We believe students who face hardships will prevail with assistance from their community.
Our scholars show success stories in action.
Meet Michell’s Scholars
Kobra Afzali, of Herndon High School, is a 2025 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. While living in her native Afghanistan, she lost both parents by the time she was 12. Her older siblings were not living with her, so Kobra came to the United States in 2021 alone as an unaccompanied minor. Her diligence, independence and determination are evident in the speed with which she mastered English, the challenging courses she took and the grades she achieved. Kobra says she sees "everything as a lesson," and expects to "achieve the life my parents wanted for me." She will attend Northern Virginia Community College, where she will begin her path toward a career in medicine. Kobra is described by her teachers as warm, positive, not afraid to ask and committed to giving. Her volunteer work with Komak Rassan, Islamic Relief USA and founding her high school club Refuge for Refugees are perfect examples of how she connects with and focuses on the needs of others.
Samantha Sanchez, a graduate of Edison High School, has received a 2025 Michell Merhige Scholarship. Family disruption, deprivation, and challenging mental health needs resulted in hospitalizations through which Samantha was able to develop the insight, resilience and strategies to overcome her difficulties. She expresses gratitude for her therapists, teachers, friends, sister and most of all her mom. The leadership, dedication, strong work ethic and diligence her teachers describe are evidenced in her outstanding grades in all her IB courses, her participation in numerous clubs and her work to help others through organizations like the Latina Student Union and Best Buddies. Sam will be using her scholarship at James Madison University to achieve her goal of becoming a leader in the business and health community. As is her style she says she intends to "give it my all."
Sonia Faizi has been awarded a 2025 Michell Merhige Scholarship. She left Afghanistan without siblings or parents in 2021 after three years of not being allowed any schooling. On her way to the US, she stayed in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi, where she learned English from YouTube videos and volunteered by assisting the camp doctor. Sonia is a graduate of Hayfield High School where her strong work ethic helped her balance membership in clubs and honor societies with excellent grades in advanced courses, all while working as a cashier at Wegmans. This fall Sonia will begin her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she will major in biology. Those who know her describe her as resilient, strong, energetic, ambitious and grateful. She was selected for the Fairfax County School Board Character Award of the Year. She has helped the rest of her family secure passports, moved them to Qatar, and continues working to reunite with them in the US.
Laura Stoker of Falls Church High School has earned a 2025 Michell Merhige Scholarship. Laura faced the challenges of family loss, abuse, mental health needs and the untimely death of her mother, whom she described as "in everything that makes me, me." Her counselor shared that Laura demonstrated strength, courage and optimism in overcoming all these difficulties. Her extraordinary grades in honors, IB and AP courses speak to that, as do her vast array of activities which include tennis team captain, forensics captain, performing at the Kennedy Center, participation as a Young Life Christian Athlete, English tutor and manager of the wrestling team. Laura will use her scholarship at the University of Virginia to pursue studies in international affairs. Her teachers see her as both a leader and a collaborator, with a blend of creativity and critical thinking. No doubt she will attain her goal to "promote equity and compassion in global service."
Marisol Acevedo has earned a 2025 Michell Merhige Scholarship. She overcame living in a dangerous and abusive situation, with the determination and resilience to leave her home and find support from a network of extended family, as well as school and county resources. Marisol is a graduate of Oakton High School, where she was goalie and manager for the lacrosse team, and a cast and crew member of the school theater productions. Her desire to help others was seen in her work with Best Buddies and King's Chapel Youth Group, and as a peer helper for students with special needs. Teachers describe Marisol as amazing, positive, mature, motivated, creative and ambitious. Her counselor says she is "a triumph of the human spirit." Marisol will be using her scholarship this autumn at Longwood University, to begin her journey towards becoming a speech pathologist.
Ruun Osman is a 2023 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She overcame years of family and financial challenges to graduate from Fairfax High School with an AP Scholar Award and two JV letters, even as she worked 20 hours a week to help pay family bills and cared for her younger siblings. She says she saw facing adversity as a way of "overcoming situations and not letting them shape who I am." Her strong commitment to help others was evident as manager of the girls' basketball team, president of the Muslim Student Association, class officer in her nursing assistant program and in her volunteer work at Historic Blenheim and her local mosque. Ruun has also received a Big Future Scholarship. She will use both awards at George Mason University, where she will pursue a career in health with the goal of working in low-income communities across the globe as a traveling nurse.
Elizabeth Forrest is a 2023 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She calls herself a survivor, graduating from Justice High School with outstanding grades despite a traumatic family history. Teachers praise her work ethic, strength and courage, which have combined to help her excel in her challenging course load, her art and her volunteer activities. As manager of the indoor track team and captain of the school color guard, Elizabeth showed the same dedication to extracurricular activities that she brought to her academics. She will be attending Middlebury College, where she intends to major in environmental science. Elizabeth has already arranged to do her freshman year abroad in Denmark, as part of a program which will allow her to develop her abilities in art, leading to a career that uses ceramic and studio art to impact the environment.
