also an original oratory speech captain and works on the Principal’s Advisory Board to advocate for equitable mental health access for students. Kira is co-founder of Douglas County Youth Alliance, a youth-led organization focusing on partnering with the campaigns of progressive candidates running for local office. As an intern for State Senator Jeff Bridges, she worked on connecting members of the community with financial assistance services during the pandemic and provided testimony for mental health and gun safety bills. She serves on the Board of Directors of YouthRoots, a nonprofit organization focusing on youth empowerment, fundraising, and grant writing, where she has raised over $40,000 to be donated to sexual assault crisis services. As a Colorado native, Kira is also an avid hiker, climbing fourteeners during the summer. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public policy with a concentration in education and labor markets, as well as Spanish and history. Kira is the daughter of Raquel and Charles Isenhart of Centennial, Colorado.

DC

David Benjamin Garland

*David Benjamin Garland (Benji) will graduate this spring from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. Benji is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive community in all arenas, but especially as student body president, captain of the varsity rugby team, and as a leader of Gonzaga’s esteemed retreat program. In conjunction with Gonzaga’s Campus Ministry office, Benji has been committed to service work initiatives in D.C. and beyond throughout his high school years. Outside of school, Benji is an experienced recording artist recognized by his appearances on Spotify’s editorial playlists. At Carolina, he intends to continue his independent music career and is interested in the philosophy major and entrepreneurship minor. Benji is the son of Carrie and Jim Garland of Alexandria, Virginia.

Florida

Kendall James Ford

Kendall James Ford (Kendall) will graduate this spring from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he serves as the senior class president. He also serves as president of the American Sign Language Club and is a member of the Jacksonville Association of Governing Students, where he advocates for improved Title IX education in the district. Kendall sings tenor in his scholastic advanced chorale and is a staff writer for the Devil’s Advocate—the school’s student-run newspaper. In addition, he is a member of the Black Student Union, Multicultural Club, and several honor societies. Outside of school, Kendall participates in crew at First Coast Rowing Club, is an Eagle Scout, and serves as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Fellow with the Center for Children’s Rights, where he advocates for the fair treatment of students in Jacksonville’s youth care system. He also teaches STEM concepts as a youth robotics coach and plays the piano. With a passion for the environment, Kendall volunteered hundreds of hours with Groundwork Jacksonville—a city nonprofit tasked with stewarding community greenspaces, spent a month working for the Youth Conservation Corps in Yellowstone National Park, and did novel research on environmental disparities in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals in North Florida as a member of the Jacksonville Youth Environmental Council. At UNC-Chapel Hill, he is interested in studying environmental science. Kendall is the son of Benita Cullins Ford and Eddie James Ford of Jacksonville, Florida.

Lara Gastelumendi-Franco

Lara Gastelumendi (Lara) will graduate this spring from the Medical Academy for Science and Technology in Miami, Florida, where she serves as Key Club co-founder and president. Lara is co-founder of Blooming Minds Miami, a mental health destigmatization initiative, and is also a gymnast who coaches with LEAP South Florida, an organization for athletes with physical and developmental disabilities. As a team lead with School Board member Luisa Santos’s Fellowship, Lara assists in writing and researching MDCPS school board policies and helps manage Ms. Santos’s social media presence. She’s also highly involved in her community, having accumulated more than 500 hours of service throughout her high school career. In scientific research, she was named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar and a Regeneron ISEF Finalist. Lara plans to pursue majors in public health and biology at Carolina, followed by an MD-PhD to increase global health care equity. Lara is the daughter of Ana Franco and Juan Gastelumendi of Miami.

