2018-2019 Class

• Ahalya Lettenberger

  • Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
  • Sports(s): Swimming, Triathlon
  • GPA: 5
  • College: Rice University

  

  A source of positivity and inspiration in everything she does, Ahalya Lettenberger has not let failure or challenges stop her from reaching her goals. Being wheelchair-bound for most of her life, sports became a lifesaver, a place where her disability actually opened doors for her. Ahalya is a member of the U.S. Paralympic Swimming National Team and is training to qualify for the 2020 Paralympic games in Tokyo. She won Silver and Bronze medals in various Pan Pacific Championship races in 2017 and 2018 and has her eyes on the gold medal in 2020. Ahalya travels the country speaking about her disability and inspiring other young people with disabilities to see possibilities where they can still achieve their dreams. Not only is she an inspiration to other young people, but Ahalya is also a dedicated scholar, a National Merit Finalists, a member of NHS, is on the executive board of student council, all while maintaining a 5.0 GPA, and earning a 35 on the ACT. She has applied herself to her rigorous studies and hopes to become a biomedical engineer to develop technologies to help people with disabilities like her in the future.

• Alayssia Townsell

  • Location: Stockton, CA
  • Sports(s): Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field
  • GPA: 3.96
  • College: UCLA

  

  Alayssia Townsell plays varsity volleyball, runs track & field, and is the captain on her varsity basketball team. She won “Most Improved” in track & field and volleyball, earned the title of All-Tourney Leading Scorer (Stagg Basketball Tournament), won varsity girls basketball MVP, an all-league award for varsity girls basketball and was selected for the first team all-league in basketball. In addition to leading her team, she is incredibly humble and dedicated to her community. Alayssia is president of the G.I.R.L.S club, a local organization that mentors low-income at-risk girls in Stockton, and she has overcome extreme circumstances to mentor and create opportunities for other low-income and at-risk young women in the community Alayssia is an inspiration on her campus as both a leader and scholar. She serves as ASB president, BSU vice president, has maintained a 3.96 GPA, and received the “Most Improved GPA in BSU Award.” She hopes to become a lawyer and eventually run for office in Stockton, seeking to improve the circumstances for others in her hometown.

• Mathis Wouters

  • Location: Escondido, CA
  • Sports(s): Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Field
  • GPA: 4.6
  • College: TBD

  

  Mathis Wouters is a three-sport athlete that leads his varsity cross country team as captain, runs for varsity track & field, and plays competitive soccer. When he’s not leading on the track, Mathis is also the president of the American Red Cross Club, where he helps run blood drives for victims of Hurricane Florence. Mathis also participates in Engineers Without Borders to help victims of natural disaster with engineering solutions, and is the Math and Science Club president. With a 4.60 GPA, Mathis is also a National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Golden STEM Award winner, and has also received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Mathis plans to become a mechanical engineer with dreams of eventually giving back to his community after earning his degree.

• William Sands

  • Location: San Antonio, TX
  • Sports(s): Football, Track & Field
  • GPA: 4.1
  • College: Vanderbilt University

  

  William Sands is a three-sport athlete on the varsity football, track & field, and soccer teams. An entrepreneur at heart, William created the WES (Work Equals Success) Foundation to teach young kids the fundamentals of football safety procedures and protocol. The foundation sponsors a camp that focuses on success in athletics and academics and has about 250-300 students involved in the program. With a 4. 1 GPA, a National Wendy's High School Heisman win and College Board AP Scholar accolade under his belt, William is destined to lead and continue impacting his community. He hopes to study biomedical or electrical engineering so he can work with prosthetics to help improve outcomes for young athletes who suffer injuries.

• Elizabeth Webster

  • Location: Hazelwood, MO
  • Sports(s): Basketball, Track & Field, Soccer, Kickball
  • GPA: 3.85
  • College: Drake University

  

  Elizabeth Webster is a leader in her community that serves as captain of her basketball team, has been involved in a fellowship for local leaders for the last three years, and created “Common Threads”, a card game which highlights commonality and increases empathy to decrease bias amongst its young players aged 15-21. In addition to being involved in many other community service initiatives, Elizabeth has been a girl scout for the last 14 years, which demonstrates her dedication to her community and mentorship for younger students. Her academic achievements include maintaining a 3.85 GPA, serving as the class vice president and being the founder of the BSU at her school. Elizabeth hopes to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison and wants to eventually work for an insurance company. She hopes to be able to help her mother support her autistic brother when it's time for him to attend college.

• Isabella Siu

  • Location: Coral Gables , FL
  • Sports(s): Tennis, Volleyball
  • GPA: 5.49
  • College: TBD

  

  Isabella Siu plays varsity volleyball and serves as captain of her varsity tennis team. She has been dedicated to motivating herself and her team to achieve success through self-improvement and stronger team communication skills. Isabella started Breaking Birthday Barriers an organization which aims to celebrate the birthdays of disadvantaged youth with physical and mental disabilities. A strong student, Isabella has earned an astounding 1550/1600 SAT score, maintained a 5.49 GPA, is a National Merit Semifinalist, a National Hispanic Program Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has received an Excellence in Mathematics Award as well as first place at the Miami-Dade County Fair in Affordable Housing Design.Isabella exemplifies her passion for sports by volunteering at a sports camp where she teaches the basics of nutrition and athletics to young students. She hopes to pursue her undergraduate then master's degree in engineering or material science and empower other young women of color to enter the STEM field.

