NAF Awards 14 National Scholarships
NAF is thrilled to announce this year’s fourteen scholarship winners! Scholarships were awarded to high school seniors and graduates of NAF academies who plan to enroll full-time in post-secondary education. Approximately $21,000 was available in scholarship funds this year.
Thanks to our generous Board of Directors and corporate partners, NAF has the opportunity to not only help our students Be Future Ready, but to assist in sending some of them to college. Get to know the 2019 winners below!
NAF congratulates this year’s scholarship winners:
NAF Alumni Business Scholarships were awarded to five NAF students. Recipients have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their academy classes and intend to continue studying in the hospitality and tourism field or to pursue further education in business and/or financial services.
Alex Quach is a senior at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford, FL. Alex is ranked number one in his class, and is the Business Professionals of America – Florida State Vice President, National Honor Society Treasurer, and Class Council Vice President. As a freshman, Alex founded the Robotics and Engineering Club. Since then, he’s grown the club to be one of the largest at Crooms and it has allowed him to share his knowledge and passion for robotics while promoting STEM to his community. A techie and inspiring entrepreneur, Alex wants to create his own startup in the future.
Carson Abt is a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Academy of Finance in Parkland, FL. As the president of the fifth largest DECA chapter in the world, Carson manages an officer team and has created her own initiatives like “DECA in the Middle,” an after-school program for middle school students to start learning valuable professional skills. Carson is also a school safety advocate and has presented her research on active shooter protocols to President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary of Education DeVos at the White House. She will be attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall and hopes to become a senior business executive in the future.
Samantha Goldberg is a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Academy of Finance in Parkland, FL. She plans to attend Indiana University Bloomington and continue to develop products and services, like the Diabeverage Detector, to help ease the daily struggles of those living with the Type 1 diabetes. Samantha wants to give back to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community that has been through so much, in the wake of last year’s tragedy. Samantha is motivated to be of service to others and improve the quality of their daily lives.
Jaylen Freeman is a senior at W.H. Adamson High School, Academy of Finance in Dallas, TX and plans to attend Southern Methodist University in the fall and study accounting. Currently ranked number one in his senior class, Jaylen aspires to become a forensic accountant with the FBI or another government entity, or work for one of the Big Four accounting firms. He is driven by a desire to inspire others and promote acceptance and understanding in order to make our world a better place.
Christopher Kidd is a senior at Eastern Idaho Professional-Technical High School Academy of Finance in Idaho Falls, ID. Leadership comes naturally to Christopher and he takes on roles that allow him to grow as a leader. He’s the President of the Business Professionals of America chapter at his academy and the varsity football captain, as well as the varsity track and field captain. Christopher will major in business and hopes to start his own business after college.
The American Express Jesse Blackman Scholarship was awarded to one senior of a NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. The winner of this award has a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their academy classes and intends to continue studying in the hospitality and tourism field.
Bianca Garcia is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, in Tampa, FL. She is an AP scholar and the recipient of various awards including, the Miss Jefferson Writer Award, DECA Marketing Management 3rd Place, DECA Hospitality Services 2nd Place, and Most Involved Freshman. Bianca aspires to remove the discomforts of traveling and to create a magical and comfortable place for people to stay by becoming a world class hotelier. She is currently learning Mandarin and Korean to start her hospitality chain in Asia. Bianca plans to attend University of Pennsylvania.
Marriott International Academy of Information Technology Scholarship Winners:
(for Montgomery County Public Schools Only) were awarded to three seniors of an Academy of Information Technology in Montgomery County, MD. Recipients have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their academy classes and intend to continue studying in the IT field or to pursue further education in technology or computer science.
Khushi Bhansali is a senior at Thomas S. Wootton High School, Academy of Information Technology. She is an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and the National Arts Honor Society and holds the title of the Maryland Affiliate Winner of NCWIT Aspirations in Computing. Last summer, Khushi founded Girls’ Coding Camp, where she taught basic programming, website development, and game production—skills she learned in her academy—to girls ages 9-14. Khushi wants to be an untraditional scientist, who uses artificial intelligence or machine learning to advance the fashion industry. She plans to attend University of Maryland College Park.
