Ana Spangenberg

Ann Marie Cahenzli

Barbara O’Hare

Claire Egan

Claire O'Hare

Colleen Koerner

Elizabeth Cosco

Helene Pyne

Jennfer Kennedy

Julia Bossidy

Akilatu Ayinla

My name is Akilatu Ayinla. I was born in New Haven, Connecticut and raised in Burkina Faso, West Africa by my grandparents. I am currently a senior at the University of New Haven studying Business Management and enrolled in a dual degree program for my master’s in business administration. As a child, I felt resentment towards my parents for their absence during my upbringing. Now, as a young woman, I am grateful for the multicultural experiences that have broadened my perspective and shaped me into who I am today. I can now say because I had that upbringing, I can speak 3 languages being French, Yoruba and English. That upbringing also made me appreciative of different cultures and more open-minded to learning and growing continuously as a person. I am excited to witness my growth as a person and grateful for the opportunity of being a Shine On Scholar.

Breana Chery

Breana Chery is a rising junior Elementary education major from Norwalk, Connecticut. She currently attends North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Breana enjoys being around community and serving in any capacity. LiveGirl has given Breana the space to blossom in every space that she enters. Through the thoughtful and intentional leadership of LiveGirl, Breana is using the tools and skills she has learned how to build up confident and inclusive leaders herself.

Isabella Colucci

Isabella Colucci is a first-generation Colombian-American as well as the eldest daughter of four. Currently, she is pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology at Boston University. Outside of her studies, Isabella is a part of her school’s women’s rugby team, BUWRFC. She enjoys providing home services and volunteering for the older adults in her community. She is currently working at an eating disorder rehabilitation center as a mental health counselor, which is an area she plans to pursue further in her professional career. Since high school, she has been passionate about helping the world around her, whether it be picking up compost around her neighborhood or being a companion for adults with dementia. The Shine On Scholarship will help Isabella in her pursuit of helping the community around her and building courage and confidence in others. It is her hope that she can eventually create a space where everyone feels included and cared for, no matter one’s demographics.

Julia Ghagare

Julia Ghagare is a junior Marketing major at the University of Connecticut. She is the eldest daughter in an immigrant family with Mexican and Indian heritage living in South Windsor, CT. She is proudly a first-generation American college student. Developed by the guidance of influential mentors, Julia lives by relationship-building, sincerity, and hard work. Julia is known as a reliable student leader as Vice President of External Relations in UConn Women in Business, Vice Chair of Marketing for UConn SUBOG Special Events Committee, and an Instructor for the Financial Literacy Innovation Program (F.L.I.P.) through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at UConn. Julia also served as the External Relations and Public Affairs Manager for Energy Mentors, a 501(c) nonprofit, during the 23-24 school year. Outside of school, Julia was a Sales Intern for Otis Elevator in Boston in Summer ‘23 and will be returning as a Sales Enablement Intern in Summer ‘24. Julia is committed to pursuing brand management at a consumer packaged goods company.

Rhaili-Em Lowe

Rhaili-Em Lowe is a rising sophomore at Howard University studying Supply Chain Management. She is from Hartford, Connecticut and is of Jamaican descent. She is a first generation college student and is happy to represent Hartford at the number one HBCU in the US. She considers herself to be a great leader and hard worker. She is passionate about social justice and hopes to continue her activism similar to the projects that she did in High School, such as her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Project Diverse Books. She is also an upcoming entrepreneur and strives to one day make her business Dazzling Designs By Rhaili, into a full fledged company. This summer Rhaili will continue interning with Once Upon A Farm as a Materials Intern, something she is very proud about. Lastly, Rhaili is a big fan of Fantasy and Sci Fi novels, Anime, Marvel, and Harry Potter.