Allyson Jane Horst

Allyson Jane Horst (Allyson) will graduate this spring from Barron Collier High School in Naples, Florida, where she serves as student body president, president and founder of both the Health and Humanity Club and the Gender Equality Club, president of KidsCAN, vice president of Junior States of America, 2022 Bank of America student leader, and director of papers for the Model UN team. As a sophomore, she formed the first Health and Humanity Club to promote volunteerism and advocacy to address poverty within her community. Through partnerships with four local nonprofits, Allyson spearheaded the collection of more than 1,000 goods, ranging from canned goods to homemade blankets for the local homeless shelter. Health and Humanity Club has collectively served over 900 volunteer hours within the community and grown to over seventy members. Allyson has also served Grace Place for Families and Children as an elementary school tutor and a marketing intern. As an intern, Allyson supports the Read-A-Gazillion campaign, a community initiative to promote literacy among citizens of all ages. During her tenure as KidsCAN president, a junior chapter of the Cancer Alliance of Naples, she initiated the first school-wide Gold Out and fundraising event to raise awareness regarding Childhood Cancer. At Carolina, she is interested in studying education and public policy. Allyson is the daughter of Stephanie Mackley of Naples, Florida.

Amanda B. Jesuca

Amanda B. Jesuca will graduate this spring from Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida, where she is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, National Honor Society president, Key Club vice president, Rho Kappa Social Sciences National Honor Society vice president, and the varsity lacrosse captain. During her tenure as National Honor Society president, she expanded an initiative dedicated to collecting school supplies for low-income students and received more than 10,000 donations from students over the school year. She also participated in the Palm Beach County Regional Ethics Bowl, in which her team won first place. As a Barb Schimdt Fellow, Amanda developed a passion for art and activism and plans on completing a mural in a low-income neighborhood in Palm Beach County with members in her cohort. In her spare time, she enjoys writing for her blog Audirius, volunteering, watching movies, and writing her original screenplay. At Carolina, she is interested in pursuing a double major in anthropology and public policy with a minor in philosophy, politics, and economics, with plans to later attend law school. Amanda is the daughter of Yvenet and Flore Jesuca of Boca Raton, Florida.

Alyssa Jewel Williams

Alyssa Jewel Williams (Alyssa) will graduate this spring from Tampa Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida, where she serves as an elected student council representative, cum laude member, and varsity basketball player. Alyssa is also the founder and president of Rock the Vote, a youth voter registration promotion club, and president of the Science Olympiad Team. Alyssa is an avid community volunteer dedicating more than 600 hours to Tampa Bay nonprofits, including volunteering through the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, Tampa’s Teen Connect Youth Advisory Board, the Tampa Bay Humane Society, and the Boys and Girls Club through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public health to further pursue her passion for addressing health disparities among minority women regarding sexual health, pregnancy, and childbirth. She is the daughter of Jeannine and Alfred Williams of Riverview, Florida.

Georgia

Marli Simone English

Marli Simone English (Marli) will graduate this spring from Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia, where she is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate. At school, she serves as co-president of the Black Student Association, president of the Feminist Club, and captain of the fencing team. She is also a member of Campbell Ethics Bowl, which won both state and regional competitions and competed in the National Championships. Outside of school, Marli is a student political organizer and works with her peers and community to enhance racial, educational, and social justice in Georgia. She also serves as 2022 ALA Girls Nation president. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public policy, philosophy, and history, and she hopes to continue her work in social justice. Marli is the daughter of Monica and Tyrone English of Powder Springs, Georgia.

Anjali Marie Sankale

Anjali Marie Sankalé (Anjali) will graduate this spring from Atlanta International School (AIS) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she serves as student body president and student ambassador. She is the founder and co-leader of the Alliance for Racial Equity in Atlanta (AREA) and volunteers with the Dignity Pack Project, which provides people experiencing homelessness with basic hygiene supplies. She has been a member of her school’s varsity basketball, track and field, and cross country teams, and has been part of the FIRST Robotics team and the AIS Against Human Trafficking group. Anjali was selected to participate in the Model Atlanta Regional Commission, a youth leadership program where she worked with city leaders and experts in transportation, urban planning, and natural resource sustainability. The final team project was on engaging the community of Sandy Springs on flood resiliency issues and implementing solutions to flooding. Outside of school, Anjali worked at Science Gallery Atlanta as a mediator and has been playing and performing piano since fourth grade. At Carolina, Anjali is interested in studying quantitative environmental science with a minor in French. Anjali is the daughter of Jyothi Rengarajan and Jean-Louis Sankalé of Decatur, Georgia.