Victor Ley is a senior at Springbrook High School, Academy of Information Technology. He aspires to take an active role in the world around him, while being involved in his school. Victor is the captain of the debate team, chair of the National Honor Society Environmental, stage manager of the drama club, and an AP Scholar. When Victor couldn’t complete a year-long internship because of his rigorous academic schedule, he created one that fit with his schedule with the Montgomery County Public Schools Television Studio. For two days a week, Victor helps prepare and produce the school system’s homework hotline television show. Victor plans to study engineering at the University of Maryland College Park.
Horace Swaby is a senior at Springbrook High School, Academy of Information Technology. As the co-captain of the school’s football team, Horace helps younger athletes learn techniques and teaches them how to play to their strengths. Off the field, he also assists his teacher with introducing new topics to students. Horace plans to continue this supportive nature with his career aspirations of working in cybersecurity. He wants to protect big and small companies and assuring them growth without interruption from intruders or anyone with malicious intent from the network portion of their company. Horace plans to attend Bowie University in the fall.
Marriott International Inc. AOHT Scholarships were awarded to five seniors of a NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. Recipients have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their academy classes and intend to continue studying in the hospitality and tourism field or to pursue further education in hospitality management, hotel management, culinary or the food and beverage field.
Kimberly Lallman is a high school senior at University Neighborhood High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism in New York City and aspires to attend Columbia University. She has held various leadership positions for her high school’s Student Government and for the National Honor Society. Over the course of her high school years, she developed an interest in business and marketing and hopes to combine her passion for the fashion industry as part of her career path. Kimberly hopes to inspire young women, just like her, to pursue their interests and find meaning in their day-to-day work.
Micaya Tuitt is a senior at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll, the fundraiser head for the Interact Club, and the executive chef of the Culinary Team. As the executive chef of the Culinary Team, Micaya oversees menu creation, team organization and selection, inventory, menu execution, and support for community events. Micaya comes from a big family, where being one of eight children has helped her learn time managements skills. She wants to use her time management skills, leadership skills from her club positions, and her passion for cuisines to become an Executive Chef at her own restaurant. Micaya plans to attend the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York.
Karrington Smith is a high school senior at Columbia Heights Educational Campus, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism in Washington DC and aspires to attend Cornell University. She has always known that the hospitality industry was the right fit, because it combined all of the skills that were her strengths, such as organization, networking, attention to detail, budgeting, and leadership. Karrington has gained experience through planning events at her academy and attending a summer program at Cornell that allowed her to interview alumni to get a sense of their stories and strategies for overcoming challenges. She looks forward to entering a field that she is passionate about in just a few short years.
Crystal Triguero is a high school senior at the Peoria Unified School District, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, in Peoria, AZ and plans to attend the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to study Hospitality Management. By being an active participant in many community service events, Crystal has expanded her skill sets in the worlds of customer service and leadership. She is one of the main leaders for the annual charity goal tournament that is planned by students, in conjunction with the board. Looking ahead, Crystal would like to keep learning about the hospitality industry through her college education and continue to serve her community.
Robel Tesfaye is a senior at Columbia Heights Educational Campus, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in Washington, DC. He received the 2018 Tennis Coach Award and holds the position of treasurer for his academy. Robel is also part of the school’s football team, which was named DCIAA Football City Champion and DCIAA Football State Champion. When Robel thinks about his future, he sees it being closely tied to his community. He wants to use his education to give back to his family, friends, community, and increase the access to quality education for minorities. Robel plans to attend Old Dominion University in the fall.
Make sure to share the good news on social media by tagging us at @NAFCareerAcads!
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready.NAF works with high need communities to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals, culminating in a paid internship. NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2018-19 school year, over 100,000 students attended 617 NAF academies across 35 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2018, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 87% of graduates planning to go to college. For more information, please visit: https://naf.org/
