Check out our 2020 winners of the Be More Fund below!
Sofia Gonzalez
Project 214
According to UNESCO, an estimated 132 million school-age girls are out of school, and 15 million of those girls will never see the inside of a classroom. Education is a fundamental right that a multitude of girls across the globe are being denied, and can often be attributed to a girl's menstrual cycle. At Project 214, we firmly believe that a period should end a sentence and not a girl's education. By elevating and providing resources to girls in vulnerable circumstances, it increases their chances for a better future, provides them with opportunities, and boosts economic growth in the societies in which they live. Learn more at https://www.project214.net/
Jaecee Hall
Royal Promise
As malnutrition continues to decimate Asikuma, Ghana's community, Royal Promise has begun the fight to eradicate this disease; thus, attacking micronutrient deficiencies within all 40 orphans living at the center. The Royal Promise Mission Center has a Christian school that provides education to 400 students of Asikuma; feeding these children corroborates a more successful future for our world and prohibits positive communal growth. Learn more at https://www.royalpromise.org/
Emily Huffstetler
Build for Bees
Three summers ago, the news was reporting that one-third of our honey bees had died in the past year. Some sources were saying that it was closer to 40%. As I considered these issues, I realized a solution might already live in my backyard. Mason bees are solitary, so they aren’t likely to sting, and raising them takes hardly any work. All you have to do is build a house for them. These amazing bees pollinate 95% of the flowers they visit, as opposed to the 5% honey bees pollinate. To share this knowledge with my community, I founded Build for Bees in 2018. My goal was to lead workshops to teach others how to build mason bee houses. Learn more at https://build4bees.com
Nasiyah Isra-Ul
Canary Academy
My business solves a common problem; limited access to the information and resources needed to homeschool effectively in one place. My business uses databases, resources, and my own personal knowledge of homeschooling to help parents and students be their best. From one-on-one consulting to a personalized curriculum plan, my business has you covered. I want to improve the quality and effectiveness of homeschooling by giving families the information and curricula needed at an affordable price. Learn more at Canary Academy Online: canaryacademyonline.org
Genevieve Jean-Pierre
Cellobiase Production in Pleurotus Fungi
The Future is Fungi exploits the efficiency of a certain pink oyster mushroom in converting cellulose into glucose that can then be used to produce biofuels—a broadly overlooked source of sustainable fuel. An added benefit of my concept is that it provides organic produce for the community while also reusing and harnessing waste material to be used as raw material for biofuel production. I will use the grant money to cultivate more mushrooms, continue experiments to prove the most efficient pathways, and build a relationship with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to begin supplying ethanol to gas stations in Tennessee.
Eshani Jha
Aqua Universa
Water contamination remains a key challenge of modern civilization. We have been able to design an efficient, sustainable, and affordable filtration material for the rapid removal of these contaminants from water. Integrating engineering with environmental chemistry, a filter capitalizing on biochar properties can be created for worldwide distribution at a cost of fewer than twenty cents per month for use in homes, rural, urban and industrial settings, agriculture, and aquatic ecosystems. Learn more at https://aquauniversa.webnode.com/
Samantha Kopec
Feeding the Fosters
I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and fill a need within the foster community. Founding Feeding the Fosters Inc Nonprofit discovered a need that I didn’t realize was so prevalent; Foster families need help from the community. In a little over a year, 1500+ volunteers signed up to serve 35+ foster families, cooking 250+ individual meals each night. Our mission helps the licensed foster homes to continue accepting children, knowing the community will be there to support them. Learn more at www.feedingthefostersinc.com
Harshawardhan Pande
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has initiated a global race for the development of a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While several vaccine candidates have entered late stage clinical trials in record time, this process is likely to span several years before they can reach phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. This step can be greatly sped up through the recent development of machine learning algorithms that can predict potential epitopes in-silico and thus save countless hours of time traditionally required for the identification of neutralizing epitopes. My research will result in a drastic reduction in time spent in pre-clinical vaccine development.
