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Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse.com honored 25 Central New York high school students at the 2025 Best and Brightest Awards Thursday at the Redhouse Arts Center. The honor recognizes the accomplishments of area high school seniors in the Class of 2025. Eligible students included those with at minimum B or 3.0 grade point average attending school in Section III (Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oswego, Oneida and Otsego counties). Students nominated themselves with an application, letters of recommendation, details about their academic successes, extracurricular activities and service to their school and community. They were also asked to write a personal narrative about their experiences. A panel of syracuse.com judges then selected the winners. The winning students were honored in front of their families at the 2025 Best and Brightest Awards ceremony on Thursday evening, with presenting sponsor Upstate Honda Dealers Association. Noya Amjad Fayetteville-Manlius High School Noya is a standout student as well as an active member and leader in Model United Nations, Health Occupation Students of America, and serves as COO and CFO of the student-led nonprofit SciExcite which is dedicated to science outreach in the Syracuse community. Her various recognitions include AP scholar with Distinction, NMSC Letter of Commendation, the Mayors Award and more. Noya has played a pivotal role in conducting and volunteering at events at the MOST through the Future Innovators Program and through her nonprofit SciExcite, showcasing her commitment to fostering a love for science among younger students. Her passion and dedication are evident in her outreach efforts, where she co-runs a nonprofit that delivers engaging, hands-on science experiments to students in the Syracuse area. Noya has been instrumental in organizing large statewide conferences in both health sciences and Model United Nations. She currently serves as Class President, demonstrating her ability to unite her peers and advocate for positive change within her school community. Noya is invested in pursuing neurosurgery as a career, hoping to transform patient’s lives while pursuing scientific research, exploring implications of technology and ultimately advancing the field of neuroscience. Nguyen Bui, Christian Brothers Academy Nguyen fled Vietnam with her family when she was in fifth grade and taught herself to speak English, becoming the primary interpreter and decision maker on behalf of her family. Over the past two years, Nguyen has held the position of Chief Financial Officer in Brothers Threads, a student-run business that CBA directs profits back to scholarship funds for incoming students. She has been involved in the CBA stage crew team as well as a social justice club. In addition to extracurricular activities, Nguyen has worked various jobs in the summer and beyond, including filling prescriptions and inventory management at a pharmacy, inventory management at a local radio company, as well as a customer service facing role at a local coffee shop and bakery. Her accolades include the Rochester Institute of Technology Women in STEM Award, American Teachers Association AP Chemistry Award, AP Scholar Award and more. She plans to pursue a degree in accounting, using her education to give back and empower immigrant families like hers to pursue their goals with confidence by using accounting not just to measure success, but to create it. J’Vonte Burrell, Corcoran High School J’Vonte is actively involved as a tutor both at school and as a volunteer, has taken college-level courses to gain better understanding of data analysis and visualization, has participated in school band and held several part-time jobs in customer service and retail. Beyond academics, J’Vonte is an active member of the Cross Country Team, running varsity for several years and consistently making sectional time. His leadership extends to his role as President of the Empower CNY Tutoring Initiative, which provides free tutoring services to disadvantaged families. In the three years he’s been involved with that organization, he rose from volunteer to center manager to its core leadership team. He directly manages leadership members, coordinates with all branches, and leads outreach across the CNY community. He also helped facilitate a Rural Youth Hearing where 25 students from across rural New York State testified about issues affecting their communities and during which Senator Rachel May also made an appearance. J’Vonte has shown sincere dedication to community service and in his belief in the power of education to transform lives. He plans to dual-major in statistics and public health policy and to ultimately advocate on behalf of disadvantaged communities, most notably Syracuse, for change. Danielle Ciccone, Oswego County P-TECH, Paul V. Moore One of Danielle’s favorite quotes is that “you can do anything you set your mind to, no matter how challenging it can be.” After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Danielle started a nonprofit called Hope for POTS and has dedicated her time to improving the lives of people with POTS or POTS-like symptoms. Through the nonprofit, she has hosted community events and fundraisers as well as starting a craft shop whose proceeds go back to Hope for POTS. She also works as a pharmacist technician, as well as participates actively in dance, snowboarding, volunteering as a dog walker at Helping Hounds, and serves as president of the Oswego County National Honors Society. Danielle hosts a mental health podcast and has also written and illustrated two books. She has been recognized as a USA