Celebrate the 2018 Scholarship Award Recipients With Us!
NAF is thrilled to award 14 national scholarships! 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. NAF knows the fourteen students and one alumnus selected this year will represent us well as they enter college and the workforce. Get to know this year’s winners below, and then share on social media to celebrate with them!
NAF Alumni Business Scholarship Winners:
Marcus Anderson is a NAF alumnus and a freshman at Hampton University majoring in Business Management. He graduated from the Howard County Applications and Research Lab Academy of Finance in Columbia, Maryland in 2017. During his time at his NAF academy, he interned at the Columbia, MD Community Association. Marcus participated in numerous school groups while in high school, including serving as treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha and playing on the Hammond High School varsity baseball team. At Hampton University, he is a member of Howard County Voices for Change Youth Coalition, Student Leadership Cadre, and Hampton University Exchange Club. He cites his trip with his NAF class to the New York Stock Exchange as the launch point for his desire to pursue business as a career. “My NAF experience helped me prepare for college by helping me figure out which field of business I wanted to study in college, as well as introducing me to the competitive aspect of the business world and showing me that it would take my maximum effort to be successful,” Marcus told us.
Meelah Green is a senior at Overlea High School Academy of Finance in Baltimore, Maryland. She received numerous awards during her time in high school, including the Businessperson of the Year Award, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Outstanding Member Award, Academy of Finance Excellence Award, and 1st place in Business Service Management at the 2018 Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Regional Conference. Meelah served as president of both FBLA and DECA at her high school, as well as Vice President of the National Math Honor Society, student body treasurer, and captain of the tennis team. Her NAF academy “encouraged her to join other clubs and organizations,” Meelah says, which helped her get more involved. She plans to attend Stevenson University in the fall.
Ariella Levy, a senior at North Rockland High School Academy of Finance in Stony Point, New York, will use her scholarship to attend Binghampton University’s School of Management. She hopes to pursue a career in accounting, a decision cemented from her time in the Academy of Finance. Ariella participated in a number of honor society organizations in high school (Principal’s List, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Business Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, History Honor Society), but no extracurricular was more important than her work as president of the Youth Against Cancer Club. Ariella told us, “Over the last two years NAF has provided me with the opportunity to participate in many real-world experiences such as a summer internship, job shadow day, mock interviews, income tax preparation, and a visit to the New York Stock Exchange. These activities will give me an edge in college and eventually in the business world.”
Skyler Mason is also a senior at the North Rockland High School Academy of Finance. Though when he started high school he wanted to be a scientist, his NAF academy experience helped shape him on the path he is on today towards business and finance. “My teachers in particular,” he said, “have been a major help through future job outlook, college advice, and homing in on what I truly enjoy in business.” While in his academy, Skyler served as the Robotics Club Co-President, Varsity Tennis Captain, Business Honor Society Treasurer, and Chess Club Treasurer, and was a National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, Business Honor Society, and Science Honor Society member. His NAF internship was with Money Concepts Financial Planning. Skyler is currently choosing between Binghamton University and the University of Pennsylvania for college.
Meghan Swiatek is a member of the Lancaster High School Academy of Finance Class of 2018! Through NAF, she interned at KeyBank as a teller. “This internship has opened me up to so many new experiences and has taught me so many lessons that will benefit me in the future,” Meghan told us. “From going for my first real interview, how important it is to arrive on time and dress professionally, to how to treat customers and co-workers – these are all lessons I learned and will take with me in the future.” Meghan served on her academy’s student-run Advisory Board, serves as the Kick-Off Co-Chair, was President of the National Honor Society, and was elected captain of the varsity field hockey team. This fall, she plans to attend Canisius College.
AMEX Jesse Blackman Academy and Hospitality Scholarship Winner:
Emmanuel Duker attended the Olympic School of Executive Leadership & Entrepreneurial Development Academy of Finance in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is graduating this June and aspires to attend North Carolina Central University in the fall. Emmanuel has an ambitious goal in mind: he has chosen to pursue culinary arts and foodservice management at NCCU, with hopes of one day being a Chef and opening a restaurant. During his time at his academy, he worked as a Cook at Carowinds where he got his first taste of the culinary world. NAF, Emmanuel says, “impacted my life by making me more confident and giving me more opportunities.”
Marriott International Academy of Information Technology Scholarship Winners:
(for Montgomery County, Maryland)
Daniel Bidwick is a senior at the Damascus High School Academy of Information Technology, and will be attending Clemson University in the fall. During his time at NAF, he worked as an intern at Office Pro Inc.; served as President of Mu Alpha Theta and the Reverie Club and treasurer of his school’s student government; was elected lacrosse and swim team captain, was a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society; and became an Eagle Scout. At Clemson, he hopes to attain a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Accounting. Daniel says he hopes to perform “at the top of my class and acquire an internship opportunity with a leading technology company such as Apple or Amazon.”