Akua Durowaa Acheampong is a 2023 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She is often described as dedicated and resilient, as evidenced by her ability to prevail through the hardships of emigration and a multi-state journey filled with peril. She reached safety in Virginia, where she graduated with excellent grades from Mount Vernon High School. During her struggle Akua has been responsible for her own well-being, successfully navigating large bureaucracies to find pockets of support and aid. As an emancipated minor she worked at a Senior Living facility to support her needs, even as she distinguished herself academically, participated in her church choir and won the praise and admiration of her teachers. Akua will be attending Northern Virginia Community College to become a dental hygienist, on her way toward a career as a dentist.
Helen Centeno Benavides is a 2023 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. After facing violence in her native El Salvador, she survived a complicated and dangerous journey to the U.S. as well as instability and life-threatening difficulties after arrival. She is an emancipated minor who graduated from Justice High School as an IB student with the respect and praise of all her teachers and counselors. They describe her as strong, resilient, persistent and positive. Those attributes have been displayed in her schoolwork as well as the 30-hour-a-week manager position she holds to pay for her food, rent and expenses, basically running a small business at 17. Helen will be attending Juniata College, a small liberal arts school with a close-knit, supportive community. There she intends to use her desire to solve problems as a major in criminology and continue to live by her motto, "do it even though it might mean risking everything."
Aileen Garcia is a 2022 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She overcame several losses in her early years and went on to graduate from Falls Church High School where she distinguished herself as a creative and compassionate student, an outstanding lacrosse player and a resilient scholar, while facing the challenges of becoming a new mother. Her friendly demeanor and kindness are matched by her persistence and commitment to face any difficulty, including a high-risk pregnancy which resulted in hospitalization and an early delivery of her beautiful and healthy son. She demonstrates passion and organization in managing child-care as she pursues her education. Aileen will study business at George Mason University, with the goal of becoming an independent business owner. She wants her child to know "that if you are determined and devoted, anything is possible."
Ajia Hamilton, from Falls Church High School, is a 2022 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. One of eight siblings, Ajia attained impressive grades and academic achievements even as she negotiated "a roller coaster" of many different living arrangements from her elementary years on. Described by her teachers as positive, confident, determined and enthusiastic, Ajia held two jobs as a camp director and a restaurant worker and still made time for theater, choir and volunteer activities. She also sandwiched in a stint as a wedding planner! She is always willing to assist and mentor others, but is equally able to seek help and advocate for herself. Ajia will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University to study elementary and special education. Her goal is to "make the world a better place for us all."
Brayan Cruz is a 2022 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. He overcame the challenges of gang violence and family separation in his native El Salvador to eventually relocate and reunite with his birth family in Fairfax County. Brayan arrived in middle school, immediately learned English and began to excel academically. At Falls Church High School, he achieved superior grades in IB, AP and honors classes, lettered in Track and Field and was inducted into the French Honor Society, demonstrating proficiency in his third language. At the same time, he worked as a cashier and a lifeguard and tutored other students. Brayan will be attending Virginia Tech, where he intends to major in engineering, fulfilling the promise he made to his younger self to attain "the American dream."
Fedhi Worku is a 2021 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She is a graduate of Justice High School, where she distinguished herself in honors and IB courses even as she contributed to and led extracurricular activities, held part-time jobs, tutored in her church and provided care for young family members. After she lost her parents, Fedhi's independence, gentle humor and quiet determination saw her through the journey from Ethiopia to Fairfax County, where she established herself as a committed student with great sensitivity to the needs of others. She will be attending Virginia Tech, with plans to major in Computer Science because of her interest in problem solving in business, scientific and social contexts. She describes herself as a good listener who is fascinated by human behavior, which is leading her to study psychology as well. Her teachers note Fedhi's dazzling smile and describe her as persistent, curious, reflective and a team player. A formula for success.
Gurleen Kaur is a 2021 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School with extraordinary grades and a long list of internships, research projects and international endeavors. Outside of school, she has mentored, tutored, taught and been a camp counselor for dozens of children in a wide range of settings, even as she worked to buy groceries and pay bills for her own family. She also made time to support the mental health needs of her peers through TJ Minds Matter. Gurleen will be attending Bowdoin College, where she intends to combine her love of science with her desire to work with disadvantaged and under-served populations as a biology teacher. Her instructors characterize her as intellectually curious, committed to community service, an empathetic leader and a courageous young woman, whom they expect will achieve great things.
Samiha Mahboob is a recipient of the 2020 Michell Merhige Scholarship. She is a graduate of Westfield High School, where she consistently distinguished herself as an outstanding student since her arrival from Bangladesh in 2016. Despite a challenging road with much loss and many obstacles, Samiha's extraordinary work ethic has been demonstrated in her studies, in every job she has held to support herself and, in her commitment to helping others. Described by her teachers as a quiet, caring leader, whose circumstances have never limited her, Samiha has been navigating the bureaucracies of social, health and educational services through her teenage years. She will continue to do so as she enters Virginia Tech, where she intends to major in business and finance. Samiha sees education as the power she will use to reach her long-term goal of establishing a non-profit organization to change the lives of struggling youth. There is no doubt she will succeed.
