AFCEA DC Announces 2025-2026 STEM Scholarship Recipients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFCEA DC ANNOUNCES 2025-2026 STEM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Organization awards $84,800 to promising Washington DC region STEM scholars
Washington, DC, June 3, 2026 – The Washington, DC Chapter of AFCEA (AFCEA DC) announced this year’s awardees of its annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Program. A total of $84,800 in scholarships was awarded to twenty-nine high school seniors throughout the Washington, DC region. Three students with the top scores from judging were awarded $4,000 with all other students earning $2,800 to put towards pursuing degrees within the STEM fields. The scholarship selection and awards process was led by Jon Jumento, AFCEA DC Vice President for STEM and Senior Sales Manager – Federal Civilian at HPE.
“The class of 2026 presented us with 145 very qualified applications to review, making the selection of our 29 awardees very difficult,” said Jumento. “To make the final decision on scholarship awards we looked at achievements in academics, school and community leadership, financial need, and recommendations. The future of STEM innovation is in great hands with this cohort of scholars.”
AFCEA DC aims to promote higher education in the STEM fields of computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and management information systems annually by awarding scholarships to local high school seniors. Since 1989, AFCEA DC has awarded over 530 scholarships—totaling more than $3 million—to students from 80 area high schools attending over 150 different colleges. Scholarships are funded by the AFCEA DC winter gala and other chapter events.
“One of the key missions of AFCEA DC is building and supporting the next generation of leaders,” commented Kevin Griffith, 2025-2026 AFCEA DC President. “Through our programming we are proud to support the education of these inspiring future STEM leaders.”
The following scholarship recipients were chosen from local high schools and are a part of the graduating class of 2026:
- Mikee Assefa, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
- Camille Bissahoyo, Charles Herbert Flowers High School
- Levi Bush*, Lightridge High School
- Zara Dawodu, Grier School
- Angela Dong, Poolesville High School
- Kayla Edwards, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
- Belva Fianko, Osbourn Park High School
- Horayn Gibson, Charles Herbert Flowers High School
- Owen Jacobs, McKinley Technology High School
- Adam Khalil, Broad Run High School
- Sydni Kornegay, McKinley Technology High School
- Livia Kouts, Battlefield High School
- Michell Marfo, Osbourn Park High School
- Ajrin Nawaz, Rock Ridge High School
- Bathany Ngobiri, Charles Herbert Flowers High School
- Valeria Novoa, James Madison High School
- Victoria Rosado Reyes, North Point High School
- Elizabeth Spencer, South County High School
- Sydney Spooner, Battlefield High School
- Sienna Sung, Langley High School
- Aidyn Thomasson, Springbrook High School
- Anna Tung, Chantilly High School
- Novel Urgisa, Coolidge High School
- Derek Wang*, Richard Montgomery High School
- Solveig Wartchow, McKinley Technology High School
- Skyler Xue, Montgomery Blair High School
- Abenezer Yerga, Montgomery Blair High School
- Glen Yonkers, McKinley Technology High School
- Jessica Zhang*, Montgomery Blair High School
*Awarded $4,000 scholarship
To learn about AFCEA’s professional awards that recognize exemplary service to the government, military and industry clients, and partners, visit the AFCEA International Awards Programs website.
About AFCEA DC
AFCEA DC is the Washington, DC-based chapter of AFCEA International. Established in 1946, AFCEA is a membership-based, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge through the exploration of issues relevant to its members in information technology, communications and electronics for the defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities. For over 75 years, the association has provided an environment for military, government, and industry communities to collaborate so that technology and strategy support the needs of those who serve. Washington, DC Chapter largely focuses on the Department of War, the intelligence community, military health-related agencies, and issues of national security. For more information, visit dc.afceachapters.org.