State Scholarship Recipients
2025 Spring Scholarship Recipients
Ayla Zook
DMV Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
Hello, my name is Ayla Zook, and I am an incoming Freshman at Dartmouth College planning to major in physics and neuroscience with a minor in public policy. I am dedicated to advocating for healthier and more supportive spaces for everyone. I have led efforts to pass policies for tobacco-free public spaces and accessible water resources in localities across Virginia. In addition, I enjoy speaking on the critical role of youth in advocacy movements. As an Eagle Scout, I created a virtual STEM education program for a local museum, helping young learners engage with original at-home science experiments. In addition to these activities, I enjoy researching quantum neuroscience theories with a professor at the University of Waterloo, exploring the potential of physics in understanding the brain. Through all of these involvements I am driven by a passion for making STEM innovation and healthy environments accessible, something I hope to continue to pursue in college and beyond.
Olivia Julian
Dallas, Texas Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
This fall, I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my academic journey at George Mason University as a member of the Honors College. I’ll be majoring in Forensic Science with a minor in Psychology. My passion lies in uncovering truth, seeking justice, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. I’ve always been someone who stands up for the underdog—whether it’s in the classroom, my community, or beyond.
Living with dyslexia has powerfully shaped my perspective. It’s taught me resilience, creative problem-solving, and the importance of advocating not just for myself but for others who face unseen challenges. Rather than holding me back, it has fueled my determination to rise above obstacles and turn them into opportunities for growth.
In the spring of 2026, I’ll be studying abroad in Greece—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse myself in a rich culture, expand my worldview, and deepen my understanding of human behavior on a global scale. I’m driven by a desire to help others and bring compassion into every space I enter, and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me next.
Caitlynne Henico
Indiana Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
My name is Caitlynne Henico, I am completing my senior year of high school currently. I start college in the fall of 2025 and will attend Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. In high school I played basketball, volleyball, and cheer and I will continue to cheer at college. I am going to get a degree in Human Services also possibly get my master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling and hopefully be able to go into the Social Working field after college. I am so thankful for this opportunity of winning this scholarship to help me further my education and be able to help people.
Aneesha Cason
Florida Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
Hello! My name is Aneeshea Cason and I am from Loxahatchee, FL. Starting in Fall 2025, I will attend the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. I am a graduate from the University of South Florida, where I obtained degrees in biomedical sciences, sociology, and pharmaceutical nanotechnology. As a physician, I envision using my interdisciplinary background to conduct community outreach, engage in policy design, and promote holistic well-being that will directly benefit underserved populations. I’m honored to have been selected by the SFTS scholarship program and grateful for their support while I am in medical school!
Brodie Mullin
Georgia Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
Hello, my name is Brodie Mullin. Growing up, I loved constructing elaborate forts from Costco’s cardboard boxes, sparking my passion for engineering. This enthusiasm led me to design projects like a mouse-trap car and a Plinko game, honing my problem-solving and innovation skills. As a future mechanical engineering student at Mercer University, I plan to use my expertise to positively impact my community. Through my nonprofit organization, the Warrior Kindness Initiative, I aim to combine my engineering knowledge with a commitment to fostering kindness and inclusivity, creating solutions that address both technical and social challenges. I founded the Warrior Kindness Initiative to promote kindness and combat bullying in schools. The initiative provides grants to teachers to implement anti-bullying curriculum and kindness incentives in school. I am also an urban-pop singer/rapper and I write songs for my community. My song “Warrior,” written in response to online bullying, reflects my journey of resilience and carries a message about kindness. I perform “Warrior” at anti-bullying events. My other songs include “Bye Bye Bye,” which celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, with all proceeds donated to children with chronic and terminal illnesses, and “Bulldog Nation,” a hype song that amps up the crowd at games. My newest song, “Class of 2025,” is a tribute to the graduating class, taking listeners back to pep rallies, football games, and the journey through high school. I am grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Stand for the Silent Scholarship. This scholarship will help me pursue my education and continue my service to the community. Thank you for your support.
Brianna Searls
Ohio Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
From a young age, I’ve always felt a deep calling to help others—not just in moments of crisis, but in every way possible. Whether through a listening ear, a kind word, or simply showing up, I’ve learned that even the smallest acts of compassion can create lasting change. This passion has guided my journey and continues to fuel my determination as I pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology and plan to continue earning my master’s in behavioral analysis. For me, this path is more than academic—it’s a mission. I want to be a voice for the silent, an advocate for the unheard, and a source of strength for those who feel lost or forgotten. Every class, every hour of study, and every challenge I overcome brings me one step closer to that goal. I believe that healing begins with understanding, and through this work, I aim to bring light to places often left in the dark. My ultimate purpose is to make a real difference—not just in the world at large, but in the everyday lives of those around me. To inspire hope, to uplift, and to remind people of their worth. This is more than a career—it’s my calling. And I won’t stop until I’ve used every bit of knowledge, compassion, and strength I have to change lives for the better.
Kaylee Elizondo
Texas Scholarship Recipient, Spring 2025
My name is Kaylee Danielle Elizondo. I am a senior at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas. In the fall, I will study journalism at The University of Texas at Austin. Being involved in my high school’s journalism program has helped me build my self-confidence and opened doors to multiple leadership opportunities. Through the program, I’ve learned that everyone has a story to tell. As a student reporter, I understand how to tell their story through various mediums: writing, design, and photography. Through words, I’ve discovered the power of storytelling, how to evoke emotion through photography, while creating purposeful designs. Earning a degree in journalism will teach me how to crochet these three mediums together to become a versatile thinker and a strong voice for those that are different from me. This scholarship will help me to pursue my dream in earning a degree in journalism while inspiring other student journalists about the importance of storytelling.