2019 Scholars

Aisho Salim Ali
Columbus, OH
The Ohio State University

Aisho believes that leadership is the combination of unselfishness, character, and faith, and she learned these qualities within her family and her diverse neighborhood. Driven by her desire to serve and change underserved communities, Aisho became involved in the Columbus Ohio Leadership Academy and the Youth Leaders Summit. She joined the Teen Ambassador Board under Ohio’s Attorney General, founded her school’s UNICEF club, and served as secretary of the Key Club. Through these efforts, she fueled awareness and fundraising for the opioid epidemic in her state and support for children globally. A student council and class officer, Aisho excelled academically, and did all of this while working part time. From Columbus, Ohio, Aisho will attend The Ohio State University, and hopes to one day become a neurological surgeon.

Jessica Maria Bradley
Hoover, AL
Georgia Institute of Technology

Three values that are fundamental to Jessica are determination – which she learned from her mother, authenticity – from her father, and balance – from her grandmother. An entrepreneur herself creating jewelry that is sold at a local boutique, Jessica was the state vice president for the Alabama DECA Association, her school’s DECA chapter president, and class leader for the Business and Entrepreneurship Academy. She was the Student Council founder and president, class historian, and a leader within the National Honor Society, the diversity council, the coding club, and the computer science outreach council. In addition to working part time, Jessica supported numerous community service efforts, notably serving as a group leader for her youth group. Jessica is passionate about advocating for women and girls, particularly in the STEM fields. From Hoover, Ala., Jessica will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology

Nelson Chow
Lynbrook, NY
Princeton University

Nelson’s approach to life has been to find small-scale solutions to large-scale problems. He is ambitious and bold, and aims to lift others up, not just himself. An academically gifted musician, Nelson’s resume is extensive: section leader for his state-champion school marching band, class secretary, founder and president of the Competitive Scholars Club, president and captain of the FIRST Robotics Club, president of the coding club, captain of the tennis team, a martial arts champion, and more. With an interest in the medical field, Nelson has volunteered countless hours at a local hospital and blood center, in addition to serving as a tutor and working part time. He is his class valedictorian who has overcome many obstacles and traveled the world. A passionate and proud American, Nelson is from Lynbrook, N.Y., and will attend Princeton University.

Normandie Alise Cormier
Lafayette, LA
Xavier University of Louisiana

Normandie is driven by the values of equality, service, and integrity, and she lives these out across her extracurricular and volunteer endeavors. She is a board member for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board in her community, president of the local NAACP Jr. club, a class representative for the student council, and chief editor of the yearbook. Through her A+ Academics tutoring business, Normandie has helped more than 100 students improve their education, and has expanded her efforts virtually. She also manages Biz Kids, where she teaches underserved children about entrepreneurship and financial literacy, and The Humble Seed, which supports the elderly in her community. Normandie’s achievements have been recognized across the country: she was accepted to 139 colleges and awarded nearly $9 million in financial aid. From Lafayette, La., Normandie will attend Xavier University of Louisiana and hopes to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist.

Lauren Devletian
Exton, PA
Dartmouth College

Lauren’s life experiences have emphasized the importance of determination, integrity, and passion. As captain of the field hockey team, she strived to create an unselfish, unified, and inclusive team atmosphere. She aimed to extend this positive environment to her school community as a student government officer, facilitator for the Speak Up Club, executive board member for the community service club, and executive advisory board member for the Key Club. Through a fellowship with the Germination Project, she advocated for better living conditions in the city of Philadelphia, including improved education and health care for the city’s poor. Another future doctor, Lauren, who is from Exton, Pa., hopes to study neuroscience in medical school after attending Dartmouth College.

Nefertari Elshiekh
East Elmhurst, NY
University of Central Florida

Through her own experiences, Nefertari has found that courage is the first step to enacting change. She acted courageously as the editor of her award-winning school newspaper when it tackled controversial news stories. Her courage has extended to volunteer efforts for a local senator’s office in advocating for issues that can often be divisive. Nefertari has brought her passion for teaching to her role as a teen ambassador at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. She led efforts to donate books, stuffed animals, and care packages to patients in the hospital, and hopes to extend that program to her college campus. Nefertari also serves as founder and president of the American Cancer Society club, president of No Buddy Left Behind, general secretary for Model United Nations, editor of the yearbook, and more. From East Elmhurst, N.Y., Lauren will attend the University of Central Florida.