Idaho

Shiva Aaron Rajbhandari

Shiva Aaron Rajbhandari (Shiva) will graduate this spring from Boise Senior High School in Boise, Idaho. Shiva is a member of the Idaho Climate Literacy Education Engagement and Research executive committee at Boise State University. He volunteers for BABE VOTE, Youth Salmon Protectors, Reclaim Idaho, and the Idaho Climate Justice League, and he serves on the Boise School Board. He also runs varsity cross country and track and field for his school. In his spare time, Shiva loves to run, ski, and fish in wild Idaho. At Carolina, he is interested in studying public policy and environmental justice. Shiva is the son of Rachel Parke from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ajit Rajbhandari from Kathmandu, Nepal, who reside in Boise, Idaho.

Kentucky

Silas David Durham

Silas David Durham (Silas) will graduate this spring from Rockcastle County High School in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, where he serves as National Honor Society chapter president, student council treasurer, and member of the varsity swim team. Silas spent his senior year working in the rural health clinic at Rockcastle Regional Hospital and hopes to continue to serve the Carolina community in similar capacities. He helped organize food drives and initiated a farm-to-school lunch program in his town. He attends Redeemer Lutheran Church. Silas is passionate about his faith and his family and cares deeply about the people of his community. At Carolina, he is interested in studying biology and public health on the pre-med track. Silas is the son of Jennifer and Conley Durham of Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

Fredre’Oni Tristen-Victoria Warner Palacios Terrado

Fredre’Oni Tristen-Victoria Warner Palacios Terrado (Oni) will graduate this spring from Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics in Morehead, Kentucky, and Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she serves as president of the senior class, secretary of student council, and president of Alpha Phi Omega. She has a love for community service and spearheads various projects, from raising almost $10,000 for childhood cancer research to creating a 5K race and bringing awareness to Alzheimer’s disease. In her spare time, she conducts nitrogen fixation research with Dr. Michael Fultz at Morehead State University and leads the Craft Academy’s Hazel Green Service Project, working to revitalize a town in Eastern Kentucky. Because of her hard work and dedication, she was named 2021 Military Youth of the Year for Fort Knox, the entire state of Kentucky, and the entire Midwest. At Carolina, she is interested in neuroscience with a minor in computer science and public policy. Oni is the daughter of LovieAnn Marie Warner Palacios and Fred Terrado, Jr. of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Maryland

Gabriella Nicole del Rio

Gabriella Nicole del Rio (Gabriella) will graduate this spring from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, where she is an active member of her school’s community and the Leadership and Social Justice (LASJ) Program. She serves as the co-president of the Black Student Union, where she has organized school-wide fundraisers and presented anti-bias lessons to her school community. She also served as the Cluster Liaison for West Montgomery County, Maryland, where she worked with the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) to implement more accessible mental health resources in Montgomery County public schools, improve lunch options, and eradicate resource disparities across the Montgomery County public school system. She seeks to deconstruct unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media and promotes the importance of self-confidence through her work as director of advocacy at the Body Positive Alliance, a nonprofit organization. She planned and executed two fundraising events which raised over $3,200 for two body liberation organizations, and has worked with body positive community members, musicians, authors, and advocates to continue to spread body liberation ideals. She is also a member of her school’s a cappella and chorus groups, and runs cross country and track for her high school’s varsity team. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public policy, with a minor in Spanish and environmental justice. Gabriella is the daughter of Denise Hansberry of Potomac, Maryland, and Robespierre del Rio of Bethesda, Maryland.

