Press Releases
Eight NYC High School Seniors Selected as 2013 Milken Scholars
Chosen from hundreds of nominations, the new NYC Milken Scholars will be honored at a recognition ceremony and dinner on Saturday, June 15, at the Grand Hyatt New York
June 12, 2013
SANTA MONICA, CA – The Milken Family Foundation (MFF) announces the selection of eight outstanding New York City high school seniors as 2013 Milken Scholars.
The Scholars, from eight high schools across four NYC boroughs, were chosen based on their academic performance, community service, leadership and their ability to persevere in the face of challenges.
Each Scholar will receive a $10,000 scholarship plus opportunities for ongoing mentoring, assistance with internships, opportunities for community service, and access to a wide range of resources for their academic and professional careers. “These remarkable students have already proven they have the capacity to change the world for the better,” notes the program’s director, Gregory Milken. “The Milken Scholars program provides them with the support to develop their potential and become tomorrow’s leaders.”
The 2013 New York City Milken Scholars are:
- Sabiya Ahamed, The Brooklyn Latin School, will attend Brown University
- Caroline Chiu, The Chapin School, will attend Columbia University
- Jupiter El-Asmar, Regis High School, will attend Georgetown University
- Harvey Geffner, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, will attend the University of Pennsylvania
- Soniya Gurung, William Cullen Bryant High School, will attend Barnard College
- Jason Mills, Townsend Harris High School, will attend Harvard
- Roslyn Rivas, Trinity School, will attend Yale
- Chittampalli Yashaswini, The Bronx High School of Science, will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This year’s talented NYC class includes national award-winners in physics, chemistry, math, and Latin. They have presided over the student union, conducted genetics research, led championship debate, chess and Mock Trial teams, captained varsity sports, and led a host of school clubs. Individual masteries range from poetry and classical Indian dance to fluency in five languages. Their volunteer contributions vary from founding a national nonprofit to serving on a neighborhood youth court. From the classroom to the community, they have all distinguished themselves as leaders.
Throughout their college careers, Milken Scholars are in regular communication with MFF staff, mentors and with one another. Every summer, Scholars participate in a three-day annual Summit in Los Angeles, where MFF staff and a range of distinguished speakers provide a forum for the participants to discuss issues crucial to their personal, academic and professional success. The Summit also provides an opportunity for the Scholars to form and renew friendships, reflect on their personal growth and exchange ideas and aspirations.
The potential of the Scholars’ peer community is expressed by Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, a member of the first class of Scholars. “I am honored to welcome the 2013 Milken Scholars into our scholarship family. They are inspiring, impressive and wise beyond their years. It is encouraging to know that we have a cadre of Scholars who are ready and able to lead into the future, and I look forward to working with them to improve the world.” Khadijah will be one of the more than three dozen Milken Scholars attending the recognition dinner to welcome this year’s New York City recipients.
Since its founding in 1989 by Lori and Michael Milken, the Milken Scholars program has supported more than 300 Scholars from diverse backgrounds. Many were the first in their family to attend college. Nearly one-third were born outside the United States and three-quarters have parents originating from more than 50 countries.
The class of 2013 Milken Scholars will be composed of the NYC students as well as recipients from the Greater Los Angeles area, who will be named later this month. Milken Scholars are selected in their senior year of high school through a rigorous nomination, application review and interview process. Nominations are based on the following criteria:
- Minimum grade point average of 3.6 (unweighted) or 90% in all academic high school subject areas
- Minimum composite SAT I Reasoning score of 1850 with results submitted for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing, or a minimum ACT score of 28
- Active participation in community service activities
- A record of leadership
- Financial or other obstacles
- Admission to a four-year college or university prior to final selection
- United States Citizenship or Permanent Residency
“The Milken Scholars program is synonymous with opportunity, not only to embark upon your wildest dreams but also the freedom from fear, restriction or hindrance of any kind,” shared 1999 Milken Scholar Alexandra Lutoshkina. “The program brings together a group of individuals that make you feel right at home, whether you want to become a nuclear physicist or an aid worker. Under the Milken Family umbrella, Scholars receive a level of love, support and guidance that is beyond measure. In return, the Milken Scholars dedicate their lives to serving others by becoming leaders in the communities and changing the world around them.”
For details about the Milken Scholars program, visit http://www.milkenscholars.org.
Introducing the 2013 New York Milken Scholars
Sabiya Ahamed
For her stellar achievements in Latin, Sabiya Ahamed, a student from The Brooklyn Latin School, received a full scholarship to travel to Rome to study the language in a summer program with the Paideia Institute for Humanistic Study. Not only is she an award-winning Latin student, Sabiya is a standout scholar across multiple fields of study having earned the highest grade point average in seven classes. A gifted poet, Sabiya was tapped as a finalist in the Brooklyn Book Festival Contest. She also participated in a science research mentoring program. Described as a model student and leader, Sabiya was president of Brooklyn Latin’s National Honor Society and is passionately committed to making a difference in the world. Recognizing the need to help students learn to co-exist, she helped found the school’s Muslim Students Association and served as a board member. The club welcomes members of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Sabiya’s varied extracurricular interests include karate, an activity in which she has earned a purple belt. Since her sophomore year, she has devoted hundreds of hours in service as a member of a neighborhood youth court. This program trains young leaders to hear real cases involving low-level offenses committed by juveniles. “Sabiya’s leadership and understanding of the youth court’s mission have been instrumental in the growth of the program,” noted the court’s supervisor. Sabiya credits the program with showing her “how we, as students could potentially help our peer respondents grow, while also improving our own characters.” A first- generation college student, Sabiya, whose heritage is Puerto Rican and Bengali, will enter Brown University. She looks forward to exploring diverse intellectual areas of study before choosing a major.
