2026Scholars

2026 Leadership Initiatives Summer Internship Program Scholarship Recipients

2027 SCHOLARSHIPS OPENING IN 2026.

Every year, Leadership Initiatives offers scholarships to high school students from rising freshmen to graduating seniors for our Summer Internship Programs. Below are the 2026 Leadership Initiatives Scholarship recipients!

Eesha Vanamala
Morris Knolls High School
Class of 2028
Morris Plains, New Jersey

Eesha Vanamala is a high schooler from Morris Knolls High School. Through activities like serving as the vice president of the Red Cross North NJ Youth Corps, getting certified in CPR, and presenting research as a member of the 2024-2025 UN General Assembly Science Summit Youth Parliament, Eesha has deepened her love for biology and research. Last year, Eesha was honored with attending and placing in multiple events at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference. Beyond HOSA, she is the vice president of her school’s Academic Decathlon team. She also loves to run and enjoys good books!

Benore Futures in AI & Medical Innovation Scholarship

For the AI & Medical Innovation Internship

Adreana Perez
Har-Ber High School
Class of 2026
Elm Springs, Arkansas

Adreana Pérez is a senior at Har-Ber High School with a passion for advocacy and public speaking. She serves as co-captain and lead attorney of her Mock Trial team, which ranked ninth in the nation this past year, placing Arkansas in the top ten for the first time in 25 years. The National Speech and Debate Association currently ranks Adreana first in the nation in mock trial points. Adreana, a six-time All-State debater and orator, mentors novice competitors as the assistant debate captain on Har-Ber's Speech & Debate team. Adreana has competed at the Arkansas Student Congress for three consecutive years, debating and passing legislation at the Arkansas State Capitol. She was elected Democratic Party Secretary, and her originally written bill got passed by the Student House and Senate and was delivered to Governor Sanders’ Office. Furthermore, she was one of three seniors chosen from her state to interview former President Barack Obama at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art as part of their Building Bridges lecture series.

Adreana plans to double major in history and Latin American studies before attending law school to become an immigration and criminal defense attorney.

Benore Young Advocates Scholarship

For the Criminal Law & Trial Internship

Kami Ejiogu
Walt Whitman High School
Class of 2027
Bethesda, Maryland

A rising senior at Walt Whitman High School, Kami Ejiogu is an active service leader in her community. As the founder of her high school’s club chapter of Create For Kids, she has led 40 students in creating over 300 cards for pediatric patients. Kami has also founded the Bethesda Basket, a little food pantry that is easily accessible to those facing food insecurity in her community. She can provide over 300 pounds of non-perishable food items to those who need them in her area. She further demonstrates her dedication to her communities globally by supporting the development of public health in Nigeria through the Leadership Initiatives Public Health Internship, where she created a workshop educating community members on tuberculosis prevention. Looking forward, Kami plans to pursue a medical degree to become a cardiologist while studying public health to aid her communities further.

Elizabeth Stefan Health Innovation Memorial Scholarship

For the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship

Josefina Eleonora Smítková
St Bees School
Class of 2027
Prague, Czech Republic

Josefína is a 17-year-old junior at St Bees School in the United Kingdom, where she studies A Levels in psychology, economics, mathematics, and English literature on a scholarship. Originally from the Czech Republic, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership at the highest levels of youth governance, serving as president of the Prague Youth Parliament and second vice-president of the Youth Parliament of the Czech Republic, where she organized debates with parliamentary candidates and represented children directly at the meeting of the Government Committee on the Rights of the Child. Her research through the AFS Global STEM Accelerators program in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania produced a technological prototype addressing global environmental and social challenges, earning recognition as one of ten national finalists in UNICEF's Child of Czechia 2025 competition. She also supported research on sustainable infrastructure for AI systems at the New York Academy of Sciences. Josefína brings eight years of professional performance experience with the Children's Opera Prague at the National Theatre, three years of competitive fencing training, and extensive community service. In the future, she aspires to contribute to international diplomacy and address complex global challenges.

Kuehn Excellence in Security & Service Scholarship

For the National Security & Diplomacy Internship

Sânziana Soare
Colegiul Național Gheorghe Lazăr
Class of 2028
Bucharest, Romania

In her sophomore year at Colegiul Național „Gheorghe Lazăr” in Bucharest, Sânziana Soare is an accomplished student with a strong interest in medicine, public health, and community engagement. She studies in the Mathematics–Computer Science program and is actively involved in Lazar’s Anatomy Club and science competitions, where she explores healthcare systems, prevention, and the role of innovation in improving health outcomes. Sânziana has expanded her perspective internationally through her participation in the Global Values Conference in the Republic of Moldova and the Owlypia Global Round in Cambridge. She is deeply committed to service, volunteering with Ajungem Mari to mentor institutionalized children and with the MOV program to tutor students in need of academic support. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of her school’s award-winning Melos Choir, developing leadership, collaboration, and communication skills. Looking ahead, Sânziana aspires to pursue higher education in medicine or public health to contribute to more equitable healthcare systems and meaningful community impact.

Linda Carullo Memorial Scholarship

For the Advanced Medical & Publice Health Internship

Maoheng Cui
Ransom Everglades Upper School
Class of 2029
Miami, Florida

Maoheng Cui is in his first year at Ransom Everglades Upper School and is an active member of the synthetic biology club, currently conducting a research project on the soil component of a mangrove microbiome. He is also a member of the machine learning club, where he is learning how computer science and the medical fields can work together. Looking ahead, Mao plans to join the school’s Science National Honor Society in the junior year. Mao is also planning to qualify for the Chemistry Olympiad’s national/semi-final exams. Starting a HOSA student-led organization is also an interest of Mao. Mao is also planning to conduct individual research projects in biology.