• Cordelia Isbell

  • Location: Hays, KS
  • Sports(s): Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Softball
  • GPA: 4
  • College: Pomona Collage

  

  Cordelia is a real team player. A three-sport athlete, she is on the varsity basketball team and captains her tennis and varsity soccer teams, which she led to victory in the 2018 4-A Regionals. She also has a passion for music, playing both piano and trombone. Cordelia gives back to the community as founder and president of the Hays High School Red Cross Club, pulling together blood drives with other schools. Her community spirit won her the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. Following the death of her sister, Cordelia felt compelled to do more to help those in need and organized a shoe drive, “Soles4Souls”, collecting 10,000 pairs for people in poverty. Cordelia wants to save more lives by becoming a surgeon.

• Judy Kariuki

  • Location: Attleboro, MA
  • Sports(s): Basketball, Volleyball
  • GPA: 4.3
  • College: TBD

  

  Judy Kariuki knows hard work. She has an early morning job looking after elementary school students to help support her family. Judy says sports helped her find her voice, as an individual and as a leader, becoming a dedicated captain of her volleyball team. She has been the captain of both her varsity basketball and volleyball teams. She has learned to become a leader beyond sports, becoming president of the student council and in receiving the “Above and Beyond Award for Leadership.”. She hopes to channel her passion for her community into a career in science, aspiring to go into the medical field after graduation.

• Ijahman Morgan

  • Location: Springfield, MA
  • Sports(s): Soccer
  • GPA: 3.8
  • College: TBD

  

  Immigrating from Ghana in 2009, Ijahman has big dreams of pursuing a unique career in aviation. Ijahman has received the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists award, has been a Triple-Impact Competitor and is the winner of the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. He maintains a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the NHS. Ijahman dedicates himself to his soccer team, and as the varsity captain, he strives to empower his team to perform on the field every day. Ijahman mentors at a soccer foundation called Gold Star Soccer, where he coaches students between 4 and 8 years old. He hopes to leverage his science and business skills and passion to become a top-tier pilot.

• Alexandra Martinez

  • Location: Arverne , NY
  • Sports(s): Wrestling
  • GPA: 4
  • College: George Mason University

  

  While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, varsity wrestling captain Alexandra Martinez became the first female wrestling champion from her school. Alexandra is dedicated, yet humble and spends her time working with other students, trying to make improvements to her school and the local community. After experiencing homelessness due to Hurricane Sandy, Alexandra volunteers with the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance and works with organizations to spread awareness on flash flood preparedness in addition to working with local legislators on this issue. She was elected as the Borough Student Advisory Council representative and has been an advocate for her peers. She is passionate about law and hopes to leverage her experience in student government and school, to continue to make an impact in her community.

• Makayla Fisher

  • Location: ApopkA, FL
  • Sports(s): Softball
  • GPA: 5
  • College: Florida International University

  

  Makayla is determination defined. Told not to participate in sports after being diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and Joint Hypermobility in middle school, she committed to physical therapy and persisted. Now, she is the captain of the varsity softball team. She’s a mentor, a volunteer with the junior varsity team, and a coach for elementary school students. Makayla is an exemplary scholar with a 5.2 GPA and ranked 5/800 in her class. Within her community, she volunteers at a pediatric hospital for disadvantaged kids. She also works part-time to help her family, supporting them through her mother’s health issues and brother’s learning delay. Makayla hopes to work in anesthesiology to help those with health conditions.

• Veronica Polanco

  • Location: Kissimmee, FL
  • Sports(s): Dance, Cheerleading, Softball
  • GPA: 4.12
  • College: TBD

  

  The first in her family to go to college, Veronica Polanco can expect a bright future. Veronica participates in a range of sports, including varsity softball, varsity cheerleading, and ballet. She teaches young dancers at local dance schools, while also tutoring and mentoring underclassmen and volunteers around her community. While she assists her family with financial contributions at a young age, she has managed to maintain a 4.1 GPA. Veronica participates in National World Language Honor Society, NHS, National Science Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and has been named the Girl Scouts Anti-Bullying Campaign - District Winner. She hopes to eventually get her master's in English and continue teaching in some capacity.

• Justin Lorenz

  • Location: Dundee, IL
  • Sports(s): Triathlon, Cross Country, Swimming, Track & Field
  • GPA: 4
  • College: Duke University

  

  A Wendy's High School Heisman State Winner, Justin Lorenz is a multi-sport varsity athlete, participating in cross country, track & field, triathlon, and swimming. Justin takes action: when he sees an issue, he finds a way to make an impact. He demonstrates his leadership as an athlete as well as a caring member of the community through his work as founder of Pedal Empowerment, an organization that provided over $10,000 worth of bikes to at-risk young people, and serving as a Paratriathlon Summer Camp Counselor. Academically, Justin has demonstrated dedication as an AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, and maintains a 4.0 GPA in addition to earning a 34 on his ACT score. As a budding entrepreneur, Justin hopes to major in computer science to use engineering and new technologies to improve the world around him.