Tabitha Lee Escalante
Pemberville, OH
Harvard University

Hardships in her family and community inspired Tabitha to pursue justice and equality, which she hopes to translate into a career as an attorney. She was a leader in United Nations GirlUp, and received the Outstanding Advocacy Award. She also was a Supreme Court Justice for Girls State and Girls Nation, an officer in the Key Club, a varsity coach and captain for Mock Trial, an ambassador for Bridge the Divide Youth Initiative, and president of the student council. Through the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law, Tabitha has served as a resource for the Ohio Innocence Project. She was an award-winning officer of the concert chorus and a cappella groups, as well as an indoor varsity track coach. A future public servant, Tabitha is from Pemberville, Ohio, and will attend Harvard University.

Jessi Morgan Figard
Davidson, NC
Carnegie Mellon University

Like many of the recipients in this room tonight, Jessi is no stranger to obstacles within her own family – obstacles that shaped her core values of resilience, passion, and service above self. Despite a physical limitation, Jessi competed in the National Junior Olympics representing her state in the high jump during her freshman year. Her passions are broad and diverse – from mentoring disadvantaged youth to planting community gardens. She believes in “small sacrifices” in her corner of the world making a difference, and we agree: Jessi is a Girl Scouts Gold Award winner, president of the Green Team: Sustainability Club, president of the engineering physics innovators club, treasurer of Future Farmers of America, and a volunteer for causes ranging from nutrition education to suicide prevention to her church. From Davidson, N.C., Jessi will attend Carnegie Mellon University.

Peyton A. Gomez
Lakewood, WA
University of Washington

Peyton is inspired by kindness, acceptance, and authenticity – qualities that she lives out naturally. Through her work at the American Lake Veterans Golf Course, she has organized awareness and fundraising efforts to support the local veteran community. Peyton was named leader of the Lakewood Youth City Council. She served as secretary of the student council, captain of the varsity golf and tennis teams, editor of the yearbook, and president and founder of the outdoor activities club. In addition to working part time, Peyton has taken college courses at Bates Technical College, where she has already received academic honors. An aspiring businesswoman, Peyton is already engaged in the Youth Executives of Color program at the University of Washington, where she will attend in the fall. From Lakewood, Wash., congratulations, Peyton.

Cade Jenlink
Jet, OK
Oklahoma State University

Born into a family of farmers, it is no surprise that one of Cade’s core values is hard work, and he describes the farming life as “not for the faint of heart.” He himself has spent many hours working on a family farm in addition to his studies, and extracurricular and volunteer activities. He was president of Future Farmers of America and has received numerous awards for his commitment and leadership of FFA fundraisers. Captain of the football team and a varsity baseball player, Cade is co-president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has served as captain of the academic bowl team and president of the National Honor Society. From Jet, Okla., Cade will attend Oklahoma State University where he will study agricultural economics.

Grace Ra Kim
Germantown, MD
Harvard University

Grace has used her own giftings and her empathy toward the hardworking families in her community to find her purpose and passion. Since she was in sixth grade, she has volunteered for the Extended Learning Opportunities program, where she received the Outstanding Service Award, as well as served as a Korean School teacher assistant, earning a President’s Volunteer Service Award and a Junior Leadership Award. Additionally, she served as president of the Kids are Scientists Too club to advocate for equal resources and opportunities in STEM fields. Grace has been student body president, captain of her award-winning Science Olympiad team, Secretary General of Model United Nations, captain of the cross country team, and more. Grace is from Germantown, Md., and will attend Harvard University.

Emma Lowden
Winterset, IA
Central College

Hard work, teamwork, and a willingness to give back define Emma’s leadership. From a close-knit farming community, Emma knows the value of sacrifice, and that success is something that is earned, not given. She has served as an officer for 4H, Future Farmers of America, and the Madison County Horseless Horse Club. Emma is a decorated student athlete: captain of her state-champion softball team, co-captain of the varsity basketball team, and captain of the volleyball and trapshooting teams. A dedicated volunteer for activities ranging from sports camps to local festivals, she is the definition of a community servant. Emma balances all of this while serving as student body president and working part time. From Winterset, Iowa, Emma will study health and exercise science and will play college softball at Central College.

