Meet the 2025 Scholars

Adeoluwa Akingbade is from Mooresville, NC, and attends Davidson Day School. He has journalism experience writing with World Soccer Talk, his school yearbook, and photojournalism experience. Adeoluwa wants to be a sports journalist to highlight the most important stories in sports and how they interact with politics.

Ana Lema is from Delray Beach, FL, and attends Spanish River Community High School. Ana is the founder of an independent journal, From Ana Lema, where she publishes her unique writing pieces and photographs, and the founder of not-for-profit organization, Trinkets of Hope. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief to her school’s yearbook and literary magazine. Ana hopes to pursue a career in print journalism so she can become an authentic storyteller and life-long creator. 

Vivian (Ava) Kruczko is from Cary, NC, and attended Green Hope High School. She participated in Yearbook and Leadership in Media, and will be the student life editor next year for her school’s online paper, the GH Falcon. She is interested in writing editorials, covering news and using journalism to make a positive difference.

Itzel Rubio-Mendiola is from Reidsville, NC, and attends the North Carolina School of Science and Math. She has gained journalism experience through her school newspaper forum and plans to join the staff of her school newspaper in the fall. Itzel hopes to work for a publication to shed light on issues affecting her community and to become an advocate.

Khamaria Wolfe is from Whitakers, NC, and attends North Edgecombe High School. She works as an anchor, reporter, and script writer for her school newspaper. Khamaria also an athlete and actively involved in various school clubs. Furthermore, Khamaria is a dedicated leader within her school community, actively advocating for diverse voices and inclusion. She hopes to become a journalist.

Lily Check is from Virginia Beach, VA, and attends Salem High School. Lily will return as the Editor-in-Chief of her school newspaper, mainly covering sports and political topics. Through her authentic writing, she strives to form meaningful connections on the basis of compassion, a goal she has pursued through her personal blog, CheckPoint Sports. Lily plans to study journalism and political science with aspirations of becoming a beat writer or clubhouse reporter.

Nolan Sullivan is from Cary, NC, and attends Green Hope High School. He writes for his school newspaper and will serve as the Editor-in-Chief next school year. Nolan wants to work in biomedical engineering, with hopes of using his journalism experience to assist him with research and writing in this field.

Patrick Gohl is from Fort Lauderdale, FL, and attends Pompano Beach High School. He has worked for his school newspaper for three years, including serving as Editor-in-Chief. Patrick hopes to work as an investigative journalist to cover topics such as politics or education.

Sadie Kelsey is from Raleigh, NC, and attends Millbrook High School. She will serve as the MHS Cat Talk’s co-editor-in-chief and media manager. Sadie is also the student body president of her school and runs the social media for the Millbrook choir program. She plans to become a journalist to work either for a national newspaper or in broadcast television. 

Sophia Yurko is from Naples, FL, and attends Community School of Naples. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Talon Tribune, her school’s student newspaper, and the creator of Across the Table, a political social media account that aims to combat polarization and promote bipartisan news. In addition to her work in journalism, Sophia serves as Vice President of the Environmental Club, sits on the board of the Special Olympics Club, and is a member of CSN’s Honor Council. She hopes to become a political correspondent for a major US broadcast network. 

Teeba Reab Agga is from Cary, NC, and attends Cary High School. She is an active member in her school’s newspaper club and manages social media accounts for several clubs at her school. Teeba hopes to work in the fields of computer engineering and telecommunications in the future.

Zeynep Oralkan is from Morrisville, NC and attends Green Hope High School. She previously served as the public relations manager for her school’s Muslim Student Association and will be president of the MSA this upcoming year. Zeynep is currently one of the head script writers for a podcast highlighting athletes rising from conflict zones and humble beginnings. She aspires to have a career as a Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF.