Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Awards College Scholarships to 70 High School Seniors
In its 25th anniversary year, the Foundation awards scholarships amid the rising number of college applicants and growing affordability concerns
LANSDOWNE, VIRGINIA (APRIL 8, 2025) – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation today announced that 70 high school seniors, ten more than last year’s cohort of Scholars, have been awarded the Cooke College Scholarship. The Cooke College Scholarship, which is last-dollar funding after all institutional aid, provides Scholars with up to $55,000 per year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution. This award aims to help students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and persistence avoid student debt.
“As we celebrate 25 years of work as a Foundation, we are proud to expand our commitment by supporting 70 students this year,” said Seppy Basili, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation. “This increase reflects not only the quality of applications we received, but also our response to the growing financial barriers facing talented students with financial need.”
The expansion aligns with broader trends in college applicants. According to recent Common App data, first-year applicants rose four percent this admission cycle, and there was an eight percent increase among applicants from families below the median income level. While more students are pursuing higher education, financial barriers remain daunting.
In addition to substantial financial support, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive academic coaching, graduate school and career advising, opportunities for internships and study abroad, and access to a vibrant network of fellow Scholars and Alumni. Scholars are also eligible to apply for graduate school funding after completing their undergraduate degrees.
The 2025 Cooke College Scholars come from 29 states plus the District of Columbia and American Samoa. The full list of 2025 Cooke College Scholars, including their high schools and states, can be found below.
Alaska
Habibah Bostani – West Anchorage High School
American Samoa
Daniel Lee – Pacific Horizons School
Arizona
Jan Dwayne Cacnio – Paradise Valley High School
Arkansas
Damian Biggs – Arkansas School for Mathematics and Science
California
Roundy Guerrero Garcia – Sweetwater High School
Ameen Kandathil – Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
James Miller – Westlake High School
Jacky Orozco – Buena Park High School
Zaina Saleh – Hollywood High School
Colorado
Maria Arrece Garcia – Niwot High School
Connecticut
Julia Basseto-Oliveira – Fairfield Warde High School
Helena Chaine – Hamden Hall Country Day School
Tairan Habib – New Britain High School
Delaware
Melisa Velasquez-Zunun – Sussex Central High School
District of Columbia
Anna Khabiyev – Jackson-Reed High School
Florida
Maurits Acosta – Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
James Beauregard – Vanguard High School
Danilo Franco – Florida Atlantic University High School
Juliana Noreus – Lely High School
McKinlee Williams – J R Arnold High School
Georgia
Amarri Robinson – John S Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
Alex Taylor – Union Grove High School
Kairon Watkins – Paul Duke Stem High School
Idaho
Nick Mendez – Caldwell Senior High School
Illinois
Afia Adomako – Noble Academy
Lizzet Arriaga – Phoenix STEM Military Academy
Juveriya Ghouri – Chicago Mathematics and Science Academy
Eleshaday Mengiste – Northside College Preparatory High School
Indiana
Abena Antwi – John Adams High School
Aika Chikayama-Jackson – Signature School
Ray Fan – The Culver Academies
Louisiana
Zoe’ Bell – Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy
Nita Perez – Homeschooled
Maine
Fadumo Ahmed – Lewiston High School
Maryland
Leah Negash – Montgomery Blair High School
Massachusetts
Allya Rogers – Josiah Quincy Upper School
Michigan
Mst Begum – Hamtramck High School
Hala Komaiha – Crestwood High School
Juna Maxhari – Woodhaven High School
Minnesota
Bethelehem Kebede – Rosemount High School
Missouri
Lexy Cooper – Moberly Senior High School
Myka Link – Hillcrest High School
Ray Rao – Parkway North High School
New Mexico
Marwa Zameer – Albuquerque School of Excellence
New York
Jesus Barrios – Amityville Memorial High School
Eric Mach – Bronx High School of Science
Jannat Majid – Bellport Senior High School
Hisham Osman – Benjamin Cardozo High School
Sophia Tkachenko – Queens High School For the Sciences at York College
Lily Wu – Great Neck South High School
North Carolina
Nour Issa – Johnston County Career & Technical Leadership Academy
Diego Sanchez Tirado – North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Ohio
Kanyah Green – Columbus International High School
Oregon
Kiara Gonzalez – David Douglas High School
Pennsylvania
Khadicha Kosimjonova – Baldwin High School
Texas
Rene Candelaria – Idea Frontier College Preparatory
Anmol Christ – Midlothian High School
Robell Ephrem – Dulles High School
Jennyfer Estrada – YES Preparatory Public Schools: Brays Oaks
Maiah Holmes – Atascocita High School
Samyam Khatiwada – International Leadership Texas Aggieland High School
Anaise Lopez-Rodriguez – Belton High School
Isabella Moreno-Sandoval – Southwest High School
Sarah Nguyen – North Garland High School
Jacqueline Nunez Martinez – Harmony Science Academy: Dallas
Cruz Trejo – North Mesquite High School
Hannah Truong – YES Preparatory Schools: Southeast
Virginia
Sana Khilwatgar – Chantilly High School
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About The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling, and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org