Caroline Chiu
When Caroline Chiu enters Columbia University this fall to study biomedical engineering, it won’t be the first time she has attended classes there. While a student at The Chapin School, Caroline participated in the highly competitive Columbia University Science Honors Program which offers advanced studies on Saturdays. This National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar with Distinction also conducted genetics research at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics as part of the American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program. Caroline was honored with the National Science League Award in Physics and National Science League Award in Chemistry, took second place in the American Mathematics Contest, and received the Ming Yuan Chinese School’s award for outstanding academic achievement. “What makes Caroline stand out is the sheer joy she possesses for learning in all environments and her equal and unwavering commitment to self- and community-improvement,” shared her faculty advisor. Caroline served as the editor-in-chief of Chapin’s student newspaper, which merited a Gold Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. She managed a staff of 52 students, edited all content, and oversaw the layout and social media presence. As the director of youth programs for the Wish Dreamer Foundation, Caroline leads a team of student volunteers to organize virtual art and music festivals for those with mental or physical disabilities and those coping with life-threatening illnesses. She founded and serves as president of a nonprofit organization, VolunTeenager, to provide teens committed to community service with an online platform to spread the spirit of volunteering to youth around the nation. “These opportunities to improve my environment and to lead my peers to benefit society are what make me happy.”
Jupiter El-Asmar
Regis High School’s National Merit Finalist Jupiter El-Asmar earned the distinction of summa cum laude on the National Latin Exam for three consecutive years. Possessing what his guidance counselor notes as the “talent to master subjects faster and more efficiently than most,” Jupiter scored all fives on his Advanced Placement tests and earned no grade lower than “Honors.” A teacher ranked Jupiter “in the top 2% of all the students I taught during my 14 years in the Regis English Department” and added that “he combines a superior intelligence with genuine curiosity, liberality of mind and exceptional self-discipline.” As a member of the Forensics Team, Jupiter distinguished himself for three straight years as an octo-finalist in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. He credited both the one-on-one Lincoln-Douglas and the Congress-style sessions that discuss public policy issues as instrumental to deepening his critical thinking skills. Jupiter shared, “Perhaps the greatest significance of debate for me was the extent to which it broadened my horizons and provided me a medium through which I could learn about public issues and international affairs.” The knowledge he gained from competing was influential in his decision to study international relations at Georgetown University. A student and community leader, Jupiter presided over two clubs at Regis, served as a mentor for three years to a younger student, and volunteered with the Search & Care organization assisting the elderly. An accomplished musician, Jupiter was a member of the school’s Jazz Ensemble. Having played the saxophone since elementary school, he performed at Carnegie Hall while in sixth grade and has been playing with the Wagner College Jazz Ensemble since the eighth grade.
Harley Geffner
Harley Geffner’s resolve to always go the extra mile is evidenced by his quest to join the tennis team at the High School of American Studies at Lehman College. Although he was brand new to the game, Harley persevered. Practicing daily with both the boys’ and the girls’ teams, he eventually earned a varsity spot, won the play-offs, and amassed the best winning percentage on the team. “My experience with tennis confirmed my belief that hard work and determination pay off and that it’s worth pursuing a dream and not giving up when success seems unlikely.” Also a chess champion and club president, Harley was recognized with two individual trophies in citywide competitions. He played more than 30 games each week and explained, “Chess trains my mind in a unique way like nothing else.” A National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and National Merit Commended Scholar, Harley was honored with the school’s award for academic excellence in U.S. History. Described by his physics teacher as “brilliant and industrious” and one who “organizes his work so well that he is able to solve challenging problems that most other students do not even attempt,” Harley “thrives on challenges and comes up with novel approaches to experimental problems.” He was a founding member of the school’s Astronomy Club, co-president of the Village Temple Youth Group for three years, sang in a choir, and volunteers at a soup kitchen. Harley will study environmental science and business at the University of Pennsylvania where, he professed, “I am committed not only to achieving my own highest goals, but to helping other students and my future college to achieve their goals.”