National Miss New York Teen pageant queen and has been received for role model and talent awards. Danielle is on track to graduate high school a year early and plans to continue college at Onondaga Community College through the Oswego County Pathways to Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program to earn an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering, followed by her bachelor’s degree on her path to becoming a biomedical engineer. Jahanna Donegan-Wurz, Chittenango Senior High School Jahanna has participated in many extracurricular activities including Science Olympiad, four years of Varsity Track, and served in various roles for her school’s Fine Lines Newspaper and Broadcast as a poet, book reviewer and video executive for sporting events. She currently leads the Spanish Honors Society as President and serves as Vice President and Media Executive of a nonprofit called Wiregrass Women for STEM. Jahanna spends a lot of her time serving a Team Captain for the VEX Robotics Program and has been recognized as a Finalist and State Champion. Her team finished the 2025 VEX Robotics season ranked 67 out of over 11,000 teams worldwide and helped propel the Bears Robotics program to a fourth straight year as the most awarded VEX Robotics program in New York State. She has also held an internship for NASA SEES and has conducted and presented research at a conference in Washington DC where she was one of 50 out of 5,000 students selected. Since Jahanna was seven years old and first read “Reaching for the Moon” by Kathrine Johnson, she has dreamed of becoming an aeronautical engineer and to one day work for NASA. Her goal is to pursue a career in engineering and ultimately to make STEM accessible to the next dreamers who will reach even farther. Harlynn Donerlson, OnTECH Charter High School Harlynn joined OnTECH Charter High School midway through her ninth-grade year after transferring from a private school. At first, she was quiet and more comfortable talking with adults than with her peers. Over time, she found her voice and became one of the most respected leaders in the school. She leads the school’s original podcast series, Wisdoms of the Wolf Pack, which encourages students to be their best selves and live out the 16 Habits of Mind. Through her leadership, the podcast became a platform for student voices and a source of pride for our school. She has a natural ability to connect with others, ask meaningful questions, and inspire reflection. Harlynn serves as a captain on the volleyball team, holds a part-time job in customer service, has coordinated and run her school’s annual Holiday Shoppe event, and is extremely active in her church. Harlynn is pursuing a career in social work as it aligns with a personal calling to stand up for others, including those whose voices may be ignored. She will be participating in the early OCC program working towards this goal and earning college credit as she finishes high school. Social work will give her the opportunity to advocate for justice, offer compassion and be a steady presence for people navigating their own hardships. Emma Effinger, Homer Senior High School Emma has been active in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from playing varsity tennis all four years and serving as captain in 2024 and 2025, running indoor track, serving as her class Vice President organizing multiple fundraisers and planning social events for her class, and has been involved in theater, band, and other clubs. She has also served as Music Director and pianist at her church, tutored in geometry and taught piano lessons. Emma has been extremely active in the Environmental Club as secretary and has attended several youth summits, planned earth week events including campus and village cleanup days, has written a grant for water bottle refilters and finished construction on an outdoor classroom. She has most recently earned the Environmental Stewardship Award in 2025 given to a student that has taken action to protect the environment and shows promise to continue helping, among other recognition. Growing up in a rural area surrounded by nature, Emma’s time outdoors has taught her the importance of protecting the planet. Her passion is to dedicate her life to fighting pollution and climate change. She plans to student environmental engineering while continuing to play sports in college. Sanaa Goyal, Fayetteville-Manlius High School Sanaa is involved at the leadership level of several clubs and activities, including Model United Nations where she sets topics and manages the flow of debate and organizing meetings and competing in medical events for the F-M Healthcare Occupations Students of America. She has organized events with the F-M diversity coalition and participated in community service to boost digital literacy. She is also an avid dancer, earning regional and state-level medals and enjoys hiking as a way to embrace the journey by creating her own adventures. In addition, Sanaa has interned with Upstate Medical and has collaborated with a Syracuse University faculty member on an empirical public health research project examining adolescent suicide rates in New York State. This project is currently in progress as a working paper, and She aims to complete and submit it for publication by early spring. Once peer-reviewed and published, the findings will be disseminated through research briefs to assist local and state agencies in developing policies addressing adolescent mental health challenges and optimizing the allocation of limited public health resources. Sanaa plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering on the pre-med track to achieve her dream of becoming a primary care or internal