Richmond Scholars Class of 2030
Arsheya Ahuja
Arsheya Ahuja is from Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Hathaway Brown. At Hathaway Brown, she is a member of FRC Robotics Team #2399, co-president of the South-Asian Platform club, and a fellow in the Science Research and Engineering Program (SREP) and Global Scholars Program. Through SREP, she conducted cancer research at Case Western Reserve University, presenting at four poster sessions and writing a manuscript. Through Global Scholars, she wrote a thesis comparing the healthcare systems of Spain and the United States and their impact on cancer outcomes. Arsheya also volunteered with The MetroHealth System, helping underserved patients access mobile healthcare services. Arsheya plans to major in biology on the pre-med track.
Ava Baranowski
Ava Baranowski is from Brooklyn, New York, and a graduate of Beacon High School, where she leads the Environmental Justice Club and advocates for improved air quality. Ava has worked for two years with TREEage, a student-led climate nonprofit, interned for her local assembly member, and conducted research on bee biodiversity in Gowanus. She is also a circus artist specializing in silks and contortion. Ava plans to major in environmental studies with a minor in Spanish.
Meghna Borah
Meghna Borah is from Assam, India, and a graduate of UWC Mahindra. Dedicated to expanding educational access, she founded Querencia, a platform providing future-ready skills to 10,000 students, and the Guzaarish Foundation, one of the first youth led social impact organizations of her region, which supports education of families from marginalized backgrounds. Besides being a researcher in educational equity, she is a classical dancer, black belt in taekwondo and the youngest National Awardee in Mathematics. Meghna is passionate about the intersection of society and economics, which she intends to study at the University of Richmond.
Muhammad Hussain Gul Butt
Muhammad Hussain Gul Butt is from Lahore, Pakistan, and a graduate of Lahore Grammar School Johar Town. A gold medalist in the World Economics Cup and a top-ten national finisher in the International Economics Olympiad, he was awarded a full scholarship to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, where he produced a primary research paper on debt bondage. Hussain also developed the School Attendance Guarantee Pilot, a microloan model that provided financial access to marginalized communities by linking interest rate reductions to children's school enrollment. He plans to pursue a double major in economics and business administration with a concentration in finance.
Valerie Carvajal Rodriguez
Valerie Carvajal Rodriguez is from Bristow, Virginia, and a graduate of Patriot High School. A dedicated student leader, she serves as president of the Red Cross Club, Spanish Honor Society, and as a representative on her county’s Student Senate. Outside of school, she has worked with the Children’s Science Center Lab to bring STEM workshops to underserved elementary schools across her community. A Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and recipient of the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy, she is also committed to serving others as a Spanish interpreter at a food pantry and as a volunteer at UVA Health. Valerie plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Ginger Craghead-Way
Penelope "Ginger" Craghead-Way is from Charlottesville, Virginia, and a graduate of Charlottesville High School where she served as the student representative to the Charlottesville City School Board and Charlottesville City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. While in high school, Ginger competed in student congressional debate, cofounded the Young Democrats club, and was co-president of her school’s Film Club. She is a three-time Virginia High School League state champion in film and has had films featured in film festivals nationally. She plans on majoring in philosophy, politics, economics, and law (PPEL) at Richmond.
Yana Dimitrova
Yana Dimitrova is from Sofia, Bulgaria, and a graduate of the American College of Sofia, where she served as Treasurer of the Student Council, President of the Bulgarian Folk Dancing club, Head-Organizer of her school's annual TEDxYouth event and the International Science Fair Fission, which attracts over 250 participants from multiple countries. Under the Center for the Study of Democracy, Yana has contributed to research on corruption measures and the housing crisis in Bulgaria. She also served as a Board Member for Finance & Legal Matters of the European Youth Parliament Bulgaria and has founded Tree of Knowledge, an NGO integrating sustainability and tree planting into children's education. Yana plans to major in psychology.
Lotte Doughty
Lotte Doughty is from Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Beachwood High school as captain of the girls’ varsity tennis team. She has worked on multiple research projects focused on the conservative of native songbirds and other wildlife. She has been employed as both a paid and volunteer assistant tennis coach and is a volunteer at the Cincinnati Open. She is a National Merit Scholarship recipient as well as an AP scholar with distinction. She plans to major in biology.
Brady Ehrhart
Brady Ehrhart is from Memphis, Tennessee, and a graduate of Memphis University School. He is the editor-in-chief of his student newspaper, The Owl's Hoot, where he reinvigorated a stagnant publication and created the first-ever student news website at his school. He was designated the Tennessee High School Press Association's H.L. Hall Student Journalist of the Year, the highest award for student media in Tennessee. He is also a vice president on his school's Honor Council, a school ambassador, and a varsity athlete. He intends to double major in journalism and business administration, with a concentration in marketing/management.