Massachusetts

Raina Shivani Sohur

Raina Shivani Sohur (Raina) will graduate this spring from The Winsor School in Boston, Massachusetts, where she serves on the Honor Review Board and as a head ambassador for the Admissions Office. She was president of the debate club and a two-time captain of the cross country team, which captured league titles both years. Raina volunteered at the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass-Boston and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is a research student at the Center for Life Sciences, working in a lab that investigates hypothalamic circuitry in the brain. She enjoys reading and trail running, and a few items on her bucket list include running a marathon, rushing Franklin Street, and making an omelette without breaking any eggs. At Carolina, she is interested in studying the intersection of economics, science, and healthcare. She is the daughter of Drs. Suzanne Tamara Szak and Usharbudh Shivraj Sohur of Milton, Massachusetts.

Minnesota

William Lloyd Walker III

William Lloyd Walker III (Will) will graduate this spring from Breck School in Golden Valley, Minnesota, where he serves as the student body president, co-chair of the Student Diversity and Inclusion Council, and captain of the football and basketball teams. In addition, Will is the founder of the Lighthouse mentorship program for black middle school boys at Breck, a group that he holds to be his most meaningful contribution to his community. Will demonstrated continued leadership as the leader of Breck’s Black affinity group (Oasis) for two years and founding Breck’s multi-racial affinity group (Shades). He spends his summers volunteering with the Perspectives organization, bridging the St. Louis Park Police Department with children of color in the local community to heal damaged bonds between the two groups. He was also a National Scholastic Award winner for his works in ceramics using clay and glaze. At Carolina, he is interested in studying business administration and a pre-law emphasis. He is the son of Kimberly Tourdot Walker and William Walker Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

New Hampshire

Matthew John Grady

*Matthew John Grady (Matthew) will graduate this spring from St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, where he serves as captain of the boys’ varsity hockey team, head of the Chinese Society, and student admissions officer. At St. Paul’s, he promotes bipartisan discussion and debate as head of the John Winant Society and mentors local elementary students through the Friends Youth Mentoring Program. He is also a member of the varsity lacrosse team. Outside of school, he spends time fishing and exploring the wild rivers of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and he enjoys playing guitar and mandolin with his friends and family. At Carolina, he is interested in studying business, public policy, and Chinese. Matthew is the son of Colleen and Bob Grady of Jackson, Wyoming.

New York

Gala Inés Hermer

*Gala Inés Hermer (Gala) will graduate this spring from Sevenoaks School in Kent, England, where she serves as the captain of both the boys’ squash team and the girls’ squash team and also plays on the county team. When not playing squash, she tutors Ukrainian refugees English with her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, treks through Snowdonia, Wales, with her five best friends on her Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, and organizes house events for her boarding house. She is also a member of many clubs, including Current Affairs, Economics Club, and the International Club, and she is the creator of various start-ups, such as an empanada food delivery service and a sports and arts summer camp for kids. At Carolina, she is interested in studying economics and international relations. Gala is the daughter of Silvia Campo from Spain and David Hermer from Wales, who reside in Brooklyn, New York.

Anisha Musti

Anisha Musti (Anisha) will graduate this spring from Edgemont Junior-Senior High School in Scarsdale, New York. As captain of her school’s Public Forum Debate team, Anisha was ranked first in the United States for the 2021–2022 season. She is also a researcher in quantum computing, co-authoring the first student-focused quantum textbook and publishing papers with New York University and Brookhaven National Lab. After recognizing the quantum workforce shortage, she founded Q-munity, a startup that provides “no-prerequisites” quantum education. Her work led to her speaking at over sixty conferences, including The Economist and Evoke. Additionally, Anisha built Mwana, an app that helps mothers breastfeed in Nigeria and Kenya, tackling under-five mortality. In her free time, she loves to scuba dive and play field hockey as part of her school’s varsity team. At Carolina, she is interested in studying physics, business, and applied sciences. Anisha is the daughter of Subu and Valli Musti of Scarsdale, New York.