medicine doctor. Madylin Hawkins, Liverpool High School Madylin is a compassionate and engaged member of her high school community. She is involved in Tri-M, a music honor society, FAME, a student run choir club, KEY Club, a community service club, FOR Club at OCM Boces which spreads kindness and awareness, Casting Hall, a play for her High School, and she is also a part of Kesem SU where she does community service. Kesem SU is an organization that supports kids experiencing a parent or guardian who has cancer, had cancer, or lost their battle to cancer. Mady is in this club because her dad sadly lost his battle to cancer a few years ago. This camp has made a huge impact on her life and many other lives. She has held several part-time jobs, as a student dance teacher, babysitter and various customer-facing roles at a local campground and marina. She has been recently selected to tour the board of regents around OCM Boces. When her father was in cancer treatments, Mady experienced many different nurses with many different personalities who all made her relieved and comforted throughout everything. She plans to pursue a future in nursing, specifically as a NICU or pediatric nurse and wants to give back and help people in a position that she once was. Madylin is dedicated to helping others and giving families a relief, no matter the patient. Chloe Lee, Fayetteville-Manlius High School Chloe participates in many extracurriculars, holding leadership roles in the Asian American Pacific Islander Assembly Club, as founder of her school’s Amnesty International Club for human rights activism, as Co-CEO and Project Manager of SciExcite, and volunteers with Senoreh to create more confident intercultural identities in young immigrant students through music. This past summer, Chole completed an internship at the MOST, preparing summer camps, researching possible future interactive activities for the museum, and serving as camp counselor. She was also selected to participate in the Bank of America Student Leaders Program and internship, as well as, the student leaders summit in Washington D.C. Chloe has participated in the Lodi Summer Camp, beginning as a camper, then moving into the role of junior staff, and currently serves as a lead-teacher for the Arts and Crafts classroom, preparing lessons that are age appropriate and culturally conscious. The campers, many of whom are recently resettled refugees, come from diverse backgrounds and English-speaking levels. She also volunteers as a teacher’s assistant for the Boaz Ministry, teaching computer literacy skills to neighbors who have recently resettled in the area. Chloe hopes to study Political Science in college with the goal of using that knowledge to create policies that address socioeconomic inequity. Eric Lee, Christian Brothers Academy Eric is captain of the varsity golf team and has earned the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation & Information Technology and has been named as an AP scholar with distinction. Most significantly, Eric has been playing the violin for over a decade, participating in academic music clubs, writing about music, earning awards regionally and statewide. He has also placed first in several international competitions and has spent countless hours performing as a musician. In his spare time, Eric began volunteering in an administrative role at a local hospital but found himself wanting to make a more meaningful difference. Eric realized that he could share his love of music by playing violin in the surgical waiting room. He soon realized his goal wasn’t to please everyone, but to give the most thoughtful, heartfelt performance he could to help make the world a little lighter for those waiting. Eric hopes to attend Brown University to study Applied Mathematics while continuing his passion for music. He plans to continue violin and chamber music studies and volunteer through Healing through Harmony, which brings music’s restorative power to hospitals and hospice care, similar to his volunteer experience here in Syracuse. Sophia Lovett, Manlius Pebble Hill School Sophia has played volleyball, golf and tennis at the JV and varsity levels and serves as a tour guide welcoming guests and families as an extension of the MPH admissions team. She has received several awards through participation in Model United Nations and has organized events with 200+ delegates from over 20 local schools, training others, securing speakers, and raising funds for a local nonprofit that assists refugees. In additional to holding part-time customer services and camp counselor jobs over the past several years, Sophia has held additional leadership roles as President of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club, Fundraising chair of the Breast Cancer Awareness Club, President and Founder of the Robotics/Rocket Club and has raised over $4,000 for local women’s health organization through the Zonta Club. After high school, Sophia plans to attend college and major in political science with a minor in legal studies. She then hopes to continue her education in law school and become a lawyer. Daniel Luo, Jamesville-Dewitt High School Daniel is a standout student, excelling in musical competitions, swim team, academic clubs, and local medical intern and research positions. Daniels’s interest in the medical field has been highlighted throughout his high school career through his research internship with SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Department of Pharmacology over the past 4 years and his internship with local medical center to shadow their doctors’ work and better hone his skills in the medical field. Daniel is nationally recognized for his mastery of the East Asian