Lily Gartenlaub
Lily Gartenlaub is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and a graduate of Seven Hills School, where she served as Director of the Equity and Inclusion Council. A passionate writer, she has won ten Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including recognition for her independent research on the psychological effects of conflict exposure on children in the Middle East. She has also published multiple articles as a Rising Voices Writing Fellow. Outside of school, Lily is a nationally competitive archer and teaches children’s music classes. Her academic interests include leadership studies, political science, and journalism.
Riya Gowdar
Riya Gowdar is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and a graduate of the Webb School of Knoxville. In high school, Riya served as co-president of WebbMD/HOSA and participated in medical mission trips to rural West Virginia, helping underserved communities. She was also active in Model UN, earning an Outstanding Resolution award, and at her school, received the George Grafton Wilson II Award for high academic achievement in science and demonstrated interest in science beyond the classroom. Riya plans to major in cognitive science with a concentration in neuroscience.
Nick Griffin
Nicholas (Nick) Griffin is from Lafayette, Colorado, and a graduate of Peak to Peak Charter School. A driven student-leader, Nick served as president of the National Art Honor Society and secretary of the Black Student Union, and as a member of both the Science and National Honor Societies. He has tutored peers in calculus and chemistry and pursued research on antibiotic resistance; most notably contributing to the discovery of a novel aminoglycoside resistance mechanism during a summer program at the University of Guelph. Nick plans to study biochemistry with a minor in data science.
Amanda Heck
Amanda Heck is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a graduate of Canterbury High School. While there, she served as co-editor-inchief of the newspaper and helped create an online newspaper while maintaining print editions. She was also co-president of the Speech and Debate Club and the Model UN Club, and a member of the Canterbury Girls' Golf team. Outside of school, she was president of the Youth Environmental Council of Northeast Indiana, a member of her local Community Foundation’s student philanthropy board, and a member of her local Women's Fund Girls Research Committee. Amanda also conducted civic research with New Voters and completed her own research on Foreign Influence in U.S. Elections. She plans to major in global studies and Arabic studies.
Jonathan Hester
Jonathan Hester is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and a graduate of Mariemont High School where he is class president, president of World Affairs Club, captain of the cross country and track teams, and member of the musical. He founded a student board for immigration/refugee education and fundraising. He’s also been nominated for and won several awards for his performances in various musicals. Jonathan plans to major in political science and leadership studies and minor in music.
Byron Hupp
Byron Hupp is from Parkersburg, West Virginia, and a graduate of Parkersburg High School, where he served as team captain of the Envirothon Team, president of the Nature Club, and a competitor in Science Olympiad. He also participated in two of West Virginia’s Governor’s Schools, served as a climate ambassador through MOVCA, and is an active member of both the National Honor Society and Key Club. Byron has completed extensive volunteer work and has earned several awards, including multiple state Science Olympiad medals in events such as entomology, dynamic planet, and others. He plans to major in environmental studies and geography.
Hrishi Iyer
Hrishi Iyer is from Ashburn, Virginia, and a graduate of Flint Hill School. An AP Scholar with Distinction and National Commended Merit Scholar, Hrishi taught English in India through an NGO and conducted an independent field study on the impact of low-cost, data-driven educational interventions. He is a member of the Children's Chorus of Washington and has trained in classical music for several years, placing first in the regional NATS vocal competition two years in a row and selected as a National Semifinalist this year. He has performed professionally in several venues, including multiple performances at the Kennedy Center. Hrishi plans to major in business and mathematical economics.
Bhoomika Kaur
Bhoomika Kaur is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School’s Center for Medical Sciences program. She cofounded Osmosis STEM, bringing STEM and healthcare education to individuals locally and globally, while conducting oncology research at VCU investigating the mechanisms underlying cancer progression. At Godwin, she served as President of Medical Club, leading blood drives and interactive labs; shaped creative work as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Reverse Images literary magazine; and served as Co-President of Spanish Honor Society. Bhoomika plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology on the pre-med track.
Avani Kaur
Avani Kaur is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School. She co-founded Osmosis STEM to bring science education to her community and Project EmpowerMed, a global health initiative. Throughout high school, she conducted university-level research, resulting in a publication and recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense. She was also a two-time chemistry award winner at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. In school, she served as co-president of Spanish Honor Society, vice president of Medical Club, and as a published poet for Reverse Images Literary Magazine. She plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology on the pre-med track.
