Nina Edwards
Stamford High School
Read About Nina
Nina is an exceptional student and dedicated volunteer, known for her genuine compassion and unwavering commitment to her community. Her kindness, academic excellence, and inspiring efforts make her a remarkable individual who positively impacts everyone she meets.
Highly motivated, Nina holds a State of CT Emergency Medical Technician license and serves as a volunteer EMT with Greenwich Emergency Medical Services, frequently responding to emergencies in Stamford, providing crucial care to residents. Her dedication to volunteerism extends beyond emergency services as she has organized food drives to ensure families receive essential groceries, and she also volunteers at vaccination clinics in Stamford and Greenwich, contributing to creating a safe and efficient environment for those seeking immunizations. Additionally, Nina’s involvement in the Elderly and Infirmed Program highlights her commitment to supporting seniors by offering companionship and nutritious meals, ensuring they feel valued and cared for.
In addition to these roles, Nina actively participates in various community service initiatives. She assists nursing homes and hospitals, tutors students at Stamford High School, and engages in community events like Paint the Town Pink. Her passion for giving back and making a difference shines through in every endeavor, inspiring others to contribute to their communities.
Nina is undecided on which college she plans to attend.
Owen Herz
Stamford High School
Read About Owen
Owen is an exceptional student, enthusiastic leader, and dedicated volunteer who thrives on serving his community. He is widely recognized for his hard work, maturity, leadership, and a steady, guiding presence in every group he is part of.
Owen’s commitment to mentoring younger students and creating a supportive, cheerful environment is inspiring and commendable. At Temple Beth El, Owen volunteered as an assistant teacher for the 7th-grade Hebrew School class, preparing students for their bar/bat mitzvahs and teaching the students about their Jewish heritage, customs, and traditions. Through Scouts BSA, he held several leadership roles, including Scribe, Quartermaster, and Senior Patrol Leader, organizing trail cleanups, landscaping efforts, and Eagle Scout projects. He also gave his time to Healing Hearts, supporting young adults with special needs, and co-led Friendly Faces, a club that fosters friendships among students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As a member of Stamford High School’s newspaper, Round Table, Owen recorded and edited videos and was promoted for his strong work ethic to the Distractions Editor, a responsibility that puts him in charge of the most popular part of the weekly news segment. He has also been serving on the Student Council as a board member for four years, helping to plan and run school events, and working alongside other student councils and clubs, ensuring a positive high school experience for all.
Owen has committed to the University of New Hampshire.
Hayden Katz
Stamford High School
Read About Hayden
Hayden is an industrious and charismatic student studying in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Her leadership and dedication to education showcase her drive, determination, and commitment to helping others. Hayden’s positive impact on her peers and community is truly remarkable.
A dedicated community advocate, Hayden has been recognized with honors such as the DAR Good Citizen Award, Knight of Excellence Black Knight Service Award, and George Eastman Young Leaders Award from the University of Rochester. These accolades highlight her exceptional contributions and the respect she has earned from her peers and community. Hayden is also the Founder and Chapter Director & President of Cancer Kids First, where she led efforts to support pediatric cancer patients and their families. She has raised funds for cancer research, organized events, and donated care packages, collaborating with national nonprofits to expand the chapter’s impact.
Hayden also co-founded the Uknighted Nations Tutoring Program, where she oversaw tutors and executive board members, hosted college prep seminars, created multilingual tutoring programs, and led academic support initiatives for struggling athletes. Additionally, she co-managed Stamford High’s Pinkout to support the Bennett Cancer Center, raising over $21,000 in two years for breast cancer research and organizing card-writing events to thank cancer center employees. Under her leadership, these programs have helped numerous students improve their grades and made a substantial impact on the community. Hayden is also a two-year captain of the Stamford High School Debate team.
Hayden has committed to Northwestern University and studying Neuroscience with a minor in Music Cognition.
Tejasvi Rawat
Academy of Information
Technology & Engineering
Read About Tejasvi
Tejasvi is a dedicated and empathetic individual who excels in both academic and volunteer roles. Her innovative approach to tutoring and leadership in community initiatives reflects her high intelligence, creativity, and commitment to helping others.
As a Peer Tutor for the Beyond Limits Academic Program, Tejasvi developed personalized academic plans for underserved students, recruited mentor tutors, and managed office operations. She also founded an enrichment program at Atria Senior Living, where she led activities like the Word-Within-A-Word game to build intergenerational engagement and promote cognitive enrichment. Her humanitarian work includes serving as Vice President of the American Red Cross Club, where she organized meetings, led service projects, and coordinated blood drives. As a Peer Educator with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, she raised awareness about reproductive healthcare rights and coordinated educational presentations and community open houses.
Tejasvi’s leadership extends to the Mystic Seaport Museum’s Joseph Conrad Overnight Sailing Camp, where she served as a Counselor-in-Training, guiding campers in sailing education. As President of AITE’s Future Business Leaders Club, she encouraged students to explore business interests, fundraised to support club initiatives, and coordinated events with local business owners.
Tejasvi has committed to Vanderbilt University to study Economics and Medicine, Health & Society.
Alex Orellana Rico
Westhill High School
Read About Alex
Alex is a dedicated student and compassionate individual who consistently strives to make a positive impact within the community. His unwavering commitment to volunteer work, academic excellence, and his ability to make others feel comfortable and respected are a testament to his remarkable character and maturity.
As an executive member of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, Alex helps raise awareness about mental health and sexual assault, coordinating bi-weekly meetings for over 45 members. At Stamford Hospital, he supports patients and staff as a Junior Volunteer. In his role as Co-President of Future Medical Professionals, Alex educates peers on public health and the dangers of drugs, organizing fundraisers and food drives, and has raised over $1,700 for Paint the Town Pink. Additionally, as a Steward-Intern with Mill River Park Collaborative, he contributes to environmental conservation through demonstrations and park maintenance.
Alex’s dedication to community service extends to his involvement in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, where he assists in clinical concierge tasks, shadows medical professionals, and implements patient-to-provider systems. As a member of Westhill High School’s National Honor Society, Alex provides tutoring services, assists Spanish-speaking students, helps teachers plan lessons, and creates holiday letters for the Veterans Affairs office. He is also a Board member of Youth Bloom Collective, raising public awareness on the impacts of drugs by assisting police on drug turn-in days, helping organize citywide events, and creating social media posts.
Alex has committed to Vassar College.
