Molly Aitken
Mica Mountain High School
Class: 2025
Molly Aitken serves as student body president at Mica Mountain High School where she excels academically and as a leader. She maintains a 4.78 GPA and is involved in numerous clubs on campus. She is a manager for various sports and organizes and leads spirit assemblies, dances, and other school events. Molly played a vital role on the Planning Site Council during Mica Mountain’s construction and now serves on the Principal Advisory, helping shape essential school decisions. Her dedication to our school and community has made a lasting impact on both her peers and staff.
Esmeralda Almazan
Pueblo High School
Class: 2025
Esmeralda is one of the most intelligent, resourceful, and service-minded young women at Pueblo High School. While most know her as the class valedictorian, Esmeralda is also deeply empathetic, resilient, determined, dedicated to serving others, helping her peers succeed both in and outside of the classroom.
Madison Bennett
Willcox High School
Class: 2025
“WE ARE WILLCOX!” is the slogan of the Willcox Unified School District, no one embodies this more than Madison. Madison is a three-sport athlete who was key to each team making the playoffs as a junior, is at the top of her class with a 4.2 GPA, and is involved in yearbook. Madison is student body president who takes the time to listen to her classmates and create a positive environment for all.
Isabelle Betancourt
Bowie High School
Class: 2026
Isabelle exemplifies the values of the Young Women of Impact initiative through her leadership in Future Farmers of America and student council. Currently taking college courses for welding certifications, Isabelle demonstrates ambition and a commitment to personal growth. Her involvement in showing livestock at the county fair showcases her dedication to community heritage. Isabelle is highly motivated and serves as a reliable resource for her peers in need of assistance, embodying the spirit of a true leader.
Phoebe Brown
Amphitheater High School
Class: 2025
Phoebe is an uplifting, impactful, and self-motivated leader who ensures that her peers feel encouraged and included. She is on the dance team, is co-captain of the cheer team, and has been in drama for all four years of her time at Amphitheater High School. Phoebe is in the Interact Club, which focuses on improving the lives of people in our community, and is working with the school’s librarian to start a book club this year. She manages all of this while excelling academically, and has dreams to attend a university next year.
Emily Donia
Sahuarita High School
Class: 2025
Emily is intelligent, diligent, creative, hard-working, energetic, humble, and compassionate. Committed to academic and personal growth, Emily involves herself in activities such as Student Council, golf, softball, and is a leader for school blood drives. Emily has recently been appointed as an ambassador of the school’s College Knowing and Growing program, allowing her to work one-on-one with students, assisting them with college applications and the completion of FAFSA paperwork. Emily has demonstrated excellent planning skills and shines as a leader and role model to all. She is eager to learn new things and always happy to share knowledge. Emily consistently exceeds expectations and shows remarkable dedication in all she does.
Briana Felix
Nogales High School
Class: 2025
Briana demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities as student body president while challenging herself with AP and Honors courses. Engaged in Future Business Leaders of America and Interact Club, Briana volunteers by reading to elementary students. Briana is esteemed by peers and teachers for her kindness, determination, and capacity to motivate others. Briana embodies leadership and is a beacon of hope, illustrating that perseverance, empathy, and resilience can overcome challenges and create a meaningful impact on the world.
Ava Festerling
Tombstone High School
Class: 2025
Ava, who will graduate high school with at least 18 credit hours on her college transcript, is in the National Honor Society and Future Farmers of America, where she competed in Creed Speaking and was a 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador for two years. In 2023, Ava was selected to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation’s annual Youth Leadership Conference in Tempe. Ava is also an excellent musician who has played flute for all four years in the high school band and is preparing for the upcoming 2025 Concerto Competition with the Sierra Vista Symphony. Ava plans to attend the University of Arizona to study aerospace engineeringwith the ultimate goal of working in the aerospace industry as an astronautical engineer. Ava is smart, driven, persistent, compassionate, kind, and principled.
Ailanie Figueroa
Tucson High Magnet School
Class: 2025
Ailanie is the esteemed lead trumpet player for the renowned Mariachi Rayos del Sol, also volunteering as a mentor for young mariachi enthusiasts and serving on the Student Advisory Council for the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Her dedication and leadership are evident from her role as the public relations officer, where she expertly managed social media accounts and fostered community connections. She aspires to pursue a degree in marketing, where her leadership, networking, and planning skills are sure to help her excel.
Shannon Frost
Benson High School
Class: 2025
Shannon strives to gain knowledge whether at school through community events. Whether on the track and field team or in Future Farmers of America, or in the National Honors Society, Shannon is a natural-born leader and a role model to others. She was also chosen to represent Benson High School as a delegate for the American Legion’s Auxiliary Girls State Program. Shannon is a remarkable young woman.