Ruth-Ann Bucknor

Ruth-Ann Bucknor is a passionate advocate dedicated to uplifting the voices of historically marginalized groups within her community. She has served on both the Office of Early Childhood Parent Cabinet and the Early Childhood Cabinet, demonstrating her commitment to early childhood development and education. Ruth-Ann also founded a motherhood support group, providing essential resources and community for mothers. In her role as a Parent Ambassador for the National Service Office, Ruth-Ann represents the Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First, two prominent home visiting programs that support families and children across the United States. She is currently completing her bachelor's degree and plans to pursue a Master's in Public Administration to further her impact in public service. Ruth-Ann's dedication and leadership continue to make significant strides in her community.

Sarafia Mughwai

Sarafia Mughwai is a student at Yale University studying Ethics, Politics, and Economics. She is passionate about global geopolitics and cross-cultural connections both professional and personal. She volunteered at the Chin School Organization in Malaysia last year, teaching young students English, math, and science. Experiences such as these and the ability to travel the world prove to be greatly enriching and experiential assets for her future. Sarafia is interested in law and working with global organizations such as the UN. In pursuit of the aforementioned, she is studying French and Korean in college. She is passionate about building community through outreach and aims to contribute to bringing about justice in any way possible. Sarafia enjoys listening to music, films, trying new restaurants, crocheting, and dancing as a part of Yale’s hip-hop dance group, Rhythmic Blue.

Anell Paulino

Anell Paulino is a sophomore at Dartmouth College studying Government and Anthropology. She is a proud eldest sister, daughter to a single, immigrant mother, community leader, singer in The Dartmouth Sing, coffee connesuire, and more, just to name a few things. As mentioned before, Anell loves being part of The Dartmouth Sings, Dartmouth’s collegiate coed a cappella group, as a mezzo-soprano. She also loves serving her community through acts of service and the collection of her communities stories, keeping and holding these orated stories that define her community close. She hopes to utilize her degree from Dartmouth to transform the world, with a targeted focus on improving the world through modes of social justice and genuine human connection. 

Chioma Nsude

Chioma is a Shine On scholar from Southeastern Nigerian and is currently pursuing her master's degree in public health at the University of New Haven. She has experience volunteering for non-profit organizations like Rotary International. Her passion is inspired by her experiences in the field of healthcare and technology. She’s passionate about communicating global health issues and developing data-driven solutions through technology. She acknowledges that her motivation lies in turning her desires into reality and maintaining a positive mindset. Known for her amiable nature, she utilizes this quality to shine in her endeavors. Chioma values teamwork and research and sees both as opportunities to learn, unlearn and grow. In addition, she’s an intentional individual, dedicated to her personal and professional development. She looks forward to being an influential resource to educate, promote healthier families and foster conscious communities.

Mbalenhle Dube

My name is Mbalenhle Dube, I am a sophomore at Westchester Community College pursuing an associate in computer science. I am thrilled to have been selected as a recipient of the LiveGirl Shine On Scholarship. I am committed to upholding the values and expectations associated with the LiveGirl Shine On

scholarship. I understand the importance of perseverance, integrity and compassion, and I am determined to embody these qualities in all aspects of my life. I am excited to engage with the LiveGirl community to learn, grow and contribute to making a positive impact. I am immensely grateful for this scholarship opportunity and promise to make the most of it. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my educational journey.

Nadjasmine Rene

My name is Nadjasmine Rene, and I am a graduating senior at Brien McMahon High School. This fall, I'll be attending Brown University and majoring in Public Health on the Pre-Med Track. I am very grateful for this scholarship as it will alleviate some of my financial burdens by helping to fund and support my education. This scholarship will significantly contribute to the cost of books and other resources while allowing me to focus on my education. I will uphold the values of this scholarship by continuing to shine and be a light in my community. I aspire to become a physician and work to eliminate disparities within healthcare by increasing access to healthcare in marginalized communities. I want to thank this foundation for its support and dedication to my education, and I am excited to be a Shine On Scholar.

