2023-2024
FINALISTS
Carrie Tulk, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For her essay on Wall Drawing #118 and recovering from grief
Pranav Bansal, Lightridge High School Class of 2024
For his essay on art, perspective, and assistive technology
Aashna Patel, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For her essay on embracing insecurity and the wisdom of
fourteen-year-olds
Emily Bluyus, John Champe High School Class of 2024
For her essay on mastering carpentry to build a library for her church’s preschool
Sienna Simone, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For her essay on the power of religious exploration, impartial inclusivity, and repairing our world; for her essay on social anxiety and The Lord of the Flies
Abby Rupp, Briar Woods High School Class of 2024
For her essay on self-discovery and the beauty of choice
Ella Kim, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For her essay on the impact of teaching and the whimsy of Bob Ross
Raihana Karim, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For her essay on unity, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and embracing one’s culture
Ellie Garber, St. Paul VI Catholic High School Class of 2024
For her essay on the empowerment of women and the importance of positivity
Henry Clark, Freedom High School Class of 2024
For his essay on finding the vocabulary to speak out against racism; for his essay on pursuing a pharmaceutical career to find effective treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
2023 and earlier
Sujay Kodam, John Champe High School Class of 2023, Purdue University Class of 2027
For his essay on the spirit of entrepreneurship and learning from loss
Elizabeth Doane, Langley High School Class of 2022, Clemson University Class of 2026
For her essay on the prioritization of education
Sloan Grant, Independence High School Class of 2021, Virginia Tech Class of 2025
For her essay on gratitude and commitment to the metaphor
Katie Lee, Freedom High School Class of 2021, Louisiana State University Class of 2025
For her essay on allyship, activism, and civic responsibility in response to peaceful Black Lives Matter protests