Pennsylvania

Mae Ross Brockman

Mae Ross Brockman (Mae) will graduate this spring from Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she serves as president of both choir and orchestra, co-leader of Breakthrough Community Connections, admissions Shadow Visits coordinator, and a captain of the lacrosse team. Mae is also a diversity ambassador and peer writing advisor. Mae has a strong interest in medicine, having interned in neuropathology and anatomic pathology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Emergency Room at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Mae also worked at Penn Injury Science Center for three years, summarizing hundreds of technical scientific articles and selections and writing lead stories for the website and newsletter. Inspired by systems-based medical research, Mae started The Equity Project at her school to develop equitable and inclusive systems of student leadership. Mae also loves to read and write fiction. At Carolina, she is interested in studying neuroscience and sociology. She is the daughter of Anne Ross and Nathan Brockman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tennessee

Ashlyn Jamir Patton

Ashlyn Jamir Patton (Ashlyn) will graduate this spring from Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, where she serves as student council vice president and a member and co-creator of the Student Diversity Leadership Committee. Ashlyn is a Cum Laude recipient and a part of the Entrepreneurial Capstone program at her school. She is a varsity track and field sprinter and captain, basketball player, and volunteer. Outside of school, she has a passion for fashion and enjoys helping animals and working in her free time. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public relations and advertising. Ashlyn is the daughter of Ashley Patton McFall and the sister of Ashton Patton of Columbia, Tennessee.

Catherine Clara Scott

Catherine Clara Scott (Catherine) will graduate this spring from Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where she serves as the captain of the cross-country team, the co-chair of the Relay for Life committee, and dance captain of the Show Choir. She is also a member of the track team and is involved in the school’s theater program as a cast member in the musicals. In her community, she works with various charities, primarily Ainsley’s Angels and the American Cancer Society. Catherine is a passionate activist for anti-racism and LGBTQ+ rights. At Carolina, she is interested in studying public policy and social justice. Catherine is the daughter of Gina and Stephen Scott of Nashville.

Virginia

David Benjamin Garland

Alexandra Grace O’Brien

Alexandra Grace O’Brien (Ali) will graduate this spring from The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia where she serves as the student chair of the Honor Council, co-editor-in-chief of the Potomac Current, and member of the Global Perspectives and Citizenship concentration program. Ali is the co-founder of Mission Red, an organization working to end period poverty in D.C. and Virginia. In her capacity at Mission Red, Ali testified in support of legislation to provide free period products in all publicly-owned buildings in D.C., collected over 25,000 period products through statewide product drives, and organized an annual awareness-building campaign called Menstrual Health March. Ali is passionate about creating social change through political advocacy and has pursued this commitment through her work on local and congressional campaigns in Virginia. She also conducted international relations research, recently publishing her work, “The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: The West’s Response to China in the Indo-Pacific.” At Carolina, Ali is interested in studying Peace, War, and Defense, political science, and Arabic. Ali is the daughter of Jill DeTemple and Gordon O’Brien of McLean, Virginia.

Washington

Jamison Kenan Drayton

Jamison Kenan Drayton (Jamison) will graduate this spring from Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island, Washington, where she serves as president of PETRI (a club that raises money to fund secondary education in Kenya), a senior officer of the Black Student Union, head of the social justice committee for her high school’s athletic leadership team, and founder of the Black Student Union Elementary School Mentoring Program. She also served as captain for her state championship lacrosse team during her junior and senior years. Outside of school, Jamison volunteered at Swedish Hospital, working alongside doctors and nurses. Additionally, she has worked as a youth lacrosse coach since her freshman year, hoping to inspire others to play the game. Jamison enjoys running, scuba diving, and watching and playing sports with her family and friends. At Carolina, she is interested in studying biology with a plan to go on the pre-med track. Jamison is the daughter of Meeka and Maurice Drayton of Mercer Island, Washington.

