High School Student Awards

2024

• Alexis Andrulonis

  

  Attending in the fall: Georgia Institute of Technology
  
  I have been fascinated by STEM and particularly aerospace for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I learned new topics in mathematics for fun and begged my parents for challenging math problems instead of bedtime stories. Throughout high school, I have become inspired to contribute to our country by gaining knowledge in aerospace and by developing skills in leadership through the Civil Air Patrol. In my CAP squadron, I currently teach aerospace classes as the cadet aerospace education leader in addition to my role as flight commander. Last summer, I contributed to satellite-antenna communication technology development during my Lockheed Martin Space Software Engineering internship. My independent high school culminating project was research on Laplace’s Equation and a model rocketry experiment with statistical analysis on altimeter flight data. As president of my high school robotics club, I organize and direct students to prepare for FIRST Tech Challenge competitions. I am currently collaborating with a community college professor to develop Python simulations of the three-body problem in orbital mechanics using various systems of nonlinear differential equations of motion and various integration estimation methods.
  
  I plan to begin my aerospace engineering B.S degree in the fall of 2024 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. My ultimate career goal is to enhance our national security through contributions to missile detection and missile interception technology. I am forever grateful for my God given blessings, as well as for the loving support and encouragement provided by my family.

• Daisy Li

  

  Attending in the fall: Stanford University

  I fell in love with space exploration while watching the docking and hatch opening ceremony of Crew Dragon Demo-2. Inspired by the collaborative nature of the space industry, I strive to spearhead the exploration of our cosmos through engineering. At Dreyfoos School of the Arts, I am a violinist in the orchestra and co-president of the Aerospace and Rocketry Club. I enjoy the iterative process of designing, building, and test-launching model rockets at Dyer Park alongside my teammates. However, my most memorable launch of a (full-scale) rocket was SpaceX CRS-27 — the launch of my team’s research experiment to the International Space Station! Through Higher Orbits, I led my teammates to investigate the impacts of microgravity on methanotrophic metabolism for future sustainability applications. During summers, I’ve learned to fly (US Air Force’s Aim High Flight Academy), conducted glaciology fieldwork in Alaska (Girls in Icy Fjords), and volunteered at my local GEMS Club (Girls Excelling in Math and Science).
  
  I am eternally grateful and honored to receive AIAA’s Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. Through the program’s support, I hope to explore the field of engineering and discover further my role in the space industry, when I attend Stanford University in the fall, and beyond.

• Leslie Nava

  

  Attending in the fall: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida

  The world of aerospace and aviation was something I never noticed when I was younger, but it moved me in an instant. It opened a new passion within me: to fly planes and understand the objective and structure of an aircraft. I am a student pilot for KCPT Flyers and have been involved with the Ninety-Nines Organization for Women Pilots, the Society for Women Engineers, the TCC Latina STEM Fellowship, the Hispanic Debutante Association, and the North Texas chapter for International Women in Aviation. The world of aviation and engineering has inspired me to pursue the impossible and paved a pathway that permits me to strive through adversity. I am the Senior Class President, Student Government Senator, Student Superintendent for the school district committee, engineering notebook lead, digital designer, and event organizer for my VEX Robotics team. I aspire to grow, advocate, lead, and inspire others in our community. I designed and hosted the first-ever STEM Workshop in my high school, where Middle schoolers get hands-on with STEM. The feedback I received from peers, teachers, participants, and parents was the reward that motivated me to continue these efforts of expanding the STEM community. I seek to strengthen my ability to create a welcoming environment that permits others to pursue goals that they thought were impossible.
  
  I am committed to pursuing aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where I will continue to build a legacy by expanding my knowledge and experiences. I plan to serve in the Air Force for engineering, work at a professional airline, and study business and political science to create a flight school in Mexico that helps create more innovative leaders in society.

• Khue Phan

  

  Attending in the fall: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  I am currently a senior at Kerr High School in Houston, Texas. I lived in Saigon, Vietnam, for 13 years before moving to the States. I have developed an interest in engineering, or astrophysics, from a very young age through the fascinating portrayals of Greek Mythology and their deep connections with nature, especially the stars in the sky. With such interest, I participated in NASA High School Aerospace Scholars and conducted extensive research to meet their weekly assignments. I also became a NASA Ambassador and Peer Mentor for the same program in my senior year. Besides the burning passion for aerospace engineering, I am also fascinated by areas where engineering and healthcare merge, such as the process of fabricating artificial bones into a patient's body by implementing the use of 3D printing technology, and proceed to join the Electrical and Computer Engineering research team at the University of Houston as part of the NSF Grant.
  