Matthew Kind
Matthew Kind is from Seaford, New York, and a graduate of Seaford High School where he served as his class valedictorian, district's Board of Education student representative, class government president, and National Honor Society parliamentarian. He transformed his school's peer-tutoring program by developing a district-wide digitized system that streamlined communication and improved accessibility. Through his involvement with the Gary Sinise Foundation, he worked alongside veterans and military families, further strengthening his commitment to service and leadership. As a captain of his varsity football and baseball teams, Matt earned recognition as an All-State player and was awarded the Jay Fiedler Award as the county's most outstanding scholar-athlete. Matt plans to double major in cognitive science and leadership studies on a pre-law track.
Tatum Kreitler
Tatum Kreitler is from Denver, Colorado, and a graduate of Colorado Academy, where she enjoys art and philosophy classes and climbs on the JV climbing team. She has also had an active involvement in the theatre department since her freshman year. She is an intern at the Museum of Contemporary Art, where she has worked as an artist, curator, and editor for their monthly art publication. She works as a barista and server at the Denver Botanic Gardens restaurant and loves to get outdoors in any way that she can. She loves to write and plans to major in art history and journalism with a minor in philosophy.
Eliana Leder
Eliana Leder is from Woodbury, New York, and a graduate of Syosset High School, where she was a National Merit Scholarship recipient, board member for the National Honor Society, and Writing Fellow. Passionate about working with people, she volunteered in workshops in Kyrgyzstan and taught classes on disordered eating and cognition. She has studied etymology and cognition, contributing to a linguistic research paper about the impacts of language on behavior that was accepted at a top journal. Eliana loves music and has been a bassist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center youth orchestra for five years. She plans on majoring in philosophy and cognitive science.
Archer McCoy
Archer McCoy is from Apex, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Apex Friendship High School. He served as president of the chess club, where he doubled the size of the club while creating a more diverse membership and introducing interschool tournaments. Archer was an active member of the English, Science, and National Honor Societies and has been published in his school's literary magazine. He completed a yearlong independent study with The Sword Conservatory, a historical European martial arts group, and has also fostered over 100 kittens with his family. Archer plans to major in history and literature.
Adeline McDonald
Adeline McDonald is from Ponce Inlet, Florida, and a graduate of from the International Baccalaureate program at Spruce Creek High School. She is a member of Spruce Creek's School of the Performing Arts and serves as president of the orchestra, flute section leader in the band, and a member of the leadership team for the Tri-M Music Honor Society, as well as performing in the Daytona State College flute choir. She is also president of the book club, Battle of the Books team captain, and a dedicated member of Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. For her Eagle Scout project, Adeline organized a free community concert, where she collected donations for a local food bank. As a SKY-CARE intern at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, she assisted in research on net-based methods for capturing space debris. Adeline plans to major in global studies and math.
Max Mlynarczyk
Max Mlynarczyk is from Zyrardow, Poland, and is a graduate of Liceum Ogolnokształcące im. Czeslawa Tanskiego w Puszczy Marianskiej. As a Youth State Senator for the Mazovia Voivodeship, Max has sponsored over 25 initiatives, including a mental health support system adopted by more than 100 schools. Being a member of Hack Club, she was granted a three-month residency in San Francisco, and organized Daydream Warsaw, the largest teen hackathon in Poland. She has also collaborated on structural proteomics research at the Polish Academy of Sciences. Max plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology to pursue innovations in drug discovery.
Sutton Oleson
Sutton Olesen is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of St. Christopher's School. Sutton captains the varsity soccer team, which finished ranked seventh nationally this past fall, as well as varsity futsal, and is involved in the school’s a cappella group, student council, and various other school organizations. Sutton is a Virginia Battle of the Brains All-Star and has been published in the Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Journal of Mathematics. Additionally, he loves writing poetry, producing films, and playing piano and guitar. Sutton plans to double major in philosophy, politics, economics, and law (PPEL) and finance.
MaKaila Ott
MaKaila Ott is from Spring, Texas, and a graduate of Grand Oaks High School. She serves as Speech & Debate president, qualified for state competition three times, and earned national qualification twice, while also receiving Premier Distinction. Before graduating high school, she completed three associate degrees: Associate of Science (General), Associate of Arts (General), and Associate of Arts in Political Science. MaKaila plans to major in economics and leadership studies, with a minor in philosophy.
Emmy Poteralski
Emmy Poteralski is from Alpharetta, Georgia, and a graduate of Milton High School. She has held internships with the Library of Congress, The Wren’s Nest, and the Roswell Historical Society, and serves as a Youth Ambassador at the Atlanta History Center. She is also a long-time volunteer with the National Archives and the Milton Library and is active in her school’s chorus and National Honor Society. Emmy plans to major in history and American studies.