Neveah Gamboa
University High School
Class: 2025
Neveah has mentored 9th graders every year since she was a sophomore and also spends her summers volunteering for our middle school camps. As an ambassador of University High School, she works to educate curious families about all the opportunities and resources available at the school. In Dreamcatchers Club, Neveah works to actualize last wishes for hospice patients. Neveah is community- and service-oriented, even supporting the school’s administrative needs as an office aid.
Regan Haynie
St. David High School
Class: 2025
Regan is known for her hard work and dedication to her studies, athletics, and serving her peers. Regan’s leadership has shown through in her roles as student body president, freshman and junior class president, and in her many leadership positions among the Future Farmers of America. Regan leads with patience and precision, working well with her peers, the PTO, and school faculty. Regan assists in organizing and facilitating activities such as homecoming, prom, FFA Field Days, and banquets. She plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy, and to serve a mission for her church. Her drive, integrity, and dedication to the betterment of herself and those around her make her a standout role model for all.
Yasmina Jackson
High School: Rincon High School
Class: 2026
Yasmina embodies the ideals of Young Women of Impact through her determination to excel in school and her commitment to self-advocacy. She is dedicated to both academic and personal growth, consistently striving to deepen her understanding of the world. With compassion and perseverance, Yasmina skillfully and confidently addresses injustices when she observes them, making her a standout leader among her peers.
Rose Jacobo Ojeda
Palo Verde High Magnet School
Class: 2025
Rose is a thoughtful and motivated young woman who will be an early graduate, finishing all her requirements by the end of her junior year and receiving her diploma in May of 2025. Not only does she excel academically having a weighted GPA of 4.03, but she is also involved in extracurricular activities. Rose is an Upward Bound student and is also the president of the school’s College and Career Club, working hard to set an example with her integrity and inclusive, welcoming spirit. She has taken AP classes, honors classes, and dual enrollment classes, while also being an exemplary Advancement Via Individual Determination student. Rose is a first-generation student and strives to make her family proud. Rose is hardworking, kind, driven, and humble, and she is passionate about advocating for and empowering her community.
Jasmine Jesson
Santa Rita High School
Class: 2025
Known for her quiet, confident leadership both on and off campus, Jasmine is part of the Tucson Youth Leadership Academy cohort this year. She maintains a full dual enrollment academic schedule while also serving as president of our Diesel Club. While being actively involved in multiple Career and Technical Education programs, she will graduate from high school with 24 college credits while earning an unweighted GPA of 3.65. In addition to being in her third year of Diesel Engine Repair, Jasmine is also participating in year two of the Pima JTED Veterinary Science program. She is an animal lover and has a passion for caring for animals of all types. Her plans are to continue her studies in veterinary science after graduation.
Carly Kaplan
Marana High School
Class: 2025
Carly is an enthusiastic, smart, and dedicated student who represents Marana High School and her community in many capacities. Carly has participated in chamber orchestra for all four years of her high school career and has performed with the regional orchestra for three years. She is captain of the school’s swim team, the lieutenant governor for the Southwest District Key Club International organization, a National Honor Society member, and a Southern Arizona Girl Scouts organization board member. In April of 2024, Carly was the recipient of the Youth Legacy Award for the Town of Marana. Last summer, Carly represented her school and community at the Arizona Girls State conference. She recently earned College Board National recognition.
MariaLuz Lopez Varela
Cholla High School
Class: 2027
MariaLuz has an exceptional ability to articulate her goals and advocate for herself. She is motivated to be top of her class and to be a full International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate, and is on track to succeed at both. She is involved in both sports and school clubs. MariaLuz has received recognition for not only her academics, but also her willingness to help others achieve their goals, continually setting an example of excellence.
Autumn Lunde
Andrada Polytechnic High School
Class: 2025
Autumn embodies unwavering integrity, compassion, and determination, guided by her strong faith and principles. As a stellar student and leader, she excels in Health Occupations Students of America, as student body president, and as captain of the school’s cheer team. Her adaptability and eagerness to lead are evident in her efforts to develop new clubs, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with grace, Autumn radiates kindness and inclusivity, empowering her peers and creating a lasting, positive impact on her campus and the world.
Trivene Magar
Catalina High School
Class: 2025
In addition to playing on the school’s soccer team and serving as student body president, Trivene has been an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America for all four years of her high school career, serving as chapter president for the last two years. Trivene has also spent the past three years volunteering at the Arizona Diaper Bank and plans to attend the U of A as a pre-med student.
Jeanette Mendoza
Sunnyside High School
Class: 2025
Jeanette is a prime example of dedication and drive. Not only has she excelled academically, taking AP and College-level courses, but she has also been part of organizations and clubs like Los Diablitos Mariachi and Sunnyside's BioTech program. Jeanette takes advantage of all resources and opportunities available to her and does so while demonstrating exceptional kindness toward her peers and others.