board game Go, placing 1st in the North American Youth Open tournament before taking on the position of Syracuse Go Club Tournament Director in 2024. His competitive edge doesn’t end there. Daniel has personal accolades spanning into athletics, earning Section III Championships swimming for the J-D Varsity team, as well as earning a position on the Syracuse Chargers Swim Club’s Senior Elite Team. His prowess for both piano and cello have earned him state-level recognition for both instruments through the Syracuse Young Artists Orchestra and CNY Association for Music Teachers. Daniel is also highly regarded for his understanding of French language, earning high honors for The National French Contest over 5 consecutive years and earning two AP scholar awards. Daniel plans to attend Princeton University, majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering, earn his MD-PhD, and ultimately combining his passions for clinical care and biomedical research as a Physician-Scientist. Octavia Aurelia Miller, Fayetteville-Manlius High School Octavia is an outstanding student who thrives in her work across the visual arts, academic, STEM, music, and volunteer fields. She spent this past summer doing mentored independent research with a Syracuse University PhD student, studying the psychological impacts of food insecurity which aligns with her volunteer work at the Samaritan Center. Octavia has received numerous top-10 medals for the F-M Science Olympiad and chairs her school’s Model UN. Octavia has garnered high praises in the music and theater world, becoming VP of the International Thespian Honor Society, earning state titles for her involvement in school choir, and being selected to sit on the Syracuse Stage Young Adult Council. Her artistic abilities don’t end there; she has done work as a Junior Curator at the Corning Museum of Glass, was featured as a poet for the Syracuse Poster Project, displayed exhibits at the Everson Museum and Rochester Museum of Contemporary Art, received multiple Scholastic Arts Awards, started a crochet club and business, taken online college classes with the Berklee School of Music, and recorded a self-written EP to be released later this year. Octavia plans to study Music Production and Engineering at the Interlochen Arts Academy and eventually explore Music as it interacts with the sciences in Psychology and physics. Mikyal Mobeen, Jamesville-Dewitt High School Mikyal has forged an extremely impressive path in the field of medicine in both research and applied settings throughout his high school career. His penchant for Biology is apparent in his development and publication of the Phostrack App on Google Play. His app helps dialysis patients make smarter dietary choices by understanding and simplifying managing a low-phosphorus diet. Mikyal’s interest in helping others through healthcare is highlighted by his tireless work researching, interning, shadowing and volunteering with medical organizations in his free time. Mikyal spends summers working as a research assistant and data analyst for Upstate Medical University’s Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, studying the origin of autoimmune diseases and subsequently co-authoring a related research paper. His internship at Dialysis Clinic Inc. allowed him to shadow doctors treating dialysis patients and help improve dietitian-patient communications. Mikyal volunteers at the Zakat Foundation of America helping refugees with nutritional literacy, leads the Healthy Habits Club to guide mental health and nutrition initiatives, does outreach for the Health Occupations Students of America, and participates in St. Joseph’s Health Hospital Summer Teen Volunteer Program in both patient-facing and research capacities. Mikyal plans to attend college at University of Pennsylvania’s Vagelos Life Sciences and Management Program. He plans to focus his studies on the intersection of biology and business to translate biological insights and discoveries into patient-centered solutions. Maria Natale, Bishop Ludden-Grimes Junior/Senior High School Maria is a creative force, compassionate leader, and dedicated student whose impact is felt across her school and community. As Student Government Treasurer, National Honor Society member, Math League participant, Yearbook Club Editor, and Psychology Club member, Maria brings energy and thoughtfulness to every role she takes on. She is deeply committed to service, organizing initiatives such as a card-making event, homecoming t-shirt sales, and a toiletry drive benefiting Joseph’s House for Women, each project reflecting her desire to uplift and support others. Maria’s artistic talents are equally inspiring. As a member of the Stage Crew and set designer for school musicals, she brings stories to life through visual expression. Her award-winning artwork, including a piece inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that was exhibited in Albany, speaks to her ability to channel powerful messages through art. She has also completed five murals throughout her school, transforming shared spaces into reflections of creativity and inclusivity. Through art, Maria has found healing, identity, and purpose—and she uses that understanding to help foster a welcoming environment for others. After graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in marketing and eventually earn her MBA, blending her artistic vision with strategic leadership. Brooke Proper, Moravia Central School Brooke is a standout student-athlete, leader, and community servant whose strength and compassion reflect generations of inspiration. A Scholar Athlete and all-star in Varsity Field Hockey, Brooke also co-captains the Varsity Softball team and is an avid