Wisconsin

Donn Rhys Pelayo Mondano

Donn Rhys Pelayo Mondano (Donn Rhys) will graduate this spring from the University School of Milwaukee (USM) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a Cum Laude Honors Society inductee. He has served as a leader of the Francophone Culture Club, co-leader of USM’s garden-to-donate effort, and co-leader of the Environmental Action Team. He loves musical theater and has taken on leading roles, most recently as Gomez in his school’s production of The Addams Family. He carves out time to engage in community service through the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary in Milwaukee as a regular volunteer, as well as leading the fundraising efforts for the shelter’s hydroponics project. He pushes himself physically with daily visits to the gym and actively competes with his school’s track and cross-country teams. In his spare time, Donn Rhys loves to play music with his band of friends and tutors kids in math. At Carolina, he is interested in studying biology with minors in theater/music or business. Donn Rhys is the son of Renee and Donald Mondano of Milwaukee.

Wyoming

Matthew John Grady

International

Canada

Randy Chang

Randy Chang (Randy) will graduate this spring from Upper Canada College in Toronto, Ontario, where he serves as student body president, Model UN executive, and co-captain of the debate team. During the pandemic, Randy co-founded a nonprofit offering accessible debate lessons for immigrant communities, raising over $5,000 for local hospitals. He assisted in published research into African American history, investigating the development of graveyards in Colonial Ghana. He is also a member of his school’s varsity basketball and volleyball teams. In his free time, Randy enjoys writing a semi-regular blog, reading about the world, and exploring ramen places. At Carolina, he is interested in studying politics, history, social entrepreneurship, and above all, Franklin Street’s ramen scene. Randy is the son of Ying Shi and Simon Chang of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Harsehaj Kaur Dhami

Harsehaj Kaur Dhami (Harsehaj) will graduate this spring from Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, where she serves as the president of the HOSA and science club and leader of her school board’s first STEAM conference. As the founder of Codespire, a nonprofit delivering tech education to 15,000+ underprivileged youth, and builder of many projects in depression diagnostics and health accessibility, Harsehaj is actively working toward disrupting technology for social good. To equip other students in her province with the digital education they need, Harsehaj consults the Ontario Ministry of Education on the development of the tech curriculum for over 650,000 students. Being named one of Canada’s “Top Tech Influencers of 2022” by IT World Canada for her speaking engagements with Apple, the Aging Research & Drug Discovery Conference, and QueerTech Conference, Harsehaj is excited to take her lessons from the International Baccalaureate and Shad Canada program forward to turn the needle in health and education accessibility globally. When she isn’t tinkering away at a new project, you can find Harsehaj rollerblading, reading manga, or perfecting her guacamole recipe. At Carolina, she is interested in studying computer science and business, with a minor in neuroscience. Harsehaj is the daughter of Prabhjot Kaur and Prabhjot Singh Dhami of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Sophia Moloo

Sophia Moloo will graduate this spring from Elmwood School in Ottawa, Ontario, where she serves as head girl. In this role, she enjoyed starting a Sustainable Development Goal Speaker Series and organizing a youth climate conference called the Future Leaders Conference. She is also the co-lead of the HOSA (Future Health Professionals) chapter at her school, an activity that sparked her interest in epidemiology and public health. She was a member of the competitive rowing and cross-country teams. Outside of school, she is an intern at The Catherine Wheel, a management consulting firm for FinTech startups. She was a student at The Knowledge Society, a program focused on emerging technologies in which she explored piezoelectricity and carbon capture. In her free time, Sophia enjoys baking with her sister, reading about donut economics, and playing the clarinet. Passionate about climate, she is interested in studying applied physical sciences at Carolina with the hope of contributing to the development of clean energies. Sophia is the daughter of Nimet and Husein Moloo of Ottawa, Ontario.