• Chisom Njoku

  • Location: WASHINGTON, DC
  • Sports(s): Basketball, Track & Field
  • GPA: 4
  • College: Lafayette College

  

  Chisom Njoku is the captain of his basketball team and runs track & field. He is hardworking as evidenced by his 3.7 GPA, as well as being the Future Business Leaders of America Director of Leadership and the Co-President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his community. Chisom aims to continue his leadership both on and off the court in college. He started his own club, Grooming Men of Tech, whose mission is to pair freshman boys with seniors for mentorship. As a child of Nigerian immigrants, Chisom hopes to one day work in the tech world to improve opportunities and conditions for people in Nigeria.

• N'Jhari Jackson

  • Location: Tampa, FL
  • Sports(s): Football, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Swimming
  • GPA: 4.37
  • College: University of Florida

  

  N'Jhari has remarkably published three books and has a fourth on the way. He’s also founded three nonprofits. He has been recognized with awards for his writing, as well as his academic achievements. As co-captain of both his football and swim teams, N'Jhari led his football team to the playoffs for the first time this year. He’s an exemplary student with a 4.37 GPA, member of the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, and the National English Honor Society. He wants to leverage his passion for writing to become a sports attorney.

• Nicholas Passanese

  • Location: Lewiston, NY
  • Sports(s): Cross Country, Track & Field, Swimming
  • GPA: 4
  • College: Rochester Institute of Technology

  

  Nicholas Passanese balances a lot of things, including being active on his cross country, track & field and swim teams, working a part-time job at a local restaurant, being active in the Science National Honor Society, Key Club, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Program, and maintaining his 4.0 GPA and academic successes. Nicholas was named the valedictorian of his class, which is a huge personal accomplishment for him, as he has been diagnosed with Asperger's and has difficulty focusing and reading in school. While he says he is not always the star of his athletic teams, he is always the star cheerleader for his teammates, encouraging them and celebrating in their successes. Nicholas volunteered with the Heart of Niagara where he has helped raised for $60,000 to help fund feeding, veterinary care and housing of abandoned and unwanted animals. In addition to excelling academically, Nicholas is also extremely creative and hopes to major in animation and eventually teach animation to others.

• Mae McClintock

  • Location: Tampa, FL
  • Sports(s): Flag Football
  • GPA: 6.4
  • College: George Washington University

  

  Macy McClintock is an extremely passionate student. She beat gender bias and not only joined her flag football team as quarterback, she became the captain of the varsity team and is a three-time flag football state champion. After being diagnosed with Type II Chiari Malformation, she had health complications that should have prevented athletic success, but she persevered. Macy’s academic achievements are truly awe-inspiring. With a 6.4 GPA, she is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, NHS, National Rho Kappa Honor Society, and Quill and Scroll Honor Society. Macy has been an active gun reform activist, organizing March For Our Lives in Tampa. As an editor of a local newspaper, Macy hopes to continue honing her writing and reporting skills as a journalism major in the future.

• Cade Pinalto

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Sports(s): Softball, Golf, Basketball
  • GPA: 4.4
  • College: TBD

  

  Cade Pinalto has had a passion for playing golf, softball and basketball. He now serves as a student basketball coach due to a heart condition that prevented him from participating in high intensity sports. In lieu of his heart condition, Cade launched Sidelined USA, (a nonprofit organization) that supports athletes who can no longer compete due to a career-ending injury, health condition, or concussion risks. Cade still centers many things in his life around sports by working as a stadium announcer for the baseball team and on the media side for his basketball team. With a 4.40 GPA, Cade has his sights set on being an innovator in business and finance.

• Khalil Bland

  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Sports(s): Cross Country, Track & Field
  • GPA: 3.8
  • College: University of Miami

  

  Khalil is a natural leader. He is head of his school’s Black Student Union which he uses to engage and support his peers. Working with the dean of his school, a poetry slam he coordinated was recognized by the Pegasus Literary Magazine. He’s captain of both his varsity cross country and track & field teams. He takes his skills outside of school, through founding the Brotherhood Project to give disadvantaged boys a sense of community and people to look up to. He plans to study civil engineering, and urban planning and development to continue to lift marginalized people and places. With a 3.8 GPA, he’s considering offers from Howard, Penn, U of Miami, Case Western, and the University of Pittsburgh.

• Kennedee Cox

  • Location: Teaneck, NJ
  • Sports(s): Track & Field
  • GPA: 3.9
  • College: TBD

  

  Kennedee has overcome an unsafe home environment to shine. She is the co-captain of her track & field team, class representative in the Student Government Association, a National Honor Society member, maintains a 3.9 GPA and even made the Principal's Honor Roll four times. She serves as an example of tenacity for younger students she mentors at her church. Kennedee uses her experience to help those in similar situations, volunteering at the Center for Hope and Safety for women survivors. She knows hard work, working multiple jobs to support herself and her mother. A college education will be the lifeline she will use to help others, hoping to one day be a school superintendent in a low-income area.