Richmond Scholars Class of 2029
William Allen
William Allen is from Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. In high school, he was co-captain of the Science Olympiad and chess teams, leading both to success at regional and state competitions. Dedicated to creating inclusive environments, he helped maintain a safe space for students of color within his school’s STEM program. William explored his interest in medicine by volunteering at Johns Hopkins Hospital and conducting microfluidics research at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned second author credit on a published research paper. He plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology on the pre-med track.
Connor Beasley
Connor Beasley is from Galax, Virginia, and a graduate of Carroll County High School and the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School. He conducted research at Virginia Tech on Appalachian microbial communities, plant pathogens, and fungal ice nucleation proteins, earning multiple awards and presenting at numerous conferences—placing second in one competition against undergraduate researchers. He also placed second nationally in Future Business Leaders of America and led his quiz bowl teams to several victories. Dedicated to service, Connor committed hundreds of hours to supporting his local Recovery United chapter. He plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology with a concentration in neuroscience.
Victoria Bujoreanu
Victoria Bujoreanu is from Alexandria, Virginia, and a graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School. She served as president of the National Honor Society, captain of the varsity volleyball team, and co-founder of the National English Honor Society. Beyond school, she brought STEM education to hundreds of underprivileged children as the Virginia Student Ambassador for the Technovation Girls international competition and as a founding member of STEM Gen, a student-led group offering STEM workshops to local elementary schools. She also served as treasurer and CFO of Team Purple, a nonprofit supporting victims of domestic violence. Victoria plans to major in business economics and global studies.
Graysie Casey
Graysie Casey is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and a graduate of East Chapel Hill High School. She served as president of her school’s mock trial team and co-editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. Graysie was elected the 85th Governor of ALA Tar Heel Girls State and was selected for the prestigious Chuck Stone Program for journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. A dedicated ESL tutor for five years, she has also been active in several educational equity groups within her school community. Graysie plans to major in political science and journalism.
Grant DeHoog
Grant DeHoog is from New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He was awarded the prestigious John Winthrop Research Fellowship from the Massachusetts Historical Society, where he explored Civil War memory through the lens of political caricature. At Phillips Academy, Grant was a varsity football player and track team competitor, while also serving as a dorm prefect ambassador. He co-led the Economics Society and conducted original research on how economic inequality affects local school systems. Grant plans to pursue majors in history and business administration with a concentration in finance.
Saanvi Gandham
Saanvi Gandham is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of J.R. Tucker High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program. She was active in Equity Ambassadors, Red Cross, Girls Who Code, and the National English Honor Society. Saanvi has studied Kuchipudi dance and Carnatic vocal music from a young age, performing both solo and in ensembles. Deeply committed to service, she volunteers at her local hospital and has contributed to clinical research in pediatric oncology. She also enjoys creative writing and has received regional recognition for her work. Saanvi plans to major in cognitive science on the pre-med track.
Tatiana Hlinka
Tatiana Hlinka is from Flemington, New Jersey and a graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School. She served as Executive Director of the Youth Climate Action Team and Head of Press for the Étoile Foundation, advancing social impact initiatives in the nonprofit sector while drawing on experience from internships in private equity and human rights NGOs. A published researcher and AP Capstone recipient, Tatiana was named a Borlaug Scholar for her work on environmental justice, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Indigenous climate solutions. She is also a Scholastic Gold Medalist and contributor to Vogue Czechoslovakia. Tatiana enjoys beekeeping and playing tennis and plans to major in PPEL and finance.
Mariia Kalashnyk
Mariia Kalashnyk is from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and graduated from Lyceum 71 in June 2024 before taking a gap year. A professional ballroom and Latin dancer, she also served as a Board Member on Finance for the European Youth Parliament Ukraine and worked as a Rebuild Ukraine Ambassador, focusing on finance and cybersecurity for small and medium enterprises. A dedicated social entrepreneur, Mariia has won several national and international competitions and founded multiple initiatives aimed at combating gender inequality, mentoring young women, and empowering aspiring women entrepreneurs. She plans to major in Business Administration and minor in Leadership Studies.
Nidhi Karnik
Nidhi Karnik is from Rivervale, New Jersey, and will graduate from Bergen County Academies. She serves as president of her school’s Amnesty International chapter, is a board member of the Diversity Alliance, and performs as both a singer and accompanist in the chamber choir. Nidhi earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by launching a county composting and community gardening initiative and furthered her advocacy through an internship with Food and Water Watch, where she helped lead a New Jersey Youth Climate Summit. She plans to major in economics and leadership studies.
Charlie Lanning
Charlie Lanning is from Columbus, Ohio, and a graduate of The Wellington School. During high school, he served as an editor for both the school yearbook and newspaper and was a four-year student ambassador for the admissions office. He founded and led the school’s Model UN Club, organizing and leading delegations to the Harvard Model UN Conference in Boston. Charlie also conducted research at Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, focusing on the impact of heat-related climate change on human health outcomes. Outside the classroom, he volunteers at the Columbus Zoo and works part-time at a local restaurant. Charlie plans to pursue a double major in biology and business.
