Karine ALVES
MERRIMACK COLLEGE
Karine is a 2025 graduate from Wellesley High School and was nominated by Urban Scholars. She will be attending Merrimack College after graduation, where she plans to major in Business Management. Her passion for business and entrepreneurship began at a young age, inspired by her godfather, a business owner whose work motivated Karine to pursue the goal of owning her own business and working for herself. This early exposure shaped her long-term aspirations and continues to drive her academic and career goals. Outside of school, Karine enjoys dancing and watching crime-solving shows, hobbies that reflect her creativity and curiosity.
AISSATA (AICHA) BAH
University of Massachusetts, BOSTON
Aicha is a proud Fulani student who grew up in Guinea Conakry and recently graduated from Ruth Batson Academy. She moved to Boston at the age of 12, speaks three languages, and will be attending UMass Boston, where she plans to study Computer Science. Aissata has dreamed of becoming a pilot since she was young and is deeply motivated by her love for working with and helping others. In her free time, she enjoys graphic design, sketching, and reading romance and graphic novels.
ANDREW FAJARDO-CATALAN
Boston UNIVERSITY
Andrew is a 2025 graduate of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute is a La Vida Scholars nominee, who will be attending Boston University in the fall, where he plans to major in Mechanical Engineering. He holds certifications in TestOut IT Fundamentals, TestOut PC Pro, and Google IT, demonstrating a strong technical background and commitment to learning. Outside of academics, Andrew enjoys spending time with friends in Boston, watching anime, baking a variety of desserts, reading, and exploring nature and space documentaries. He is inspired to pursue engineering to create meaningful change and hopes to push the boundaries of the field by developing smarter, more sustainable solutions that benefit all living things.
GABRIELLA (GABI) FRANçA
BOSTON University
Gabi is a 2025 graduate and nominee of The Winsor School who will be attending Boston University in the fall. She plans to pursue a combination of history, political science, and philosophy, bringing together her interests in research, activism, and intellectual inquiry. Coming from a family and community of Brazilian immigrants, Gabriella is deeply committed to advocating for the rights of immigrants and Latino communities, a passion she demonstrated in high school through her involvement in Latinx and first-generation affinity groups aimed at increasing access to higher education. In her free time, she enjoys watching video essays, drawing, reading and writing, listening to music, and sharing knowledge with others as she works toward a future in immigration law or political science.
PAULINA GUTIERREZ
UNION COLLEGE
Paulina is a proud graduate and nominee of The Winsor School and the daughter of Colombian immigrants who was raised in East Boston and Revere. She will be attending Union College in the fall, where she plans to major in Psychology and pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. Passionate about health and education equity, Paulina aspires to be a resource for families—especially families of color—raising children with disabilities and hopes to one day build businesses in the healthcare field to expand access for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys staying busy, gaining hands-on experience, and spending time with friends, family, pets, and exploring new places to eat.
VANESA LOPEZ
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, BOSTON
Vanesa is a 2025 graduate of Chelsea High School and a Chelsea High School nominee who will be attending UMass Boston this fall, enrolled in the Donna M. and Robert J. Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences. As the daughter of immigrants, she is deeply committed to achieving the goals her parents never had the chance to pursue and aspires to attend medical school to become a trauma surgeon, engaging in rigorous research and lab work to advance innovative approaches in medicine. Vanesa also hopes to study abroad during her junior year to gain a broader perspective on global healthcare, while staying active in her passions for fashion and her Christian faith. She is excited to grow, challenge herself, and make both herself and her community proud.
DELMI CHAVEZ NOLASCO
ENDICOTT COLLEGE
Delmi is a La Vida Scholars nominee and a graduate of Lynn English High School who will be attending Endicott College, where she plans to major in Biology and Biotechnology while following the pre-med track. As a Guatemalan American, Delmi has been deeply inspired by the sacrifices her parents have made to provide her with greater opportunities, motivating her to pursue her goals with determination and purpose. She has spent much of her time volunteering at her church, where she learned the importance of caring for others, working together as a community, and serving those in need. Delmi is excited to begin this next chapter of her journey and is grateful for the opportunity to move closer to achieving her dreams.
BRIANA (Toj) TOJ-Villagran
COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
Toj is a 2025 graduate of Chelsea High School and a La Vida nominee who will be attending College of the Holy Cross in the fall. As the oldest of four children, they draw motivation from their Guatemalan background and their role as a figure for their family. Briana plans to major in Biochemistry with a possible double major in Music Performance as a percussionist, combining a passion for scientific research with their musical talents, and ultimately hopes to pursue a master’s degree to become a scientist. In addition to their academic goals, they run a small business creating jewelry and accessories, and in their free time, they are driven by a love of learning and discovery.
AKIRA SMITH
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
Akira is a recent graduate of the Henderson Inclusion School and a Steppingstone nominee who will be attending Suffolk University this fall to study Law. Known for her creativity and strong leadership, Akira is committed to using her voice and vision to inspire positive change in her community. She is passionate about bringing bold ideas to life and engaging with others to make a meaningful impact. Akira looks forward to continuing to grow as a leader while pursuing new opportunities and her legal studies at Suffolk University.
AYMAN SOUABNY
ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY
Ayman is a 2025 graduate from Chelsea High School, a dedicated student leader, and a proud Moroccan-American. He is a Boston University Upward Bound nominee and will be attending Assumption University in the fall, where he plans to pursue his goal of becoming a Civil Engineer to improve his city and support his community. Ayman is actively involved in community service and leadership, including volunteering with The Neighborhood Developers, the Community Engagement Team, and internships through MedScience at Harvard Medical School. Outside of academics, he enjoys photography, theater, sound and audio work, baking, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends.
RONALD (TREY) WALTERS
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Trey is a 2025 graduate of Beaver Country Day School and a Steppingstone nominee who will be attending Howard University in the fall. He plans to major in Architecture and Design Studies, where he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of construction and how thoughtful design can shape a better future. Trey is motivated by a desire to improve the built environment through innovation and creativity. In his free time, he enjoys sports, cooking, good food, laughter, and spending quality time with loved ones.
ZENA KHALIFA
UNION COLLEGE
Zena is a 2025 graduate of The Winsor School and a Winsor School nominee who will be attending Union College this fall to study Public Health. A proud Sudanese immigrant, she hopes to use her degree and future career to create an organization that supports medical efforts in Sudan, provides critical healthcare, and raises awareness about health disparities in her home country, with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. Her internship with the Harvard Med Science program fueled her passion for addressing systemic social inequities, and she volunteers locally to gain a deeper understanding of environmental injustice, medical services, and youth and women’s support programs. Zena has also developed photography skills to document her volunteer experiences and convey the stories and missions of the organizations she supports.