Soniya Gurung
Soniya Gurung, whose parents are Nepalese, was born and raised in Singapore until 2010 when her family returned to Nepal. Violence soon drove the family to immigrate to the United States. Though she entered William Cullen Bryant High School in mid-term, Soniya immediately distinguished herself “as an absolute asset to the class,” according to her AP English teacher. “She was always on top of all of her assignments. Soniya is one of the most intelligent students I have ever had in any of my classes.” Readily apparent to all who meet Soniya is her sense of purpose. As a calculus teacher observed, Soniya is driven by a “sincere desire for knowledge, a love of mathematics and science, and a devotion to succeed. She has character, perseverance, intelligence and a sense of maturity that are admirable.” In addition to her selection as a QuestBridge finalist, Soniya’s academic recognitions include National Honor Society, recipient of the Excellence in the Study of a Foreign Language, and Math and Science Honor Roll. She was tapped to participate in the 2011 CUNY College Now Model City Council Project, which brought together students from all five boroughs to debate and vote on a civic issue. Soniya played varsity soccer, tutored classmates, volunteered with the Key Club, assists at a local library and manages many responsibilities at home. Making her family happy, she said, “is my greatest accomplishment. I take great pride in being an example for my brother to follow and a pillar of strength for my parents.” Soniya will be the first in her family to attend college when she enters Barnard College this fall to study bioscience.
Jason Mills
At Townsend Harris High School, Jason Mills’ election as Student Union president symbolized the confidence he inspires as a leader. He captained the award-winning varsity fencing team and was vice-captain and lead lawyer for the Mock Trial team, which reigned as the 2012 New York City Champions and placed third in the state. Jason spearheaded the school’s Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert, organized a Festival of Nations and introduced Student-Teach Day. A school counselor noted that Jason “realizes that leadership is a matter of personal responsibility and he leads in order to serve. People who meet Jason are immediately struck by his infinite good will.” New to fencing when he joined the team as a freshman, Jason poured himself into mastering the sport, practicing until 10 o’clock at night. “Fencing taught me the necessity of teamwork and diligence in actualizing my goals,” he said. By his junior year, Jason was anchoring the team, which has been the Queens Division Champion four years running. This past season, Jason was undefeated in the Queens division. Other interests include music—he was a first flutist in the school’s Concert Band—and community service to which he devoted more than 100 hours as a North Shore University Hospital volunteer. Academically, Jason is also a standout. An AP Scholar and member of the New York State Science Society and the National Honor Society, Jason received the Spanish Achievement Award and ranked summa cum laude on the National Latin Exam. He will pursue political science and economics at Harvard. “With his brilliance, passion, and gift for making alliances and working with others,” added the counselor, “Jason will make a great mark wherever he goes.”
Roslyn Rivas
Since her freshman year at the Trinity School, Roslyn Rivas has been an active member of the Environmental Club and served as co-president for two years. She helped initiate organic cooking in the school cafeteria and led neighborhood greening efforts. Also a talented athlete, Roslyn earned three varsity letters in soccer and two in basketball, received sportsmanship awards in both sports, and was co-captain of the basketball team. This National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, who was accepted into the school’s Cum Laude Society, won the McVickar Prize for a Worthy Student and General Excellence, which honors a student who has consistently demonstrated academic superiority and shown significant participation in school life. “Roslyn is absolutely outstanding in academic performance, leadership, commitment to community service and in her ability to work with adults and peers,” said an English teacher. “She goes above and beyond in every aspect of her life: she is a deeply inquisitive person with a generous heart, a passion for learning and doing good, and an incomparable love of life.” It is this fascination and enthusiasm that inspired Roslyn to learn five different languages and ponder additional pursuits. She served as a peer leader for incoming ninth graders, edited the modern language magazine and raised funds to sponsor educational opportunities for underserved children in China. One of Roslyn’s proudest accomplishments at Trinity was her involvement with the Student Diversity Leadership Council. “I have always liked talking about diversity and celebrating what makes us all different,” shared Roslyn. As president of the Council, she led the group “to actively make our community as diverse and accepting as possible.” Roslyn will study biology and conservation at Yale.
Chittampalli “Yasha” Yashaswini
Groundbreaking summer research on RNA editing conducted by Chittampalli “Yasha” Yashaswini at Rockefeller University resulted in her selection as an Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist. As president of the League of Environment and Animal Protection Club at the Bronx High School of Science, Yasha led efforts to implement a paper recycling system, reduce energy waste and restore the school garden. Her goal is to leave a legacy of reinstituting the solar hot water heaters that have gone unused for years. “The club opened my eyes to the cooperation that environmental solutions require,” said Yasha. “I dream of a world that makes use of renewable energy, understands the importance of conservation and sustainability, and realizes that we are not separate from the environment.” She devotes much of her community service to these issues and believes that if we educate each other and work together, we can make a difference. Her national academic accolades include an AP Achievement Award, Letter of Recognition from the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, Honorable Mention for an ExploraVision Project and a Letter of Commendation for her strong national test scores. On the creative front, for 12 years Yasha has studied the veena, an Indian string instrument, and Bharathanatyam, a style of Indian classical dance. She has performed at Columbia University, on public television, and at a Hindu temple. Yasha will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall to study biology with a minor in environmental science. “Yasha has it all,” said her AP Environmental Science teacher. “She has great intelligence and curiosity, the ability to work with and communicate with others, wide-ranging interests, maturity, poise, determination and responsibility.”
Barbara Bowers
bbowers@mff.org
(310) 488-3994
Interviews can be arranged.