Anna Mathis
Harrison, AR
University of Arkansas

Anna believes that integrity is foundational to leadership, and therefore has held numerous positions of leadership with dependability, work ethic, and honesty. She has served as an award-winning president of Future Farmers of America, captain and section leader for band, and president of the student council, Key Club, and National Honor Society. Anna has excelled as captain of the varsity volleyball team and as a state-champion archer. She also has used her talents as a pianist to serve her church and a local nursing home. Anna also believes in taking initiative and inspiring optimism and confidence in others. From Harrison, Ark., Anna will attend the University of Arkansas, where she will study agricultural communications and leadership.

Mofeed Nagib
Towson, MD
Yale University

When he was 11 years old, Mofeed’s family courageously emigrated to the United States from Egypt, and the determination and hard work of his family has driven his achievements. He has served as president of the Science Olympian team, the math team, the Model Congress club, and the programming club. Mofeed’s passion for helping others medically has evolved into a career goal. His service efforts have centered around the medical field – as a cancer center volunteer and as a research intern at Johns Hopkins University, where he has had an opportunity to study some of the world’s most notorious viruses. Additionally, he has served organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Loaves and Fishes Service, and Best Buddies, in addition to being a personal trainer. Mofeed is from Towson, Md., and will attend Yale University.

Chad Niemeier
Beatrice, NE
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Chad is a confident leader who is also aware of his own limitations and open to other perspectives, following President Reagan’s belief that “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” Chad’s leadership has extended from academics to sports to the arts. Awarded the Best Attitude and Effort Award in the thespians group, he was also section leader for band, and captain of the basketball, baseball, and speech teams. Chad served as president of 4-H, an officer in Future Farmers of America, and vice president of National Honor Society. His service efforts have centered around the Multiple Sclerosis Association, raising funds to cure a disease that has debilitated his farmer father. From Beatrice, Neb., Chad will attend the University of Nebraska—Lincoln to study agronomy.

Gentry Shapland
Dighton, KS
Kansas State University

Gentry knows that integrity does not always come as second nature to everyone; but she strives to use her own integrity, diligence, and faith to guide her leadership and life choices. Also from a farming family, Gentry was president of her 4-H chapter and a committee chairman for the Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Council, and has contributed countless hours and received numerous accolades for her service to the organization on a local, district, and state level. She served as president of the student council, National Honor Society, and Future Farmers of America, as well as captain of the varsity volleyball, varsity basketball, cheerleading, and scholars bowl teams. Gentry has been a camp counselor, a farmhand on her family farm, and, in following in the footsteps of President Reagan, a lifeguard. Gentry is from Dighton, Kan., and will attend Kansas State University and will begin the pre-med program.

Chibuike Uwakwe
Wilson, NC
Harvard University

A Nigerian American, Chibuike believes that authenticity, responsibility, and liberty are fundamental to his leadership. He has demonstrated these traits in his roles as president of the student government association, officer for YMCA Youth and Government, president of National Honor Society, and class representative for Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership. His talents span from the track to the stage: he is captain of the varsity cross country team and long-distance leader for the varsity track and field team, as well as a classical pianist and an award-winning member of the vocal ensemble. After learning some staggering statistics about the prevalence and destruction of diabetes, Chibuike has devoted his service to combating this disease, cofounding the Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program. From Wilson, N.C., Chibuike will attend Harvard University.

Ashley Wilson
Copperas Cove, TX
Baylor University

Growing up in a military community, Ashley witnessed service and sacrifice that shaped her philosophy of servant leadership. She has been a school and district president for DECA, class officer, and student council leader. In addition to serving as captain of her gymnastics team, Ashley also has worked as a gymnastics coach. She joined forces with her older sister – also a GE-Reagan Foundation Scholar – to support a program that provided food to underserved students. Ashley expanded these efforts to monthly food drives and a food backpack program for a local elementary school. She believes that giving back starts a chain reaction, and looks forward to continuing her efforts to support children and those in need in college and beyond. Ashley is from Copperas Cove, Texas, and will attend Baylor University to study data analytics.