Naja Bennett

My name is Naja Bennett, and I am a third-year in college focusing on Health and Political Science. This summer you will catch me interning at the Secretary of the State’s office- where I plan to strengthen and gain additional skills. My future consists of me pushing for new boundaries and policies toward an environment that is better physically and emotionally for everyone.

Natalie Betts

Hello, my name is Natalie Betts. I am a rising junior health science major and an afro-american studies minor at Howard University from Hartford, Connecticut. I am currently on the pre-med track with intentions of going into medical school after I matriculate through Howard with my bachelor's degree. I want to become a hematologist, explicitly working with Sickle Cell Disease patients and tackling racial disparities within the healthcare system for black and brown people. When not focused on my studies, I am a campus reporter for my university's Student News Publication, "The Hilltop." I also tutor the incarcerated youth within the D.C. Community through the Petey Greene Program, and I am a part of a creative organization here on my campus known as the "Models of The Mecca" as a hairstylist. Through all these things I do and more, I prioritize exemplifying the core values of what it means to be a Shine On Scholar.

Lorrie Solonynka-The Shine On Impact Scholarship (Sponsored by Claire O’hare)

This annual award will be given to a graduating senior who has made a significant impact on LiveGirl and her community through volunteerism and activism/advocacy. Lorrie served as the President of the LiveGirl Leadership Council and drove the implementation of student-led advocacy and community projects. ​​​​​​​​

Breana Chery — Rose Fish Legacy Scholar

The Rose Fish Legacy Scholarship. This annual award will be given to a graduating senior who epitomizes the LiveGirl and Rose Fish values of kindness, inclusiveness, and paying it forward through teaching/mentoring. This person embodies a positive spirit that sparks joy in others. Breana has been a camp counselor, high school mentor, LiveGirl League member, and am currently the Highschool Mentor Captain.​​​​​​​​

Asija Qyteza-The Paul E. Scheele Memorial Scholarship

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The Paul E. Scheele Memorial Scholarship recognizes a student who demonstrates Paul’s core values of integrity, speaking truth to power, and continuing the fight for a racially equitable country. Paul was a fierce advocate for creating an equitable future for all races in the United States and the Scheele/Waller family is honored to bestow this scholarship to a student who is passionate about fighting for voting rights and civil rights. Asija served as a LiveGirl Advocacy Intern for the ’21-22 school year and was instrumental in leading student-led advocacy for the CT Menstrual Equity Bill.​​​​​​​​

RANEASE BROWN — Rose Fish Legacy Scholar

Ranease has been involved in LiveGirl since 2015. She has truly found her voice and grown into an authentic and confident leader. She has been a high school mentor, summer camp counselor, and senior fellow. She shares her contagious joy and her powerful “just-been-there” mentoring. Through her scholar essay, Ranease shared how LiveGirl helped her learn self-love. She wrote, “I am (now) proud to say that I am a confident, Black, Christian, educated, and beautiful girl from the inside out who has had to push through a lot to get where I am. We are so grateful for Ranease being part of our community and cannot wait to watch her launch at the Cincinnati Music Conservatory.

NEYA KRISHNAN — Passion for Action Scholar

Neya has truly gone above and beyond to contribute her talents to the LiveGirl community. She gifts us with her original poetry, serves as a mentor, a camp counselor, and an intern. She is a young women who is straightforward, kind, passionate, and creative. Through her work, you can see her finding ways to impact and influence the communities around her for the better. She was the President of New Canaan High School’s National Honors Society and the founder of the WE Club chapter at her school, which is an international organization that provides youth with the resources to make a change. Neya has organized numerous community efforts that support life-changing impacts across the word, including: fundraising to sell Kenyan-inspired Rafiki bracelets, partnering with Letters2Strangers to destigmatize mental health and increase access to affordable care and is currently leading a tree-planting initiative with the non-profit “Tree Plenish". We are so excited to see where her college experiences takes her when she attends Tufts University in the fall.

