The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to more than 100 students for the 2025-2026 school year!
Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee (Left), host of the We’re Good podcast, interviews scholarship recipients Kobra Afzali and Maddie Pugh, alongside fund partner Marcy Mager (Right) of the Mager-Deliee Family Fund and Michell Merhige Scholarship Fund, during CFNOVA’s Community Impact Celebration.These scholarships are more than just financial support—they’re a way to help students and their families breathe a little easier as they take the next big step toward their dreams. Whether it’s becoming a doctor like Kobra Afzali (a recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship Fund and William J. Foreman Memorial Scholarship Fund) or a teacher like Maddie Pugh (a recipient of the Rose Koury Scholarship), each student’s journey is unique, and we’re honored to be a small part of it.
This year’s awards were made possible through 35 Community Foundation scholarship funds, many of which are endowed to support students for generations to come. Individual scholarships ranged from $1,200 to $5,000, and were tailored to students pursuing specific fields or who bring unique passions to their academic paths.
We’re deeply grateful to the dozens of volunteers, school partners, and donors who help us review applications and make thoughtful, fair decisions. Their dedication ensures that every scholarship is awarded with care, integrity, and a shared belief in the power of education.
To all our 2025 scholars—congratulations! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
2025 Scholarship Awardees
Below is a full list of the Community Foundation’s 2025 scholarship recipients and the scholarships they have been awarded.
Please note that the following symbols denote:
*Scholarship Committees Managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
+Renewed support for scholarship recipients from the previous year
Alex Thomas Effort Award Fund, $1,500
Supports a junior or senior at James Madison High School on the Swim and Dive team. The Selection Committee seeks candidates who demonstrate dedication and a positive attitude and also serve as a good mentor to younger students.
- Lydia Mikhin | James Madison HS | Vienna, VA | Attending Virginia Tech
*Amin Family Scholarship Fund, $5,000 each
Provides scholarships to graduating students from Unity Reed High School intending to pursue a degree in healthcare.
- Da'Nasia Curtis | Unity Reed | Manassas, VA | Attending Virginia Commonwealth University
- Sayed Hussaini | Alexandria City | Alexandria, VA | Attending George Mason University
- Naomi Zeleke | Alexandria City | Alexandria, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
*AMS Opportunity Scholarship Fund, $2,500 each
Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Northern Virginia who are interested in continuing their education in the STEM fields.
- Tuan Phan | Oakton HS | Vienna, VA | Attending Virginia Tech
- Ryan Nisay | Potomac Falls, Academies of Loudoun | Potomac Falls, VA | Attending Cornell University
- Jaden Oh | Stone Bridge HS | Ashburn, VA | Attending Carnegie Mellon University
The Anna M. Davison Scholarship Fund, $2,000
Supports graduating seniors of New Franklin High School in New Franklin, MO, who plan to pursue a degree in nursing.
- Brooklynn Brown | New Franklin HS | New Franklin, MO | Attending University of Missouri - Columbia
Barbara Cornwell Memorial Scholarship Fund, $5,000
Supports graduating seniors from Unity Reed High School in Manassas, VA, seeking post-secondary education.
- Brianna Somarriba | Unity Reed HS | Manassas, VA | Attending James Madison University
*Booz Allen Hamilton Vision Scholarship, $3,000 each
Supports five scholarships per year over four years for legal dependents of Booz Allen Hamilton employees from anywhere around the world. Awards are based on superior academic achievement, character, and citizenship activities.
- Nadine Alexander | Dominion HS | Sterling, VA | Attending University of Virginia
- +Praneet Boggarapu | Currently attending University of Maryland, College Park
- +Shreeya Chand | Currently attending University of Southern California
- +Nathan Hargreaves | Currently attending Virginia Tech
- +Carter Lankford | Currently attending University of California, Berkeley
- +Megan Lawson | Currently attending University of Virginia
- +Josephine May | Currently attending Clemson University
- +Claire Nipper | Currently attending Loyola University Chicago
- +Samuel Nystrom | Currrently attending Watauga Boone, NC Duke
- Meghna Parija | Lenape HS | Medford, NJ | Attending Rutgers University - New Brunswick
- +Nithya Ramani | Currently attending Virginia Tech
- +Siddhartha Rangavajjula | Currently attending University of Chicago
- +Jackson Ross | Currently attending University of Virginia
- Jennifer Sand | Sharon HS | Sharon, MA | Attending Penn State University
- Hannah Sprague | Oscar Smith HS | Chesapeake, VA | Attending University of Virginia
- +Jack Varga | Currently attending University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
*Charles Homer Barton Scholarship Fund, $4,000 each
Supports children of police officers in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Five scholarships are awarded each year.
- Thomas Bennett | Woodgrove HS | Purcellville, VA | Attending Penn State University
- Luke Henry | Forest Park HS | Woodbridge, VA | Attending James Madison University
- Katrina Hernandez | Attending West Virginia University
- Abigail Jones | Strasburg HS | Strasburg, VA | Attending Frostburg State University
- Jake Moskowitz | John Champe HS | Aldie, VA | Attending Clemson University
christopher consultants Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund
Benefits students graduating from Unity Reed High School in Manassas, VA, and pursuing higher education at a Virginia state-accredited university to study civil engineering, surveying, or landscape architecture.
- +Shafin Anika | Currently attending Old Dominion University
- +Alexander Hazlett | Currently attending George Mason University
- +Luis Ramos-Garcia | Currently attending University of Virginia
The Denise Dowse Drama Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Denise “Denny” Yvonne Dowse (W.T. Woodson HS ’76), a talented Hollywood actor, director, teacher, and mentor. This scholarship benefits the drama and drama technology seniors of W.T. Woodson High School.
- Lucas Czechowski | Woodson HS | Fairfax, VA | Attending Christopher Newport University
- Charlotte Willmore | Woodson HS| Fairfax, VA | Attending William & Mary University
Dorothy Jean Coates Scholarship Foundation Fund, $1,000 each
Benefits nontraditional students (such as those attending part-time or working full-time while in school) enrolled in a college or university.
- Jaya Carter | Potomac HS | Dumfries, VA | Attending Marymount University
- Star Ihezue | CD Hylton HS | Woodbridge, VA | Attending American University
- Markeria Jackson | Unity Reed HS | Manassas, VA
*Elizabeth Koury Scholarship Fund, $5,000 each
Supports a graduating high school senior who lives in Northern Virginia, demonstrates academic excellence and financial need, and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
- +Alexandra Caraus | Currently attending Virginia Tech University
- Ryan Nisay | Potomac Falls, Academies of Loudoun | Potomac Falls, VA | Attending Cornell University
- Scarleth Oliva | Alexandria City HS | Alexandria, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
- +Zahra Ramakdawala | Currently attending Ohio State University
- +Ra'Asia Uddin | Currently attending Longwood University
Jackson Robert Greene Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund, $2,000 each
Supports one female and one male varsity athlete from Herndon High School who could be "counted on" both on and off the field.
- John Callow | Herndon HS | Herndon, VA | Attending James Madison University
- Morgan Wright | Herndon HS | Herndon, VA | Attending Virginia Tech University
John Franklin Hiller Memorial Fund, $1,700
Supports West Springfield High School seniors who have demonstrated interest, skill, and promise in poetry writing.
- Katherine Berglund | West Springfield HS | West Springfield, VA | Attending Grove City College
The Kathryn Louise Davison Scholarship Fund, $2,000
Supports a graduating senior from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, MA, who plans to major in English/communications or teaching.
- Jenna Gordon | Mansfield HS | Mansfield, MA | AttendiUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
Kelly Elizabeth Baker & Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, $1,500
Supports a graduating senior who is a member of St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church/Knights of Columbus, Council 8600. The winner is selected based on artistic, scholastic, and spiritual development during the student's senior year.
- Madeline Weston | Robinson Secondary School | Fairfax, VA | Attending Christopher Newport University
*Leslie V. Forte Scholarship Fund, $2,000
Supports minority students attending Northern Virginia Community College. Awards will be made with consideration for academic achievement and demonstrated loyalty to NVCC through involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Tobechi Asomugha | Attending Virginia Tech University
*Louise Lightner Jamison Teacher Scholarship Fund, $2,000 each
Supports high school seniors residing in Prince William County who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in education.
- Isabella Greenstreet | Battlefield HS | Haymarket, VA | Attending George Mason University
- Caitlin Scali | Battlefield HS | Haymarket, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
Michell Merhige Scholarship Fund, $1,500 each
Supports graduating seniors attending a Fairfax County public school who have overcome personal obstacles and plan to pursue a college degree.
- Marisol Acevedo | Oakton HS | Vienna, VA | Attending Longwood University
- Bibi Afzali | Herndon HS | Herndon, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
- Sonia Faizi | Hayfield Secondary School | Alexandria, VA | Attending Virginia Commonwealth University
- Samatha Sanchez | Edison HS | Alexandria, VA | Attending James Madison University
- Laura Stoker | Justice HS | Falls Church, VA | Attending University of Virginia
*Northern Virginia First Responders Scholarship Fund, $4,000 each
Supports first responders and dependents of active first responders in Northern Virginia by helping finance their higher education.