Candace Printz
Green Hope Project
GREEN HOPE PROJECT is a non-profit that began in 2019 born out of the desire to continue with, and improve upon, what It's Your World Project began in 2015. It’s Your World Project is a high school art / environmental group in El Paso, Texas. Our focuses include environmentalism, the Arts, and education. We believe that we can make a positive change by uniting in our efforts, identifying environmental problems, and changing our collective culture through the Arts and education. The more we offer people experiences, the more they become enlightened and empowered to be the change we need. What better way to do this than through the Arts? Learn more at https://www.greenhopeproject.org
David Titeu
WeLink
Mental health issues are largely improperly addressed with conventional therapies through medication (antidepressants) and psychological intervention. The associated costs of these therapies is a massive barrier to pursuing treatment for people nationwide. WeLink is a digital platform which connects people suffering from mental health issues with 'link workers' - social workers or lived experience peer counsellors - who assess people's needs and refer them to relevant, non-medical initiatives in the user's community (e.g. cooking classes, yoga, family services). Learn more at https://www.getwelink.org/
2020 Scholarship Recipients
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- Cara Cha, Lee's Summit, MO, Lee's Summit High School
- Freya Abraham, Maricopa, AZ, Maricopa High School
- Brayden Berving, Madrid, Spain, Saint Louis University - Madrid
- Elaina Radden, Rome, Italy, The American University of Rome
- Gabrielle Durso, Towson, MD, Towson University
- Meredyth Davis, London, England, University of East London
- Xiao Kuang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, National Sun Yat-Sen University
- Amelia Wyatt, Concord, NC, Cannon School
- Asila Zeid, Oakland, CA, Coliseum College Prep Academy
- Audrey McNeal, Kennesaw, GA, Harrison High School
- Gwendolyn Morgan-Flowers, St. Michaels, AZ, St. Michael Indian School
- Lakshmi Kameswari Lahari Nidadavolu, Redmond, WA, Tesla STEM High School
- Meiqi Liang, Port Angeles, WA, Port Angeles High School
- Olivia Wenzel, Shaker Heights, OH, Laurel School
- Shruthi Kumar, Omaha, NE, Marian High School
- Srirakshaa Sundararaj, Jonesboro, GA, Mount Zion High School
- Zeinh Aboushaar, Cedar Rapids, IA, John F. Kennedy High School
Top 2 Winners:
- Caroline Lee, Syosset, NY, Syosset High School
- Grace Liu, Katy, TX, Taylor High School
Top 5 Finalists:
- Alexa Fuhrer, Portland, OR, Lincoln High School
- Elisabeth Merriam, San Bernardino, CA, San Gorgonio High School
- Gabriel Weiss, Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School
- Isabel McNulty, Andover, KS, Andover High School
- Madeleine LeBeau, Chantilly, VA, Chantilly High School
- Lauren Cogan, Winnipeg, Canada, Oak Park High School
- Blaine Dillingham, Boise, ID, Timberline High School
- Leena El-Mohandes, Hagerstown, MD, Boonsboro High School
- Cullen Fetzer, Mullica Township, NJ, Cedar Creek High School
- Faizan Khan, South Amboy, NJ, Old Bridge High School
- Isabella Macias, Parrish, FL, Braden River High School
- Jacob Sauls, Escondido, CA, Escondido High School
- Marina Shenouda, Lima, OH, Shawnee Senior High School
- Ashlynn Wright, Lilburn, GA, Arabia Mountain High School
- Avery Zwayer, Richwood, OH, North Union High School
- Meredith Rosenberg, Blue Valley North High School, Leawood, KS
- Sydney Shepherd, Los Angeles County High School of the Arts, Norwalk, CA
- Monica Zesch, Eureka High School, Wildwood, MO
- Kylie Charice Alarcon, Aiea High School, Aiea, HI
- Lauren Best, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Northwood, NH
- Teron Brooks, Fort Lauderdale High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Alessandro De La Torre, Los Altos High School, Hacienda Heights, CA
- Daria Nastasia, Lindbergh High School, St. Louis, MO
- Sierra Rodriguez, Lovejoy High School, Lucas, TX
- William Salts, Springdale Senior High School, Springdale, AR
- Minh Trinh, Sun Valley High School, Monroe, NC
- Noah Weaver, City High School, Iowa City, IA
Fiction:
- Eliza Keenan, Monument Mountain Regional High School, Great Barrington, MA
- Mynia Porter, Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, FL
- Ivan Rosiles, John F Kennedy High School, Chicago, IL
Poetry:
- Mar-Kera Chambers, Henderson County High School, Henderson, KY
- Claire Lin, Lakeside High School, Atlanta, GA
- Madalyn Ramirez, Homeschooled, Conroe, TX
- Kareyni Davis, High School of Art & Design, New York, NY
- Colin Horath, Cypress Lake High School, Fort Myers, FL
- Lena Huang, Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, Victoria, Canada
- Said El Kadi Pualuan, American Community School, Beirut, Lebanon
- Senaida Ng, Havergal College, Toronto, Canada
- William Ramos, Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI
- Arjun Verma, Dutch Fork High School, Irmo, SC
- Moses Aina, Garland High School, Garland, TX
- Scott Gilman, Homeschooled, Mount Sydney, VA
- Cannyon Ramos, McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney, TX
- Lindsey Arruda, Somerset Berkley High School, Somerset, MA
- Sophia Fang, Winston Churchill High, Potomac, MD
- Abigail Ndikum, Phillips Academy, Upper Marlboro, MD
- Eljin Rhymes. Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
- Hans-Veron Banag, Clarksburg High, Clarksburg, MD
- Ayei Chang, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orland, FL