Khadeejat Lawal has been awarded a 2020 Michell Merhige Scholarship. As a student at Robinson Secondary School she overcame health issues and distinguished herself in both AP and IB courses. At the same time Khadeejat won varsity letters in track on teams that she led to district and regional championships. She routinely held jobs to address financial needs and still made time to volunteer in youth programs for religious integration and developmental needs. Khadeejat will be attending Virginia Tech, where she intends to pursue her goal of becoming a physical therapist, who serves underrepresented populations. Her teachers describe her as having the maturity, kindness and grit to achieve her goals!
Sarah Sandy of Mount Vernon High School is a 2019 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She describes herself as optimistic and determined, as evidenced by her excellent grades, her leadership in the Student Government Association, her role as an instructor at Vacation Bible School, her involvement in College Partnership and her participation in National Honor Societies. She has secured scholarships and maintained employment despite her own health challenges and the tragic loss of her mother this year. Sarah will combine her drive to succeed and her caring for others at Old Dominion University, where she will major in Public Health on a Pre-Med track. Her personal involvement in the medical field has led her to the goal of becoming a pediatric radiologist.
Maria Ribera Sites is a 2019 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. A graduate of Annandale High School, she has maintained good grades, a demanding work schedule and an array of volunteer activities as she moved eight times in the past four years, not only changing addresses, but even country of residence! Throughout these upheavals, her own health needs and despite the chaotic and often dangerous difficulties of her youth, Maria contributed to DECA, Rotary Club, Interact Club, her church organizations and school yearbook. She distinguished herself as a team leader in Operation Smile and was a translator for foreign doctors when she lived abroad. Now an emancipated minor, Maria considers herself "an independent woman" who will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University next year, where she will determine which helping field will become her major. She looks forward to the diversity of college as she embraces the future.
Fariha Rahman of Lake Braddock Secondary School is the 2018 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. A young woman of extraordinary diligence and determination, Fariha overcame health and family issues to complete six AP and nine honors courses, even as she volunteered for numerous community organizations, tutored other students, maintained membership in two honor societies, participated in theater, speech and debate, and supported herself as a waitress. With this and the several other scholarships and awards she has garnered, Fariha will attend Drexel University next year, where she plans to major in pre-law studies. In the future she hopes to advocate, within the legal system, for children and other under-served populations. Fariha talks about adding a little sparkle to the world. Indeed.
Yusra Mohammed is the 2017 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She distinguished herself at Hayfield Secondary School as a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and National History Honor Society, even as she played varsity tennis, established and presided over the local chapter of Young Democrats and supported others through the Student 2 Student program. An emancipated minor, Yusra supported herself with jobs and internships. Her abilities have also garnered Yusra a scholarship that provides tuition, room and board at the College of William and Mary, where she plans to major in political science and foreign affairs. She hopes that a year abroad will hone her abilities in Spanish and Arabic.
Emily Palmer, of West Springfield High School, is the 2016 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. Despite the fact that the first decade of her life was chaotic and often frightening, Emily maintained her determination to succeed and to take care of her younger sister. When they were adopted they traveled with their new family to ten schools in six years. Emily's excellent grades, commitment to extra curricular activities, numerous volunteer hours and her job as a preschool instructor all speak to her diligence and can-do attitude. She will attend Sam Houston State University, where she will pursue a degree in education. Since school was the greatest constant in her younger years, Emily plans to become a teacher. She says, “I want to stand in the gap for another kid like me!"
Star Danfora is the 2015-2016 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She is a graduate of JEB Stuart High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, where she maintained excellent grades, established herself as an athletic leader and contributed numerous hours to charitable work and mentoring young people. Her determination, independence, faith and the support of a few caring adults helped Star overcome many obstacles. To help support herself Star acquired a Virginia Pharmacy Technician License at 16, perhaps the youngest person in the state to do so. She will be attending Old Dominion University, where she plans to major in Health Sciences, with an eye toward athletic training. Star is also a beneficiary of the William Foreman Scholarship this year.
Zainab Kamara is the 2014-2015 recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She arrived at JEB Stuart High School from war-torn Sierra Leone. She maintained honor roll grades, volunteered with elementary school students and acquired Licensed Practical Nurse certification as a first step in her career path - all in addition to becoming a U.S. citizen. She succeeded in all these endeavors as an emancipated minor without family support. Zainab will be attending Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, where she intends to gain a BS in nursing. Zainab's eventual goal is to attend medical school in order to become a surgical nurse. She thinks that perhaps someday she will travel the world providing health services to needy children.
Melat Tesema is the first recipient of the Michell Merhige Scholarship. She distinguished herself at JEB Stuart High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, where she completed all graduation requirements in just two years after arriving from Ethiopia. Melat led her school's recycling efforts and its college partnership. She also mentored elementary students, raised funds for those in need and performed as a member of the school dance troupe. Her award will be used to support her studies at Penn State University, where she intends to pursue a degree in international studies.