Maria Wambui Muiruri

Maria Wambui Muiruri (Maria) will graduate this spring from Branksome Hall in Toronto, Ontario, where she serves as student government prefect and co-head of the Black Student Union (BSU). Last year, she initiated a Black student mentorship program to promote cultural knowledge between junior and senior students. She is also captain of FIRST Robotics Team 7712 and a member of the FIRST Canada Youth Council, where she founded and currently leads the DiversityFIRST social media initiative, which highlights STEM contributions from minority groups to an audience of 20,000. On Saturday mornings, she facilitates sports programming for disabled youth at a local community center, promoting values such as self-esteem and grit. Last July, Maria attended Shad Canada, a STEAM and entrepreneurship program, where she worked on a business proposal that used gene-editing technology on bacteria to create a more sustainable method of wastewater treatment. Maria is passionate about STEM, inclusion, and volunteering, and aims to continue “paying it forward” by mentoring aspiring Black female leaders. At Carolina, she is interested in studying information science and history. Maria is the daughter of Sophy Osoro and Mark Muiruri Njoroge of Pickering, Ontario.

China

Youyou Zheng

Egypt

Mohamed Atef Ali Mohamed

*Mohamed Atef Ali Mohamed (Atef) will graduate this June from African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, South Africa. At ALA, he serves as co-founder and design director at Hashtag, marketing director at ARACHNO, and the sports representative of his residential hall, Titans. Atef is deeply interested in technology, design, and product management. He has worked on several projects that aimed to positively impact his continent, such as FYNNBLOCK, a software that works to end corruption and white-collar crimes. He also earned a full scholarship at the Samsung Innovation Campus program, where he honed his coding and programming skills and used them for good. Moreover, he is a basketball player who played competitively in his country, Egypt, and for the ALA basketball team. At Carolina, he is interested in studying computer science, information science, and business. Atef is the son of Atef Ali and Ola Abdelfattah of Alawamrah Abu Kabir, Egypt.

South Africa

Mohamed Atef Ali Mohamed

South Sudan

Ajier Margaret Magot Awan

Ajier Margaret Magot Awan (Ajier), from Jonglei State, South Sudan, will graduate this spring from African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the Academy, Ajier serves as the volleyball captain and as a member of Agrinnovation, a student enterprise that grows tomatoes, spinach, spring onions, and chili peppers for the campus. She also worked to develop The Light of Hope, a project that aims to transform the lives of street children in her home country. At Carolina, Ajier is interested in studying health policy and management, with a hope of one day shaping policies in the South Sudan health system. Ajier is the daughter of Awal Mayol and Ayii Awan of Jonglei State.

United Kingdom

Michael Carl Chimaobim Agu

Michael Carl Chimaobim Agu (Michael) will graduate this spring from Brampton Manor Academy in London, England, where he serves as a prominent member of the French debate club and the school’s basketball team. Outside of school, he is team captain at his local basketball club and is a coach for an Under-12 basketball team. In his community, he also aims to increase educational opportunities for young students, offering tutoring services in math and English. In his free time, he enjoys challenging himself physically through competitive sports and intense weight training, reading, and volunteering at his church. At Carolina, he is interested in studying economics and potentially minoring in philosophy, politics, and economics, or French. Michael is the son of Uchechukwu and Michael Agu, Sr. of Essex, England.

Scarlett Gabriella Chanti Jane Aiuto

Scarlett Gabriella Chanti Jane Aiuto (Macca) will graduate this spring from Stroud High School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where she serves as head of house, a peer mentor, and an active participant in the debate team, choir, a cappella, and various local politics activities. Outside of school, Macca spends her time playing sports, the most notable being Irish dancing, rugby, and horse riding, as well as advocating for women’s rights and gaining political experience with the Youth Parliament. At Carolina, she is interested in studying global studies with minors in Italian and women’s and gender studies. Macca is the daughter of Tony Aiuto and the late Lia Aiuto of Fairford, Gloucestershire, England.