- Joshua Kernc, Chardon High School, Chardon, OH
- Keegan Kutemeier, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School, Gibson City, IL
- Robert Liggett, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Midland, PA
- Alec Pirone, Bayard Rustin High School, West Chester, PA
- Courtinee Walker, Half Hollow Hills HS East, Dix Hills, NY
- Jasmine Warren, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA
- Daniella Ye, Vincent Memorial Catholic High School, Calexico, CA
- Emily Zhang, Keystone Online High School, Kittanning, PA
Top Ten $5,000 Winners:
- Shreeja Kikkisetti, Chantilly High School, Chantilly, VA
- Ruchi Agashe, Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA
- Ryan Githuku, The Westminster Schools, Smyrna, GA
- Tyler Bullock, Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School, Brentwood, TN
- Ryan Catlin, Southington High School, Southington, CT,
- Danielle Levanti, Northport High School, Northport NY
- Rafee Mirza, Chesapeake Science Point PCS, Glen Burnie, MD
- Michelle Vong, Roosevelt High School, Honolulu, HI
- Alejandro Assael, Michael M. Krop Senior High School, Miami FL
- Stephanie Chen, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA
Top Twenty National Scholar $1,000 Winners:
- Joyce Jogwe, Sage Hill School, Santa Ana, CA
- Lauren Skyler, Chandler Preparatory Academy, Gilbert, AZ
- Lily Scott, Westlake High School, Austin, TX
- Christopher Eaton, Case High School, Racine, WI
- Rohan Krishnan, Worcester Academy, Hopkinton, MA
- Verrels Eugeneo, Hot Springs High School, Truth or Consequences, NM
- Zainab Yusuf, Curtis High School, Staten Island, NY
- Jacob Frazier, Gadsden City High School, Gadsden, AL
- Demir Uslu, Hamden Hall Country Day School, Milford, CT
- Jeffrey Fung, The Harker School, San Jose, CA
- Julie Czech, Chippewa Valley High School, Clinton Township, MI
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Owen Colombo, Christian High School, Alpine, CA
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Nina Salameh, San Diego High School of International Studies, San Diego, CA
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Olivia Lindberg, Wachusett Regional High School, Princeton, MA
- Anna Beth Swain, Second Baptist School, Houston, TX
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Lucas Davis, Samuel Clemens High School, Cibolo, TX
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Megan Lee, Union High School, Camas, WA
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Neha Skandan, Moravian Academy, Bethlehem, PA
- Eshani Jha, Lynbrook High School, San Jose, CA
- Hayley Gaines, James Madison Memorial High School, Madison, WI
Congratulations to our winner:
- Collin McCabe, Shaker Heights High School, Cleveland, OH
Congratulations to our winners:
- Isabella Vega, Lake Wales High School, Winter Haven, FL
- Emma Lloyd, Woodrow Wilson High School, Dallas, TX
- Nicole Torres, Coral Reef Senior High School, Miami, FL
Congratulations to our winners:
- Ashley Pelham, Prestonwood Christian Academy, Frisco, TX
- Anna Narin, Research Triangle High School, Durham, NC
- Eniola Ayo-Gbenjo, Reservoir High School, Laurel, MD
- Isaac Allen, Reservoir High School, Laurel, MD
- Calysa Young, Batesville High School, Batesville, IN
Congratulations to our winners:
- Olivia Fanning, Virgil I Grissom High School, Huntsville, AL
- Jordan Bryant, North High School, Torrance, CA
- Abby Fountain, University High School, Spokane Valley, WA
- Mariella Garza, Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, VA
- Aryan Ranjan, American Heritage School of Boca/Delray, Boca Raton, FL
Congratulations to our winners:
- Selina Godina, Monmouth Roseville High School, Monmouth, IL
- Brie Fallin, Briarwood Christian High School, Birmingham, AL
- Kameria Doss, Pickens County High School, Reform, AL
Congratulations to our winners:
- Alahna Woodburn, Sage Creek High School, Carlsbad, CA
- Ishikaa Kothari, Riverdale Country School, Closter, NJ
- Shreya Shivakumar, John P Stevens High School, Edison, NJ
- Melissa Shang, Newton South High School, Auburndale, MA
- Uma Fox, Li Po Chun United World College, Silver Spring, MD
Congratulations to our winners:
- Shannon Lewis, Cedar Hill Collegiate High School, Cedar Hill, TX
- Yara Levin, John Burroughs School, Chesterfield, MO
- Kiara Hill, Ridgeland High School, Ridgeland, MS
- Deborah McDougall, East Orange Stem Academy, East Orange, NJ
- Justin Fitzgerald, Mount Carmel High School, South Holland, IL
2020 Scholarship Winners
Caroline Mendoza
Greg Goff Leadership Award
Abigail Ndikum
NSHSS James W. Lewis Global Leader Scholarship
William Ramos
NSHSS Performing Arts: Music Scholarship
Audrey McNeal
Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship
Cara Cha
NSHSS-DECA Entrepreneurial Scholar Award
Scott Gilman
NSHSS Performing Arts: Theater Scholarship
Teron Brooks
Ambassadors of NSHSS Scholarship
Meredyth Davis
Di Yerbury Study Abroad Essay Scholarship
Shruthi Kumar
Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship
Brayden Berving
Di Yerbury Study Abroad Essay Scholarship
Amelia Wyatt
Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship
Hans-Veron Banag
NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship
Madeleine Lebeau
Robert Sheppard Student Leadership Scholarship
Sanjana Gangadharan
Claes Nobel Legacy Award
Wyatt Chang
NSHSS Visual Arts Scholarship
Mynia Porter
NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship
Lauren Cogan
NSHSS Virtual Valedictorian Scholarship
Gabriel Weiss
Robert Sheppard Student Leadership Scholarship