downhill skier. Her leadership extends beyond athletics. She serves as President of the National Honor Society and has held multiple roles on Student Council throughout her high school career. Brooke is also a proud and accomplished member of Future Farmers of America, where she has earned numerous awards and served in several leadership positions, including Chapter President. Brooke’s strong work ethic is matched by a deep sense of purpose rooted in family legacy. Inspired by her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother, all of whom were nurses, Brooke is planning to follow in their footsteps with plans to enter the nursing field. Her grandmother, in particular, was a guiding force in her life, shaping the values and determination that define her today. After graduation, Brooke plans to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Administrator, continuing her family’s tradition of care and service. Nandika Rajaram, Liverpool High School Nandika is a gifted musician, accomplished scholar, and passionate environmental advocate whose impact reaches from the concert stage to Capitol Hill. A talented performer, Nandika was selected to collaborate with Hollywood composer Sean O’Loughlin on the original piece Let the Music Move You, and she continues to shine as a member of the symphonic orchestra and the music honor society. Her academic achievements are equally impressive. She is a dedicated member of the Science Olympiad team, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and Student Council. As a Model UN delegate, she has represented her school at high-profile conferences, and she earned a gold medal at the Earth Science Symposium for her outstanding work. Nandika’s passion for environmental justice drives much of her leadership. As President of the Youth Environmental Action Group, she leads local initiatives to raise awareness and inspire change. She has represented youth voices on a national stage as a delegate for the Healing Our Waters Coalition in Washington, D.C., where she advocated for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Bill. She also served as a Youth Representative in Albany, lobbying for increased environmental protection funding. After graduation, Nandika plans to study environmental engineering at SUNY ESF, where she hopes to continue building a more sustainable and equitable future. Aarohi Rastogi, Jamesville-Dewitt High School A dedicated Girl Scout for over 11 years, Aarohi has served as a National Conference delegate helping to shape national Girl Scout laws and currently leads as President of the Girl Scout Advisory Committee. She is a Gold and Silver Award recipient, reflecting her long-standing commitment to service and leadership. Athletically, Aarohi is a state champion in club gymnastics, competes on her school’s gymnastics and track teams, and brings the same discipline and determination to every challenge she takes on. Aarohi also serves as a United Nations advocate and delegate, having spoken at several high-profile national conferences. She is also the founder of Health Beyond Body, an initiative that develops curriculum and delivers mental health workshops to women in India—demonstrating her commitment to global wellness and education. Her passion for medicine is evident in her involvement with the New Visions Medical Professions program, a rigorous mock medical school experience where she has completed practice hours and clinical rounds. Aarohi has also contributed to two research studies at Upstate Hospital, focusing on geriatrics and chronic lung disease, and volunteers at Crouse Hospital, gaining firsthand experience in patient care. Looking ahead, Aarohi aspires to open clinics and hospitals in rural communities around the world, bringing compassionate care to underserved populations. Molly Scherfling, Charles W. Baker High School Molly is a powerhouse of talent, leadership, and determination. A gold medalist figure skater, Molly has participated in Team USA camp, all while serving as a coach and mentor to younger skaters, sharing her time, skills, and encouragement to help others grow. She is also a state champion Crew athlete. At school, Molly is a vibrant leader. She serves on the Student Advisory Council, is President of both the Key Club and National Junior Honor Society, contributes to the Math League team, and is an Editor of the Yearbook. Molly’s artistic talents shine as the concertmaster for the Jazz Orchestra, where she plays piano, violin, and guitar. Molly is never one to shy away from a challenge. Molly learned to fix a car in her auto class, then bought a fixer-upper and made it her own. Through this experience, she discovered a passion for engineering and a mission to empower other young women to feel confident with technical tasks. After graduation, Molly plans to study engineering or political science in college, continuing to blend creativity, leadership, and innovation in everything she does. Ronen Shapiro, Jamesville-Dewitt High School Ronen is a scholar, athlete, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. A dedicated researcher, Ronen has served as a research assistant on an anti-cancer drug study at SUNY Upstate Medical University and contributed to a wildlife monitoring project with Cornell University. He also volunteers at SUNY Upstate, gaining firsthand experience in patient care and the realities of the medical field. A varsity swimmer and competitive sailor, Ronen balances rigorous academics with athletic discipline, and his achievements in Science Olympiad and Model UN showcase his analytical thinking and global awareness. Beyond academics, Ronen runs his own car detailing business, demonstrating initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. But