Helena Le
Helena Le is from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and a graduate of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted. A decorated math competitor, she earned an international gold medal and national recognition in several mathematics competitions. As co-captain, she helped lead Vietnam’s team to a Bronze Medal at the 2023 World Robot Olympiad. Helena also co-authored a research paper with Johns Hopkins Medicine, applying computer vision algorithms to classify medicinal herbs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Outside the classroom, she is passionate about service and was honored with the Diana Award for her public service. Helena plans to major in computer science and mathematics.
Lautaro Lo Prete
Lautaro Lo Prete is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of The Center for the Humanities at Monacan High School. He served as co-president of the Ecology Club and president of the French Honor Society, and he leads bird walks with the Richmond Audubon Society. A 2024 participant in the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s Youth Leadership Institute, Lautaro was named an HSF Scholar. He also interned and volunteered with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts through the Museum Leaders in Training program and the Teen ’Tern program. Lautaro plans to major in geography and environmental studies with a minor in history.
Aniska Manojkumar
Aniska Manojkumar is from Aldie, Virginia, and graduated from John Champe High School. A dynamic student leader, she served as president of multiple organizations, including the Model United Nations Club, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Student Equity group, and UNICEF chapter. Aniska earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for founding Arrival Aid, a project dedicated to supporting immigrant students in her community. She also conducted policy research with Congressional leaders, proposing legislative amendments within their offices. Through her work with the Borgen Project, Aniska lobbied for the passage of the READ Act to expand access to education globally. She plans to major in Political Science on a Pre-Law track.
Lily Nipper
Lily Nipper is from Houston, Texas, and a graduate of Spring Woods High School, where she served as valedictorian. She was managing editor of her school’s literary magazine and founded RotGrrrlZine, a political publication that raises funds for The Women’s Home in Houston. A nationally ranked speech and debate competitor, Lily placed second in Texas for Informative Speaking and was recognized with the Character Without Question award in 2024. She plans to major in health studies and biology with the goal of influencing health policy.
Brody O’Hare
Brody O’Hare is from Burr Ridge, Illinois, and graduated magna cum laude from Hinsdale Central High School. An active member of his school community, he played baseball and served on the executive boards of Student Council, Business Professionals of America, and Peer Buddies. Passionate about service, Brody volunteered with his church, coached Special Olympics basketball, and participated in Congressman Sean Casten’s “STEM Scholar” program. He has received several national awards for his leadership, but is most proud to be a recipient of the Brooks Tonn Memorial Scholarship. While still exploring his academic interests, Brody plans to major in business.
Mariana Perez
Mariana Perez is from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and will graduate from Wauwatosa East High School, where she is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, president of both the environmental and Spanish clubs, and captain of the Forensics team. She served as a United States Youth Ambassador in Ecuador, co-founded a local festival promoting environmental awareness, and interned with her city government. Mariana also competed in the national finals of the Center for Civic Education's We the People competition. She is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a recipient of the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy. Mariana plans to major in PPEL, psychology, and Spanish.
Ngan Pham
Pham Duong Khanh Ngan (Ngan Pham) is from Hanoi, Vietnam, and a graduate of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. She is the founder of Gia Su Phan Hoa, an educational startup and charity supporting Vietnamese students, and Hong Dieu, a social enterprise dedicated to reviving traditional Kim Hoang folk paintings. Nadine also serves as the art director of her school’s musical club and co-founded a fashion startup that provides personal styling services for Gen Z. She plans to major in marketing and business analytics at the University of Richmond.
Lina Raymond
Lina Raymond is from Reston, Virginia, and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She served as co-president of the French Honor Society and was the project coordinator for a humanitarian club. A National Merit Commended Scholar and National Spanish Exam gold medalist, Lina also conducted research on drug-delivery systems using nanoparticles. Outside the classroom, she interned with Dreamwave AI as a Machine Learning and Data Operations Intern and worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at a Computational Thinking summer camp. Lina plans to major in computer science with a minor in biology.
Moonyoung Rhim
Moonyoung Rhim is from Seoul, South Korea, and graduated from CheongShim International Academy, where she served as President of the Student Council Planning Department, organizing festivals, fundraisers, and team-building events. A passionate dancer, Moonyoung was a leader of a Korean Traditional Dance Club, earning five international and national awards. She also served as a Communication Liaison for the Commendation of Goodwill Cooperation Service, where she partnered with the Gap Yeong Elderly Center to lead dementia prevention programming and anti-bullying campaigns. Moonyoung plans to major in visual and media arts practice, and business.
Tal Sheleg
Tal Sheleg is from Leadville, Colorado, and a Lake County High School graduate, where she was a dedicated athlete in cross country, Nordic skiing, and track and field. She co-founded FFROGS, an environmental club focused on engaging the local community with climate education through fun and interactive initiatives. Tal has also worked to help transition her school district to solar energy and played a key role in Colorado’s adoption of a Seal of Climate Literacy for graduating seniors, a program aimed at equipping students with essential climate knowledge and green skills. She plans to major in business.
Promyse Williams
Promyse K. Williams is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and will graduate from Canterbury School. She is a student theatre director and head of costumes, cross country and track team captain, co-president of the diversity committee, and founder of her school’s Girl Up chapter. Promyse now serves as the Midwest Coalition Co-Leader for Girl Up USA. Beyond school, she is vice president of the RespectTeam student board, a member of her local Community Foundation’s student philanthropy board, and an exhibition curator at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. A Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist and Elks MVS recipient, Promyse plans to major in cognitive science and physics.