Radhika Khare will be graduating from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Academy of Information Technology this June and attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall! As an intern at the National Institute of Science and Technology, she gained first-hand experience in the STEM field, utilizing her programming skills to develop an iOS app for the Random Beacon Generation Service and learning to develop optimized algorithms. She loved her experience, but back at her high school Radhika noticed that “many bright women have a mental block against computer programing.” She set out to change that by joining the Girls Who Code club at her school, where she now serves as Vice President. This year, she was also award the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Radhika is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Distinction, an award-winning pianist, and the regional winner of Lockheed Martin’s CodeQuest. “NAF’s AOIT Program is an extraordinary program that introduced me to and helped me cultivate my interest in networking, programming, and web development,” Radhika said after winning her award.
Samar Majid is graduating from the Springbrook High School Academy of Information Technology in June. As a John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab intern, she gained experience and exposure into STEM careers and what it would be like to work in the tech industry. When she attends the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall, she told us, “I would like to get involved in my university’s community to try and get more women involved in technology. I have noticed that there is a server gender gap in the STEM field, but if I get involved in outreach I can make a difference and raise awareness about the amazing opportunities that are available to women who pursue STEM.” Samar is currently well versed in Java and Javascript and can’t wait to learn to code in other languages. She is a proud member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society, and served as secretary for both. She also received the NWCIT Award for Aspirations in Computing Honorable Mention with Distinction.
Bhavi Mistry is a member of the Springbrook High School Academy of Information Technology Class of 2018, and will be attending University of Maryland, College Park in the fall. An AP Scholar Award and Joanna Vitale award winner, she served as the National Honor Society Service Chair during her time in NAF. Through her college experience, she hopes to find a career path that she not only excels at, but enjoys: “I know that my passion is computer science,” Bhavi told us, “but there are endless possibilities with those skills.” This year, she created an app called PlanToProgress which helps keep high school and college students organized. As one of the only girls in her computer, she felt she had to prove herself as capable to her male peers, and knows that she will prove herself again in college. Bhavi has some advice for other students: “NAF and the Academy of Information Technology have so many benefits, and if you have an opportunity to be a part of it, take full advantage of it because it will be worth it!”
Marriott International Inc. Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship Winners:
Theresa Betancourt is graduating this June from the Miami Springs Senior High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, and will be attending the University of Central Florida this fall. “Ever since I joined the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism my freshman year in school, I knew that was what I had to study. I fell in love with the program and how hospitality works all around in Florida,” Theresa says. She already gained a full-time job in the field, working as a Guest Service Representative at Courtyard by Marriott after working there as a NAF intern her junior year summer. On top of her work and internship, she served as Key Club President, AOHT Senior Class President, DECA Treasurer, and varsity cheerleading Sergeant. Theresa has also received numerous awards for her cheerleading, including 1st place at the US National Cheerleading Championship. During her time at UCF, Theresa hopes to take classes at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Mia Domingo attends the Maui High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, where she is a senior. This fall, she plans to move stateside to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, studying hospitality and tourism management and event planning. She served as secretary for her NAF academy, as well as serving in her high school’s student government in various roles (Senior Class Treasurer this year!) She is graduating with Career Technological Honors this June
After graduating from the Miami Beach Senior High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Ralph Motola plans to attend the University of Central Florida in the fall. While in NAF, Ralph was on the Principal’s Honor Roll, received the Miami Dade Council Public Schools District Award for Leadership, and placed first at the Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition. He also served as the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Student President. The summer after his junior year, Ralph worked at the front desk of the Marenas Beach Resort and decided that hospitality and tourism was his “ideal profession”. Ralph was also selected to attend the NAF Benefit in New York City with a few of his classmates! When asked about his career goals, Ralph told us he wants to “work in an environment in which I will have the ability to motivate and inspire my coworkers to excel as well!”
Daniela Palta is a senior at the South Broward High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. After emigrating from Colombia at a young age, she entered first grade not knowing English. Since then, she has excelled – she is graduating this June and has plans to attend Florida International University in the fall. In addition to working through high school, she served as DECA Co-President and planned a number of events through her academy for South Broward High School. She hopes to be able to work for a prestigious company when she graduates college and gain the opportunity to collaborate with other businesses. “NAF has helped me prepare for college by introducing me to the world of hospitality and tourism, and inspired me to choose my major,” Daniela shared.
Cortney Tabujara is a senior at the Maui High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. During her time in NAF, she held numerous positions, including AOHT Class President, DECA Reporter, and Hawaii Credit Union School Operations Manager. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America, and was awarded the President’s Scholarship her senior year. After high school, Cortney plans to attend Grand Canyon University and possibly join the United States Air Force. Cortney told us that “joining the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism has been one of the most incredible things I did in high school. If it wasn’t for AOHT, I wouldn’t be the person I am today!”
Congrats to all of our scholarship winners. We are so proud of you. You are now future ready, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!