his most heartfelt work has been in support of those affected by the war in Ukraine, a cause close to his family and his heart. He organized a fundraiser to send humanitarian aid and supplies overseas and personally tutored a Ukrainian refugee in English over Zoom, helping him heal from trauma and adjust to life in the U.S. Through these efforts, Ronen has shown that leadership is not just about achievement, but about empathy and action. After graduation, Ronen plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine, where he hopes to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Aphone Shin, Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central Aphone is a student at the Syracuse Institute of Technology. She is a passionate leader and changemaker whose dedication to service and education sets her apart. As a Seeds of Peace student representative, Aphone was invited to serve as a dialogue facilitator at an interfaith conference, using her voice to build bridges across communities. She also serves as a Big Future student ambassador, helping her peers navigate college planning and career exploration with confidence and clarity. Aphone is actively involved in the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at Syracuse University, preparing for a future in STEM, and is a student leader for Ignite the Youth, where she supports underclassmen with the tools they need to thrive academically. Her commitment to advocacy is evident in her work with 211CNY, where she distributed flyers and spoke in front of community leaders to raise awareness for vital local resources. In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Aphone participates in judicial shadowing, student government, and works part-time as a childcare provider at the YMCA. She is also a chemistry researcher, demonstrating her intellectual curiosity and drive for discovery. At home, she plays a vital role in her family’s store in Syracuse, where she learned the value of community stewardship—describing it as “planting seeds of hope” by going out of your way for others and creating a haven for growth. After graduation, Aphone hopes to attend UC Berkeley to study cognitive science and architecture, with the goal of becoming an urban planner who designs inclusive, resilient communities. Merehawi Tesfay, Cicero North Syracuse High School Merehawi is a shining example of perseverance, leadership, and service. Born in Ethiopia, Merehawi faced the challenge of adjusting to a new country, language, and school, an experience that became the foundation of his remarkable resilience and determination. Today, he is a trusted deacon at his church, where he teaches Bible lessons to children, guiding them with empathy and a strong sense of purpose. His faith and commitment to service have shaped his character and inspired those around him. Merehawi is also a dedicated member and Student Leader in the Le Moyne College Upward Bound program, which supports first-generation, low-income students in achieving academic and college success. Through this role, he mentors peers and helps foster a culture of achievement and support. In addition to his community and academic commitments, Merehawi serves on his school’s executive board, participates in student government, and holds two part-time jobs, all while maintaining a strong academic record. Layal Thabet, Nottingham High School Layal is a standout student who has shown extraordinary commitment to service and leadership throughout her high school career. Her most meaningful work has been at the Rahma Clinic, a free healthcare facility serving uninsured members of the community, where she volunteers regularly. Through her time there, Layal has witnessed firsthand the challenges of healthcare inequality, an experience that has shaped her worldview and deepened her empathy, patience, and sense of purpose. Layal sees service as a powerful expression of her faith and a way to uplift and strengthen her community. In addition to her work at the clinic, Layal is active in her mosque, helping to organize events and holiday celebrations for its members. She also volunteers at the Samaritan Center and creates her own volunteer projects like the tiny library project she led in partnership with the Onondaga Free Library. Layal is also a participant in Syracuse University’s Future Leaders program, where she continues to grow as a changemaker. After graduation, Layal plans to attend Syracuse University to major in biology with a minor in public health, following the Pre-Med track with the goal of becoming a doctor and continuing her mission to make healthcare more accessible and equitable. Seineh Weah, Nottingham High School Seineh is a dynamic student who stands out as a three-sport athlete and a passionate advocate for her community. Whether she’s on the volleyball court, basketball team, or lacrosse field, Seineh brings energy, discipline, and teamwork to everything she does. As a Link Crew leader, she fosters connection and dialogue among her peers, helping to build a more inclusive and supportive school environment. Off the field, Seineh is deeply committed to service. Seineh has led several volunteer initiatives including organizing a feminine hygiene product drive for Planned Parenthood and assembling food packages for children in need, all while balancing the demands of a large and loving family. Her upbringing has taught her resilience, compassion, and the importance of lifting others up, even when time and resources are limited. Seineh is determined to be the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, with the goal of becoming a dentist—a career path inspired by her desire to help others and make a lasting impact.