Nicole Michel
Douglas High School
Class: 2025
Nicole is kind, intelligent, and dedicated, having taken every Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment course available at Douglas High School and maintained a 4.0 GPA. Beyond her impressive commitment to academic excellence, she has held numerous leadership positions, including student body president, showcasing her ability to inspire and serve as a role model to her peers. Nicole has earned several accolades, including second and third place at Health Occupations Students of America Regionals and State, as well as first and third place at SkillsUSA State and Nationals. These achievements highlight both her competitive spirit and her ability to excel in challenging environments.
Halima Mohamed
Desert View High School
Class: 2025
Halima is a 4.0 student, an engaged student leader, and a person of influence at Desert View High School. She belongs to numerous clubs and student organizations, most notably, Heritage Club, which promotes inclusivity within the school, and she actively participates in community service as well. Halima has applied to the University of Arizona and wishes to pursue a degree in neuropsychology with the ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practioner specializing in adolescent mental health.
Valeria Montano-Valencia
Empire High School
Class: 2025
Valeria is an illustration of hope and optimism for the future. A leader on campus, she serves as captain of the cheer squad, a peer coach through the Regional College Access Center AmeriCorps program, and a Link Crew leader. Altruistic and empathetic, Valeria works to support inclusivity amongst her peers, making sure that all feel seen and heard. She’s courageous and resilient, unafraid to take chances and make mistakes while learning and growing. Valeria is changing the world one person at a time.
Lessly Moroyoqui
Pierson High School
Class: 2025
Lessly is an exceptional student celebrated for her academic excellence and outstanding leadership. Her three-time recognition as Student of the Month underscores her unwavering dedication. As a GearUp coach, she inspires her peers to reach their full potential. Currently pursuing a nursing services program, she also holds the prestigious position of president of the Health Occupations Students of America. Lessly’s active participation in U of A’s Med-Start program and her role as an AZ-Hope Scholar and Ambassador exemplify her exceptional leadership. Lessly also volunteers at St. Luke’s Senior Residents and the Mariposa Youth Coalition, promoting healthy living habits in her community.
Sara Nielsen
Catalina Foothills High School
Class: 2025
In addition to being at the top of her class academically, Sara currently serves as a drum major, a competitive role showing her leadership and dedication to the band. Sara also started a March for Our Lives club at Catalina Foothills High School, inviting speakers on current events and feeding the homeless. This year the club will be hosting a voter registration event. A member of the school’s Science Olympiad, Sara and her team won first place at the state competition. Sara intends to pursue a four-year college degree in mathematics.
Antonia Ortiz
Cienega High School
Class: 2025
Antonia is an exceptional leader and scholar, excelling in her dual enrollment courses while balancing leadership roles. As a key figure in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program, she exemplifies discipline and service. Antonia is the president of Blue Star Students, a club dedicated to supporting military and first responder dependents, and she leads with compassion and inclusivity. Additionally, as captain of the varsity cheer team, she demonstrates dedication and teamwork. Antonia’s determination and commitment to both academics and extracurriculars make her a role model, inspiring others to strive for success and embrace their potential.
Larissa Petkov
Vail Academy and High School
Class: 2025
Larissa shows integrity, trustworthiness, and honesty in her role as National Honor Society president. Compassionate and inclusive, she consistently encourages the quiet members of Honor Society to share opinions during group projects and decision-making. She has an impact on campus by volunteering to help with the Scavenger Hunt, reading to children, and hosting an author at the school. In service of the community, Larissa helps with the our local food bank’s food drive and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Upon graduation, Larissa plans to pursue higher education, including a doctorate degree, and become a dentist.
Joselyn Pruitt
Sabino High School
Class: 2026
Joselyn is a bright young woman with a lifetime of service in her future. She excels in music and art, but she truly shines when she is making a difference in the lives of others. While she may have more than a year until graduation, she already has an eye on what she wants to do next. Whether she pursues higher education or follows in her family tradition of military service, Joselyn will make an impact on the lives of others.
Sylvia Russell
Canyon del Oro High School
Class: 2025
Sylvia is respected on campus by teachers and students alike. She is a well-rounded individual who works to create an inclusive environment amongst her peers while balancing marching band, varsity soccer, academics, and work. As a Canyon del Oro Scholar, she demonstrates dedication to academic excellence and her active participation in the Star Lab mentorship program highlights her love of science and drive for research and innovation. Sylvia puts ideas into action, makes the world a better place, and has a productive, impactful future ahead of her.
Melanie Thompson
Flowing Wells High School
Class: 2025
Melanie excels in pursuing her academic goals, guided by her strong values of friendship, teamwork, and empathy. She has a passion for mathematics and plans to pursue a career in the field. In the classroom, both teachers and peers rely on her to lead discussions and offer creative insights. Outside of academics, she is the flute section leader, captain of the swim team, and an active member of the choir, Young Life, and National Honor Society. As a community leader, she organizes Sunday service projects, helps build shelters with 1Mission, and supports Rise Against Hunger.