  I plan to pursue Aerospace Engineering at MIT with a potential major in Artificial Intelligence and Decision-Making. I also intend to focus on the Autonomous Systems and decision-making research concentration as part of my undergraduate experience under the Autonomy and Embedded Robotics Accelerated lab.

2023

• Lydia Ames of Nolensville, Tennessee

  

  Attends: Nolensville High School
  Attending in the fall: Florida Institute of Technology
  
  I live with my loving, supportive family in Nolensville, Tennessee. I am the technical director for the Nolensville Theatre Department and have helped lead technical teams and actors through many productions. I am also involved in my school's Society of Women Engineers chapter, student council, and black empowerment club, and am a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.
  
  In elementary school, I always wanted to read all of the books available about planets and stars, learning and reciting all of the facts. In middle school, I watched the movie, Hidden Figures, and saw smart, strong, gorgeous black women like me in one of the hardest fields there is: rocket science. These influences helped me transform my love for space into a dream to become an aerospace engineer.
  
  I have committed to Florida Institute of Technology for fall 2023, to further my edu­cation and career.

• Samannita Mukherjee of Floral Park, New York

  

  Attends: Floral Park Memorial High School
  
  I was born in New York and raised by my parents who immigrated from Bangladesh. My parents taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance, values which have stuck with me to this day. Math has always been my favorite subject in school and music comes in as a close second. When I was 6 years old, I would write out my times tables on a whiteboard and color code them whenever I had free time because I thought it was fun.
  
  As I grew older, I realized that I wanted a mathematics-related career that required more hands-on tasks and creativ­ity. In the summer before 9th grade, I attend­ed the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy Program at York College where my knowledge and love for aerospace blossomed. As I learned how to build robots and rockets, I realized that aerospace engineering is the type of career that I wanted to pursue. Therefore, I will be attending college as an aerospace/ mechanical engineering major and plan on working at NASA one day.

• Anna Phan of Cypress, Texas

  

  Attends: Cypress Woods High School
  
  Before I became a Texan, I was a New Yorker, and before that, I was a Vietnamese immigrant on my way to the USA. Despite the changes in scenery, being a big sister has always been a constant in my life. The home is where I first developed my passion for science. From blowing bubbles into hyacinth-forcing jars to increase root mass and finding native plant seeds with my siblings, I didn’t let the walls of my home restrict me from pursuing what I found most interesting.
  
  I was introduced to space through my little brother. When he received a telescope, I studied the planets and beyond! I enjoyed using my talents to instruct and make others happy, and I found that I had a knack for astrophotography — placing fourth at the 2022 TSA Regional Competition with no formal training.
  
  I plan to pursue a degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with a minor in political science. With my studies, I hope to gain an interdisciplinary perspective that I can rely upon throughout my career in the aerospace sector.

• Valeria Santoyo of South Gate, California

  

  Attends: Saint Joseph High School
  
  I grew up marveling at the stars and the moon and have never stopped. I am currently working on an innovation for the MIT Invention Convention in which I am building a vertical garden that can be transported for people that live in urbanized communities. My passion for STEM granted me the opportunity to visit the CIA headquarters for a STEM CAMP that included extracting DNA and taking fingerprint samples.
  
  At my school, I am a part of the Girls Who Code club. Through the club, I have worked with Python and model planes that fly. During my free time, I enjoy volunteering for the virtual Noche de Ciencias events, hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, where kits are sent to middle and high school students and I help them build robots over Zoom. I find it fulfilling to share my passion for space with my community.
  
  Through AIAA, I have been able to further enrich my studies by engaging in lectures and meeting with professional associates in the aerospace industry. I am grateful to have the support of my faith, family, friends, and mentors that have believed in my potential to reach for the stars and beyond.

2022

• Favianna Colon of Caguas, Puerto Rico

  

  Notre Dame High School
  Attending in the fall: TBD
  
  Born on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico to parents Christine Irizarry and José Colón, I am the eldest child, a trained ballet dancer, and the first member of my family to pursue university studies outside the isle’s borders—I hope to attend MIT or Georgia Tech in the fall. My decision to do so came over four years ago, in 2018, when I traveled to Washington, DC, to compete in the National Science Bowl and fell in love with the vibrant campus life.
  
  I am currently a senior at Notre Dame High School in my hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico. I participate in a specialized STEAM program offered there that, over the years, has inspired my fondness of discovery and creation. At the school, I am an active member of numerous organizations, including the Chemistry Club, Honor Society, and Mathematics Club, of which I am president. Thanks to participation in these, I have managed to be a great prospect in competitions like the Puerto Rico Math Olympiad. Further, such institutions have assisted me in discerning my passion for Chemical and Biological Engineering.
  