Devaki Rawal
Devaki Rawal is from Jumla, Nepal, and a graduate of St. Xavier’s College and Chandannath Model Secondary School. In high school, she served as an executive member of the computer club, where she encouraged girls to pursue coding and organized a computer festival. She was the youngest member ever selected to represent Karnali Province on the European Union Youth Sounding Board, advocating for quality education and gender equity within her community. Through her work as an intern under a parliamentarian and as a participant in a fully funded STEM exchange program by the U.S. Department of State, Devaki is committed to advancing STEM education and women’s rights. She plans to major in economics and computer science.
Zoe Rhodes-Wolin
Zoe Rhodes-Wolin is from Boulder, Colorado, and a graduate of Boulder High School. She volunteers for the organization American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, where she runs diabetes education camps for local youth living with type one diabetes. She has volunteered for the organization since her sophomore year and now holds a leadership position as a Volunteer Mentor. Zoe has also conducted hands-on laboratory research at the Colorado School of Mines and the Barbara Davis Center, studying beta cell biology and immune responses related to type one diabetes. She plans to major in health studies and Spanish on the pre-med track
Lukas Samuels
Lukas Samuels is from Arlington Heights, Illinois, and a graduate of highest honors from Rolling Meadows High School. Lukas competed as a dedicated varsity cross country and track athlete. He co-founded his school’s Building Equity Leadership Team, leading efforts to improve accessibility, and created a Student Advisory Council to elevate student voice in decision-making. Lukas revitalized school spirit as president of Stampede and founded Friday Night Lights for All and was selected to present at the Illinois State Board of Education Student Summit. He tutors neurodivergent students. At Richmond, he plans to major in philosophy, politics, economics, and law (PPEL) and business on a pre-law track, focusing on innovation and inclusive leadership.
Jahi Shah
Jahi is from Glen Allen, Virginia, and a graduate from John Randolph Tucker High School in the International Baccalaureate Program. At John Randolph, Jahi has served as a junior ski instructor in the Wintergreen Adaptive Program for kids and adults with disabilities and has also served as an officer of the Jacob’s Chance Teen Board, an organization that similarly focuses on empowering communities with disabilities. He has also served as the varsity captain of his school’s tennis team for the past two years and has also performed in the National Piano Guild Exam competition for four consecutive years. Jahi plans to double major in health studies and economics.
Claire Skinner
Claire Skinner is from Wake Forest, North Carolina. She is an International Baccalaureate candidate and a graduate of Enloe High School, where she captains a 3-time state champion Envirothon team and is president of the Marine Conservation Club. She also shows a sheep named Nutmeg in the North Carolina State Fair. In addition to environmental work, Claire is an ultimate frisbee player, an active member of both the Youth Advisory Council and Justice and Peace Grant Committee at her church, and a singer and percussionist with the Raleigh Youth Choir. She plans to major in geography and environmental studies.
Eleanor Steele
Eleanor Steele is from Radford, Virginia, and a graduate of Radford High School and Southwest Virginia Governor's School. In her free time, Eleanor is a captain of both the Varsity Tennis team and the Science MACC team, as well as her city's School Board student representative. She has also conducted research on nanomaterial water filtration solutions and has won numerous awards at the regional and state levels for her presentations. Eleanor plans to major in chemistry and political science.
Irina Tabacila
Irina Tabacila is from Port Orange, Florida, and a graduate of Spruce Creek High School’s International Baccalaureate Program. In high school, she founded a Youth CPR organization that helped students become certified in Basic Life Support, worked as a Patient Care Technician, and conducted medical research on an ischemic stroke case. She also wrote a children’s book teaching young readers how to recognize cardiac arrest and understand CPR basics, and she served as National Honor Society District President in an effort to help organizations that support children and underserved families. Irina plans to major in health studies on the pre-med track.
Emaad Uddin
Emaad Uddin is from Glen Allen, Virginia, and a graduate of Henrico High School, where he was part of the International Baccalaureate program. He served as a co-captain on his varsity volleyball team and was a finalist in the National Personal Finance Challenge. He also conducted orthopedic research at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and worked as an EMT alongside Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad. These experiences have given him a strong interest in the healthcare field and patient focused care. Emaad is planning to pursue a degree in business, focusing on finance and accounting, while also completing a minor in biology.
Edwin Zheng
Edwin Zheng is from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and a graduate of Princess Anne High School. During the past four years, he wrote a young adult fiction novel that climbed to #41 in its category on Amazon and presented tick research with Old Dominion University's Biology Department, winning 3rd place at a state conference. Much of his free time is spent taking orders at his parents' Chinese restaurant, doing more writing, and playing chess. Edwin plans to double major in biochemistry & molecular biology and business administration.