Linda Carullo Memorial Scholarship

For the Advanced Medical & Publice Health Internship

Gunnar Ward
Missouri Military Academy
Class of 2027
Union, Missouri

Gunnar is a rising senior at Missouri Military Academy. During his time enrolled at MMA, he has taken all four levels of AJROTC Cybersecurity. He is additionally CompTIA ITF+ certified, showing his dedication to the field. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, he has held many positions, including Squad Leader and First Sergeant. He is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, and the National STEM Honor Society (Treasurer). After he graduates, he plans to earn a commission into the US Navy, either through ROTC or the United States Naval Academy.

Ocbina Cybersecurity Innovators Scholarship

For the Cybersecurity & Business Consulting Internship

Seth Czubkowski
Valdosta High School
Class of 2027
Valdosta, Georgia

Seth is a junior at Valdosta High School who aims to be the best at what he does — he will settle for nothing less. His ambitions are to learn many languages, become a cybersecurity professional, and master computer engineering. Seth aspires to use his skills and passions to help those who can't help themselves in the world of technology. Seth is NJROTC's CyberPatriot Commander, a leader in the Legacy Youth Collective, an active member in Interact Club, a proud member of SNHS and NEHS, an excellent debater, and an IB scholar. However, his accomplishments extend far beyond school, from his ambition in programming and Spanish to penetration testing. His hobbies include wrestling, martial arts, weightlifting, running, reading, and ethical hacking.

Ocbina Cybersecurity Innovators Scholarship

For the Cybersecurity & Business Consulting Internship

Ridhi Rentala
Obra D. Tompkins High School
Class of 2028
Katy, Texas

Ridhi Rentala is a sophomore at Tompkins High School with a passion for business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She is an active officer in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), serving as the Area 5 Reporter-Historian, a chapter Historian, and the Historian for her school’s UNICEF chapter, where she documents initiatives and promotes student engagement. Ridhi is also the founder of InternJobs, a platform connecting high school students with internships and part-time opportunities, through which she has developed skills in marketing strategy, project planning, and leadership. Outside of school, she volunteers at an equine therapy program supporting children with special needs and enjoys photography, spending time with her younger brother, and dreaming of traveling the world to learn from new cultures and stories.

Ocbina Pioneers in Business Scholarship

For the International Leadership & Business Internship

Evan Brownex
Public Safety Academy of San Bernardino
Class of 2027
San Bernadino, California

With a strong desire to become a pharmacist, Evan completed the Medcore program in his freshman year, a course focused on health and public safety, earning certifications in CPR and first aid. He further developed his leadership skills by participating in a leadership program at Camp Pendleton, where he advanced to the role of Staff Sergeant within his platoon, reflecting his discipline, accountability, and ability to lead peers. Evan is also a dedicated student-athlete. As a varsity wide receiver, he contributed to his football team’s first playoff appearance in seven years. He led his team to its first postseason appearance in eight years while playing shooting guard in basketball. Additionally, as a member of the cross-country team, he advanced to CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) preliminaries during postseason competition, demonstrating perseverance and competitive drive. Committed to community engagement, Evan has led the Christmas parade at the San Bernardino Family YMCA and assisted in hosting a prom for the San Bernardino Center for Individuals with Disabilities. His academic achievement, leadership experience, athletic involvement, and community service reflect a well-rounded individual dedicated to personal growth and service to others.

Stop the V.O.I.D. Youth Empowerment Scholarship

For the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship

Eliza Calinovschi
National College Elena Cuza
Class of 2028
Bucharest, Romania

Eliza Calinovschi is a 10th-grade student at the National College Elena Cuza, specializing in intensive informatics, with a strong interest in artificial intelligence and technology-driven innovation. She has completed programs such as ICDL Artificial Intelligence and CCNA1 at the Politehnica University of Bucharest and is actively involved in student leadership as a Technovation Girls ambassador, a ThinkUp Academy lead mentor, and the founder of her school’s entrepreneurship club. Alongside her academic work, she contributes to her community through volunteering and peer tutoring and participates in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program. Looking ahead, Eliza plans to study business with a focus on artificial intelligence, aiming to combine technology and strategic thinking to create meaningful social impact.

Victoria Stefan AI & Business Strategy Memorial Scholarship

For the AI & Business Strategy Internship

Daria Floris Kiriță
Ioan Petruș Theoretical High School
Class of 2029
Otopeni, Ilfov

Daria, a 9th-grade student at Ioan Petruș Theoretical High School, is deeply interested in business strategy, artificial intelligence, and international development. She has gained hands-on experience through programs such as the BISM x UPSET AGENCY Summer School Bootcamp, where she helped design a full digital marketing campaign, and The Girls Code—Breaking Barriers Summer Camp, where she explored ethical AI applications, produced technology-focused podcasts, and strengthened her public speaking skills. Her participation in the NATO 20—A Reflection Looking Forward video competition further cultivated her interest in global communication. Daria is highly dedicated to volunteering, contributing to organizations such as ADFABER, Green Change Makers Hub, and Station Europe, where she supports initiatives in education and sustainability. She is also the president of her school's Student Council and a junior ambassador in the European Parliament Ambassador School Program. In these roles, she plans projects, speaks up for students' rights, and encourages active citizenship and European values. Daria aspires to study international business and AI-driven innovation to build a career focused on creating sustainable solutions and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.

Victoria Stefan AI & Business Strategy Memorial Scholarship

For the AI & Business Strategy Internship