JORDAN MALLIS — Livewell Impact Scholar

Jordan has been involved with LiveGirl since 2018. She was always been the first to volunteer to help and attend LiveGirl programs. Jordan served as a high school mentor at our leadership summits and at Confidence Club. She has been on our Leadership Council since it has been founded, has done our LiveGirl League program twice, and just finished her second year as a LiveGirl senior fellow. On top of all of this and her school work, Jordan also brought one of her LiveGirl League projects to life. Her project is called The Skid Project and it promoted recycling and upcycling old discs to decrease their presence in landfills. Jordan is making such an impact and will continue to do so as she ventures off to UConn to study Marine Biology.

OLIVIA WEST — LiveGirl Muse

Olivia has been the LiveGirl Muse since the very start. She has been the test case of everything, the first camp, the first leadership summit, the first confidence club, and everything LiveGirl has created in between. She has grown from camper to camp counselor, she has been a mentor, and she has not missed a beat of LiveGirl. She has passionately and wholeheartedly given herself to LiveGirl, along with her time, her heart and soul, her advocacy and activism. Olivia is the definition of a confident and inclusive leader and will continue to do so as she goes off to UPenn in the fall. 

LIVEWELL IMPACT SCHOLAR

Aziza Benbouchaib, graduating Westhill HS, attending Manhattanville College in the Fall

Through the LiveGirl League program, Aziza launched @SilenceHurtsCT, a school and online support group for sexual abuse survivors.

In her essay, Aziza shared, “LiveGirl has shown me that I have a voice and that I should speak up about the things that are important to me. It made me realize that I had to speak up as a Sexual Assault survivor, and let others know it’s okay to do the same. LiveGirl has also shown me that Women are important and women can be the face of anything they please.”

Stephanie Guza, graduating Sacred Heart Academy in Greenwich, attending University of Richmond

Stephanie has been involved with LiveGirl throughout high school and has made a powerful impact through her “Ending Period Poverty” initiative.

“The skills I have learned while with LiveGirl are public speaking, networking, talking to adults, and self-empowerment. These skills have taught me how to speak my mind, stand up for others, and maximize my potential to achieve my goals.”

PHOEBE KURTH graduating St. Luke’s HS in New Canaan, attending Villanova in the fall

Phoebe has volunteered for LiveGirl throughout her high school career, as a mentor, camp counselor, leadership council member and senior fellow.

During COVID19, she organized LiveGirl’s High School Leadership Council’s “Hearts for Healthcare Workers” campaign. “We wrote letters of gratitude and support and delivered them to local hospitals. There were many levels of coordination and promotion and Before LiveGirl, I would not have had the leadership skills to carry out a project like this.”

COVID19 COMMUNITY KINDNESS AWARD

Olivia is a Freshman at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT.  An avid knitter, Olivia created a LiveGirl League project called Hats for the Homeless.  She collected hats and knitted quite a few herself!  Early  in the COVID-19 outbreak, Olivia started knitting masks with a cotton lining to help keep her community safe.  Rather than collecting payment for the masks, Olivia asked for her customers to donate to LiveGirl. She has since set-up her own business, KnitGirl with proceeds going to LiveGirl.

Sabrina Ahamed is a compassionate mentor, a joyous soul, and a leader. She has been involved in LiveGirl as a Mentor and Fellow and will graduate from the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering in Stamford, CT in June. As a LiveGirl Mentor, she raised her voice on what it’s like to be a Muslim woman in today’s world. Sabrina will attend Connecticut College in the fall.

Kate Reeves is an activist, a storyteller, and a powerful leader. She has been involved in LiveGirl as a Fellow and President of the LiveGirl Youth Advisory Board, where she was instrumental in growing our high school advocacy efforts. She is a senior at New Canaan High School where she led the Model United Nations, served as editor of the school’s literary magazine, and played field hockey, gymnastics, and lacrosse. Kate will attend Georgetown University in the fall.