  Outside of school, in 2019, I participated in a research initiative hosted by NASA in the Arecibo Observatory called STAR Academy. I graduated as the program’s salutatorian and, during my time there, investigated black hole types and emerging trends in their development throughout the universe. Such experience steered me to also seek a minor in Astronomy.

• Nchenui Moundae Jamila of New Castle, DE

  

  Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School
  Attending in the fall: TBD
  
  I am an aspiring aerospace engineer who grew up in the Central African country of Cameroon and moved to the United States when I was 10 years old. Engineering has always been something that I loved, and I was always fixing and assembling things as a child. I never knew exactly what type of engineering I wanted to specialize in, so I decided to apply for the manufacturing and pre-engineering vocational high school program, which explored every aspect of engineering spanning from machining to CAD design, coding, to circuity, rocket science and robotics. Though intrigued by different fields of engineering, I found rocket science, machining, and robotics units the most challenging and interesting. I wanted a specialization that combined all of my interests, and I always had a strong interest in global warming since I was 12 — I even did a science fair project on the effects of co2 emission. While researching the project I found that research and development for electric cars and solar power were almost definitive at the time, but that of electric airplanes was really far off. I then realized that aerospace engineering was perfect for me, as I could incorporate my interest in global warming, fulfill a personal vendetta against my misogynistic culture, and blend many of the types of engineering I had a passion for. I have a long-term goal of being a key part in the development of an electric airplane.

• Elizabeth Kung of Portland, OR

  

  Sunset High School
  Attending in the fall: TBD
  
  I was born and raised in Oregon and have always been an active person, curious to try new endeavors. In my early years, I attended a Chinese immersion school, and I am able to fluently read, write, and converse. I love the team atmosphere and the competitive nature of sports, and I’ve played football, was the captain of my rugby team, attended swimming competitions, and achieved a USA Ballroom Dance Nationals 2nd-place finish.
  
  Space has always been my biggest passion. I was introduced to the magnificence of space through three movies: October Sky showed me how to dream, Hidden Figures showed me how to pursue, and Apollo 13 showed me how to persevere. These films were an inspiration, leading me to participate in engineering classes, visit local companies like Boeing, and compete in the Conrad Challenge, becoming a “Conrad Innovator” for two projects: ClearCube (space debris removal) and Mile One (ecofriendly, sustainable shipping). I also had the pleasure of attending two NASA summer camps: one in Alabama, where my team won the “Commander’s Cup,” and another in Florida, where I witnessed a rocket launch.
  
  I have a desire to further space exploration. Whether or not this involves working on rockets, researching new materials, assembling rovers, learning to fly, or cleaning up space debris, I want to be part of this special time in history. I intend to pursue a degree in Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering and work in the space industry.

• Mariah Tammera of Warrenton, VA

  

  Highland School
  Attending in the fall: TBD
  
  When I was in first grade, my favorite book was There’s No Place Like Space by Tish Rabe. I remember thumbing through the colorful, eye-catching pages and absorbing every little detail about the planets, sun, moon, and lunar rovers. My childhood imagination expanded as thoughts captured these topics. It was from this point on that I realized my wholehearted passion for space exploration.
  
  In the spring of 2018, my school gave me the opportunity to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, for one week. There, I was able to delve deeper into learning more about the career opportunities in the Aerospace field, while also being challenged to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in group activities. My experiences at Space Camp sparked an interest in a career in Aerospace Engineering. The specifics of my career aspirations began developing after being accepted into the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) Online Course program during my junior year of high school and subsequently participating in the VASTS Summer Academy: an invitation-only program. While conducting research on robotic space missions for a module assignment, I discovered an inclination toward learning more about robotic space mission rovers and the scientific instruments used on those vehicles.
  
  All these experiences — from childhood to present day — have encouraged me to set a future career goal aimed at contributing toward furthering humankind’s preparation for long-term space exploration by aspiring to participate in the design and development of robotic apparatuses.

