2024 Scholarship winners: 
adam al shekka, aryanna m. mong and sophie y. lin

Congratulations!

About our winners:

ADAM ALSHEKHA

Graduating from Naperville North High School to attend College of DuPage’s engineering transfer program into University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, planning to major in engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship.

Beyond his strong academic achievements, Adam’s writes in his essay that he is “committed to paying it forward and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others even after I graduate high school”.  This is evident in his many volunteer activities and serving in leadership roles, preparing him for his future goals.

In his junior year, Adam co-founded the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Cub which is “dedicated to environmental, community, and financial literacy initiatives”.  Accomplishments include Adam leading an “initiative to reduce the school district’s annual plastic waste by 7,500 pounds” through adoption of biodegradable and recyclable materials in place of plastic in the cafeteria.  ESG also raised over $800 to support victims of sex trafficking.  Adam has also provided educational programs and field trips for club members.  His school counselor writes in her letter of recommendation these “reflect not only a commitment to extracurricular leadership but also a dedication to enriching academic experiences beyond the classroom”. Adam explains “through ESG Club, I have contributed to positive changes in our school’s environmental practices and community values”.

Adam has also spent many lunch hours tutoring fellow students and annually participates in the St Baldrick’s event.  He documented through Instagram his creative ways to boost the funds he raised to $3,000 in support of children with cancer.

Additionally, Adam has served as a Huskie Crew Leader, mentoring freshmen for a successful transition into high school.  He is a member of the Red Cross Medical Club volunteering at senior living facilities.  Adam has also volunteered at Feed My Starving Children & Loaves and Fishes food banks and at NNHS Northern Lights Winter Color Guard Championships.

Adam’s counselor describes another of his accomplishments in his role as Founder and CEO of startup Gymbro Finder.  Adam created the website gymprofinder.com “applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting”.  She further extols Adam’s “academic achievements, leadership skills, commitment to extracurricular activities, and community service”. 

Adam expressed his gratitude for the NNNC scholarship as it “helps offset tuition costs, allowing (him) to fully engage in the opportunities available at COD and UIUC…. (to) dedicate (his) time towards…programs (that) offer mentorship, resources, and consulting to create ventures, aligning with my goal of creating positive community impact”.

Adam summarizes in his essay stating, “It is my ultimate goal to use the combined power of business and engineering to create future ventures and charities to help those in need, a vision that is achievable through the financial assistance from the Naperville Newcomer and Neighbors Club”.

 

ARYANNA MONG

Graduating from Metea Valley High School to attend University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, majoring in Computer Science + Linguistics.  Aryanna explains that her “intended major…allows…bridging language barriers with technology”.

Aryanna discovered her love of language and career goal through her experiences with her AP Spanish class.  After struggling in the course working on her own, she reached out to work with her teacher and classmates, achieving success in the class and finding the beauty of the language.  This experience “sparked (her) interest in linguistics, but also helped (her) realize how (she) could use it to genuinely help others”.

An unexpected encounter provided an opportunity for Aryanna to use her Spanish speaking skills by providing comfort to a nervous patient as a hospital volunteer.  These profound experiences imparted her with “an understanding of the power of language in establishing genuine connections” as well as inspiring her major and career goals.

Aryanna’s school counselor writes in her letter of recommendation that “Aryanna is a first-generation college student that leads the overall pack at MVHS”.  She explains that “Aryanna wants to combine her love of helping her parents, others in the community and her love of learning languages…to empower others…she is motivated… by helping”.

Beyond her strong academic achievements, Aryanna has very actively participated in many volunteer activities, serving in many leadership roles.

National English Honors Society President multiple years, hosting book drives and increasing its membership 100%.  Asian Passion Program Chief Operating Officer and English tutor several years, fostering inclusivity and raising $700 for school supplies.

Girls Who Code Co-Leader, hosting Metea’s first hackathon raising donations and teaching girls how to code.

Alive Center Secretary on Teen Board, leading an award-winning Astronomy Club for middle schoolers, receiving “Program of the year” in 2022 for most impactful club.

Young Hearts for Life Secretary, preparing and training volunteers to use EKGs at various schools, planning committee for annual fundraiser run which raised $42,000.

Aryanna’s counselor describes “What truly sets Aryana apart is her altruistic nature and a profound sense of duty to serve the community”.

Aryanna concludes her essay discussing her future goals “I hope to improve current translation software by implementing artificial intelligence and the most crucial programming language my AP Spanish class taught me: empathy”.

SOPHIE LIN

Graduating from Neuqua Valley High School to attend University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, majoring in Computer Science. 

Sophie wrote a lovely essay about the lessons she learned through walking and working with her grandparents and later volunteering for senior tech sessions at Interact, a NVHS community service club.  She observed her grandparents’ hard-work ethic and humble kindness in caring for her.  Sophie happily fulfilled their request to help them with all of their tech issues, learning much along the process.  She then eagerly used her knowledge by volunteering to help other seniors at Interact, including instruction of other volunteers as the committee head.  Sophie describes some of her experiences helping these seniors, including storing pictures of grandchildren; teaching spreadsheets and web design for an aspiring business; and developing tech skills to apply for a new job after the death of a spouse. She developed friendships with some of these seniors, devoting time beyond her Interact sessions and being “inspired by their dreams”.

Sophie explains “Following senior tech classes and the impact that my grandparents made on me, I plan to study computer science at UIU in hopes of creating technology tailored for older demographics, helping them enjoy modern life and feel connected to the rest of the world”.  Expanding on this plan writing “Addressing their literacy in technology and declining physical abilities, I’ll design an elderly setting powered by AI, focusing on simplicity and replete with smart features…”.

In addition to her very impressive academic achievements and admirable career goal, Sophie has been very active in other volunteer activities, serving in many leadership roles.  Genre-Managing Editor for Polyphony Lit, an international literary magazine

Managed 150 editors; led team of 3 editors on assignment; Content Editor and Interviewer, interacting with a young Ukrainian author’s literary work.

Ray Chinese School, tutoring; and AP Chinese Teaching Assistant.

Science Academic Resource Center, NVHS tutoring service, tutoring in Chemistry and Physics, Wildcat Summer STEM Camp, coach for middle schoolers.

Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, national honor society, volunteer for multicultural activities throughout the year.

Her English teacher and club sponsor wrote in her letter of recommendation about the many awards and recognition Sophie has earned including published in Gwendolyn Books Youth Poetry Collection 2023; National Merit Semi-Finalist; and Neuqua Honors for her dedication to the school. She describes Sophie as “dedicated, compassionate, creative, and bright…(an) altruistic young woman”.

In addition to her career goal to help seniors using AI technology, Sophie plans to “join groups like the Center for Autonomy to actively engage with the elderly, working with like-minded peers on projects…”. 

Sophie concludes her essay writing “above all, in college and beyond, I hope to bring new life to the stories of the people I met in volunteering, a passion for listening that started back in the walks with my grandparents…wondering about all the nothings and small kindnesses that make up our lives”.

Thank you to our President’s Circle Sponsor, Stephen “Woody” Woodring, owner of Woody Buick GMC in Naperville and Gurnee, for the generous scholarship donation.