Gala Inés Hermer

Saudah Nu’aymah Jannat

Saudah Nu’aymah Jannat (Saudah) will graduate this summer from Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where she served as a house official, Shaping Futures mentor, and film society leader. Having served as a delegate in European Youth Parliament UK forums, she continues her passion for diplomacy as Model United Nations (MUN) chair in her school and youth ambassador for I Have A Voice CIC’s PoliticsForAll campaign. Saudah is co-founder and vice president of her not-for-profit organization, Scholars For Society UK, where she works to increase accessibility for working-class youth in politics, economics, and STEM, having organized and hosted a national conference with prominent politicians and experts. She proved her dedication to her community over four years as a non-commissioned officer for RAF Air Cadets (785 Tewkesbury SQN), in which she is a first aid instructor, standards bearer, and violinist in the National Strings Ensemble. Saudah’s love for music culminated in the highlight of her high school career, where she conducted and composed for her orchestra in theatrical competitions. At Carolina, she is interested in studying political science and global studies while pursuing her interests in film and music. Saudah is the daughter of Shahinoor Alom and Monuhor Miah from Sylhet, Bangladesh, who reside in Gloucestershire, England.

Nana Kofi Odura-Nyaning

Nana Kofi Oduro-Nyaning (Nana) will graduate this spring from Lancing College in West Sussex, England, where he serves as head boy and is also a Sports Scholar. At Lancing, Nana also serves as a diversity and inclusion champion and a peer supporter, a mental health initiative designed to enable senior pupils to function as another avenue of support and guidance for the Lancing student body. He is also vice captain of the First XI (also known as the First 11) soccer team, a member of the First XI field hockey team, and a member of the track and field team. A political enthusiast, he is fascinated by international and current affairs and has been a regular member of his school’s politics society. Nana represented Lancing at both the county and national levels in the sporting arena, and he is interested in playing soccer at UNC. At Carolina, he is also interested in studying political science and global studies with hopes of pursuing a career in the legal or political sectors. Nana is the son of Adwoa Larbi-Siaw of Islington, London, England, and the nephew of Kwabena Larbi-Siaw of Chicago, Illinois.

United States

Gala Inés Hermer

Youyou Zheng

Vietnam

Giang Viet Pham

Giang Viet Pham (Giang) will graduate this spring from Hanoi–Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he served as a vice head organizer of Ams’ Got Talent. Outside of school, Giang co-founded The Incredibles Project to teach basic English to over 500 primary students throughout Vietnam. The previous summer, he participated in the Global Citizens Initiative’s Summit in St. Andrews, Scotland, and since then has been working with a mentor on an educational project that targets the lack of English materials in Vietnam. During this time, Giang also co-authored a book on digital finance crime with his brother. A black-belt Karate-do practitioner, Giang is an ardent fan of sports, especially martial arts, basketball, and soccer. At Carolina, Giang is interested in studying business with a concentration in finance. Giang is the son of Ha Nguyen and Hanh Pham of Hanoi, Vietnam.

April 27, 2023

Introducing the class of 2027

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Class of 2027

New Morehead-Cain Scholars are listed alphabetically by North Carolina county, state, and country. Students noted with an asterisk (*) are listed in more than one location due to either their hometown or school location.

North Carolina

Alamance County

Buncombe County

Cabarrus County

Chatham County

Durham County

Forsyth County

Granville County

Greene County

Henderson County

Iredell County

Johnston County

Jones County

Lenoir County

Madison County

Martin County

Mecklenburg County

New Hanover County

Orange County

Rockingham County

Sampson County

Stokes County

Surry County

Union County

Wake County

Washington County

Watauga County

Wayne County

Out of State

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

DC

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Kentucky

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

New Hampshire

New York

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

International

Canada

China

Egypt

South Africa

South Sudan

United Kingdom

United States

Vietnam

An Experience Like No Other

An Experience
Like No Other