- Sanya Ahluwalia | Dominion HS | Sterling, VA | Attending Georgia Institute of Technology
- Grayson Carnall | Purcellville, VA | Attending Florida State University
- +Rudra Dave | Currently attending William & Mary University
- +Alice Haeske | Attending University of Virginia
- +Kathryn Homa | Currently attending Michigan State University
- +Jason Nguyen | Currently attending Duke University
- Alexander Oliver | Loudoun Valley HS | Attending James Madison University
- +Tegan Powers | Currently attending University of Texas at Austin
- +Andrew Sager | Currently attending Old Dominion University
- +Jacob Sundberg | Currently attending Virginia Tech University
- +Michael Zhang | Columbia University, New York
*NVTC Foundation Kilberg Scholarship Fund, $5,000 each
Supports women pursuing careers in STEM-related fields.
- Mena Ahmed | Centreville HS | Clifton, VA| Attending George Mason University
- Uma Foster | Battlefield HS | Haymarket, VA | Attending Pittsburgh University
- Amy Fernandez Garcia | Falls Church HS | Falls Church, VA | Attending George Mason University
- Raneem Hammouda | Gar-Field HS | Woodbridge, VA | Attending Virginia Commonwealth University
- Ana Rivera Martinez | Tuscarora HS | Leesburg, VA | Attending Virginia Tech University
- Katelyn Miller | Loudoun Valley | Purcellville, VA | Attending Harvard University
Plein Environmental Scholarship Fund, $5,000 each
Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current NVCC students who require financial assistance to pursue an associate degree at Northern Virginia Community College and plan to earn a degree in an environmental-related field at a four-year university.
- +Anh Tue Bui | Currently attending Virginia Tech University
- Ayla Janney | Broadway HS | Broadway, VA | Attending Virginia Tech University
- Savar Shrivastava | Thomas Jefferson HS | Alexandria, VA | Attending William & Mary University
- John Trias | University of San Jose | San Jose, CA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
Reston Scholarship Fund, $16,000 over 4-6 years
Supports graduating seniors from South Lakes High School in Reston, VA, with demonstrated financial need who plan to pursue a two- or four-year degree program.
- Eshraga Abdon | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Mohamad Alhalabi | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Mónica Ascencio | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Gabriela Ramos Avelar | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Fatma Dahab | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Maryam Mahmood | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Yumna Omer Mohammed | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Kawsar Rasuli | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Susana Rosales| South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
- Johannett Zambrana | South Lakes HS | Reston, VA
Supports students at Patriot/ Colgan High School who have Special Needs (as documented in an IEP), and preferably those who are pursuing higher education and a career in technology.
- Franklin Gonzalez Garcia | Patriot HS | Nokesville, VA
Supports a graduating high school senior who lives in Northern Virginia, demonstrates academic excellence and financial need, and plans to pursue a career in education.
- +Lacey Brinson | Currently attending Bridgewater College
- Lillian Foos | Robinson Secondary School | Fairfax, VA | Grove City College
- +Corbey Galkin | Currently attending James Madison University
- +Emileigh Mills | Currently attending Shippensburg University
- Maddie Pugh | Loudoun County HS | Leesburg, VA | Liberty University
- +Jaina Soppet | Currently attending George Mason University
- Keira Warfield | Patriot HS | Nokesville, VA | Liberty University
*Vance International, Inc. Scholarship Fund, $2,200 each
Supports residents of Northern Virginia pursuing careers in law enforcement or security, including the administration of justice.
Stephanie Mendoza | Patriot HS | Nokesville, VA GMU
William J. Foreman Memorial Scholarship Fund, $2,000 each
Supports graduating seniors of Fairfax County Public Schools who have overcome significant adversity. Priority is given to those who have experienced homelessness, were in foster care, or lacked substantial family support during their high school careers.
- Marisol Acevedo | Oakton HS | Vienna, VA | Attending Longwood University
- Bibi Afzali | Herndon HS | Herndon, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
- Fnu Anam | Justice HS | Falls Church, VA | Attending George Mason University
- Sonia Faizi | Hayfield Secondary School | Alexandria, VA | Attending Virginia Commonwealth University
- Laura Stoker | Justice HS | Falls Church, VA | Attending University of Virginia
Yuthud Oberdick Scholarship Fund, $2,000
Supports a graduating senior at Chantilly High School who demonstrates enthusiasm for learning, resiliency, integrity, and a love of social studies.
- Jordan Davenport | Chantilly HS | Greenbriar, VA | Attending Northern Virginia Community College
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