2021

• Natalie Bretton of Newport News, VA

  

  Menchville High School
  Attending in the fall: University of Virginia
  
  I have participated in FIRST robotics programs for almost a decade. Now, as the mechanical fabrication lead and pit crew lead of Menchville High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, I am responsible for the design and building of our robots, training mechanical sub-team members on using machine shop tools, and troubleshooting mechanical problems under pressure. At competitions, I lead my team’s first all-girl pit crew to win several prestigious and technical awards, making us one of the youngest, yet most successful pit crews the team has ever had. My team also partnered with VCU’s Occupational Therapy program, where we worked collaboratively with Ph.D. students to design and implement assistive technology (AT) - technology that helps those with disabilities. I led the process of designing, modifying, and implementing AT, an experience that taught me just how much STEM can help the people around me. After completing 2 invitation-only NASA summer academies, I discovered that I have a passion for aerospace engineering. As a student at the Governor’s School for Science and Technology(GSST), I was able to further explore this passion through a mentorship at NASA. I worked alongside an aerospace engineer to develop a customizable turbofan engine component in a program called OpenVSP. I am going to continue this project through a paid internship this summer, and hope to publish my work. This coming year, I am excited to be attending the University of Virginia as a Rodman Scholar where I plan to double major in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

• Madison Chubb of Orlando, FL

  

  Timber Creek High School
  Attending in the fall: University of Florida
  
  My parents believe that growing up in their own country they were never permitted to figure out who they were. My four younger siblings and I are first-generation Americans, and have always been allowed and encouraged to follow our individual passions. This freedom has allowed me to discover who I truly am inside and what I want to do with my life. I have always been allowed to freely investigate everything I loved. I built, I fixed, and I took a zillion things apart. As a child I would spend hours in my sandbox building different shapes, or sitting on the floor pouring pasta from one saucepan to another through funnels and cardboard tubes. As a six year old I asked for a model jet engine for my birthday. Ever since then I knew I wanted to work with planes. I built hundreds of Lego sets, later moved onto Meccano and now VEX Robotics advancing to States and Worlds. All these things I did as a child have allowed me to realize my passion for aero engineering. Living in different countries I learned to be at ease with who I am. I was the one who was different, and I chose to embrace that, wherever I might be. I am so excited to take the next step into aero engineering and I look forward to all the new exciting things that my future holds!

• Daichi Horiguchi of Manhattan Beach, CA

  

  Mira Costa High School
  Attending in the fall: Stanford University 
  
  I’ve had the chance to delve into many different endeavors and skills. I’ve painted thousands of artworks, recently got scouted into and entered a talent agency, have been learning martial arts for the past decade, and especially have spent a great fraction of my life on music. I began learning the violin when I was two and performed a solo with orchestra accompaniment by the time I was four. I have been on news and media since five and have led numerous orchestras as a concertmaster. Music has provided me with phenomenal opportunities like performing solo with the Mira Costa Symphony in Spain, performing for Mr. Bill Clinton, and getting to mentor many young musicians.
  
  Despite my varying interests, engineering has always been my biggest passion. As a child, I used to break apart and fix household machineries like clocks and printers. I loved finding out the mechanics of any device and gaining knowledge by hands-on experience. I learned woodcrafting and the handling of electric tools in elementary-school, and I learned programming and 3-D modeling in junior-high. After learning metalwork during high-school I turned scrap pieces of motorcycles into a cafe-racer. I now feel that my childhood ambitions and curiosity have grown over the years. It’s always been my dream to become an astronaut, but now I cannot stand not knowing what lies beyond our reach in the universe. My absolute goal is to take part in the Mars colonization plans as an engineer-astronaut and help advance the astronautical-engineering world.

• Gloria Johnson of Stafford, VA

  

  Brooke Point High School
  Attending in the fall: Washington & Jefferson College
  
  Gloria Johnson is an aspiring aerospace engineer with the goal of changing the face of the fueling of aircraft. Gloria grew up as a military child and was born to immigrant parents from Liberia. As she constantly relocated, Gloria found her love for flying and aircraft. Because Gloria grew up with a more global perspective, due to her cultural background and constant relocation, she wanted to ensure that she was also learning from a holistic approach. To achieve this objective, she applied and was accepted into the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at her high school. IB is an academically extensive program that requires students to be well-rounded in their academics and extracurriculars. While in high school, she also participated in the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars Program (VASTS) which further inspired her to reach her desire of becoming an aerospace engineer.
  
  In her pursuit of becoming an aerospace engineer, Gloria has accepted a summer NASA Internship prior to beginning college. She will attend Washington & Jefferson College in the Fall of 2021. She will participate in its dual-degree program with Case Western Reserve University where she will receive bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering. Gloria is thankful as the recipient of this scholarship to assist in supporting her education to help her reach her goals. This investment is not only a blessing to Gloria and her future but will also impact her contributions globally through Aerospace Engineering. Thank you for this opportunity!