Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship Award Winners
After receiving a breadth of impressive applications from young women around the country, each year, we are happy to announce the recognition of one exceptional young woman who demonstrates the importance of hard work and perseverance. Each winner truly stands as an influence to women everywhere on the value of leadership and education.
Here are our previous winners for the Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship. For more information about this opportunity and to see the criteria for this upcoming scholarship, please visit our scholarship page.
2023 Winner: Catherine Xiang
Catherine Xiang, a northern Virginia native, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University with a focus on Dynamic Systems and Controls. She likes to dance, teach, and eat cheese in spite of her minor lactose intolerance and is currently studying the biomechanics of human movement. Eagerly anticipating continuing her education by pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering next year, Catherine is committed to fostering inclusivity within STEM fields and designing transportation systems that are safe, accessible, and sustainable.
In Her Words:
“I am deeply honored to have been selected as the recipient of the Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship. This recognition means more to me than words can express, as it validates not only my academic and extracurricular endeavors but also my commitment to breaking barriers for women in the field of mechanical engineering. The financial support provided by this scholarship will play a crucial role in realizing my aspirations to pursue a master’s degree. Thank you to Kerri Castellini and the scholarship committee for this incredible honor, and I am excited about the possibilities that this scholarship opens for me and future generations of women in engineering.”
2022 Winner: Andrea Torabyan
Andrea Torabyan is a senior at California State University Northridge who intends to pursue a career in physical therapy. Andrea will graduate with her bachelor’s in kinesiology and transfer to the University of Southern California (USC) Doctorate of Physical Therapy program to obtain her Ph.D. Andrea was born and raised in Los Angeles by immigrant parents who moved to America from their hometown of Armenia to pursue greater education and wider opportunity for their children. Andrea has dreamt of pursuing physical therapy after being inspired by the women close to her. Andrea aspires to be part of the medical field where she can bring a greater good to her patients. She looks forward to attending USC where she will soon be able to finalize her goals and begin inspiring other women to chase their dreams.
In Her Words:
“I am so incredibly thankful to have been chosen for this opportunity. When I initially began my journey of applying to graduate school programs, I knew that I was proud of where I had come in my education. To begin the further journey and take the next step is something I am grateful for but I was also hesitant to apply to my dream programs due to high tuition rates. Education can be difficult in that financial needs outweigh our pursuits at times. Hearing that I had won this scholarship, I knew that I had a chance at having ease of mind. Therefore, I sincerely thank you and I could not be more grateful!”
2021 Winner: Savannah Adams
Savannah was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She moved to Gainesville, Florida, to attend the University of Florida, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Sport Management. She has been a sports fan her whole life and grew up playing soccer and basketball competitively and several other sports recreationally.
Savannah decided to major in Sport Management because she is passionate about sports and believes in the positive value sports can bring to people. Savannah loves the idea of bringing people together through sports.
Savannah is currently in her first year at Wake Forest University School of Law, looking to learn more about the intersects of sports, law, and blockchain technology. She is excited to continue on this journey and one day become an advocate for the people and causes she believes in.
In Her Own Words:
“I am incredibly honored to be awarded the Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship. It has been a stressful time navigating through my first year of law school on top of financial stressors. This scholarship relieves some of that financial burden that has been so difficult to cope with. I am truly flattered to be selected for this award and cannot thank the sponsors enough for hosting this scholarship. Being recognized with an award is always encouraging. It pushes me to be the best version of myself and persevere towards my goals.”
2020 Winner: Jillian Morganelli
Jillian Morganelli lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with her family and dog. She attended Quinnipiac University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Criminal Justice. During Jillian’s undergraduate study she focused much of her time working with children with learning disabilities and behavioral challenges. Jillian is continuing her graduate education at the University of Massachusetts Boston in the School Psychology Graduate Program. She is completing coursework to earn her Masters in Education and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology. Jillian finds it very rewarding working with children of all ages. Jillian is also currently working at The South Shore Autism Center of Norwell, conducting Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy with children on the Autism Spectrum. She is most proud of the rewarding work she gets to do with these children every day.
In Her Own Words:
“I am so sincerely honored and excited to have received the Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship! I have been working full time all throughout my graduate studies in order to pay for my coursework and get by. This additional financial support will be so helpful to me in paying for my next semester’s classes. I truly could not be more grateful for this scholarship! I couldn’t stop smiling all day after receiving this great news, thank you so much!”
2019 Winner: Jody Bell
Jody Bell is a freshman at the College of Charleston majoring in International Business. In 2018 she developed In Case of Deportation (I.C.O.D) which serves as an informational hub for American born children with undocumented parents or guardians. The site was featured in a number of international articles and started a conversation about how children are affected by deportation. She is originally from Connecticut, and aside from her service and political work, she enjoys painting and gardening.
In Her Own Words:
“I am so incredibly overjoyed to be receiving this scholarship! Directly after I found out that I was chosen winner, I immediately called my mom and excitedly told her about the opportunity. In the short time I have been studying at college I have had to hold two different jobs. However, with the additional financial support of this gracious grant, I will be able to focus more so on my school work and service projects. I truly could not be more grateful.”
2018 Winner: Regina Agopian
Regina Agopian was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. She has been profoundly influenced by her experience as an immigrant and facing the adversities of integrating into a new culture. She is a 2017 UCLA graduate where she majored in sociology with College Honors, and was a member of the club swim team and the Alumni Scholar’s Club. Regina is passionate in helping and representing underrepresented communities. Her experience interning for Congressman Brad Sherman and interning for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has solidified her desire to become an attorney. She hopes to pursue her legal career in criminal and public interest law while advocating for social justice.
In Her Own Words:
“I am sincerely honored to be a recipient of the Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship. To this day, my parents support my brothers and me with our college educations; however, many financial burdens continue to exist. I am very thankful for receiving your thoughtful gift because as a result of this award I am able to concentrate on what is most important to me—education. This scholarship will further my professional goal of pursuing law which in turn will help me become an accomplished leader in my community. My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like yours. Thank you for enabling my schooling!”
2017 Winner: Anvoluwapo Osibajo
Anvoluwapo Osibajo, a freshman at Georgetown University, is the winner of the 2016 Women’s Leadership Scholarship, celebrating young women’s leadership skills and educational ambitions. Having just graduated from the Frederick Douglass Academy with a strong academic and internship background, Ms. Osibajo showcases an inspirational passion for her community and her education.
On her path to law school, she is currently majoring in political economy and hopes to able to use her understanding of politics and economics to find ways to better societal problems like urban poverty. She is an active member of her Bronx community and now her new D.C. community as well, where she will participate in Georgetown’s Women in Leadership, and continue developing her leadership skills elsewhere on campus.
Upon receiving the call that she was the recipient of the scholarship, she stated that this is only the beginning of great things, as she pursues her dreams of becoming a civil rights attorney and continuing to find ways she can help those who have been discriminated, belittled, or forgotten.
It seems receiving this scholarship is only the beginning of great things for Anvoluwapo, as she already has impressive internships and community service experiences behind her, with only more to learn from in the future to further develop her admirable leadership skills.